Bike and Bite - Plan the Best Cycling Picnic

Nothing quite matches a picnic to enjoy time as a family, but cycling to your favourite turf spot can turn it into an adventure! If this sounds like a perfect day out, we’ve got a few tips and ideas for prepping and packing for a family bike ride picnic. Ready?

Equip Your Bikes with Baskets

Bike baskets are your perfect picnic mate—they’ll carry everything for you while you pedal. You’ll want something sturdy and spacious to keep sandwiches, cutlery, flasks, and so on. But of course, all this won’t fit into one basket. That’s why we recommend having everyone on their own, keeping each responsible for their snacks.

For parents riding their adult bikes, these Bobbin baskets are right up your street:

Palma Bike Basket

The Palma is a stripy eco-rattan front basket with an oval shape. It’s made from powder-coated steel with a PP rattan weave and has a 5kg capacity. The dimensions are L: 38.5cm x H: 25cm x D: 29cm, providing enough space to carry picnic food. The basket fits handlebars with a 22.2mm diameter.

Pannier Bike Basket - Breton Stripes

This basket has a similar look to the Palma, but it’s a bit bigger and designed to sit at the back. It’s a great companion to your front basket, especially if you need to pack a bit more for your outing.

Front Carrier E

If you’re after some extra support for your front basket, the Front Carrier E is just the thing. It’s adjustable and easily fits onto the front wheel axle. Perfect for a smoother, sturdier ride!

Now, for your little ones cycling on their kid’s bikes, you can’t go wrong with these children’s bike baskets:

Gingersnap Spare Baskets

The Gingersnap basket has that classic rattan basket look that fits effortlessly on any kids’ bike. It comes in two sizes: medium, 28cm wide and 19cm high, and large, 35cm wide and 23cm high.

Lottie Kids Bike Basket

What we love about this basket is that it can be detached from the bike, allowing kids to carry it by hand. The small size measures 22.5cm wide and 15cm high, while the medium option is 29cm wide and 17.5cm high. These dimensions are enough to fit their sandwiches, little snacks, and drinks.

Here’s What To and What Not to Pack

(Image Credit: Pexels)

When it comes to packing, there are DOs and DON’Ts to consider.

DOs

• Pack food in sealed containers; plastic ones are ideal as they’re pretty lightweight. Also, go for leak-proof containers to avoid any spills. Aim to pack at least one to two containers for each rider and make sure they’ll fit in their baskets.
• Bring finger foods that are easy to pick up and eat. Kids will love cheese and crackers and fruit slices. You can also pack chips for the adults, as well as savoury pastries.
• Wrap sandwiches in foil or parchment paper to keep them fresh. Containers also help prevent them from getting squashed during the ride.
• Prepare a pouch to keep baby wipes, hand sanitisers, insect repellent, and sunscreen. These essentials come in handy for cleaning up and staying safe and protected outdoors.

DON’Ts

• Don’t forget to bring bags for litter. It’s a rule to clean as you go when having a picnic at the park. Encourage your kids to take their rubbish home or dispose of it in the right bin afterwards.
• Don’t leave your blankets behind! While most parks have tables, it’s always helpful to have your own blankets as a backup.
• Don’t over pack. Since you’ll be cycling to the park, you won’t want anything too heavy to carry. Stick to the essentials to keep your ride easy and enjoyable.
• Don’t bring food that needs to stay frozen or super cold or anything that could go squishy on the way. This includes ice cream (there are likely vendors at the park, so just take your kids there if they fancy some), berries, and salads with dressing (as they could go soggy).

Picnics can become one of your family’s favourite warm-weather outings, especially when you know what to bring! We hope you’ve picked up a few tips and ideas to make your ride enjoyable and well-packed.

Up next on your reading list: Guide to What You Can and Can't Carry in a Bike Basket