Emmer and her family bikepacked the historic Great Western Way to raise vital funds for Sustrans. Emmer shares her story with us, along with top tips on how to keep a four and nine-year-old smiling and pedaling for 167 miles.
Emmer and her family cycled from Bristol to London on the Great Western Way to raise money for Sustrans. Photo: Emmer Elliott
Emmer Elliott, her husband Giles and their two young children bikepacked 167 miles in just seven days to raise money for Sustrans.
Their family fundraising challenge is made all the more impressive by Emmer’s children Arthur and Josie, who were just nine and four at the time.
And with no tag-a-longs or child seats, this little duo pedalled the entire distance themselves.
The family travelled from Bristol to London on the Great Western Way, National Cycle Network Route 4 and Route 403 using a map purchased in our shop.
Fundraising for Sustrans
Emmer told us more about their motivation to raise money for Sustrans:
“Sustrans is a cause close to our hearts because we’ve found so much joy cycling together as a family, at home in North Wales.
“It can be worrying trying to cycle with young kids on routes which just aren’t cycle friendly.
“We wanted to do something positive which would support more families to get out on cycles, and so we chose to raise money for Sustrans.
“I also only properly learnt how to ride a bike alongside my son Arthur when he was five.
“Learning together was such a positive experience and having safe and accessible paths for this was essential.
“Keep up the good work Sustrans!”
Emmer also told us that their fundraising target was hugely motivating during the trip, with Arthur and Josie often asking to check the total they’d raised along the way.
Fundraising for Sustrans really motivated Arthur and Josie who regularly checked their running total along the way. Photo: Emmer Elliott
Bikepacking inspiration
Emmer was seeking inspiration for their next family holiday and got chatting to friends who recommended cycle touring.
Emmer told us:
“Our first experience was touring with five other families in the Easter holidays.
“We cycled from our village in Waunfawr, North Wales to a campsite about 15 miles away.
“We’d all arranged in advance to have our camping kit delivered to the site, removing the need to think about loading the bikes up on this first occasion.
“The next day, we enjoyed hanging out with friends and cycling locally on National Route 8.
“I thought Josie would be in her child seat for every cycle ride, but she was absolutely determined to ride her own bike, saying: 'I want to be at the front'.
“That's when we realised cycle touring could be an option for us.
“And if we could carry our own kit, we’d be able to enjoy the total freedom of bikepacking.
“Bikepacking felt like it would be more than a family holiday, it would have a greater purpose.
“The next week, I saw the Great Western Way on Sustrans’ website and ordered the map to have a closer look at the route.
“Arthur has a great friend in Bristol and he’s always wanted to go to London, so it seemed to be the perfect route for us.
“We weren't expecting to extend ourselves to this distance so soon, and I still pinch myself that we achieved it.”
Living on the hoof
Travelling at four-year-old Josie’s speed, meant the family group averaged four miles per hour, and they'd cycle for around eight hours each day.
Emmer comforted herself that if all else failed, they could always hop on a train.
But it never came to that and Josie took on all 167 miles in seven days.
The family camped overnight, except when closer to London, when a Travelodge offered a welcome hot shower.
Emmer explained:
“We really were living on the hoof.
“None of our stops were planned as we didn’t know how far Josie would cycle on any one day.
“We’d stop off at shops along the way to restock food and found people were so friendly.
“We were cycling during a heatwave and so I had to knock on a door for water at one point.
“An older couple helped us out and gave the kids ice lollies.”
The family cycled with all their camping kit, including nine-year-old Arthur, who rode with panniers for the first time. Photo: Emmer Elliott
Setting the pace
Emmer explained that nine-year-old Arthur (now 10) had been cycling for a few years:
“He’s a strong cyclist and his positive attitude kept us going.”
Arthur took well to riding with panniers too.
His only struggle during the trip was to slow down to his sister Josie’s pace.
Emmer said:
“They both did brilliantly and we just couldn’t believe the amount that Josie cycled each day, it was incredible.
“As a family you know you’re going to have your moments, but we all took it in turns to pick each other up.
“One time Josie turned around to me mid-cycle and said: 'Why did you choose to do this as a holiday, Mummy?'
“I just burst out laughing.
“Her catchphrase throughout was: 'easy-peasy for me.'
“The kids never moaned, unless Josie didn't get to be the first to press the button at traffic lights.
“And to top it off, only one puncture, which was on Giles’ bike.”
Changing scenery
Both Arthur and Josie were really excited to get to London, Emmer commented:
“As we were approaching London, I got tears in my eyes.
“I was thinking I can't believe we've done this.
“I felt elated and just so proud of my kids.
“My kids live in the countryside and they’d never seen buildings so big.
“They were constantly saying 'wow' as I was naming the iconic buildings for them.
“We took Arthur and Josie to see the Tower of London and the London Eye.
“They were also allowed to eat and drink whatever they wanted, they’d earned it.
“When we got back, I went onto the Sustrans shop and bought them t-shirts as mementos of the trip.”
Four-year-old Josie from North Wales cycled 167 miles independently. "Easy-peasy for me", she said. Photo: Emmer Elliott
Future bikepacking plans
Emmer’s now considering taking on more challenge rides, including Sea to Sea and Devon Coast to Coast.
She said:
“We hope our story will inspire other families to get cycling, because the more people who use the National Cycle Network, the more investment it will get.
“In so many countries, everyday cycling and cycle touring is normalised, it would be great to see that here.”
Emmer’s family originally set a fundraising target of £167, a pound for every mile of the Great Western Way.
They more than doubled this, raising £347 for our vital work of making it easier for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle.
Emmer’s 6 tips for bikepacking with under-10s
- Plan together: Include the whole family in the planning process, it will give everyone a chance to ask questions and make suggestions. The more you talk about it, the more your kids can prepare.
- Know their limitations: It’s really important to set realistic targets and rewards for children, but also don’t shy away from giving them opportunities to exceed their own, and your expectations of what they can achieve.
- Pack light: A pack of pens and paper can provide hours of entertainment, from art to games. You also don't need as many clothes as you think.
- Be silly: On long journeys, lift spirits with cycling sing-alongs and guessing or name games.
- Rest well: For us, this meant lots of short breaks, but for others, it could be a couple of longer ones. Find your family’s own rhythm.
- Be flexible: Remember you can only plan so much, so being flexible to roll with the changes as they present themselves will really take the pressure off.
Read about why you need to try bikepacking.
Browse our maps and plan your own challenge ride to fundraise for Sustrans.
