What if family adventures didn’t have to mean long trips, big budgets or months of planning? For Ian and his daughter Iona, some of their best memories have started with a simple cycle ride close to home. From local greenways to cycling all the way to Paris, their story shows how getting on a bike can turn everyday moments into meaningful family adventures.
For their memory and to inspire others, Ian and Iona captured their Avenue verte adventure on their YouTube channel.
"Small adventures matter", Ian stresses that family cycling doesn’t have to mean long tours or exotic destinations.
"It can just be a 40‑mile round trip… but it’s still fun."
We spoke to Ian and his daughter Iona, who through their own adventures inspire families to get active and explore the outdoors.
Ian has cycled with Iona and his son, Ewan, since they were 7 years old.
Cycling has taken Ian's family from Kenilworth Greenway near home to international routes like the Avenue verte, with National Cycle Network paths forming the backbone of everything from first rides to multi-day adventures.
In Part 1 of this blog, Ian and Iona share with us why every family should go on a cycling adventure.
Explore the Kenilworth greenway
Known locally as the 'Kenilworth Greenway' this short, traffic-free route travels between Kenilworth and Burton Green.
Cycling can be low-cost, flexible and easy to plan, with campsites, local cafés and simple meals replacing expensive travel and packed itineraries. Credit: Ian O'Donnell.
Family cycling adventures are special and practical
"Cycling is seen as something you've got to be professional for, but actually you don't have to", says Ian.
"You can just get out there and do it, have a little adventure and just go cycling."
For Ian and Iona, that’s exactly what makes cycling so special for families.
It’s not about distance, speed or big achievements, but about simply being outside together.
They agree that cycling side by side creates space for conversation and shared experiences you don’t get in a car.
"Cycling means quality time… outdoors instead of just staying in the house", Iona adds.
Whether it’s a short ride to a local park or a night under the stars, those small moments become meaningful memories - showing families that adventure doesn’t have to be far from home to feel special.
At the same time, family cycling is surprisingly practical.
"It can just be a 40-mile round trip, but it’s still fun", Ian explains, highlighting how accessible these trips can be.
Cycling holidays can be low-cost, flexible and easy to plan, with campsites, local cafés and simple meals replacing expensive travel and packed itineraries.
"Because you travel at a slower pace, you notice more, stop more and enjoy the journey as much as the destination."
As Ian puts it, "You’re going fast enough to get somewhere, but slow enough to enjoy the journey."
For families looking to spend more time together, save money and get outdoors, cycling offers a simple, achievable way to do all three.
Ian and his daughter Iona cycled all the way from London to Paris on the cycle route Avenue Verte. Credit: Ian O'Donnell.
A big cycling adventure: The Avenue verte (London–Paris)
Ian and Iona's cycle on the Avenue verte from London to Paris shows how those little adventures can grow into something bigger.
The idea came from the Avenue verte cycling book Iona discovered at the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust stall at an Expo.
It inspired them to take on their first international ride together.
"You haven’t just appeared in Paris – you’ve achieved something in getting there", Ian says, reflecting on how cycling into Paris made the experience feel more special than simply flying.
Breaking the journey into manageable days made it feel realistic and family-friendly.
Cycling to Paris gave Ian and Iona the opportunity to experience the whole of what the city is like with Iona's highlight being cycling the Champs-Élysées.
And as they cycled through England and France, camping along the way, it proved that even a big adventure can start with the same simple idea: getting on your bike and seeing where it takes you.
Ian and Iona captured this ride on their YouTube channel and share their favourite places to stay in their blog post.
And if you feel inspired to go on a weekend escape or a longer adventure, in our recent blog post we share our top five products for your next adventure.
Explore the Avenue verte
The 247-mile Avenue verte takes cyclists on a challenging and rewarding journey through towns, villages and beautiful countryside from London to Paris. The route offers adventurous cyclists the opportunity to travel by bike between two of Europe’s great cities.
Ian and his family have been on local cycle adventures since their children were seven years old. Credit: Ian O'Donnell.
Two simple steps for families to get started
"You don’t have to go and do big rides for it to be fun", says Ian.
From short local rides to overnight stays close to home, below Ian and Iona share two tips to help families get started and build confidence cycling.
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Start small and simple
You don’t need a big plan to start a family adventure - just a bike, a free weekend and a sense of adventure.
Start with 10–20 miles, pick a route and campsite close to home, so there’s always an easy way back.
No fancy kit required either - use what you’ve got, pack simple food, and focus on the fun together as a family.
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Make it easy and fun
Confidence is everything, especially for children. Choose traffic‑free routes and build in plenty of breaks (and snacks).
Tools like a Follow‑Me Tandem can help little riders keep going, while the National Cycle Network offers lots of traffic-free routes, access to train stations and facilities along routes.
