Over the years, my husband and I have realized that the number of kids in our family is disproportionately related to the amount of bicycle space we have in our vehicle. When our bigger kids were little, we bought a behind-the-bike trailer--which fit nicely in the trunk of the car--while our big bikes were on a carrier on the back of the car.
I would pack a couple toys, a snack, and a water bottle for each kid. We spent many Saturdays venturing on 5, 6, or 10 -mile rides, exploring Rails-to-trails around northern Indiana. The kids would fall asleep sweaty, their giant toddler-sized helmets clunking against each other.
Then our son learned to ride a bike. We added a youth in-tandem-type bike attachment to the back of my husband's ride. And soon, one youth bike was added to our 3-bicycle rack. We still stowed the trailer easily in the trunk.
All of a sudden, it seemed we had two big kids with big bicycles and a preschooler who still needs the trailer. My husband can pack our car full of bike equipment like a Tetris master. But going more than a few miles down the road can be tricky for us.
I know not to complain about this car chockablock with kids and bikes and trailers and accessories, because it's full of little blessings that won't always be there! We are really thankful for the awesome bike trails that are so close to where we live.
Our Favorite Bike Trails
- Talon Stream & White Lick Creek Trail in Plainfield - Park your car at the Richard A. Carlucci Rec Center in Plainfield. Ride through the hills in Tallon Springs Park. Head south past the Rec Center past Franklin Park, under Highway 40, through Friendship Gardens. Follow the trail throughout Hummel Park. (Tip: Grab ice cream on your way back at either Dairy Queen or Oasis Diner!)
- B & O Trail in Brownsburg - Park your car in the Trail Parking off of Highway 267 near County Road 350 N in Brownsburg. Head east through Cardinal Park, toward Raceway Road as many miles that you'd like to go.
- White Lick Creek Trail in Avon, Connecting Washington Township & Avon Town Hall Parks - Park your car in the back of the AJAA Ball Fields at 100 South & 625 East. Ride north through Washington Township Park. Turn right at the bridge bast the Avon Softball Fields. Cross Highway 36 (carefully--using the crosswalk), head into Avon Town Hall Park, and all the way to the Avon-Washington Township Library.
