Family cycling: The Marois family

It's one thing to go on an adventure alone or as a couple, it's quite another to embark on cycle tourism with children. I spoke to four families who demonstrate that with a little preparation and adaptation, cycling remains the most beautiful way to travel and grow.

Here is the first of four great stories.

This article first appeared in the excellent magazine Vélo Mag, May-June 2021 edition.

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THE MAROIS FAMILY BY BIKE

Slow down to six

Kassandra, Sébastien and their four children aged 10 to 15 had no trip behind the handlebars when they decided to embark on a journey of nearly 9000 km in North America. “The goal,” explains Kassandra, “was to slow down our pace of life: our two full-time jobs and each child involved in different activities and sports ... I was looking for a trip to do as a family before our eldest was too old. It is in order to limit environmental damage that cycling is chosen. The decision was taken in March 2019, and everything rushed: the development of the itinerary and the purchase of equipment, resignations and contact with Operation Enfant Soleil, an organization for which funds will be collected.

Sébastien, Zack, Jérémy, Mary-Ann, Julianne and Kassandra in San Francisco.

The big departure took place from Granby on July 1 of the same year. First step: the crossing of Canada, "so that the children know their country better". The family cuts their legs by pushing against the wind from one province to another. “The safety of the children was what mattered most,” Kassandra recalls. So, in order to avoid the long isolated distances of northern Ontario, they took a cab, then rented a truck to get through the cold and snowy Rockies.

The Casavant-Marois then descend the American west coast, frequently lodged thanks to the Warmshowers platform. “Even though there were six of us, the people were very welcoming. We had so many enriching encounters! Everyone was curious to hear the children tell their stories. ” Unexpected hiccups: traffic is heavy and the sun is low in the sky. “We had a preconceived idea of ​​beaches, hot sand and heat on the coast, laughs the mother. However, it was really cold at this time of year! "

The group continues despite everything to Mexico, where it will spend a few nights in the middle of the desert. Often, he will also be welcomed there. "This country was our favorite even if, at the beginning, we were a little afraid," continues Kassandra. These people are so warm, generous, with deeply rooted family values. We have always felt at home there, and never in danger. We even spent the holidays there, with exceptional families. "

Of course, a trip with four children is different from a trip with two. However, it was not a race, and everyone's pace was respected. “We had moments of discouragement, pitfalls, rainy days, punctures ... luckily never all at the same time. Some boosted the morale of others. ” Kassandra tells me that she has adapted on the way to follow the school programs. Carrying around the books of the four students not being possible, they had the particular task of writing texts on their tribulations. Siblings now dream of writing a children's book together. Global pandemic obliges, the Casavant-Marois return to the country in mid-March 2020, eight and a half months after their departure, two months earlier than expected ... with their heads full of memories, new friendships to their credit and $ 6600 to be donated to the Opération Enfant Soleil telethon. “This cycling time has allowed us to see the beauty and the goodness of humanity, ignites Kassandra, to go from receivers of bad news to peddlers of courage and hope. We are extremely happy to have been able to participate in this human chain of extraordinary encounters. »This is only a postponement, since the family promises to return to Mexico so that the wonder continues.

They can be found here on Facebook.

Counsel to Kassandra Casavant

We went one pedal at a time. It's quite an adaptation at first. We must allow ourselves the time and remain flexible to changes in routes and plans depending on the road, the weather and the encounters.

The family: Kassandra, Mary-Ann, Julianne, Jérémy, Zack and Sébastien, in Baja California.