many many bikes

[Carrie Ellis]

Ok this is my 3rd question in 2 days! I am really starting to fine tune things!

I need any recommendations that you might have on bringing bikes!

I know you can rent them but for 9 days it would be a hefty bill. There are 6 of us. DH, DW, DS(8), DS(8), DD(3) and DS(3). I have seen trunk bike carriers and hitch carriers. We have a new van with out a hitch right now. I saw a 4 bike carrier on ebay but at the stores around us a 3 bike carrier is all I have seen for a trunk hitch. If we can somehow bring our trailer for the 3 year olds then we will need only to bring 4 bikes. Do you think we could double up the two smaller bikes that the 8 year old ride if I got the 3 bike carrier? I really want to bring the bikes!

The only other option I can come up with is to order the 4 bike carrier on ebay for around $150.

Seeking wisdom!!

 

[LMC]

I saw a four bike carrier recently at Camping World. Maybe they would have free shipping if purchase is over $$$$???? You might can find a CW in your area or check with a large RV/travel trailer dealer to see if they have them. The one I saw needed a hitch receiver to install. I know the bike rentals are expensive. To rent that many you would probably do better getting a golf cart everyday. If you take your pull along trailer, maybe you could strap it down to a luggage rack on top.

BTW: we just went w/ our 3 yo and I found it extremelly nerve racking to ride bikes w/ him. We live in a very rural area w/o any type of traffic so it was hard for him to understand braking, not running into people, golf carts and walls. He had a hard time understanding that he was suppose to ride behind mom or dad who was up front (then one of us brought up the rear). I was glad to have a golf cart our last two days, because we then ditched the bikes when he ventured out (I could still ride w/ the other two while he napped). After a couple of nights we also decided to walk to the campfire instead of biking becuase I felt it was too dangerous for him to ride at night w/ gold carts and busses going around.

 

[Plan Man]

We too are a family of six. (Not the twins like you though!!!) We went in 2000 with four bikes - We used a three bike carrier with four bikes hooked on. I cheated a little by using a bungee cord to wrap them all up. I figured they were made to handle adult bikes and a couple of ours were smaller bikes. We had absolutely no problems and we drove from Minnesota with a large pop up camper too.

You could probably get along fine with just two bikes. First they all weren't riding the bikes at the same time - we threw in a skateboard for the complainers.

We also went without the bikes once too. It was a real pain because we had to walk all the time. At least with the bikes you can send a kid to go get some milk or whatever.

I would definately go with at least two bikes.

 

[Carrie Ellis]

Plan man, Great info!

That is what I wanted to know! I might be able to swing a 3 bike carrier. I had not really thought about just two or so. That is a thought!

LMC...I am going check out Camping World!

Thanks! I don't know what we will do when all of us need bikes! Do they make a six bike carrier! ha! Well I guess that is when you say "golf cart"! I just think it would add to the fun to be able to bike around.

I really appreciate your time!

 

[Plan Man]

We now have a couple of electric scooters. they are really fun.

When we went to MK - i would drive everyone to the path to the boat then drive back to the campsite - hop on the sooter and ride down lock the scooter and meet up with the family. I did it as much for the fun of doing it as for the need to be in control of our schedule.

Just another idea.

 

[Feelin' Goofy]

Have you tried JCWhitney they have a 4 bike carrier for $79.99.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs...=2438&catalogId=10101&langId=-1&storeId=10101