Renting BICYCLES

A day or two of bicycle exploration is a fun way to see an area.  If you've been traveling by car, this will give the whole family a much needed breath of fresh air.  If walking is your usual way to explore, bikes will seem revolutionary as they whisk you over distances it would take hours to cover on foot.

Any place that rents bicycles should naturally be located in an area good for bicycling, like country lanes, coastal roads and islands.  Drivers will be on the look-out for bikes, and facilities able to accommodate them.  When it comes to the bikes themselves, don't expect to find anything too glamorous.  Some places will have ten-speeds, but these aren't really necessary as you won't be carrying gear or attempting any major distances.  A basic one or three-speed bike will be quite sufficient for a fun day's outing.

Ask about children's-size bicycles or bicycle seats if you don't see any.  These aren't always self-evident.  If their supply is limited, reserve them ahead of time.  On the Greek island of Cos, we inquired at three bicycle rental shops before finding one with two children's seats, both of which were in use that day.  Without asking, we never would have known anyone had them.  The next day, for the grand total of $8, we explored the whole coastal area, seeing far more than we ever would have on foot and enjoying a change from walking. If there are no bicycle seats available, children 5 years and older can ride seated on a backrack.  Pad the rack with a folded towel for more comfortable seating.  This may sound uncomfortable, but our children claim they had the time of their lives the day they spent exploring this way.  For a child used to walking, the ease of sitting and excitement of going fast will outweigh any discomfort they might feel seated this way.