In Reply to: Re Kids & Helmets posted by Tinggading on Tuesday, 6. May 2008 at 20:21 Bali Time:
I (42 yo unfit Mum) did Wayan's Bali Baik ride with my 3 children last Monday following recomendations from BTF. My 5 year old went on the back of one of the guides bike and my 10 yo daughter and her 8 yo brother and their 2x10 yo friends had their own bikes. You are on some very quite roads however, yes there was a small amount of traffic passing but I felt it passed reasonably slowly and was mainly motorbikes. Also Wayan and his guides in bright yellow t-shirts were very noticeable and fenced us in from the traffic they also waved the traffic to slow down as it passed us. My son was continuously warned to slow down as we approached steep hills and considering there were approx 18 in the group we did not have 1 accident (only a girlfriend who slipped into the rice paddy field!).
If you are concerend about nits run a treatment through your hair afterwards.
My kids weren't used to not having pedal back brakes and one of the girls was quite hysterical at first but the guides were wonderful and coaxed her to keep going to have her master her handbrakes and finish in the leading group. The hills are steep but the fun rolling down them outwayed pushing them up the other side and after a while becomes a challenge with everyone cheering each other on to ride up them!
I agree with other posts regarding not throwing lollies out to the kids in the villages and a simple Hi-5 as you ride past seemed to cause much laughter and delight.
The visit to Wayan's daughter's school was also a highlight and a Rph donation or books and pencils will be well received. We also passed on some clothes for Wayan to distribute through his village.
I highly recommend the bike ride for your kids.
I would easily say the Bali Baik day out was the highlight of our trip.