So, the summer holidays loom large and the schedule of activities to keep the kids occupied remains worryingly empty. Of course there are plenty of Summer Camps being organised around the country, but they don't always come cheap and there is also the element of being tied to the dates once you book. Sometimes, I prefer to be a little more spontaneous - particularly to be able to take advantage of any rare, sunny days which may be heading our way (finer's crossed). And while I'm sure I will fill up the activity planner with plenty of exciting, adventurous things before the end of June (gulp), in the meantime I do have one fail safe activity to get the whole family out of the house and having fun.

Cycling.

And what better time to start than Bike Week 2012. This is actually more than a week, with activities planned across the country from 16th to 24th June. As the website states: 'Nearly everyone has cycled at some stage – but so many lose the habit. Bike Week is the opportunity for people to get back on the saddle – for commuting or for recreation or just for the sheer joy of it!'

Having recently spent a lovely afternoon cycling with the kids in the Phoenix Park I can honestly say it was great fun. We took our seven-year-old's bike in the car and hired bikes for the two adults with a child seat on the back of one of the bikes for our four-year-old who, although a keen cyclist, just isn't quite confident enough yet without stabilisers. For €15 we spent nearly 3 hours cycling around the park - stopping now and again for a picnic or an ice cream at Farmleigh. It was a great afternoon and a great way to spend family time together for a relatively small price. The guys operating the rental are extremely efficient and friendly and there are bikes to suit for all ages and sizes (just bear in mind that they don't stock bikes with stabilisers) - there are even bike bags so you don't have to carry rucksacks around and the tandems bikes look like great fun.

With so much sport happening this Summer, it's going to be hard to resist the Great Outdoors and while I wouldn't be the biggest fan of climbing mountains or camping (yes, I am a bit of a wuss), I would happily go cycling any day. Just be prepared to feel a little bit tender around the nether regions the next day!

For full details of Bike Week, check out the website at www.bikeweek.ie or check out the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bikeweek.ie For details of bike hire in the Phoenix Park see www.phoenixparkbikehire.com

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