Quote Originally Posted by shootingstar View Post
He was amazed to see along the route, several times, children approx. 9-11 yrs. old, cycling on their own bikes..with their own loaded panniers. They were obviously with parents/adults also touring.

His words to me: "It would put us (adults) to shame to see these little ones huffing and puffing away on the path with their loads. Ok, maybe that big pannier was stuffed with a teddy bear or pillow.. but still.
ehhhh I started touring with my mom at around that age (probably 11-12 ish). I certainly did not carry a pillow and a teddy bear... I carried all of my own clothing, my sleeping bag and pad, and part of the food/cooking kit. My mom did take the tent, so I never had the heaviest load, but I did take my share. Kids are tougher than you think they are.