Play dates on wheels

    After dropping Ava off at preschool we had a little playdate via the bike. Luke's got to bring a friend for our ride. We saw ducks, got a muffin, and went to story time at the library and got to Avas school in time to pick her up and drop of Sammy (lukes BF).  Now I need to figure out how to haul more than two kids around. I need a cargo bike.

  If you've read some of my previous posts you'll notice I'm interested in a box-bike (carries the kids in front) but I have yet to find one the is right for me (plus they are $$$$). I just so happen to have an engineer for a brother who just so happens to build bamboo bikes and just so happens to hold workshops to teach people to build bamboo bikes http://www.bamboobikestudio.com/. So I was lucky enough to go for a visit to their Brooklyn workshop to learn to build a bike. Together with Marty and his parteners we are going to engineer and build a bamboo cargo bike! I'll post more on our adventure later. Building my own bike frame was an amazing experience and if you get lucky enough to get a chance (even if your brother isn't the owner) I highly reccomend it. Check out my future posts for more on the trip.

Slowing down.

We're still not commuting full time on our bike yet, but we are making a conscience effort to use the bike as much as possible. I've really been struggling with what we can and cannot accomplish on the days we use the bike. We never seem to be able to fit everything in.
Then a day like today happens, and I realize that not fitting everything in may be the point.  We had a great day doing nothing but playing in our garden, walking in town, feeding ducks, and biking around. It was slow, we were by ourselves, and it was beautiful. It helps that we live in a truly amazing town (something I often forget).
So while we may not be biking all the time (I goal I still hope to achieve), we are enjoying our journey.

The Breeze Through My Hair

Today I couldn't find my helmet. We were late to drop Ava off at school and we really had to leave. I did it. I rode my bike without a helmet. I have to say (while I won't do it again- I promise mom) it felt great. There is something about the spring air when you live by the ocean when the fog is rolling in and the weather is warm. Without my helmet my hair was blowing behind me and memories of childhood blew with it. Yippee!
Remember when we didn't think to wear helmets?  The free feeling didn't last long because I felt very conscious of the people looking at me and I felt, judging the irresponsible mom.

I also had a challenge of getting a snack basket to school filled with fruit and vegetables for 15 of Ava's classmates. It didn't fit in the kids trailer and I don't have a cargo rack on the back of the bike so I had to hold in my hand as we traveled into town. It worked out OK, but I really need to get the right gear if I'm going to be successful with bike commuting.

Now the rain has started to fall yet again, but the bike is ready for another day tomorrow.

Black Iron Horse

From Sorte

 

From Sorte

weekend we had the pleasure of trying the Sorte Jernhest a cargo trike bike. This is not a bike to try if you don't want to get noticed. I felt like an old fashioned ice cream vendor. At first glance this is a huge bike. It barely fit in the back of my dad's full size pick up. Although the width of the bike is less than my double Bob stroller (meaning it will be able to maneuver through most streets. The one we tested was in yellow. The cargo area is made of aluminum. It is roomy and comfortable. 

The most notable aspect of the bike is the rear steering (yep- it steers from the back wheel). This took some getting used to. I felt like it was going to tip at first. It also rattled loudly. Once I had weight in it the bike it was smooth. Once we added the weight of the passengers it was even better.  They claim it can carry up to 350lbs. At one point I had two kids, my mom, and our dog Rosie Pancakes (a lab).  I was literally in hysterics (we all were), but this is when you can see the true power of the bike. 

It has a drum and coaster and parking brake (the brake would be a must have for me with a trike bike). It has a 5 speed internal SRAM hub with dual chains. The mechanism seemed pretty complex to a novice like me. It did have a certain power to me. I could come to a stop on a hill and start up again without to much trouble. Thats pretty amazing with that kind of weight. I'm not sure about the dual chains. It seems like a lot of maintenance. 

I was unsure of a trike bike on Maine streets (and narrow shoulders roads), but after trying the Sorte I am intrigued. I'd love to try a more traditional trike (front steering). Plus, I really love the aesthetics of a wood cargo area and if I'm spending $4000+ on a bike I feel I can be picky! 

So in the end this bike is not for us, but I did really enjoy it and had loads of fun trying it.  If you ever get a chance to test one of these out go for it. 

From BlackIronHorse

From Sorte

Must Remember

Today was the the first day I ran multiple errands with the kids on the bike.  I'm glad we're easing into this there is a definite learning curve.
Here are things I need to remember:

1)Allow for extra time. I'm always on the late side anyway and when I add loading the kids into the trailer and traveling by human power we're talking really LATE (almost should we even go late)!
2)Schedule. We cannot leave place A and be at place B 5 miles away in 5 minutes. Schedule less activities.
3)Pack the trailer as if it were a car. Normally my car is already stocked with extra diapers, emergency snack raisens, extra clothes, toys, and the kitchen sink.
4)Get friends that live closer (just kidding). 10+ miles away and we had to drive.

In the end we had a great day traveling by bike and car.  We called it our adventure. The kids did much better in the trailer after I realized they were complaining because the seat where they sit doesn't have any support so they cave in to the middler. I was able to role a blanket and place it in the middle of them under the seat- seemed to work. I also put a hat under Luke's helmet so it didn't fall into his eyes. Oh, and we were hunting bear and purple moose so that kept us busy. 
Here a quick rundown of the day, mostly on the bike:


1. Bike to the dentist for Ava
2.Decide there is no way we can get to their sports class in time so skip it in favor of a bagel.
3.Bike to Casa de La Renny to get the most greatest fancy gift we could find for a birthday party Ava has on Saturday (presents for 4 year girls are just so easy).
4.Bike home, grab the dog, drive to friends house for a playdate.
5.Come home, drop off dog, bike to river to walk in the woods to finish our purple moose hunt. We regret to say we didn't find one, but we see lots and lots of pink and orange flying elephants.
6.Bike back home so kids could do their own biking in the yard. Squeeze in dinner. Plan for tomorrows activities sans the car. Get to Bed.

People For Bikes: Why Do You Ride?

After biking with the young ones today to school, to the library, and to the grocery store and listening to a bit of winning in the back round, "he's touching me", "i'm not comfortable" I really needed this poem as a reminder why we're committing ourselves to less time in the car. .
I just had Ava listen to this and she was sold at "snow days and oil tankers carrying chocolate milk"

Beauty in Biking

                        http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4443463973_6ff1af577b.jpg

You know you're stylish when you can pull off a fur coat while biking....wait can one ever pull off a fur coat?

Joe-Bike via NEAT bike

Wow. I finally found someone in Maine that has a cargo bike for me to try. Hi name is Mike and his company NEAT bikes sells Joe-Bikes. I got the pleasure of meeting him and his great family last week in Back Cove, Portland (Maine).

Trying the bike further solitifies that a box bike is the solution for me. I was intially nervous to try it. Would it be stable? Would I feel like it was going to fall over? 

Even on a windy day the ride was surprisingly smooth. It definetly rides better with the weight of the kids on the front. 
Joe-Bike is located in Portland, OR. I believe they import their frames from china but they assemble them in Oregon.  
They come standard with the below features: 

• Full hi-tensile steel frame
• 20″ front and 26″ rear alloy wheels
• Massive 11 or 12 gauge spokes (the things are like drinking straws)
• Front and rear alloy fenders
• Fully enclosed chain case
• Sturmey-Archer 8-speed rear hub with hub drum brake
• Light-detecting hub-powered Shimano front headlight
• Brake-actuated rear red brake light (which doubles as a nighttime visibility light)
• Skirt/kilt protector (to keep dangling garments from the rear wheel)
• Rear cargo rack with bungy strap-set
• Built-in rear wheel lock with key
• Marine-sealed plywood cargo box with fold-up rumble seat and seat belts for carrying two little people 

 Above list from http://www.towseyfrench.com/2008/11/05/carrier-pigeons-diary-1/

Mike has modified them for east coast riding mainly lowering the gears (for hills), upgrading the front brake (for safety). This is why it pays to go local! If you are in the Portland area check Mike out. This bike would be ideal for the area! Check out his blog at http://neatbikeshop.blogspot.com/

Overall I was impressed. The ride was, as promised,smooth and it felt very stable even when stopping. My mother came along and tried it with the kids, she was also impressed and said she much prefers it to using the trailer. 

I'm still not sure how it will handle up hills. The bike comes in a bright red. It I had my choice I would select a different color, but for $1800.00 compared to $3000-$4000.00 of other box bikes I'd live with the red. 

One problem I had with the bike was the height of the seat, even at its lowest point it was a touch to tall for me. I only 5'3". Since I intend to use this to haul my kids I would prefer to have the ability to place both of my feet firmly on the ground while on the seat. I still felt safe, but if it was a lower I would be one happy camper.  

Also, in my fantasy world I would like to be able to ride  our dog, Rosie Pancakes, with us to the dog park at Merry Springs Gardens a couple of miles away and this box would be to small for that. My husband laughs at this idea. I think he may be right but a girl can dream! 

Ava and Luke loved it. I was able to talk with them and they could see everything and had fun pointing all the dogs and seagulls out for me. Oh, and don't worry when we were riding they wore their helmets. 


Anybody out there have a Joe-Bike? 


Thanks Again Mike, We had a great ride. 

I Want One

It was love at first site. The bike not the girl, I'm happily married. If I ride a bike like this will I be as chic as she is?

I'm now on a mission. I want a cargo bike. I was originally thinking I would get a chariot trailer (like all the neighbors), but I really don't like having the kids behind me. I can't see or talk to them. I don't know if their fighting or singing (not the my kids ever fight!) Also, the biggest problem I have with the trailer is I feel like I never have a true sense as to where it is, is turning right, is it going over a rock or pothole? Maine is not know for its great streets. Plus if I'm going to give a my car I want to be able to speak to the kids. Hear about preschool. Sing Ba Ba Black sheep.

I have started to do some research and I will post my reviews on each bike I consider. This is a Bakfiets cargobike, a high end dutch company. They run about $4000 so this already puts it out of my league. Plus I don't like the idea of importing from overseas. Seems like a lot of waste.

Once I got started researching I was overwhelmed with the options. Here are a few articles/blogs that I have enjoyed:
                                       http://austinontwowheels.org/2009/04/22/sources-for-bakfiets-growing/
                                       http://totcycle.com/blog/category/reviews

My Current Set Up

After my decision to give up my car I had a chat with my children, Ava and Luke, about how this spring we won't use our car except on long trips. Here is what they said as we walked into town in our stroller.           

"Why?"asked Ava.

"Well, we want to use less gas and be healthy, and biking is fun" I answered.

"Why do we want to save on gas?" Three year olds ask the best simple questions.

"Gas isn't good for the earth and it is expensive" I said

"Great Mom, lets do it for Mother Earth, " My little hippie replied, "plus I mean I love to be outside-and we can walk too."

"Ya, fresh air, bike" replied Luke.

So with everyone on board I excitedly went the basement to grab our current biking mode,  my LL bean Acadia bike and our Schwin trailer, only to find out typical to a Maine basement, our trailer was covered with mold. Ok. This won't work. I'm going to have to get a new trailer. 

I began to research other trailers and stumbled upon cargo bikes. 

My Quest

I'm a mom with two great kids living in small town Maine. I drive everyday, in our minivan. If we're not driving we're walking. We walk with a double Bob stroller. Its the minivan of strollers. I wear clogs, jeans, and fleece jackets. Now the birds are chirping, the crocuses are up, the kids are riding there bikes, the snow is already a memory. I have spring fever. I am ready to give up my car for the spring, summer, and fall. I am ready to shed the humdrum life of shuttling kids and of sitting on my bum. I am ready to teach my children to be self suffiecent. Last year we learned to garden, this year we move through life powered by our own legs. This is a blog about our journey.