Biking With Kids

My son and I participated in the first Bond Brook Trail Day.  We cleared around 2 miles of new single track, and got to ride it afterword!

I saw this on Craigslist this morning:

Trek Tag-A-Long Bike, few years old, excellent condition

Phone 207 767 1819

• Location: Cape Elizabeth

Reminder:

2009 Great Maine Bike Swap

Details: http://www.bikemaine.org/bikeswap.htm

This and more 2009 bicycle events are listed on the 2009 Events Calendar.

If you know of any other interesting cycling events in the New England area, please let me know so that I can add them to the calendar.

I found a Gary Fisher “Free Loader” kids tag-a-long bike on Craigslist for $70.

Very lightly used Gary Fisher “Free Loader” kids tag-a-long bike. Folds for easy transport. Adjustable handlebar (allen wrench) and saddle (quick release) positions. Includes attachment for adult bike with various size seat post size adapters.

Cash and local pickup only.

My children have enjoyed many miles on our tag-a-long bike, its a great way to bring them a long.

I came across this today, it looks like a fun way to get your young child out on the trail.

Brit invents child seat for mountain bikes

The website has some videos of how to install the seat and what it looks like to ride with a child.

There is also a review here.

If you google “loct bike kid review” you will find some useful links.

I was planning on doing some cross country skiing this morning.  I checked the temperature, -5 degrees F, cold, but not as cold as the last 4 mornings.  I suddenly got an idea, it hadn’t snowed for a few days, so the snowmobile trails should be good and packed.  Why not get the Stumpjumper out?

On my top half I wore my snowboard helmet, shell, fleece and long underwear shirt.  On my bottom half I wore my Goretex riding pants with long underwear underneath,  wool socks and my biking shoes.  I contemplated swapping out my pedals and wearing my hiking boots, but decided that I didn’t want to take the time (this would prove to be a mistake).

The ride was great.  The trails were well packed, only allowing the tires to sink in about a half inch or so.  The only way the trails would have been better is if we had a warm day (haven’t seen one in a while) that melted the trails and then they refroze.  Then the trails would be smooth and hard, making for some nice fast riding.

On my way back, my toes started to get pretty cold (should have changed those pedals).  My shifters also started acting up, my rear derailer could only downshift one gear at a time, and my front shifting was limited to the lower two rings.  The brakes also felt pretty stiff.

When I came inside and took off my shoes there was frost on my socks!  If I do any more cold riding I will be swapping out the clippless pedals for standard ones with power grips.

I’ve been following the “A Wayword Journey” blog for a couple months now.  The blog is about a family of four that is traveling by bicycle from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina (20,000 miles!) over the course of 30 or so months. The family blogs regularly about the trip, including posts by both of the children.  It is interesting to see the trip through the eyes of the children via their blog posts.

In addition to their blog posts, the website contains extensive photo and video galleries.  The videos are well done and really give you an idea of what the riders are going through during the different parts of their journey.

The family recently crossed into Mexico, and is continuing to post blog entries, photos and videos about their adventure.

The 2009 Great Maine Bike Swap will be April 19th in Orono, and April 26th in Portland.

Details:

April 19, 2009:   University of Maine, Student Recreation and Fitness Center, Orono, 10am - 2pm
April 26, 2009:   University of Southern Maine, Sullivan Gym, Portland, 10am - 2pm

Hundreds of affordable, used bicycles will be for sale at the Great Maine Bike Swap. Sponsored by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) and university groups, the swap brings together people buying and selling used bicycles and bike gear.

All types of bicycles - from mountain bikes to road bikes, classic cruisers, kids’ bikes and hybrids - will be for sale. The swap also will feature mini-workshops on topics such as how to fix a flat, displays by local bike shops, refreshments and information about Maine biking events.

You can come to buy a bike, sell one or both. A large test riding area will allow shoppers to try out bikes. Volunteer advisors will be on hand to help with pricing and bike fit.

Admission is $3, with free admission for University of Maine students, University of Southern Maine students and children 12 or younger. The public is invited to sell used bikes in good, working condition. A small commission on bike sales will support BCM’s bike safety and education programs.

For more information, please call (207) 623-4511 or email maggie@BikeMaine.org.

I’ve added both Swaps to the 2009 Event Calendar.

If you know of any other Maine bike swaps this year, please send me an email.

New bike getting a cold ride home.

I picked up a used Gary Fisher TYRO with 24″ wheels and 21 speeds this week:

I was thinking of using it as part of my kid-first tandem project, but now that I have it home I think its just too nice a bike to cut up. It is the next size up for my oldest child, so I think I will just give it a tune up and call it good.

I had to post a couple pictures from my drive to work. Nothing like the sun coming up over freshly fallen snow.

Sunrise over the lake.

Lone fisherman.

Sun over field.

Snowy roads.