Biking With Kids

Biking in Maine in the winter can be a little challenging.  Luckily there are a lot of other great outdoor activities that will keep you in shape so that when the time comes you will be ready to ride.

Graceful

Last year I re-discovered cross country skiing.  We had been getting a lot of snow and I was looking for a way to get outside and get some exercise.  I dusted off my 20 year old L.L. Bean skis and headed into the woods.  I had completely forgotten what a blast it is to get out into the forest in the winter time.  Everything is muted and still, fresh and clean.  I had also forgotten what a work out it is (of course last time I back country skied I was much younger and in much better shape)!

Today I went out for my 3rd cross country ski of 2009.  We’re having another great snow year and i have been finding some time early in the morning to get out and ski.  I have been bringing my heart rate monitor with me and I’m amazed how easy it is to get my heart rate in the 150-170 zone.  Just cruising along at a smooth gliding pace in 3-4 inches of snow keeps my heart rate at 150.  Of course I’m sure it will go down as I ski more, but I really am in decent shape at the moment, far better than I was last year at this time.

Cardio

We got another 18 inches of snow after I got back from skiing.  I can’t wait to get back out there and break some trail!

18 Inches of Snow!

I found this tandem on craigslist for $75.

Photo from previous owner

From Northwoods Tandem

I’m planning to to fix it up and use it to tow my kids around.
It has a small dent in the frame, a broken idler pulley with a bent bracket and a pretty rusty chain, but all in all I think it was a pretty good deal!

So far I haven’t found much on the internet about this make/model bike. If you know anything about these bikes please send me an email.

I found this article about building a kids recumbent bicycle on instructables.com.

If you haven’t checked out instructables.com, you should.  Instructables has some really interesting bicycle projects and it’s great to see what you can do with some good used bicycle parts.

I’m planning to build a tandem bicycle that has the stoker in front (which will be one of my kids).  I will be posting more about the tandem build soon.

There is a Brand New Fuji Ace 24 kids road bike for sale by a bike shop here on maine.Craigslist.org.

It would make a pretty sweet ride for a lucky kid.

I was planning to do the Mount Desert Island Tour de Cure this year in May.

I contacted the organizers to find out if I need to register my kids.  They let me know that I did not need to register my kids if they would be connected to me during the ride (tandem or trail-a-bike). Great news, except in the same reply they let me know that the even would not be happening this year:

Due to strategic decisions and realignment of staff resources, the Mount Desert Island Tour de Cure will not take place in 2009. As a national organization, we are fortunate to have a large Tour de Cure sample size which enables us to look at the implementation and execution of best practices in local markets throughout the country. In the Northeast, we are moving towards one shared best practice model – one event per staff person.

Over the years, we have forged friendships and created many wonderful memories. It is our hope that you continue to be involved with the American Diabetes Association. We have several opportunities for you to still be part of our efforts to find a cure. You can join us for the Kennebunks Tour de Cure on June 7, 2009 and you are invited to spin in Gold’s Gym Spin-a-thon in Bangor on Saturday, May 2, 2009. For details on these two events, please contact Emily Silevinac at esilevinac@diabetes.org or (207) 774-7717 x3720.

Maybe I will look into doing the one in Kennebunk on June 7th, but probably not since it is the same month as the 2009 Trek Across Maine.

Don’t forget to visit the 2009 Event Calendar to find out about other Maine bike rides that will be happening this year.

On the drive to work this morning, the temperature was -27 degrees F.

Brrrrrr.

I noticed that CCCP has a post about a new Maine Charity ride.

From the official website:

The Dempsey Challenge: A Journey for Hope, is a fundraising experience which benefits the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing.

Here is a quick break down:

Date: October 3rd and 4th, 2009
Location: Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston Maine

Events:

Bike Ride
October 4th
10, 40, 70 or 100 miles

5k Run/Walk
October 4th

Kids Fun Run
October 4th

Ride with Patrick Dempsey
for top fundraisers

I’ve added the ride to the Biking with Kids 2009 Events Calendar.
If you know of any other Maine rides (charity or not) please send me an email and I will add them to the calendar.

I NEED one of these:

What do you call a bicycle that seats six?

I found this picture on “THE LAZY RANDONNEUR”.  The link referenced there goes to Calhoun Cycle, but I cannot find the photo there.

If anyone knows more about this photo please leave a comment or send me an email.

I decided to ride my bike to the post office today.  The temperature was a balmy 35 degrees and the sun was out.

Stepping outside I realized that the wet ice on the driveway was going to make things a little tricky.  When the temperature is well below freezing, riding on ice isn’t too bad. Your tires kind of stick to the ice if you make no sudden movements.  Today was warm enough to have a nice layer of water on top of the ice. I tried to ride it but every time my front tire hit a rut it would wash out.  I decided to walk the bike to the road…

Makes me wish for studded tires...

I checked out the snowmobile trail that leads to the other side of town.  A little test walk showed that it was frozen enough to ride on top..Nice.

Looks can be deceiving.

I was cruising along nice and easy at about 10 mph when all of a sudden my front tire broke through the ice, then the back.  I downshifted to try and dig my way through, but it was too mushy. I tried in vain to keep riding, but it was no use.

Look closely and you can see my track in the mush.

Luckily there was a side trail that leads back to the main road right next to me. I took a left and made my way back to the dry pavement.

Road riding it is.

I pulled into the post office just before closing and picked up the mail.  The most interesting mail item was a new Performance Bike catalog. I decided the catalog would be the perfect companion for a hot chocolate when I get home.

Destination reached.