It's not a particularly eventful Friday evening. I made potato leek soup and needed some sort of bread to smother boursin all over. Don needed to go the home depot to exchange some wood stain. We rode bikes in the completion of these tasks and had much fun doing the very mundane!
In between the home depot and grocery place we rode past one of Edmonton's big (but locally owned and operated) bike stores, United Cycle. They have a great outdoor test drive area where I saw some dudes riding tricycles! We stopped to check out what sorts of bikes they have this spring and were very pleased to find a variety of things to suit lots of riding styles and lots of different price points.
There are lots of fancy electras for girls with limited edition paint jobs on them... they're very cute but not really my style. I prefer for my bikes to be simple and elegant, and for the personality dimension to come from myself. However, if a bold & fabulously painted/printed bike makes some girl really happy and excited and gets her riding all over town - go for it!
The tricycles. They were WEIRD to ride. After a few minutes I was already getting used to maneuvering around but I'm not sure if the cargo space on the back really makes up for how strange I found the ride. With two panniers, the rear rack, and a basket I could probably carry the same volume of cargo on either Amsterdam or Pashley. It probably wouldn't look as quaint:) The one I rode was a Trek Pure Deluxe (there is a 1 speed and 3 speed). I think it would be a good bike for somebody who doesn't care about going fast, wants to buy lots of groceries all the time or tow a bigger dog around, and feels safe with 3 wheels. My mom always comments about how she wants a tricycle because three wheels is safer than two. I think it's relative. Since I'm used to only 2 wheels the move up to 3 was strange!
I also don't think I could put a baby car seat in the tricycle's rear cargo. Don would have to come up with some system of strapping it in safely and then all my cargo room would be taken up with baby. I'd probably have to get a basket on top of it all to accommodate any other cargo and my purse.
I was frankly hoping a tricycle might be a good solution to biking with newborn baby. From the research I've done, baby is only really good to go in a bobike when he is strong enough to support the weight of his own head and wear a helmet. That will be about 9 months and WAY too long with no biking for me.
Then there is the trailer option. Some people have said they've strapped their baby car seats into the seat belts in these trailers and baby just rides in its regular car seat... inside the trailer. Then when baby is older it can sit in the trailer on its own. The trailer sounds like a good idea, they're just so HUGE. Even pregnant I can sit in one and fit myself and probably Dougal beside me. I would get a 2 seat one because I'd either be traveling with:
A. Child + groceries/shopping
B. Child + Dougal
C. 2 Children (one day)
I guess if I'm strong enough to ride a Pashley all over town I'm strong enough to tow a trailer. This is going to sound awful but... I find the trailers UGLY. They're so sporty and uh, don't really appeal to my style sensibilities. If I do end up going this route I might need a different bike for towing. I'd rather get a huge, sporty trailer than not bike at all so if that's the way it's going to be... then fine.
Finally, I can tell you what I REALLY want. What I really really want. A nihola. My friend at curbside in Toronto said they're actually fabulous to ride and the cargo space is amazing. Meaning, you can put baby's car seat it it at first, then you can put a bench in there and kid(s) can ride up front. It's designed to hold so much cargo that frankly, even I could sit in the front with baby while Don pedals us around. It seems AWESOME. And also much more stylish than the other biking with kids options that I've seen.
The only real problem is price. It's very expensive because the shipping costs are ridiculous (the nihola comes fully assembled so it's huge). My curbside friend said he's sure I can collect enough baby shower donations to get me a good portion of the way there financially... but so many people oppose my cycling... would they be into that?
Sigh. So many things to keep in mind. At least I've got some time to explore my options. I'm at week 37 so I'm three weeks out till my due date. I'm pretty sure I won't be hopping on a bike immediately after giving birth so I'll see what I can do between now and when I'm able to bike again (with baby). Will keep you updated!
14 comments:
We really didn't want to do a trailer either but our daughter was born in December so we knew we needed something that would keep her out of the elements. The trailer is still heavy (our daughter just turned 17 months) but I really like having it. We have hooked the trailer up to our Electra super deluxe 3 speed, as well as my '73 schwinn 5 speed, it hasn't been too fun up hills but I LOVE that I can still ride in a skirt. We are also getting a Bobike maxi + next week and I am sooooo excited. If you are looking at trailer options we went with the Chariot. They are out of Canada. They are a little pricey but they had so many great accessories for keeping the baby safe. We got a sling and a head rest and jogger attachment. I wouldn't trade it for anything! I knew that she was safe and that was what was important for me. We put the car seat in when she was 2 months old and then when we felt her neck was a little stronger we moved her to the sling and then when she could sit up around 10 or 11 months we moved her to just sitting. She loves the trailer. She has never complained once! (this is so no the case when she is strapped into a car seat!) My husband has been trying to get me to get a Madsen but I am not quite sold on them yet. I do love the nihola as well as any bakfiests. Right now we are content with the xtracycle and soon the maxi +. Good luck with your search for the perfect kid carrier. I know exactly what you are going through, though I could never to do it as stylishly as you! Thanks for all the great posts!
We're planning to get a Bakfiet for the same job- only two wheels but cheaper than a Nihola.
Transport fees are a problem for us too, so it looks like if I want one I'll have to ride it home...
That is a pretty massive cargo trunk. I always imagine those bikes with a front trunk bin (seen on the copenhagen site) and a bunch of kids can sit in there with groceries and stuff. Those things are pretty huge and the nihola looks similar to it.
First of, I think it's great that you want to keep cycling WITH child after he/she arrives! Good for you for modeling a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle for you child!
I think the trailer attachment isn't all that bad and seems ideal in terms of space and safety. Could you find a simple one color one to look less sporty and flashy?
The nihola is interesting - it seems crazy to me to be carrying all that weight up front where you'd steer! Is that not a concern?
I hope you figure out a solution that makes you happy with both its function and aesthetic appeal!
Also, I just wanted to mention that my co-blogger is also preggers and due in July and she style blogs about her pregnancy wear, and looks fantastic! I thought you might be interested in checking it out sometime, since you seem equally style-minded as us, and look great in that dress! S.
www.academichic.com
I like the Nihola and I also like the Bakfiet. If I was family I'd help pitch in money for one of them...it looks perfect for children. :) Hope something works for you....9 months is a long time not to bike!!
Put a paypal donation box on this blog for readers to send you a little contribution as a thank you for your great blog.
(I'd totally donate a little something for a cargo bike. )
I love my sorte which is similar to the Nihola. I LOVE it. Bakfiets also seem good and are cheaper as someone said... you still have that two wheel feeling...
can't wait to see what you come up with!
Wish I could help out with advice towards choosing the best baby carrier option but I am so clueless in that department. HOWEVER I'm so excited to keep up with the baby news. I hope Don will commandeer your blog and post a newborn pic ASAP when the baby is born!
Nihola or Bakfiets is the way to go for a little one in my opinion. Trailers just aren't made for carseats and the baby can get a pretty bumpy ride -- I felt too nervous that my daughter would get shaken too much. It's too bad they cost sooooo much. And they're really impractical in Vancouver where I live. So I sucked it up and parked my bike when my daughter was little. We did lots and lots of walking. I missed it, but it was great when she was big enough to ride!
you are doing a wonderful job at showcasing cycling in edmonton!
i have two young children and am also looking at using the car a lot less (like once a week) in this no-so-bike-friendly city.
have you looked at the Madsen cargo bikes out of utah?
The same effect on a motorcycle has fooled dozens of riders into making the final mistake of their career. They call it the side car effect, and you actually have to steer to make a turn (you usually just push the handlebars, right to go right,(yes!) and lean.) But when you turn left, that side car tends to lift, off the ground (Surprise!).\
So I suggest you practice on a trike in some well lit unoccupied parking lot for a while (brakes too).
Worksman Cycles in New York makes carrier-type tricycles. Definitely less costly than Nihola. Here's the link: http://www.worksman.com/
so cool! I'm ready to be part as a reader of your future adventures with the baby, so awesome. Bbay will be so proud of looking at you so very fashionable in outfits such as this post! yay <3 xo.meli
yeah for you- finding ways to include the baby on the bike trips is the way to go!
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