I'm supposed to be babysitting my niece this morning. Then I get a call about how the sleep times are all messed up for poor Keira and I won't be expecting them until later.
This gave me time to run to the library to grab some things I've put on hold.
Being a woman of leisure gives me lots of time to do some recreational reading and DVD viewing. The Edmonton Public Library is my best friend with this sort of thing. We also go to the Old Strathcona branch, which is an adorable old building.
This was the first time I've towed Dexter in the trailer on my own.
I haven't paid much attention to how the trailer hitches up to the bike. Figured it would be self-explanatory.
There is the arm thing.
And the trailer hitch.
The fit together. Ta da!
Off topic, but I wore my new casual sandals.
We arrive at the library.
So this is what I'm thinking in terms of pros and cons with a trailer versus a cargo bike.
Cargo bike (the Madsen): Better visibility. Cooler rig and fun conversations with strangers. Can fit up to four kids. Probably more entertaining for kids to sit high up. Nice for newborns because you can retrofit the bin for a car seat and base. However, this bike is top heavy and weird to balance with lots of weight (at least it is for me). If your baby is Dexter's age he can sit up on his own but cannot walk, so if you're planning a whole day out you either have to take a small stroller with you, a baby carrier, or just hold the baby while you're out.
Trailer: Can use your regular bike. It's covered so baby is protected from wind, dust, sun, and rain. Five point harness which is good for squirmy 1 year olds. Can buy trailers for single or two kids. They are very easy to tow, not heavy at all. Visibility isn't great, even with the dorky orange flag. Converts into a stroller so you can just detach it from the hitch, stick the front wheels on and be on your way.
I'm really lucky to have both. The Madsen was really good for when Dexter was a teeny baby, but now that my student gave me their old single kid chariot, I believe it may be possible to fit a car seat in there too. It probably wouldn't fit perfectly, but it's likely possible.
The first trailer Don and I bought is for two kids (we figured there would be room for Dougal, extra groceries, and in time baby number 2). This two seater option didn't look car-seatable for a newborn. We've since then put it in storage and will use it when we have more little bodies to transport.
Now that we have a single-kid one, we're really enjoying it. It's ugly, but it's very very practical. I'm kind of converted. The covered part is a big deal because I can be sure Dexter won't get cold if we're out late at night and he has his own little "tent" to go hang out in while we're at peoples' houses.
When the kids are older, though, I think I'll prefer the Madsen again because it's way funner to roll up to school and such in a big bucket. And it's more conducive to hauling other cargo like big grocery runs. Plus, it can fit more kids so I can haul friends and knapsacks. And by then the kids can hold an umbrella if it's raining, or sit on their mitt-hands when it's really cold.
Either way, I seem to have cargo options that will last for me quite some time.
Win!
11 comments:
Aw, cute smile from Lil D in his trailer :)
It's nice to have options indeed. The stroller option is nice for walking along the dirt trails in river valley. On hot days like this, it's great to walk underneath the canopy of trees!
Oh my gosh, Dexter looks proud to be having so much fun in the trailer!
Very interesting. Hard to know one prefers without trying both, as you have. Sounds like there are pros and cons to each. I should start a piggy bank for a two-wheeled bakfiets - not that I expect any little bodies anytime soon!
I use our single chariot all the time, but have yet to hook it up to my bike. Glad to know it's an easy thing to set up. We bought two of the hitches, so we could trade off if we're on a family bike ride, which we really should be doing one of these days!
Love your sandals by the way. My favourite super cheap China Town flip flops finally bit the dust, so I'm in need of new ones.
Thank you for this post. It's nice to hear about other options compared to the Madsen. Claire is about to outgrow her infant car seat which fits into the bucket, leaving me wondering what our next transportation plan will be.
interesting to hear the madsen is top heavy... Hrm. I am going to test ride one soon to get an idea of how it feels. I'm having issues with my xtra on cape cod. B says I have unrealistic ideas and I should wait til the kids can bike themselves. However 30 mins after that my daughter who was on her bike and had to bike back to the car perhaps 5 blocks away began to have a meltdown b/c she was hot and tired. It was super hot. But it was clear to me that counting on her to power herself anytime soon was asking too much. At B's car she dumped her bike and jumped on the back of the xtra and silently/ happily caught a ride with me... anyway I was thinking of a madsen for cape cod next year since her biggest beef with the xtra is no seatbelts. But I have to see if I can handle it! It's true test riding is key. that single trailer looks very nice. My issue with trailers were more that my daughter found it cramped at 5 and did not like sitting so closely to her brother. in the box she can put things between them...
Jude - I think baby looks sort of creepy in the trailer, but like he has an evil plan:)
Aura - He is pretty into it. And it often makes him fall asleep. This means I try to time my outings in accordance to his nap. One extra step of planning, but lots of reward for mom.
Dottie - Yeah, I saw the chariot my student gave me (the single kid one) in a store and it's $$$. Pretty much like buying the Madsen anyway, but nowhere near as close to a bakfiets. I'm pretty sure Mr.Dottie would dig the trailer. Maybe the towing thing and looking sporty is just a non-issue with the guys. Don greatly prefers it over the latter. But now that i've ridden the trailer and it's age appropriate for Dexter I'm kind of sold too. It's an easy way to convert something you already have. Betty Foy would be a great towing bike.
Kathy - I'd totally recommend people get a chariot just as a regular stroller. Sort of big, but who are we kidding. ALL those strollers are big. Might as well have one that is covered from the elements, has lots of room for groceries, and rolls smoooothly. We have two hitches as well:)
Ashley - Yeah, I'm a little sad to leave Madsen in the garage more often now, but the trailer is proving to be very handy this summer. The covered part is REALLY great, the conversion to stroller is key, and it's surprisingly light to tow (I'm assuming this has a lot to do with the towing bike, but I'm using my clunky mountain one and it's still fine). I believe there are a lot of 2nd hand ones on craigslist and kijiji if you're looking for a deal. Otherwise, it's still a good stroller so worth the investment.
Mama - I can see the trailer being tough for two older kids. I know Judy's husband, Bruce, has stories of taking the trailer mountain biking with the older boy(s) in the back. But that is entertaining because I'm sure the routes were crazy off road.
Sometimes I get resentful that biking with kids takes so much time, organization, brainstorming... but then I'm reminded that driving with them is just super wasteful and stupid. It just seems easy because it's what everybody is used to doing.
The Madsen also doubles as a great beer tub. I've seen people do it online:) And my friend, Sean (bikebike on Twitter) has a store in Calgary where he sells Madsens. He rode his ALL through winter. And our winter here is BRUTAL. He might have good insights as to how much the Madsen can take.
Granted, I think he is bigger and stronger than I am.
And his son is super handsome:)
Okay ladies, I just answered all of you in the hugest comment ever and blogger freaked out and told me it was too big and erased it. CURSES!
So I'll abbreviate.
Dottie - I think Mr. Dottie would like the trailer. Don much prefers it to other cargo options. I think he sees it as straightforward. It IS light and does just transform your normal bike. My biggest problem was the newborn/infant phase, but like I said, the single trailer seems to have more room than the double kid one. Betty Foy would be a suitable towing bike!
Kath - We have two hitches as well. Options are good.
Ashley - Trailer seems much less saavy than the Madsen but for this phase of Dexter's size/development I have to admit that it's very practical. Particularly the stroller conversion part. I never go anywhere for just... 20 minutes. Dexter hates sitting still and he is too heavy for me to wear everywhere.
Mama - Sean at bikebike rode a Madsen all through a Canadian winter. He might have some insight as to how much abuse they can handle? Though he is very big and strong. You remember me on the Madsen with Tom in the back? I don't think that would happen to Sean.
I realize this is not the reason for the post but I'm curious what you got at the library.
Stacy - Good question! Some of it is embarrassing, like how I thought I'd read the books that True Blood the series is based on? When I saw the cover I had book shame immediately:) But, I'll give it a try.
Also got the graphic novel, Surrogates, and some DVDs that I've been meaning to see but never had time. Dreamgirls, Branaugh's As You Like It, and Man On A Wire for me.
Two Yo Gabba Gabba DVDs for Dexter.
Are you still my friend?
Oooh I never had the fun of towing kids in a trailer, bythe time we started my youngest was (is) old enough to go on a tag along bike (fun for him, hard work for me "peddal Alfie!" Imobile child "I AM peddaling mum!" huff puff calories burnt blah blah).
I do have an old kiddie trailer I converted into a dog/carry all trailer and thats pretty easy to pull. I either take the doggies out for a long walk with it or using it to car shopping or recycling about..best thing was it was free from freecycle!
I have a pic of my youngest on his tag along smiling like your boy. Its an "ain't I just a lucky pup!" smile :)
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