not our every day new rider

Recently, DH found a trailer at a garage sale.

Today, my daughter and I "borrowed" my grandson so we could take him out to get his first helmet. Our first amusing moment once the helmet was purchased, I guess we'll wear it out of the store, thank you, was when he put his hands on the top of the helmet, his fingers poked through the vents, and he said "my head's in there!"

It stayed on his head for about five hours -- one does not deliberately induce temper tantrums in not-quite-two-year-olds! Yup, it's even been napped in (he woke up enough to holler "don't take my helmet off!") The helmet hair was pretty amusing -- his stands up mostly, and there were furrows where the helmet mashed it down.

When we got home from our shopping excursion, and discovered that grandpa was home from work already, Xander ran to show off his new acquisition and ask for a ride. About the only thing more amusing than watching a toddler sleeping, upright in a bike helmet is watching him run!

Xander and DH put air in the tires of the treasured trailer today -- DH used the pump, Xander simply blew at them. I'm guessing this made some difference to the ride (they've tried it once before) since the gauge registered zero, and the tires recommend 50psi.

Now, if the pictures show up, you'll see Xander in his helmet with the bruise from running into a trash can at the pool the other day -- right after being told not to run, asking "why not?" and then turning away and running straight into said trash can! He's wondering what to do with an extra buckle -- he's already seat belted himself into his trailer seat, and there are belts enough to put two kids side by side. You'll also see him sitting there eyeing DH's strange new pedals.

And last but not least -- if you look closely, you see him peeking out the back window at me as DH pedals away. He's hollering "Hurry up Grandma!" The trailer is GREAT -- I can keep up with the old boy when he's carrying that extra thirty pounds of toddler!

Xander LOVES his trailer, and was proudly showing me features he was discovering while on our ride today -- look Grandma, pockets! I put a booger in one, see? (he really DID say that, because he's his mother's child, and talks a blue streak!) He enjoys riding, and is up to five miles already.

Well, let's see if this attaching pictures thing worked!

Karen in Boise

Hmmmmm.... maybe BF needs one of these for me to keep up with him... The trailer I mean.. We're not ready for the contents yet. ;)

Kano - He is just too cute!!! isn't that so funny - little kids are a riot - especially when you can give them back to their rightful "owners" :D

Light - you could start out with a dog and get a doggie trailer!! We have one but we haven't actually used it yet because she keeps trying to get out while it's moving :eek: - maybe next summer she'll be better.

Light -- that trailer could hold all sorts of stuff -- a cooler of beer?

Bicyclette -- I agree, being able to give kids back sure does make them a whole lot more fun to spend time with! It's totally remarkable how very different a "loaner" kid is!

I tease DH a bit, since we see people trailering their dogs often, that we could take Khan along, though I think we'd have to close the "windows" to make sure he stayed in. Tethering him would help too, I'm sure.

DH showed me how the trailer attaches today -- being a garage sale find, there's no instruction book, and I never would have figured it out, even though it's an easy attachment -- there are pieces I didn't realize he had!

Karen in Boise

It's occurred to me -- I was thinking I want to take the wheels off and play with the tires/tubes, since the valve stems are crooked. Is there anything else I should be concerned about "maintenance-wise" ????

Karen in Boise

You could call/email the manufacturer and they'll probably send you an owner's manual, if there is one. That might give you some maintenance tips. Or if they have a website, there might be a maintenance page there.

Your trailer looks to be in decent shape, though, for a garage sale find. Looks like fun!

What a cutie!!!!

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Originally Posted by Kano

It's occurred to me -- I was thinking I want to take the wheels off and play with the tires/tubes, since the valve stems are crooked. Is there anything else I should be concerned about "maintenance-wise" ????

Karen in Boise

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Before you take the wheels off the trailer, look to see if they are dished. I know the trailer I used to have had dished wheels to provide a wider wheelbase. Make sure you put them back on with the dished side out. Other than tires, tubes, and hubs, there's not much to worry about with a trailer.

If my helmet was that color, I'd wear it all the time too!

nice pix!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kano

Xander LOVES his trailer, and was proudly showing me features he was discovering while on our ride today -- look Grandma, pockets! I put a booger in one, see? (he really DID say that, because he's his mother's child, and talks a blue streak!)
Karen in Boise

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BWAHAHA! Now I have to explain to my cube mates why I am snorting and guffawing over here! :D That is so cute. Nice pics too, Kano. Thanks for sharing!

What a cutie! I like the helmet. :)

Ya gotta start 'em early!

Every time my daughter sees one of those she laments that she never had one when she was that age. I told her I'd get her one now, but she'd be hard pressed to squeeze her 5'7" frame into it...LOL!

How cute! I loved your story. I also wish they had those when I was a kid. My mom used to take me out in one of those seats that sits upright behind the rider. I was devastated when she told me I was getting to be too big to ride in it anymore. When we have kids (soon!) we are definitely getting a trailer. And be sure to tell him we all said "Nice helmet!" :)

what a cutie! i love his new helmet. i would have one like that too if i were him and never take it off!

kano - great idea about the beer! might have to get one for that reason. i'll put it on the BF so hopefully i have a better chance of keeping up with him, or the 100 lb dog, one of the two.

Thanks for sharing with us. Too cute.

AND I am so glad to hear he loves his helmet.

I shudder when I see so many parents on the bike with a helmet and their little ones in the trailer w/o one - go figure

Kano, that is just soooo cute:D

We finally have a niece/nephew - who happens to be a nephew - and although he is only 7months old, we have had many discussions about when he'll be able to get on his first bike, which bike we are going to get him, how much fun it will be:D . Fortunately, Dave and Tanya (his parents) are very cool and very obliging and indulge us in these fantasies.

So your story is just gorgeous! i'm going to send it to them to enjoy :)

So, so cuuuute! My favorite part is the booger in the pocket. If that shows up in a kid's book, you know latelate stole it!!

joke: What's the difference between boogers and broccoli?
answer: Kids won't eat broccoli.

(I called my ma to tell her that joke. When I asked her the question, she paused and asked, "Honey, are you trying to cook something?":rolleyes: )

JuJu -- good idea looking for a web site with a potential owner's manual. Don't know why it didn't occur to me, since that's where all my owner's manuals are "stored" these days!

DebW -- Thank you again for great insight! I will be sure to note if there's a left & right wheel!

Tater -- I hope everyone had a good laugh! I keep wondering, where does your commute take you each morning, and hoping you have great bike lanes the whole route! There's some spooky, narrow, shoulderless, high traffic areas on my way to just about everywhere!

Anika -- I remember having one of those for our oldest. It's a bit spooky to have the kid up there! Or was it the little one, cuz the big kid had a bike already?

Eclectic -- at least the broad base of the trailer gives the kid a bit better chance of staying up right, but even nutsier, I think, is parents who make sure the kids have helmets, but don't have their own!

LateLate -- Xander does eat broccoli, and yes, boogers too, with great relish!

And to all -- I'm glad you've enjoyed my little indulgence in sharing my grandson with you all! He's quite a character, and we will likely have many more silly biking stories in the future!

Karen in Boise