Hi! & ?s about riding with kids

[annlaura]

Hi! I'm new to the forums, and new to biking with the kidlets. I used to commute to work in the Chicago loop, and used to bike even in the winter in Toronto. So I don't think I'm inexperienced, but biking with the kids is giving me pause. One thing and another, I'm only really trying to haul them around now that they're 5 and 3. I got a trailer, which we all like. But the two boys together are nearly at the weight limit. And while I was convinced of the safety benefits of trailers at first, a couple of near misses by vehicles that saw me but not the trailer, made me reevaluate. I hooked up a Burley Piccolo for the 5yo yesterday, and I was thrown off, literally, more than I expected by his motion. Will I adjust to it pretty quickly, do you think? I was hoping to have the 5yo on the Piccolo and the 3yo in an Ibert. Any thoughts? Advice? Ideas? I'd love to get a cargo bike, but I have to save up. So I'm trying to work with my bike now, which is a Jamis Tangier, btw.

[Cynedra]

I sometimes ride with an attached bike (not as nice as the piccolo) and the movement at first did feel odd, but you do get used to it eventually. I'm not sure how I'd handle a Ibert with it. Good Luck!

[annlaura]

Thanks! We're already doing better together with the trailer. I added the ibert, and it seems to actually help. Tonight we took a decently long ride, and my son was getting pretty smooth with leaning into turns and responding to my requests for more or less speed. I think we're going to enjoy it.

[Cynedra]

That is awesome. My sons enjoy it whichever one gets to ride it.

[limewave]

Below is a picture of the set-up that I have. I have an almost 7 yo and a 3yo. This is my limit of towing. I can't do more than 6 miles at a time and relatively flat route. Anything more than that and my knees and back suffer--big time! We used to have a burley trailer in the back instead of the wee-hoo. That was a much easier and more stable set up--but not as fun for the 3yo.

I hope you enjoy riding with your kids! It can be a lot of fun.

[zoom-zoom]

That was a much easier and more stable set up--but not as fun for the 3yo.

Her son sits back there and barks orders at her, for real!