Cargo bike: The No-Car Family Mover

With the arrival of good weather a lot of us start thinking about bike riding. My partner and I love peddling around, but after we went from one kid directly to three when our twins were born, I found I was out on my bike virtually never, as both of us needed to be available.

What to do for the urban mummy on the go with more than two kids?

The answer came via friends with three young children and no car: a cargo bike! I had not known these genius contraptions even existed, but apparently they're common in Europe.

WorkCycles

Essentially, a cargo bike is a bicycle with an extended platform between the handlebars and the front wheel, making room for a cargo bin, flat hauler skid or numerous configurations of people seats. Online, I found styles that accommodate two, three or four kids, sometimes even with additional cargo space!

My interest peaked, our friends generously offered to loan it to us for two weeks. With my four kids (then aged one, almost three, almost three, and five) I took several trips with the bike, including to local parks and across town on a day trip.

What a blast! The kids loved it, and cars generously shared the road with us (presumably owing to our impressive width). Certainly it handled a little differently than a regular bike, but after taking it slow for a few minutes I caught on quickly. It was easy to get the kids in and out and wonderful that they were in front of me and up at car-window height.

Babboe: what our friends have...

One caveat would be regarding steep hills: cargo bikes don't seem to come with a great range of gears and, being heavier, can be a challenge to peddle up a serious incline. And that heavy weight means it's no easier to get off and walk it up.

But, unless you live in a super-hilly area, a cargo bike is a great alternative to a car for a multi-kid family.

(A helpful site to find local dealers in parts of North America is http://www.cargobike.ca/)

Have you ever tried one? Share your experience with us!

Giving Thanks Amid The Colours

We were very happy to spend part of the Thanksgiving long weekend at our extended family's cottage.

The kids enjoyed exploring the beach, wading in the water, building sandcastles (which were then attacked by ferocious sea monsters) and hiking in the back forest. Good thing I learned from our summer camping venture to bring lots of extra clothes! And waterproof pants didn't hurt...

I hope you and yours had a wonderful time, too!

A Day At The Races: Mountain Biking

It's hot, humid and you almost can't stand to be outside. What to do when the kids start ping-ing off the walls inside like overgrown grasshoppers trapped in a glass jar due to sheer boredom? Why, get them into the country to run themselves ragged! (Just bring lots of water...)

A few weeks ago, we piled into our vehicle and drove about 1.5 hours to a family-friendly mountain bike race. It got us out of the city (though it was still amazingly hot) and offered the kids new terrain to conquer on their bikes.

Several races took place that day, but in the lull as one was finishing and before the next began, the kids could tear up and down the course to their heart's content. Designated kids' races were also on schedule, and multiple 1st place finishers proudly claimed the coveted prize of fruit chews.

The guys additionally had a chance to watch the "big kids" race.

A blanket under an umbrella with a picnic lunch, lots of snacks and lots and lots of water ensured the day ran smoothly. Our boys continue to pester me about when the next race is!

Some things that we learned about young kids and race events:

Watching at the start line

1. Always check with the race director before launching onto any course, so that you know it's safe to play on (you don't want to get shmucked, after all) and so that you won't be impeding other racers. 

Tearing up the single track

2. Adjust expectations. If this is the first time your child is trying an activity (e.g. he may ride a bike, but has he ridden it on unpaved and rough terrain?) steer him towards more manageable endeavours. For example, our five-year-old experienced profound frustration when he couldn't ride the tightly twisting single track on his big bike, in contrast to his three-year-old brothers on their run bikes (i.e. bikes without pedals). Solution: we helped him ride his big bike on the wider, less technical double track, and then he alternated with his brothers in railing through the single track chicanes on a run bike. Happiness!

Down time in the shade

3. Plan ahead to ensure you have a spot to take a break. Although they literally spent hours on the race course, the boys were very happy at several junctures to get off the bikes, sit in the shade and snack. We have a beach umbrella with a corkscrew end and handles, so I can anchor it even in hard ground. Another family we know use a pop-up tent as a "break room."

4. Naturally, be sure you'll have enough eyes available, especially if you're going with kids of different ages/abilities. I knew there would be others at the race I could count on to help out in a pinch.

Hot, tired and happy!

5. Adjust your expectations about how the day will end. The usual bedtime routine may not be the best plan, and if your child is not routine-centred (some kids are) then deviating from the regular pattern is okay. For instance, I was sure that my guys would pass in the car out on the return journey, so I fed them and gave them a quick wipe down with wet cloths as we were leaving the race, which allowed me to forego the otherwise essential bath when we got home and pop them right into bed. 

If You Go Down In The Woods Today: Camping With Kids

The opposite of zen: five in the canoe, plus dog. 

For the past four years, my soul has been yearning for the woods.

In our years BC (Before Children) my partner and I would make at least one backcountry camping trip per year. It was always my "moment of zen."

But when our first child arrived life got a lot more complicated, and we haven't been camping since. Until now! Our oldest is five, the twins are three --and therefore listen to instructions somewhat-- and our youngest is relatively amenable, so my thoughts turned to CAMPING!

You see the vehicle? We were car-camping!

Having finished the trip and returned home to the city as a complete group, all sound in body and mind, I can say that we had a good time and I'm glad we went. I will also say that I'm glad we're not going again too soon.

A few lessons I learned from our experience:

1. Bring more clothes. Kids *love* water and mud.
2. Bring less food. Everyone's too excited to eat much.

Yep, they sure were enthralled by my nature lessons.

3. Don't plan on cooking. You can either watch the stove OR keep the kids from drowning. Hmm...
4. Just give in and roast hot dogs every night.
5. You will need a containment device. I actually brought a play-pen.
6. Marshmallows go with everything.
7. No one will sleep. Figure out a Plan B.
8. Be prepared with some low-key activities (drawing, reading).
9. Don't give your 5-year-old the camera.
10. Let go of all your expectations.

Exhausting? Yes. Worth it? Yes. Do it again? ... Ask me in a couple of weeks... I'm kidding; I'm already planning our next trip.

Who's tired? Not me! 

Noooo! Don't eat those!

Important Photo Subjects for a 5-yr-old: #1 Up My Nose...

... #2 My Dog's Behind... 

... #3 My Water Gun