Fit Mom's Blog

Bike riding with the family is a way of life for us.  Both my husband and I have been bike riding since our college days, we love it.  Cycling is SO DIFFERENT from running because there is very little pain involved. The only pain I feel when riding, is the good kind of pain when climbing a hill!  Most of all, cycling is about freedom.  Freedom to get exercise outside and to actually travel places.  It’s about what you CAN see and DO while bike riding.  Since the marathon, I have run twice (it’s only been two weeks) but still.  It’s not like I’m jumping at the chance to go pound my body some more after the last four months!  Also, my knees are still achy so I’ve really been enjoying other activities that keep me fit, without running.  Anyways, taking the kids for a bike ride has before today always involved two trailers- one for hubby’s bike and one for mine. The Burley trailers are great for kids under age 4, honestly.  

When shopping for an addition to our bikes, our priorities were price, fit, and it’s ability to mature with our kid.  There is really only two options for our age of child- buying a Tandem bike with a stoker kit fit for a child (really expensive) or a Tag-a-Long.  (On another note, there are also seats you can buy that can be attached to the rear seat post for a child under 35 pounds.  However, we’ve seen with friends that the plastic seats don’t hold up that well over time and weight of the child.)  The $200 or less option was a much better choice for us!  We bought the Trek version that has levels for him to shift and it is big enough for him to grow up on it.  It’s a beautiful thing.  Benjamin’s first ride was only three miles but he was ecstatic!  Daddy would say put it on level four and he would use both hands to twist the gears to the next level.  Several times he was busy twisting around looking at me and almost fell off, but, he didn’t.  That is one draw back to this type of arrangement, is if he gets distracted, he could take the whole bike down!

Ryan and I were riding my mountain bike with the double burley attached.  He also had a great time and loved to wave at his brother- but still eat his snack in the trailer (he’s only 2).

Our options for vacations and day trips, have just gone to a new level that I am very excited about.  Parents get exercise, while children are right along with us.  Can’t wait to take bike rides at the beach or in the mountains for a whole hour (might be stretching that a bit) but a trip to the coffee shop is in order!  Also, would LOVE to figure out how I could attach the Burley to the Tag-a-long and commute to work.  Wouldn’t that be a sight for sore eyes?

Questions, Comments, Suggestions?  Would love to hear how you vacation with your family and still get your exercise!