We've decided to consolidate our kid-hauling fleet. Our shed has been too cramped for too long. It's time to get rid of the trailers and our Yepp Mini. The single Chariot was the first to go since we haven't used it in ages. We barely ever carry one child and when we do, the double trailer works just as well. I gathered up all the accessories we had accumulated, cleaned it up, and posted on Craigslist (where we had found it 4 years ago). It was gone within two days to a happy family in Davis. I was a bit sad to see this trailer go as it had seen many wonderful adventures over the years, most notably our 600-mile Oregon tour when Big Brother was just 10 months old. However, I'm so excited for its legacy to continue. One of the most awesome things about the Chariot is how well it holds it's value. Our trailers have 1000s of miles on them and are 7 years old but they have held up really well and can now be sold inexpensively (relatively) to families who might not be able to plunk down the cash for a brand new model.  

That was the easy one. Next up, the Yepp Mini. We certainly had some great times with this one. It was one of the important aspects of beginning our family biking lifestyle. Getting Little Brother into a safe, comfortable seat allowed us to ride regularly. The Yepp Mini was fantastic (especially after trying the iBert seat, blech). The windshield was great and my homemade sunshield topped it all off (ha!). I loved having Little Brother up front to chat with and cuddle. However, once he realized how fun it was to be kicking Big Brother in the butt, it was hard to get him back in front. We eventually removed the mount from the Mundo and tried it on the Linus--not a great fit but super fun! Turns out, Little Brother now does turn signals and is even more attentive on the bike, he doesn't just pass out as he did before. It is really hard to give up the Yepp but it's time. At 30 pounds, Little Brother is a hefty load on the fork. Moving away from this seat signifies the end of the little guy's babyhood and the fact that we're not going to be having any more. It's bittersweet but I'm so happy that it's going to be going to a good home and getting another little one on a bike. This one hasn't sold, yet, but we have a buyer already and a few interested families as backup. Considering this seat can only be used for the first few years, it's going to be great for many kids over the years. 

The last baby carrier to go is going to be our double Chariot. Right now, it's being used as our spare kid-picker-upper. We do a lot of kid juggling--I drop them off, hubby picks them back up. We need a way for each of us to independently haul children around. At this point, our kids have outgrown the Chariots. Even the double is too small for our 4 and 2 year olds. Big Brother sticks his arms out of the sides and Little Brother follows suit. After getting used to the Mundo, the trailer is a pain in the tushie to drag around although I really like having something that keeps the kiddos totally contained and protected from the weather. However, we're ready to move on. We're holding onto this one until we can find a suitable replacement.  

Now comes the hard part--where do we go from here? We don't have a big enough budget to go the bakfiets route, in fact, we're hoping that whatever we get is roughly the same price as what we can get for these three. The first thing I wanted was a Weehoo--the most amazing trail-a-bike in the world. I would love to be able to get the kids helping to pedal and the Weehoo gives them a safe, long-lasting way to do that. It's like a recumbent seat with a three-point harness, adjustable from ages 2-9ish. The kids can pedal, nap, chill, whatever--none of the crazy flopping around that the standard trail-a-bikes cause. I wouldn't put my kids on anything else (yet). 

Problem is, of course, that we have two little guys and this doesn't help being able to carry both. Weehoo is coming out with a double trailer but only the kid in the front pedals. It's an interesting concept that I look forward to checking out but it's not for sale as of now. 

Next, there's the option to upgrade from our current Chariot trailers and get a Wike. The Wike trailers have a much longer lifespan as they have more head- and leg-room for older kids. Their top model even has roll-down windows for 360 degree ventilation, perfect for Sacramento summers. If I had known about Wikes when I was first doing my trailer research, I probably would have started there instead of the Chariots. 

If we got a Wike, we still end up with a trailer and all the hassels they cause. It's not an inexpensive trailer by any means (at least the one we want. Wike has some pretty amazingly budget-friendly designs). This is the difficult part. What new kid-carrier would work best with our needs and price range? 

So far, the options we've come up with include: an Xtracycle for Jose using one of his current bikes (price: $880 for the build we would want), a Boda Boda ($999, although we might be able to add our BionX to this set-up and sell the Breezer bike, super, ultimate bonus...), another Mundo ($1199), or a custom Cycle Truck from a local builder. 

John is just finishing up a Cycle Truck for SABA that he might let us try out for a few days. I would want an enclosed bucket and a seat with restraints for the boys. It'd be pretty amazing to be able to customize a bike for our exact needs. I know that John's taken his single-speed CT for overnight bike tours, which works for our lifestyle. The price is much better than a $3000+ bakfiets and I am more than happy to support a local builder. 

I'm open to suggestions. I want a bike that can travel long distances as well as short, hold two kids, and preferably have some way to keep them protected from the elements. 

Ready, go! 

The amazing Practical Cycle celebrated it's third birthday! Three years ago it was just opening it's doors with a handful of "practical" bicycles and tricycles. Today, the store is chock full of many bikes designed to make travel-by-pedal available to an array of differing abilities and interests. I am so proud to be a part of their team! Tim and Cassidy, the father-son duo behind this incredible business, are so knowledgeable and friendly, you can't help but feel good about buying from them. Their motto: "no spandex, no funny shoes, no problem" says it all. They are welcoming to all types of riders, not just the spandex-clad speedsters. I was so happy with my Yuba Mundo purchase that eventually they had to hire me because I wouldn't leave! 

I was happy to volunteer my mother's services to provide their birthday cake (she makes a mean carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, yummy!!!). She baked everything at home then I transported it to the shop where she put it all together. It was much easier to carry the cake layers still in their pans than to have brought the entire three-tier monster assembled. Luckily, it arrived unscathed, train tracks and all. 

The best part about the birthday party was not just chowing down on all the delicious goodies, it was seeing so many of our bikey friends. Kristi and Peter were in town with their awesome boys! We can't wait to hang out with them again at our camping trip! Seth and his daughter showed up in their bakfiets. Kate, Jennifer, and Jarrod all showed up on their Mundos. Beverly and her bike-riding daughter rode together, too. My parents and sister-in-law all rode in on folding bikes. The store was full of sugar-filled children and lots of great conversations. There were more awesome bikes than usual.

We decided to take the long way home along the American River Parkway--8 miles or so instead of 2. What a relief to be on the quiet car-free trail! The boys were crazily gabbering along the entire way, not having quite run off their sugar high. It was total bliss! 

Such a fun day! We were so glad we were able to share it with so many of our friends and be included in the Practical Cycle family. Thanks, Tim and Cassidy!!!