Mundo goes on a field trip

We are taking a trip up to Portland this weekend for a variety of reasons, one being to test the highly anticipated Bike Friday Haul-a-day. Because we wouldn't need the Mundo for a few days, we dropped the Mundo off at our friends' house to play with. Our friend is a neighbor who has four of her own children, the oldest two are fairly confident riders but she has been looking into a solution to go riding with the whole gang. Since her kids are getting older and heavier, the trailer is becoming more and more difficult to use (a story we know very, very well). 

I had ridden Big Brother to school on the Mundo and marveled at how much I loved this bike. We haven't been riding her much because we use the Bullitt for most of our in-town trips. When I dropped off the bike, it was drizzly and we were late to head off to PDX. I kept remembering little tips about the Mundo's secrets that we've learned--start with the seat low, go for a quick loop around the block before putting kiddos on deck, keep the monsters from wiggling too much, etc. Tracey mentioned that she might go for a "little" trip to pick up her daughter from school, which I tried to discourage, thinking it would be too much for a first outing. 

Forty-five minutes later, I checked my Facebook page to see this awesome photo: 

"Going to pickup P.!!!"

They were going for it! 

For the next hour, I fretted and continuously checked Facebook for the return confirmation--not that I didn't trust them but I was so curious to find out how this first adventure had gone. I didn't want them to be disappointed with the bike. It seemed like such an ambitious attempt but these guys are amazing! When they decide to do something, they jump right in. Sure enough, here comes the victory photo: 

"If I can do this, anyone can do this. I had so much fun and I AM SO FRACKIN PROUD OF MYSELF!!! i may not have use of my legs for a better part of tomorrow but I DIIIIIID IT!!!!!!! Yay!!!"

So incredible! The weather wasn't great, it was an unfamiliar bike, a new experience but they took the opportunity and rolled with it. I am so impressed! Turns out, Tracey rode about 10 miles total, a true feat for anyone, not just a beginner. And check out that cute load she carried--smiles all around before and after. I asked Tracey to share some feedback about her first experience with the cargo bike: 

Today's ride was unprecedented. I've never, ever ridden a cargo bike and I haven't done anything remotely active like this since L. was born. Somehow I knew I could do it.

I was shocked at how easy it was to ride. The gears are perfect for sitting and pulling such a large load. It is wobbly (with the kids) like you said but as soon as I got used to that, I was happy to have a bike that rode so smoothly. My other bike doesn't ride like that. I enjoyed myself because the gears were so accommodating. 

I learned that it's easier for me if I just get on first and then let the girls on. Otherwise it was hard to hold and balance on one foot and swing my leg over. That was when we tipped it. The other time was when we all tried to get off at the same time. Next time I will wait and let them off first and I'll get off after. Plus I am going to do pushups to work on some kind of upper body strength. 

I just can't say enough wonderful things about Tracey and her family. I am so excited that they're jumping into the world of family biking. While I'm still not totally sure if we're ready to sell the Mundo, yet, I'm really happy that it's in such good hands in the meantime and going to be getting plenty of use.