Two Kids without Training Wheels! Adventures in Biking

Look!  Two kids biking without training wheels!!

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Review: FitBit Charge HR

I was a little hesitant to purchase a FitBit because I wasn't sure if I wanted to track all I was eating.  It sounded like a lot of work, and I didn't want to get obsessed with it.  I knew that the FitBit could help you track some of the variables surrounding overall health and fitness, and was curious about what I could improve.  I decided to take the plunge because it takes data to make changes.  You need to know what you are doing in order to decide what to act on.

I decided to get the FitBit Charge HR.  I have had heart rate monitors in the past, and know a bit about heart rate variability and training in the zones, and have enjoyed playing with this to improve my workouts.  This device, though, doesn't require you to wear a chest band.  I have always felt the chest bands to be a bit unwieldy, though the information is really useful.  I was unsure if this wrist monitor would be as accurate as a chest band, and have been pleasantly surprised by the accuracy.  I like the heart rate monitor feature when exercising, and am getting to know what my heart rate is based on what it feels like and then checking to see if I am right.  This is useful to me to see if I can be working harder, or if it is a good time to take a break.  When taking a break, it's useful to see if I am fully recovered or not. As you (may) know, the length of time it takes you to recover is a good indicator of overall health.

Another feature I was looking for and use is the pedometer. This actually helps motivate me to take more steps.  If it is late afternoon and I am low on my steps, I have been taking the kids out to walk up and down the street.  We all enjoy it, and it's helped us to be more active.  It does, however, add some false steps, like when I am sewing or fling my arm in my sleep, and it skips steps when I am carrying something in that hand (as expected but notable).

It also functions as a watch. Yes, an old-fashioned watch.  I mention this because I often look at my phone to see what time it is, then end up distracted by an incoming email ~ ETC!  I really like having a watch so I can see the time then move on.

Another unexpected thing I like about having this device is that it reminds me to stay on track all the time.  Wearing it is a subtle reminder of fitness and health wherever I am.  I think it helps me make better decisions... about eating, drinking, walking more, and the like.

Now... what I don't like about it is the battery life.  It would be nice if it came with a watch battery or something like that.  It needs to be charged for about an hour or so every three days.  It is unclear how long you have from after it tells you the battery is low until you *must* charge it.  I think people probably get into a routine plugging it into their USB port when they with at the computer, but I don't sit down at the computer every day.

It is "sweat resistant" but they say to take it off in the shower.  When I exercise, I drip sweat (hello, Bikram Yoga!). I am concerned that this will cause it to short out at some point.  But I've been diligent about removing it to swim or shower.  Which reminds me, it's too bad it can't track your movements when you are swimming.

I also think their app could use some streamlining from device to device to desktop.  On the desktop version, you can tag foods as favorites but they don't come up on the mobile app.  And on both, there is a spot for "recent" but recent foods never show up on it.  Same with frequent foods.  Their food database could also expand a bit.  On the desktop version of the app, the quantity of food adjustment button doesn't toggle very smoothly.  The mobile app lacks a way to see food macros for the day, though it is nice to see these on the desktop version (fat, carbs, protein percentages and grams). Both apps, though, have interesting graphs for viewing your data.  I would like a graph for the macros in relation to each other on both apps.

I still don't know what to do with the sleep data I am gathering.  It is interesting to note how many times I wake up/ am restless while sleeping, but I don't know what to do with this information.

All in all, I've been really happy with the device.  It translates how hard I'm working into calories* and steps (well, unless I am biking; in that case, only calories).  I haven't been surprised by the data per se, but it's nice to be able to see what I am doing and having the FitBit Charge HR has helped me organize myself a little better.

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*As an aside, I'm not sure how much calories matter- but they are an interesting data point.



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Xtracycle Rain Cover and Sun Shade using Hooptie and Upside Down Kitchen Cart

There is a rumor that it rains in Northern California in the winter, and we actually witnessed the rain last week.  On that day, we decided it was time to make the rain cover we have been talking about forever.

It turns out that a rolling cart I had in the garage from The Container Store was nearly the same size as the Hooptie.

I took the wheels and middle racks off, flipped over the  upper rack, zip tied it onto the hooptie, and we were in business.

I happened to have a small bit of the same fabric left that I made the cushions and side bag out of (an Amy Butler Laminated Cotton), so I laid it on top and hand stitched it on.  

The boys liked it.  Then my taller boy said it was a bit short with his helmet on, so he wedged the cart frame up, and added more zip ties.  I am thinking of buying a clear vinyl and making roll-up sides and front and back to protect them more from the weather.

Stay tuned.




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UPDATE: I hate it!  It slows me down and makes the kids feel squished.  BUT- it was useful one day when I had to bring a booster seat to school.  We tied it on top.



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Happy Halloween!

We are almost ready to carve them!

Three for $12. How could I resist?  

There is one in each cargo bag and one on top.

.....

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This is How we Roll

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Xtracycle 2 Kids Seating Arrangement

We changed the Xtracycle Edgerunner into yet another seating arrangement.   This is how it had been for a while (two kids with hooptie and homemade seat as a divider and water bottle/ bag holder).  The new arrangement  is quite similar to how it is shown in the ads (kids in hooptie on back). 

Then my older son, who is almost 6, started doing this:

No training wheels!

And now he wants to do a lot of that.  So I don't need the extra weight of the homemade seat to divide them (his brother is just 3), especially if he is doing a lot of riding and a little sitting, and when he sits, I drag his big bike in the back.  So I need my bike to be as light as possible (because it gets heavy quick when I have them both up top and a bike dragging along in back).

It's nice- with just a pad and the hooptie.  We moved the kids' water bottle holder to the front of the hooptie.  It is zip tied on.

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Returning a Tree on the Xtracycle Edgerunner

The bare root tree is attached to the hooptie with the roots on my side.  I had been hoping not to get poked.  We ended up attaching a piece of hot pink fabric to the end of it as a flag after I took these photos.  I was returning it because it never got any leaves (and yes, I called in advance to make sure they would take it back!).

This ride was fun, actually, though I hadn't noticed the slow hill to the nursery from our house before.

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Biking with Kids in Lamorinda

With Kids Learning/ on their Own Bikes/ Trikes/ Scooters

My kids love going up and down our street.

1. Your own street! You can even get one of those  "Slow Down" Signs if that makes you feel better, or if your street is busy.  
2. The trail.  It has so many good sections, and runs from Lafayette to Moraga.  
3. The stretch of trail from Olympic in Lafayette to Foye/ 4th Street is flat and full of shade, and there is a little shady park on Moraga at 4th for a break (and there is talk of putting a play structure there, too... please email the City of Lafayette Parks Director Jennifer Russell at JRussell@ci.lafayette.ca.us if you want to encourage this project!).  
4. Speaking of the trail, there is a house with chickens in the back (and a chain link fence so you can see them) just west of Hawthorn on the trail where there are always toddlers gathering.  The owner even put a bench on the trail side of the fence, and can be found there chatting to passerby regularly.
5. Did I mention the trail?  Just over the bridge from Stanley Middle School in Lafayette is an EBMUD set of buildings which are nice to climb on.  And a few steps further, before the big hill down, are some little dirt paths kids like climbing around on.
6. Another good stretch of trail is from Stanley towards Moraga.  This is full of short flat straight sections with stop signs and not busy streets.  The little ones can race from stop sign to stop sign and always be within eyesight.
7. Lafayette Elementary School is open to the public whenever school is not in session.  Their playground is flat and paved and huge.  There is an older kids' section and a younger kids' section.  You could use this as a place to bring your kids' bikes so they can learn to ride or play around.  Look around at the elementary schools in your area- my guess is that they are all similar in this regard.

With Kids in Tow

We like to bike all around the area, though we do seek out flat areas, especially as the kids are getting bigger and heavier and not yet on their own bikes all the time.  

Our bike set-up has gone from this (baby seat on bike rack):

to this (trail a bike with one kid):

to this (one kid on bike seat, other in trailer):

to this (Cargo bike for both kids on top):

to this (Cargo bike for both kids on top and their bikes aboard so they can hop on and off and ride alongside as desired):

Tips and Tricks:

1. Choose the time of day and realize that if it is naptime your kid may fall asleep.  Just like in the car, you will need to determine if you can transfer the sleeping child or if you will need to keep riding or s/he will wake up.  
2. I found an awesome double kickstand from Xtracycle so the bike is extremely sturdy when I am not holding it.  This is great for loading and unloading squirmy cargo and for if the kid/s fall asleep and will stay asleep on a parked bike but not stay asleep if you try and move them.
3. Try finding a bag or pannier that will work with your bike and kid set-up so you can use the bike for errands (and for carrying a snack/ diaper bag-type gear).  We found a front handlebar bag to be great with a baby seat.  We used the trailer's trunk area with the trailer, and the cargo bike has bags that go below the seats.
4. Keep their feet tucked away from your legs.  If their feet touch your leg every stroke, it is uncomfortable (if not unsafe).  
5. Use a flag when the kids are in the trailer or trail-a-bike.  Motorists aren't expecting a long bike, so the flag helps keep everyone safe.
6. Find warm gear for the kid/s for the bike.  You are working up there and stay a bit warmer in the winter, but they will need an extra layer in back.  My kids like fleece balaclavas under their helmets.
7. In the summer, don't forget sunscreen!
8. The trail goes so many useful places.  Google Maps has a bike icon you can click on to give you biking directions to places and makes use of the trail.  It takes longer but the isolation from cars is really nice.
9. Map your route in advance.  Pay attention so you don't need to check your phone when you are traveling.
10. On the weekends, the trail is PACKED.  If you actually want to get somewhere quickly, try another route.  Otherwise you will be constantly ringing your bell.  Though this could be a good job for the kids in back if I would get them their own bells back there.
11. Consider biking instead of the car. It is often just as quick, or only a few extra minutes, especially once you and the kids have a routine established.
12. When the kids are little, find a way for them to have a lovey (or similar object) accessible.
13. When they are older, it is surprisingly easy to drag a kids' bike behind an adult bike.  Doing this lets the kid hop on and off your bike and his bike as he gets tired (aka meltdown avoidance).  
14. Don't forget to bring a lock (and an extra cable if you have kids' bikes or a trailer with you).  Then you can stop if you want to explore somewhere.
15. My kids like to hop off and walk sometimes and I can walk the bike.  I love giving them the exercise and getting them used to moving their bodies in a useful way (in addition to the fresh air!).
16. LAYERS.  This is a bit of an obvious one for California, but sometimes a bike excursion takes a while (especially if you let it turn into an adventure), so it's always nice to keep the kids comfortable.
17. Always keep a bike light on hand.  This is in case it gets dark when you are out.
18. Likewise, I always keep a minimal first aid kit and baby carrier on my bike (a pouch sling for my toddler- I have had it in there since he was a baby- just in case we get stranded and need to walk home).  I also keep an allen wrench, tissues, and a packet of almonds.

My little one likes to fall asleep when we bike to pick up his brother from school.  Yes, that's a pillow in his lap.

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Quick and Dirty Rain Pants

Yay for California (finally!).  Rain!!!

I had cut rain pants from PUL a month or two ago and not yet stitched them up.  I cut them similar to when I made rain pants before, by basically using my current best pattern and choosing a waterproof fabric and a cozy waistband.  This time, though, I cut them a little wider than the current size, thinking they would be worn over a pair of pants, perhaps while biking.

So, there they sat on my desk, and the rain finally came.  And still they sat on my desk.

By the (ahem) fourth day of steady rain, we finally had puddles (if that speaks to the level of drought), and a break in the rain.  It took the boys all of three minutes to get soaked (see top photo).

I ran inside to finish those pesky pants.  

The little guy was anxious for his, so they are still waiting for the waistband (and hem on the legs).  He was content with a safety pin in front and a binder clip in back.

His brother wasn't so anxious to stop playing, so I was able to attach a waistband and snap a photo of them.

It is now the day after these puddles, and they are all gone!  Soaked into the thirsty ground by morning.

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Xtracycle with Kids Alongside - Hop on Hop Off Cargo Biking

The kids have been wanting to be on their own bikes a bit these days.  So I have been riding alongside (at 3 and 6 mph, depending on the child) on my Edgerunner.  My thought was that if one or both decided to quit, I could pop him and his bike on my bike, and get us all home without a meltdown.

In this photo, the little one wanted to ride to pick up his big brother at school.  So we brought Big Brother's bike along so they could both ride home.  I strapped it into one of the seats and away we went.  

This went ok.  I was a bit wider than I was used to, so I had to watch for that.  

Also, Little Brother got tired so we ended up locking his bike to a tree along the route to pick it up on the way home.

In retrospect, we should have locked both bikes to the tree, because Big Brother wanted to ride for only a little bit after a long day at school, so we ended up fitting the front of his bike into one of the cargo bags and half dragging it along with us.  The bell dinged on and on, but it was otherwise fine.

The good news is that they both rode home after reaching the spot where the little guy's bike was locked up.

On another day, the little guy rode a while and wanted to ride more later.  His 12" bike with training wheels attached fits in one of the cargo bags.  In the other bag is his brother's scooter.  We had a really nice ride that day.

All in all, this is a good use of the cargo bike.  Just another reason why it is great.

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Xtracycle 2 kid seat rearranging again

This is our latest iteration of how to seat the kids on the Xtracycle (they are now 5 and 2, and weigh about 47 and 37 pounds).



The wooden seat we made is still in the front position, but it is now where the younger child sits (it was the older child's seat before).  We decided to switch their positions so that the older child would feel the bumps more, and the younger child would have a smoother ride.

We added the hooptie back on.

The older child will use a seat belt strap still, and the padding we made for the milk crate seat is now in the rear position.  The holes in it are what we are looping the seat belt through.

To carry their stuff, we put the kids' purse we made onto the piece of plumbing we already had on the back of the wooden seat.  We also moved the little plastic tray that had been on the side of the front seat onto the front of the hooptie and attached it with zip ties.  It was no longer on the side of the front wooden seat because the hooptie sides were in that spot.

The advantages of this arrangement are that the younger child will be more comfortable over bumps and won't tug on his brother's helmet from behind.  Possible disadvantages are that the younger child's legs are too short to reach into the bags and he can inadvertently (or so I'd like to think) kick me while we are riding.  The balance of the bike will take a little getting used to, since the heaviest weight will now be in the far back (and as we all know, weight is easiest to carry when it is closer to center and lower). It may not be that big of a difference, though, since I won't be carrying the weight of the Yepp seat around any more, and the weight of the empty seat is not insignificant.

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Child Seating on our Xtracycle Edgerunner, a Brief History

For your review, this is what our first arrangement looked like (modified milk crate in back for younger child, older child in front using milk crate as back rest; hoopie all around):

Then it looked like this (milk crate in front for older child, Yepp seat in back for younger child; no hooptie):

Then it looked like this (wooden seat in front for older child, Yepp seat in back for younger child; no hooptie):

And now we are here (wooden seat in front for younger child- with addition of old dining room seat cushion- which we added a few weeks ago for the older child in that seat, padding from milk crate seat in back for older child; hoopie all around):

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Napping on the Bike (Xtracycle)

I thought our days of napping on the bike had ended, then had a brilliant idea.

A pillow.



Ahh.... magic.

 

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Biking on the Street

 

 

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More Bike Bucket Bags

I have made this free bicycle bucket bag pattern from Noodlehead a couple of times (here - then modified that one here, then made it again here).

This time, I made two at the same time.  They were meant to be for the boys' bikes, but I cut the fabric so long ago, then didn't stitch them up, then we got other baskets, that now we thought to put these on the big wheels, but haven't done it yet and they are just carrying them around the house with dolls and loveys in them.  I am enjoying not having the cut fabric sitting on my desk!



The first one is made with quilter's cotton on the inside and outside and buckram as the stabilizer.  Again, I had trouble with the top binding laying flat.

The second is also made with quilter's cotton and buckram.  I like how the buckram holds the bag steady in both.  You can also see that I haven't put the snaps on yet to attach it to the bike (or velcro).  I wanted to measure it against where it is going before making the attachment mechanism.

 

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Bike Seat Hinge + bonus review of the xtracycle hooptie

The saga of the perfect bike seating arrangement for the Xtracycle Edgerunner continues.

As you may recall, we recently made the wooden seat in which you see my older son (4.75 years old) sitting.  Then we added bags for the passengers.

Now, as suspected, he was having trouble getting into the seat without hitting his legs.  There just wasn't enough space between the end of the arm rest and the hooptie end/ stoker bar (yes, we don't have the hooptie in use.  Why? You ask.  It is too wide on the wider setting to make me feel like I am riding a narrow bike and on the narrow setting it is too tight on the Yepp seat in back.  Plus, the arm rests give the front passenger enough stability that we don't need it AND we like using the front piece of it as a stoker bar.  Also, it is a bit difficult to get the pieces from the narrow to wide setting and get them on and off - you need to balance both ends in at the same time and push the same amount- it is frustrating to take it on and off.  We kept the ends on because they are light and it will be useful one day.  It is a very cool product- I just prefer it on the narrow setting and it will be great when my kids are a bit bigger).

 

But where was I before that little Hooptie Review?

Ah, yes, leg room on the entry and exit.

We made a hinge on one side.  We chopped the arm rest off and he said it was too short.  So we re-attached it with a hinge which has been for a test ride now and works great (so far).  Plus, he has a sense of ownership for it and can play with it as needed.

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DIY Scooter Treasure Basket

This is a large strawberry basket zip-tied onto the handlebars.

 

 It could (obviously) hold much more, but we were harvesting the strawberries at the time...

 

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Bike Bags for Passengers

We just finished making a wooden bike seat for my older son.

After making it, we decided we needed the back passenger and front passenger to have a little storage.

So the front passenger got an old plastic organizer from the garage screwed into his arm rest.  It's just big enough for a banana and some nuts.

The back passenger got a storage bag that I made when I made the crate seat.  We got a little crafty in attaching it, since it was made for handlebars.  We found a plumbing piece at the local hardware store with wider ends (these keep the bag from sliding off).  We also found two metal pieces to screw on each side.  This way, the bag is still removable.  Another option would have been to screw right through the bag.  I decided against it because I didn't want to permanently damage the bag.

Here are both bags, below.

 

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