Biking with children : A few tips from a rank amateur

Summer fun on two wheels!

I write, I bike, and I write about everyday biking, so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when I was asked to write an article for my local newspaper about biking with children. It was a bit intimidating, given the number of hard-core cyclists who raise their families here, but it's my mission to let people know that biking is wonderful, and it's not that hard to integrate into everyday life.

The article covers the basics, but there are a few additional things I wish I would have had the space to say, so I'll take the time to do that here. Think of it as Biking with Kids: Extended Play.

* Have realistic expectations. If you're imagining a blissful time pedaling along with your family, set that picture aside for a bit. Those times definitely happen, but if you're just just getting your children used to the idea of biking, there are a dozen interruptions that happen along the way. Expect frequent stops and adjustments or just plan them into the ride.

* If you're just introducing children to biking, make sure you have time to ride on your own, at your own pace. Chances are, biking at child speed isn't going to give you the workout you needed nor will it satisfy your longing to cruise along. Make sure you have time to connect with your love of biking, your way.

*  Be a savvy shopper. Before you go out and drop big money on the perfect equipment, ask around to see who might have bikes, helmets, bike trailers and the like that they're looking to unload. Our kids have very nice bikes that cost less than lesser-quality big box store brands. We looked for deals from out friends, got a used bike from the local bike shop that takes trade-ins, and checked Craigslist. Kids grow so fast that buying used is worth it.

*For tots just learning to manage a two-wheeler, consider nixing the training wheels and getting them a push bike instead.  These are essentially bikes without pedals that kids power with their feet. Think scooter with a seat. Kind of.

The advantage to push bikes is that kids get the sense of how to balance and steer without having to think about pedaling and braking, too. They just put their feet down, which is a pretty natural thing to do. After a few weeks or months of this, kids generally have the hang of riding a two-wheeler. Because we're cheap frugal smart, we just took the cranks and pedals off of a regular little kids' bike and let Monkey Boy work with that. At 6, he's still not riding a 2-wheeler, but I'm pretty sure that's because he's with us on his Trail-A-Bike for most rides. We just don't give the kid enough practice.

What matters most is not the gear, but simply time on the bike. When in doubt, just get out there and go, even for 15 or 20 minutes. It's simplicity and freedom, all at the end of your driveway.

Mamacita Rides: good for my soul.

Mamacitas ready to roll

Confession: I've been feeling a little out of place in my local bike scene. I've tried some women's group rides, cheered on bike racing friends, helped Dragon Boy through his first time trial and street sprint, and had a good time. But I really didn't feel like I fit in, and I couldn't put my finger on what was just a little off.

This morning made all the difference. I was out on a beautiful morning with five other women, pedaling near mountains, chatting and hearing about what was going on with their summer adventures. It was a funny thing. Most of the women had serious bikes and are decent to very good athletes in other areas, but they wanted a place where they could just enjoy biking. No racing, no competition, no agenda. Well, other than getting to the coffee shop.

For many folks who are really into biking, it seems that racing is the pinnacle of the biking experience. I'm all for that. Many of the bike racers I know are wonderful people and amazing athletes, without a doubt. But it was so refreshing to be with these women who just wanted an excuse to ride.

While others hanker for technical singletrack, we discussed options for riding three across on logging roads. While others might compare splits or sources for affordable power meters, we heard about an inspired triathlon involving lattes, ducky rafts and cruiser bikes. That's my style.

Thanks, y'all, We'll hit the road again soon.

More Mamacita:
6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3
6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 18
9 a.m. on Saturday, August 28

Mamacita Rides are back!

Mamacita Rides are back! Meet at 9 a.m. this Sunday (July 25) at Sola Cafe, corner of Kagy and S. 3rd. We'll decide whether to do the longer or shorter loop that morning--both under 15 miles. Bring a bike with smoother tires, since we'll be on roads.

These rides are laid-back trips for women who just want to get out and bike with other women. We're not training for anything, competing for anything, and fast is NOT in our vocabulary for the morning. Spandex not required. Bring some cash if you want to grab a snack at Sola afterward.

We had a great time at the last ride, and y'all have my apologies for not scheduling another one sooner. Summers are fast and precious here in Montana!

Future dates:
6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3
6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13
9 a.m. on Saturday, August 28.

Great 4th!

Downtown Bozeman on the 4th

I woke up to a sunny, cool morning on the Fourth and decided to head downtown to run a couple or errands. This wasn't a power ride, so I threw on a skirt and top I'd just scored at a thrift store (yessss!) and hit the road. (Not to worry -- I wore my helmet for the ride. I just brought the hat along for post-ride hanging out.)

When I got downtown, there was Main Street closed off for a small parade/event which has been the talk of the local paper off and on for weeks. More amusement than turmoil, thankfully.

The amazing part of this event to me, was to see what happened to Main Street once it was closed to cars for a couple of hours. I could bike in the middle of the street. People said "good morning" to each other, and could actually be heard since noisy trucks weren't rumbling through.

I know part of the friendliness was due to the holiday mood, but it got me thinking. What if we closed off Main Street on Sunday morning or evening once a month? What would it do for local businesses? For pulling all of us out of our busy watch-the-clock routines and our car cocoons?

I'm not talking about doing it permanently, mind you. Just often enough to make it a special event that people came out to celebrate. The City of Bozeman already does a great job closing Main Street for parades and street festivals, like Music on Main, and it's part of what makes this town great.

I've read a few articles about cities doing regular, temporary street closings, and with wonderful results. People come out to enjoy just being together enjoy the places they call home.

Other articles on closing streets for people:
Chicago Tribune
New York
Bike Hugger

 Freedom to bike -- car-free Main St.

Mother and child biking downtown, safe from traffic

The itty-bitty parade that briefly closed traffic

My ensemble, which did not stop traffic, though it was fun to wear.

What helmet hair can look like, even in summer.

I know that some of you are reluctant to bike because of the helmet issue. What do you do after you've ridden and can't hop into the shower straightaway?

Answer: You live. This photo was taken by Dottie from Let's Go Ride a Bike, unbeknownst to me, after a 30-minute ride on Chicago's Lakefront Bike Path when I was wearing a helmet.  It was warm and muggy, but we biked slowly and chatted. Amazingly, we did not end up in a pool of sweat afterward. Am I a fashion plate? No. But I'm far from a mess.

Usually, I bring a hat with me just in case my hair is completely plastered, but usually I can get by with running my fingers through it and carrying on. Obviously, it helps to have a low-maintenance hairstyle or have the option to pull your hair back. I love hats, so that's what I do.

Obviously, the deal is different if you've just gone for speed and distance on a fitness ride, but then, I usually don't wear a little black dress. What I'm learning is that slow biking in the summer is the way to go when I need to run errands. Good thing, because I'm usually biking at kid pace when I go.

In America, slow biking is a novel concept because the bike is seen as a performance workout tool, not an everyday means of transportation. It's definitely worth changing that perception, because more studies are finding that just getting out and moving your body on a regular basis has can significantly improve your health. It doesn't have to be a race or a marathon ride.

Many thanks again to Dottie for the ride, the picture, and to her and co-blogger Tricia for the constant inspiration to make biking a lovely adventure.

For more tips on summer biking issues, please go to LGRAB and I Dream of Bicycling. For pictures of far more fashionable folks doing everyday cycling, please visit Amsterdamize and Copenhagen Cycle Chic.

Music and bikes on Main, Bozeman style

No bike rack? No problem!

Bozeman's weekly downtown summer music series kicked off tonight with the wonderful and hilarious band, The Clintons. Many people, much fun, many bikes! The weather was fantastic, so there were loads of bikes chained to anything that didn't move. Lovely to see.


We didn't bike this time because the weather looked iffy, but it turned out to be a non-issue. Next time!

The Clintons with a few hundred of their closest fans on Main St.

Very cool crest on a very vintage bike.

Bozeman Fire Department's bike detail in with the crowd.