Cycling Sisters

I ride my bike year round, almost always with my 3 kids. The only thing that stops us is a lot of snow or ice on the streets. You can't get enough traction when you tow kids if this is the case (you'll end up spinning your wheels and maybe even doing a wheelie!). Once the streets are plowed and salted, you can easily get out and about again.

Note: bike maintenance is super important if you ride in the winter. Be sure to check out the information on the bike maintenance page for specifics!

For winter riding, I *strongly* recommend using a trailer versus a bike seat for small children. Since your balance is not compromised with a trailer, it's much safer than when you have a bike seat with a heavy child on the back throwing things out of whack. This is especially true if you hit a patch of ice or ride in snow. Children are also more comfortable in a trailer since they don't have to deal with wind chill. If you use a bike seat, be sure to cover exposed skin on the face and ears and do frequent visual checks on your child to assess how they are holding up. Be extra careful when negotiating turns or turning around to check on them.

Plan on more time when traveling in the winter. Wind is the biggest factor that slows you down, but consider other weather conditions as well.

If you ride in winter, it makes sense to weather proof your trailer. You can buy seam sealer from any camping store and at many 'big box' retailers. Take the time to treat all seams with this waterproofing item. You can also Scotch Guard the fabric shell, particularly on the bottom and lower sides.

Since daylight disappears so early in winter, be sure to kit your bike and trailer out with LOTS of high visibility items. You can never have too many reflectors or blinkies, in my opinion. I strongly recommend a high quality safety vest for the cyclist, and at least one *very* bright headlight on the bike, and one blinkie taillight on the trailer. Children riding solo should also be kitted out with all safety gear available. Remember to explain to kids why they need to be extra careful when turning or stopping.

In a trailer, even on cold days, my kids are comfortable with their winter coats & a fleece blanket. They often take off their hats and mittens because they are too warm.

Solo riders need to be carefully protected from the cold. Cold children are MISERABLE children. Miserable kids = miserable commute or ride. Snow pants are a wonderful item for kids riding on their own bike. They can always remove them if they get too warm, but that wind and water resistance is a blessing most of the time.

Fleece or wool socks and oversized snow boots are also great. Oversized is key. Your feet need air space around them to stay really warm. Usually kids are warmer with one pair of fleece or wool socks than three layers of tight socks for this reason. You can buy small chemical toe warmers at just about any hardware store or Walgreens. Use them in shoes/boots if children complain about cold feet. They last a few hours and are well worth it in my experience.

This is what I typically carry in my trailer during the winter months:

•2-3 lightweight jackets (rolled up with hair elastics)--one is mine, the other two are windbreakers sized so that the red coat fits Katie (age 6) AND Gen (almost 3), the yellow fits Will (8) and Katie. If it's really cold, you can add this layer for more warmth. You'd be surprised what a difference even a lightweight windbreaker can make.

•Assorted high visibility safety vests. I insist that my solo kids wear these in the winter at all times and I wear one as well.

•Two extra taillight blinkies, an extra headlight blinkie, and a reflective ankle strap. You never know when a light may fail in cold weather.

•Extra batteries for blinkies.

•A first aid kit--in a small BandAid can I stash bandaids, some gauze, mini-alcohol pads, antibiotic ointment, and tweezers. Plus some Motrin and baby Tylenol. Also inside is an information card with insurance info., our names, and emergency contacts. I have the can on me at all times.

•Fleece Baby Blankets--fleece is a God-send in winter when you use a trailer. It doesn't lose it's warmth when it gets damp, so even if the kids have been digging in snow, they can still snuggle up to get warm under the fleece. Plus it washes beautifully. When it's *really* cold, I put one fleece blanket under their butts, and one or two over their laps. I like to make blankets by picking up fleece on clearance at the fabric store, then tying knots to make a fringe around the edge (thus making a double fleece blanket). Some people call these prayer blankets. They are very snuggly and warm! When kids are napping, they get colder. It's better to be prepared with extra blankets than to not have them on hand.

A reader from Maine recommends putting some egg-crate foam under the nethers region--a great, inexpensive solution!

•A couple of pairs of extra mittens or magic gloves. Some people would add lobster claw gloves or Pogies (sp?).

•Ear muffs (the kind that go around your neck, not over your head, so they don't interfere with helmet usage).

•A neck gaiter, a balaclava, and a face mask for when it gets bitterly cold. I mix and match depending on conditions. You might also add a helmet cover, bandanna or thin hat, and/or a scarf.

•Support pillow (for napping kidlets in trailers). This allows you to wedge their head up so they aren't slumped over to one side.

•Two locks--one heavy cable, one U-lock. Be aware, locks can freeze in the winter. Keep snow and water out of your keyhole. If you do freeze up, you can use oil or lock de-icer (Walgreens, hardware stores) to free it up. Some of the new U-locks have a sleeve that covers the keyhole for just this reason.

•Several bungie cords of different lengths. I use these all the time. They are great for looping grocery bags if you make a stop at the store on the way home. This way you won't have food rolling around the floor of the trailer. They can also be used for strapping things onto the trailer. I have made some amazing finds on the curb on garbage day... my trusty trailer has hauled them all back home (kids' bikes, lawn chairs, a red tricycle, and one time a book shelf!)

•Water bottle and snacks (long term snacks are a good choice so that you always have them on hand... we like Goldfish crackers, fruit leather, granola bars, etc). Keep in mind that the water bottle will freeze solid if left on your bike when it's in a garage or porch.

•Folding diaper bag--this is the best thing since sliced bread. It holds 3-4 diapers/pullups/swim diapers, a travel box of wipes (refillable) and some sample sizes of butt cream. Travel wipes will freeze solid in winter; consequently, this is better to store in the house rather than the garage. If you have an infant, carry it on your person--UNDER your coat. My preferred bag folds up sort of like an envelope, with the container becoming the changing pad. It has a velcro strap that allows you to hang it off a stroller or bike trailer. Brilliant!

I also have two grocery bag panniers that attach to my rear rack, that I use with regularity. These are awesome for carrying groceries (obviously), but we also use them to add to the collection of goodies that we haul. There is a link for a cool "kitty litter bucket" that works great for toting things in winter (it's completely water and salt resistant).

Things to keep in mind...

1. Pack soft things next to your child so they aren't being poked by your bike lock or snow toy.

2. Weight usually isn't that big of deal with a trailer EXCEPT when there is a lot of snow on the streets. Remember that it takes longer to stop when you tow a trailer, and even longer in the snow or on ice!

3. Headwinds are *brutal* if you have a trailer. The new Trek Doodlebug is designed to have better wind-resistance; most regular trailers don't. (Note: the Doodlebug doesn't have much storage, though... it's a trade-off).

4. Remember that is takes longer to start and stop when towing.

5. Always downshift before you come to a full stop, otherwise you will really struggle to get going again. Towing is brutal on the knees if you don't use your gears! If you have them, make use of them.