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Information about bicyclingFix a Flat workshopThe Cycling Sisters routinely host fix-a-flat workshops to encourage cyclists to get out on their bikes (and overcome their fears of being stranded with a flat!). These are the notes from our workshop held last summer at Blackstone Bicycle Works. note: contact repto@aol.com for a pdf. form of the notes By Jane at 06/03/2008 - 6:23pm | Mechanics and Maintenance
Pregnant Cyclists Unite!As a formerly pregnant cyclist, I'd like to share my thoughts on this topic. I rode up until one day before the birth of my third child. I rode most days, typically about 8 miles, in my commute to and from Montessori school as well as running errands. I towed two kids in a trailer during the ride (a 3 yr old and a 5 yr old). Lest you think I was some sort of wonder woman, I am not. I am fat, middle-aged, and "Suburban." What I found: By cido67 at 10/09/2007 - 11:36am | Biking with Kids | read more
Shaping America's Youth Town MeetingJoin us for the Shaping America’s Youth Local Town Meetings. Bring your ideas and experiences with you as we discuss nutrition and physical activity in youth. * Because overweight and inactivity in our children and youth is a challenge that is best addressed by the entire community Little guy on bikeI thought it was great to see my neighbor choose to have her boys ride their bikes to the park--even in the snowy wintertime--rather than drive. By Jane at 02/21/2007 - 12:08pm | Biking with Kids
Wintertime biking with kidsI 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. By Jane at 12/11/2006 - 1:51am | Biking with Kids | read more
Jamilax Mendes--future Artistic CyclistThis is a picture of my daughter's best friend (and our neighbor) Jamilax. She rode her bike to school every day up until about the end of October (rain or shine). By Jane at 12/01/2006 - 2:20pm | Biking with Kids | Personal Stories
Fall/Winter ClothingFrom the cyclesis listserve: --- Here is my typical riding gear: Wonderful Wolf Lake RideWe had a wonderful Cycle-Sis ride to Wolf Lake this past Saturday. Great group of eleven, great weather, great Chicago views, and some wonderful surprises. At our meet-up spot, the 57th Street Beach house, Tracy and Elfie, who CTA'd all the way from Lincoln Square, and Robin, who just moved to Chicago, arrived a little early and enjoyed the quiet of the lake in the morning light. At 8:15 we headed south on the lakefront trail into a slight headwind at an easy pace between 10 and 11mph, maneuvering around packs of CARA marathon trainers. On the bike lane on 41, we wound through the varied neighborhoods of South Shore and South Chicago and along the huge fenced empty lots of US Steel. helmet festooningNothing says "Please don't hit me!" quite like a festooned helmet. It increases visibility and improves the friendly wave to hostile honk ratio. It's easy to decorate vented helmets--twist ties and pipe cleaners can attach all kinds of doodads. Some tips: 1) Use waterproof materials (I once had some fake flowers melt during a heavy rain.) 2) Try on your masterpiece at different stages during construction, checking to see that it doesn't restrict visibility or weigh too much. 3) Think about the wind--make sure everything is secured well and oriented aerodynamically. (Not that there is anything aerodynamic about piling a bunch of stuff on your head. Comfortable braking for small handsA sister wrote to the list serve frustrated because most brakes are made for “gorilla” hands. Here are some of the ideas for making braking safer and easier for smaller-handed people: 1)Install shims By kerileighr at 07/01/2006 - 9:06am | Bike Fit
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