Cycling Sisters

Nothing 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.

A 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
2)Install inline brake levers
3)Get adjustable-reach levers
4)Try brake levers made for “children's” bikes

Question: I'm having pain in my neck/shoulders and in my wrists after a recent switch to a road bike, any suggestions?

Summary of responses:
Check the relative height of the seat to the handlebars

1. raising or lowering the seat post (usually there us a lever or bolt on the long tube underneath where you sit. Recommended fit to start with is to have some one hold the bike while you get on. With your heel on the pedal, your legs should be straight when pedals are in lowest position. That way when you move to the ball of your foot for riding you will have a slight bend in your knees.)

The sand toys are hanging from a bungee cord. They are by far the most awkward thing I carry. I used to use a small metal pail that I would pack with sand shovels, etc. and then hang from a carabiner. This is lighter and doesn't swing back and forth (which ultimately cracked my daughter in the head a few times--eep, Bad mommy!).

The back of the trailer seat is angled to make it more comfortable for kids. This creates tons of space in the rear triangle area of the trailer. You would be amazed at how much you can stash back there. Despite the back looking crammed in this photo, there is more space in the bottom that could be used if necessary.

This is mostly packed (save for the sand toys). Note the carabiners used for hanging items. The silver "carabiner" is actually a small flashlight that I use as a trunk light for scrounging around the back of the trailer in the dark. The strange beige triangle to the left is sold in car stores as a way to carry dry cleaning--and that's exactly what I use it for! The grooves are perfect for keeping hangers separate. Long items get looped over the stroller handlebar to keep them clear of the rear wheels.

Here is everything stashed into bags (the way I actually carry it) prior to being put back into the trailer. It's amazing how compact it all becomes.

Genevieve and all the stuff that I typically schlep around in the summertime. Mind you, this keeps three kids pretty well occupied no matter where we go--beach, park, pool.

I ride my bike year round, almost always with my 3 kids in tow. This is what I typically carry in my trailer during the summer months:

Finding a bike that fits you and your riding style is extremely important. A poor bike fit may leave your wonderful new bike rusting away and gathering cobwebs in the closet. A good bike fit may lead you to abandon your automobile and never look back. Here's my story...

Jane Healy and Cigdem Tunar shared their experiences on biking with kids to groceries on June 2006. Rules and safety issues highlighted along with a power point presentation. On this picture Jane is describing the items on her trailer she houls her kids to shopping-school-dry cleaner with her bike. It is approximately 100 Lbs. when filled with kids and their "stuff" she says. You can never have enough blinky and flags on a trailer she ads.

The presentation will be available to Cycling Sisters Members and related organizations if requsted thru: cido67@yahoo.com