Sunset Ride

It’s so nice now that the weather has cooled off a little — this fair-skinned girl had a really difficult time riding much in the heat of the summer — the sun really knocks me out I’m afraid. Tonight I took my boys out for a bit — first we tried with Adam in the trailer and Jack on his own bike (with training wheels). Let’s just say that he’s okay on a flat surface, but any incline at all is a huge (read tantrum) problem! So we circled back home, got Jack a cool drink and popped him in the back as well. I said we’d just go for a little ride, but I just wanted to keep on going — the air was that perfect temperature, the sun was bright in its descent and the boys babbled happily in the back as I pedalled away. Their favourite part (and mine too I must admit!) is the long coast down University from Fischer Hallman to Erb Street. The bike lane is so wide there that I can swerve a little back and forth (safely!) and they get a real kick out of it. Jack enthused “do it again Mom!” over and over and over. Adam, who is a year and a half and nearing his bedtime, had been lulled to sleep by the motion of ride. We finished with a superfast whoosh down the catwalk into our crescent — with cheers of joy from Jack! What an exhilarating way to close our Saturday! They are both sleeping soundly tonight — as I am sure will I.

To the Park!!

Well my kids love to ride in their little bike trailer and they also love to go to the park so early the other evening we headed out to combine their two loves! I didn’t tell them where we were going so they were delighted when we arrived at Waterloo Park. It was cool because we got to pull right up by the playground, rather than having to make our way all the way from the parking lot. I just parked quickly on the grass, pulled them out of the trailer and they ran to play on the play structure.

I continue to be surprised by how easy it is to pull them behind me. Jack weights over 50 lbs and Adam is at least 25. I guess my bike trailer — the Burley Bee — was a really good choice because it doesn’t really weigh very much. I will have to get Jack going again on his own bike very soon though because there is not a lot of room for them both in the trailer and Adam is growing rather quickly. At 16 months he is a big little kid. Jack, the 5 year old, weighs in at more like a 7 year old in terms of height and weight, so he takes up his fair share of the trailer.

Taking them by bike to the park feels like such a healthy thing to do. When we go by car, THEY get a workout running around and playing, but the whole thing isn’t much exercise for me. With the bike ride there and back, I get a nice little workout and we all return home feeling better physically and mentally. It’s amazing how much the kids benefit from fresh air and exercise. I guess that doesn’t change as we age, but I think as adults we get so busy that we can sometimes forget how much we need that. It really helps me feel balanced when I get a workout on a regular basis. I’m much more able to handle all the stuff that single-motherhood throws at me. Plus, the kids have fewer tantrums, are generally calmer and happier, and go to sleep much more easily when I make physical activity a part of their lives on a regular basis!

sunny day

ok so maybe I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to the heat, but I feel physically ill being in the sun when it’s as hot as it was last week — so my bike was neglected . However, Adam and I got out early the other morning for a long ride — he fell asleep ten minutes in and I crisscrossed the quiet, early morning city, not wanting to return home once I had hit the road. Cool breeze, morning joggers nodding hello, and a little guy snoring behind me — only the promise of hot coffee was enough to finally lure me home. Love this bike!

look Mom I’m a vampire!

End of the day and I’m frazzled — keeping a toddler and an excited 5 year old at bay while I try to do dishes and put together lunches for the morning. Eight hours at my job is the easiest part of my day I swear!

Jack keeps insisting “Mom! Take us for a bike ride! Mom! Please! Take us for a ride! Just around the block, c’mon! Please Mom! Please!” He goes so far as to pull out my helmet and hop around with it pulled down over his face: “Look Mom! I’m a vampire! Look at me Mom! Look I’m a vampire!”. I mutter “vampires don’t wear masks honey, maybe you’re like Darth Vader or something”, but he says “No Mom, a vampire. You know, like in baseball, a VAMPIRE.”

Laughing all the way to hitch the trailer to my bike, I explain the difference between a ‘vampire’ and an ‘umpire’. He talked and talked and talked for the whole 5k “around the block” ride. His little brother tried to take his helmet off, and well, Mommy enjoyed the wind on her face and the peace and sort of quiet.

Pulling the future behind me

22 k today to work and back and I am beat.

Highlight of my day:
I loaded two sleepy boys into their bike trailer this morning and as I buckled them in my 5 year old said “Mom we’re not going to shoot out any pollution today!”.

Awesome.

kids in tow (part 2)

Loaded the boys into the Burley Bee after dinner tonight for a quick ride before bathtime — the trailer was a hit! Jack kept me up to date with a running dialogue that outlined every bump we hit — “didn’t hurt at all Mom!” and Adam tried in vain to remove his new helmet — “Sorry little man, safety first!”. The ride was smooth for them and I couldn’t believe how light they were to pull! Jack is over 50lbs and Adam is just under 25lbs so I was honestly expecting more pull from behind. The one upward slope we hit was a bit of a challenge, but it was a fantastic feeling to glide down the bicycle path with my two little guys behind me.

I’m relieved that the ride got a thumbs up from Jack. Kids can be fickle and I wouldn’t want a struggle to ensue every morning over our new mode of transport. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for clear skies in the morning!

Did I mention how much I love this bike!?

kids in tow!

Very excited to say that my new (new to me that is) Burley Bee bike trailer is ready and waiting for the boys when they return home today from visiting their dad! I will now be able to zip (slowly and carefully!) to their daycare in the a.m. for drop-off before heading into my morning commute. I am stoked! I cycled over to the daycare yesterday late afternoon just to see what obstacles I may encounter if any (some construction pothole to avoid) and as well to plan where I will lock the trailer for the day. You can never plan too much when it comes to kids ; )

Can’t wait to take Jack out as well on his little bicycle while Adam rides behind us. Goal for the summer: get Jack riding without training wheels.

It’s true that the trailer will be convenient, but I am also excited to be teaching my kids that there are more ways to get around than by always hopping in a car. The idea is, if they grow up riding bikes, they will always ride bikes. If they grow up active and environmentally responsible, they will be active and environmentally responsible.

As always, parenting is sooooo important. Now I am off for a joyride on my beautiful blue bike!

Hello world!

A bit about me: I am a single mom of two little boys (5 and 1 1/2 years old) so time is scarce in my world. It’s pretty easy to zip about in my car from here to there with the boys; problem is, that’s not good for the world we live in and not good for the body and soul either! So today I got the boys to daycare and school (haven’t got a bike trailer for them yet so had to use the car), and then I headed home to begin my first bicycle-commute to work. Funny though, my mind tried to talk me out of taking the bike — offering excuses about lack of time, lack of energy, possible bad weather…. “Enough!” said I, and I hit the asphalt on two wheels.

I haven’t biked in a few years now. Hills. Are. Hard. My legs complained. But, it was glorious — a bright, breezy day and I felt on top of the world as I coasted into the parking lot and lugged my bright blue Cannondale up the stairs at work for safekeeping. (Thank goodness it’s so light!) Once I caught my breath and settled down to business I found myself feeling, well, great. The day flew by and as closing time approached I began to think about my ride home….there was a little dread even. All that hard work of pedalling after a long day (what a whiner huh?). I ended up veering off the main road and coasted along a gravel path parallel to Laurel Creek Conservation area. It took me through the woods, along the lake, under massive tree branches stretching high overhead. It was peaceful, soul-satisfying and a fitting reward for committing to the two-wheeled commute.

With a demanding schedule and the many responsibilities that present themselves to me daily, I may not get to ride as often as some, but I know I will enjoy every minute (aching muscles aside!). I feel proud of the example I am setting for my children. Automobile usage may be firmly entrenched in the daily routines of the masses, but little by little, I can surely make a difference.

Now you must excuse me, as my my bathtub beckons.

Kim