bike highs

[meganursula]

Last week our kids were in Spokane with their grandparents. The practical effect of this is that Josh and I were completely free to live and work like people not constrained by school schedules and toddler eating habits. As a result, I doubled my working hours (to about 40 hours, which I know isn't a lot, but it is twice as much as I am scheduled for), and I rode my bike for 8 of the 10 commutes. I also rode my bike on Sunday morning with a friend, so I topped out at over 100 miles last week.

100 miles in a week is more than I have ridden in a very long time, possibly since Madeleine was born. (Although, possibly not - I have gotten some Long rides in during the past few years.) My 20 mile ride on Sunday was more than I have ridden in a single go in a long time, too. (I guess not more than a single day, since at least once last week I did the long commute route both ways, which is more like 21 miles.) Its also almost certainly my high-water mark for 2014, since my schedule rarely allows me this much flexibility.

Almost entirely this felt great. Generally, I felt like I had really good energy, and I felt better in my skin than I have in a while (at least consistently - i've been rather variable on that issue of late.) I also quite liked the productivity of being out on the road and to work early in the day, and I'm sure, not for nothing, being out in the fresh summer air was good for me.

Biking went fairly well. I really enjoy riding to work, and I enjoy both the route along the water (Myrtle-Edwards), and the shorter but steeper route through town (Dexter). I am glad that I have discovered two totally reasonable approaches to my commute.

I was occasionally a bit frustrated that I am still fairly slow on the flat (compared to most other 'serious' cyclists, although, its worth reminding myself, not compared to all cyclists), and even more frustrating how quickly I poop out on the hills. I guess, on the upside, I actually felt a bit stronger towards the end of the week, so there is hope that continuing to commute via bike will continue to make me stronger.

You know, I've been pro-bike for a long time. Weeks like this serve to remind me how much I really like biking, personally. There are political and environmental reasons that I feel strongly that it is in EVERYONE's best interests to increase bikeability and the biking population, but, I am utterly convinced that it is right for me.

I find myself wondering how to not only maintain, but increase, our reliance on biking (and decrease our reliance on gasoline engines) going forward. I am a bit concerned about the inevitable down turn in my satisfaction on the bike come the dark, wet, cold winter. I also hypothesize that exercising can keep me healthier, both physically and mentally, but it has not escaped my notice that this week already found me in decent shape, so how do I keep the ball rolling when things aren't so rosy?

In terms of increasing our bike trip-percentage - this really involves the whole family. I am actually quite excited because I have one kid who can make some trips on her own, and because I think Josh and I are going to invest in a system to make it more feasible to do family trips. (I'm sure you'll hear more on that later if it happens.)

Comments

[mamagotcha.livejournal.com]

Utterly and completely jealous. I've never had grandparents that were willing to take kids until they were old enough to go to work on their own. The idea of spending a whole week with Bill, without kids... sigh! Sounds heavenly!

Also jealous about the bikes, but that's another can of worms entirely.

[mh75.livejournal.com]

I wish I could help you with your bikes.

We were lucky to have help last week; it was a gift.

[blk]

I've been bike-commuting for almost 5 years now and I still feel much slower than any of my cycling friends and get exhausted on hills. It is discouraging. :( But I do still like doing it.

How well-equipped are you to keep up your biking during the cold/dark months?

I look forward to seeing any family-bike solutions you try out... I got to ride (both on and in!) a Bakfiet today, which was a lot of fun. (although took quite a bit of getting used to for turning).

[mh75.livejournal.com]

I used to bike all winter, and I know how to make it happen. I am not sure what will happen this winter, though, for reasons ranging from day-care scheduling, to a longer more treacherous route, to not currently owning a bike that is winter-set up.

However, if we haven't changed our minds before Wednesday I'm going to order an Edgerunner - the idea is that I will be taking the kids to-and-from school three days a week using that bike. (Well, Josh is doing one ride.) If that goes fairly well and we manage to keep our finances in line we're hoping to get Josh a Bullitt (the box bike you rode) sometime this winter, so we can start replacing more and more trips.

I"m beyond excited about that - i'm so pleased that Josh is really excited about the idea of the Bullitt. I maybe have to sacrifice some of my work commuting on bike, but, hopefully over the next year it will work its way out.

[blk]

Neato! That sounds really awesome. Out of curiosity, why the specialized cargo bikes instead of a trailer?

[mh75.livejournal.com]

I have had a bike trailer for years. There are things I like about it - it is enclosed for weather and debris protection, it is close to the road so I worry a little less about crash, and it allowed me to get a bike-able solution and a double jogger for a few hundred dollars.

However, its a pain in the ass - its very long and unwieldy, it requires attaching it to a bike which isn't really designed for hauling that kind of weight. And my kids hate it with a passion, and sometimes appear to have motion sickness issues.

So, I'm looking to upgrade. Getting a cargo bike means that we have a bike that is designed to pull the weight, including both structural strength and gearing. Having the kids on the bike appears to be more enjoyable and comfortable for them. It also means that the bike is ready to go, and actually a fair amount more agile than the bike with trailer.

-- The electric assist on the cargo bikes is also useful, and really the turning point to getting Josh interested in participating. That and he likes funky designs on bikes, like huge boxes hanging off the front.

I'm a bit worried about having the kids up on the back of an xtracycle, and the weather exposure. Josh desires the box-bike that would address those issues. On the other hand, the xtracycle rides like a bike, and I know i'd feel comfortable on that, while i'm unsure how much I would enjoy the craziness that is Bullitt.

[blk]

Cool. I knew you'd been using a trailer, wasn't sure what problems you'd had that you think this would solve, but your description makes sense. I wonder, could you add on a trailer to the cargo bike if you wanted? :)

When I rode a bakfiet yesterday (on not in) I could see it being fun, but I would definitely need a while to get used to the odd balance and steering. I like that it can carry an odd assortment of people+things, though.

[mh75.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you can certainly add a trailer to a cargo bike - The one I have would hook onto either of the bikes we've been looking at. You can also add a bike seat to many things, like the top tube of a cargo bike. You can add a trail-a-bike to many of these set ups, too. You might, if you were crazy, be able to extend a front-box bike with a long-tail end.
People do crazy and interesting things!

They make a bakfiet system where the box is on the back (look up Madsen) so you'd get your box without the wonky steering (although it seems like many people think the Bullitt actually handles better, once you're used to it.)