After more than 11 years of my feet or my car being my primary modes of transportation, I am pleased to announce I finally have another option – a lovely new Schwin bicycle! And oh, do I ever LOVE it. :)
I’ve been riding my new bike probably 4 or 5 days out of every week since I got it a few weeks ago. With the help of our Burley bike trailer (that we got used off of Craigslist last summer), I’m taking the kids to and from summer “camp” (which is at the same place where Ava went to Waldorf preschool) a few blocks from our house. I ride it for fun and exercise to a nearby lake (pictured below) and started early enough Saturday night to go around the whole lake before dark. I’ve taken Ava up to the hair salon to get her hair cut. And Jody and I took the kids to the fireworks on the fourth of July using our bikes. I have plans to bike to the grocery store, the bank and more.
I love the freedom I feel when riding my bike. I love that I’m not polluting the air. I love that I’m getting some exercise. I love that it’s good for my mental health as well as my physical health. I love that I can run errands without piling everyone into the car. I love that time slows down and I notice things (rabbits, a fox, prairie dogs, flowers, birds) that I wouldn’t see if I were speeding by in a car.
Jody bought me my first bike “stuff” yesterday at REI – a headlight and taillight so I don’t have to worry about getting home before dark. I have a list of other “stuff” I’d like to get for it too, but I’m trying not to get too bike-crazed too fast. For now I am just enjoying the ride. :)
Stumble it!
Amy @ Muddy Boots says:
I’m jealous. I haven’t owned a bike in at least a decade… even though I have a fancy Chariot stroller/bike trailer (do you know them? you can even cross-country ski with them!). But since my husband doesn’t have a bike either, getting the family on two wheels would be a major expense. Enjoy your new freedom this summer.
July 20th, 2009 at 10:16 am
corrin says:
That’s great! My husband and I just bought new bikes a few weeks ago, and even though we can’t use them as transportation since we live too far from any of our regular errands, we do take a nice relaxing ride every few days. Great exercise and together time!
July 20th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Michelle says:
Oh that looks awesome! Earlier this month I was able to ride a bike while we were staying at a friend’s cottage. It had been YEARS since I had ridden and I decided right then and there that I need a bike. I’ve been scouring craigslist, and I hope to get a bike very soon!
July 20th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Lisa says:
I’m very jealous. This is not a good town to ride a bike in. The people I know who do have had things thrown at them and nasty things said them. It’s odd but people in this town seem mad at bike riders.
When I was a kid in a safe neighborhood I wrote my bike all the time. I miss it.
July 20th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Summer says:
I am so jealous! I’m hoping my oldest gets really good with his bike then maybe I can get me a bike and a trailer for the baby and we can go riding as a family.
July 20th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
phyllis says:
great post – and a great picture!!!! you’re setting such a great model for your kids…
p.s. can’t wait to meet you IRL on friday…
July 20th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Abbie says:
How cool! They’re redesigning our town center, and adding sidewalks and bike paths. Our dead-end street is right off the center of town, so I’m excited it will be safer! However, it could be like 10 years before it’s all said and done… but by then maybe I’ll have kids that are old enough to go biking with me :)
July 20th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Condo Blues says:
I made a serious effort to get reacquainted with bike riding last summer. Last weekend my husband the runner, ran 8 miles while I biked it on a multipurpose trail near our house. The dog was looking sad when we left because he likes to join us on our adventures. I joked that we should get a trailer like you have for your kids, so we can take the dog biking with us. but seriously, that trailer would be a great way to take my recycling to the city dumpster that’s easy biking distance from my house.
July 20th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Amber says:
So, so jealous. That looks great! I haven’t had a bike in forever, but reading this I think it’s time to get one.
July 20th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Nicole says:
Awesome!!
One of the appeals to this location is that it’s a flat 2mile ride to old town. The plan was to fix up bikes and ride. We’re having some problems because Simon used to ride long distances, but has decided this year that he can’t ride w/ training wheels…but neither does he ride on 2 wheels. Maybe I’ll see if I can ride Quinn to and from school when S is in school.
July 20th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
green LA girl says:
Congrats — You look so happy on the bike!
July 20th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
chelle says:
What a cute bike!
July 20th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
hillary says:
Looking good mama! We love our bikes and the kids love riding in the trailer! I want to get one of those trail-a-long bikes for my 5 year old to ride behind one of us.
July 20th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
mamaholler says:
Waldorf pre-k is wonderful! We didn’t have access to one, though my husand and I had dreams of moving to the west coast where Waldorf flourishes. My children did their pre-years in a Montessori… and they’ll go to a charter school next year.
That said,, we’ve made a few huge strides in the last few years to become a greener family. We became a one car household and moved to a city where we are able to walk just about everywhere. With the nice weather here we use our car about once a month. That said, I have six miles a day of walking to do when my girls begin school and have been consdering investing in a good bike. I was looking at the Madsen but it’s so expensive.
Do you feel safe with the trailer? I live in the heart of a huge city and there’s a lot of traffic and aggressive driving… safety is my fear.
July 20th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
mamaholler says:
ps
I just saw that you’re in Colorado.
That’s uncanny!
My husband and I just began talking about moving to Denver.
July 20th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Penny says:
Yay!!!! It’s great eh? I’m not riding much at present because of the wintery weather and it being dark when I head home… but come summer I’ll be back on it.
July 20th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
A Free Man says:
Isn’t cycling the best. Before we moved down here I just to cycle to and from work every day. It was glorious. Even when it rained. These days it’s the city bus. I still can’t justify driving but am nowhere near fit enough to cycle!
July 21st, 2009 at 12:04 am
Susan says:
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Susan
http://toddlergirls.net
July 21st, 2009 at 7:20 am
erin k says:
Looks great! Cycling is such a satisfying feeling.
Condo Blues – getting a trailer for cargo (recycling, groceries etc.)is a great way to get more “mileage” out of your bike… Around here it is nearly impossible to find a used trailer, because once the kids have grown out of it people hold on to them for cargo.
July 21st, 2009 at 8:54 am
Isil says:
Really cool!I love this!Have lots of fun.
July 21st, 2009 at 11:07 am
Sandy says:
Love the picture of you with the kids in back. The blur of the motion makes it look so fun and carefree.
July 21st, 2009 at 12:27 pm
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July 22nd, 2009 at 8:37 am
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July 22nd, 2009 at 10:32 am
faith says:
i love biking! i biked from seattle to arizona, it’s hard not to fall in love with it. i made a lot of stupid purchases when i first started so if you need any tips let me know!!!
craigs list is a great place to get some used stuff (from ppl that thought they’d get all into it who are rich and then never use their bikes :p )
so, i don’t get to go to chicago, can i track you down via blogworld and get a coupon?? :p
happy pedaling!!! wear your brain bucket!!
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Leslie- La Mama Naturale says:
Biking is so much fun! We took the bikes on vacay with us and as you mentioned- I loved the sense of freedom and the fact that you do take it all in. The hub and I came back wondering why we haven’t been biking more often. As Faith says- Happy Pedaling to you! You look like you’re really enjoying yourself. P.S. Have you seen those Madsen bikes- way cool but super expensive. ;)
July 28th, 2009 at 9:55 pm