I know many of you have child stokers of various ages. There have been many stories of child stokers and there are often pictures of bikes. I would really like some pictures of child stokers to help inspire and motivate my young one. Here are a few links to pictures of us. Jamie loves riding with other kids but very rarely gets the opportunity to do so. Thank you very much.
http://i12.tinypic.com/33y437m.jpg (us beginning a bike camping trip)
http://i7.tinypic.com/43wm240.jpg (new jersey for Christmas)
http://i5.tinypic.com/29nj9ew.jpg (after riding in the cold)
http://i9.tinypic.com/2hplq9e.jpg (training for the MS 150)
http://i7.tinypic.com/2v1ofhj.jpg (finished MS 150, every mile)
By the way, we were unable to get registered for the Pedaling Across Lower Michigan this year, so we are now signed up for the Great Ohio Bicycling Adventure (GOBA). Apparently there are a lot of families on this ride, so hopefully we'll get lots of opportunities to ride with children. One problem we sometimes have that I have a tendency to go faster than most tag-alongs and trailers. I'll probably have to slow down a bit and remember to take it easy. I don't think we'll have any problem doing 50 miles/day with some pretty flat terrain.
Thank you,
Bobby
zonatandem
04-04-07, 09:35 PM
Depending where GOBA goes in Ohio, there can be a few good hills out there.
JTGraphics
04-04-07, 09:54 PM
Here's one with my grandson having fun as a stoker testing it out.
http://www.jtgraphics.net/images/tandem/kidscrank_ride.jpg
Shayne
04-05-07, 05:49 AM
Hey Bobby,
You tell Jamie that she's going to have a blast on GOBA. Lots of kids to play with. This will be our first year with a tandem and we're looking forward to it. We've done GOBA twice before with a tag along. GOBA is very family friendly, and well organized.
When you get to camp each day, look for a playground and try and camp there. It's kinda unspoken that riders with kids camp near playgrounds and everyone helps keep and eye on all the kids.
I can think of a few that like ride fast paced, so you'll have company if you want to hammer. Heck, we'll even kick it in gear for awhile but we can't hammer the whole 50+ miles. There is another family with a triple that comes to mind and they're very fast. Also this year will be very flat, so I can see plenty of pacelines forming up. Just stay alert and watch for squirrels.
I'll try and post a pick, it's the only one I have so you've most likely seen it before. We had just picked up the new tandem and my wife snapped a shot of us out in front of the house. We'll make sure we meet up in June.
She has completed the MS150 and you feel she needs inspiration/motivation? I think I'll use your photos to inspire our daughter :)
Eurastus
04-05-07, 11:00 AM
Here's a few shots of each of my kids. We sure have fun.
Gus Riley
04-05-07, 11:14 AM
Jessica
wsurfn
04-05-07, 11:30 AM
11 years old...becoming less of a child.
cat0020
04-05-07, 01:01 PM
Here's an alternative to regular tandems, Captain and stoker can have full view of vision, communication to the stoker is done without captain turning head:
Great pictures everyone, thank you very much. Keep them coming if you have them. I'll show them to Jamie and tommorrow and let you know her responses.
In response to some of the comments:
Zona: From what I hear, this year's route is very flat. This is a very good thing for my wife :)
Shayne: thanks for the good word about GOBA. You're making me look forward to it even more. When I mentioned the fast pace, I guess I didn't clarify that "I" like to go fast. Basically what I was referring to was my rear stoker's preference for not hammering. The little one (Jamie) and I keep a quick pace, but we slow it down a bit when we are all together. Touring is an especially good time to not worry about speed so we can relax, take in the sites, and have a good time.
Dave: yes, we've ridden 3,000 miles in the past 2 years, including MS 150 with our longest day ever of 89 miles, and lots of other rides. At this point, she has very little choice in whether to ride or not. I am sensitive and I ALWAYS try to include something fun (playground, toy store) as well as lots of verbal encouragement, but I hope to try to normalize her experience. Since almost all of our rides do not include kids, I don't want her to feel too out of place.
Cat0020: great bikes, must be fun for the kids to be up front.
bikeriderdave
04-06-07, 08:39 AM
Since almost all of our rides do not include kids, I don't want her to feel too out of place.
DO try to make it to the Midwest Tandem Rally over Labor Day. We have run into several families with young'ns over the past few years. Way fun.