Making it work with 3

[julyshemustfly]

enjoyably.

I have 3 kids. 6.5, 4 and 3. Currently my 6.5 year old will TAB with me while my husband hauls the younger 2 in a trailer. I'd like for the summer to use our car less and ride to the park and pool. However, we live at the top of a rather steep hill so I was hoping to find out what kind of work out I'm in for if I TAB and trailer my 3 kids. Right now my oldest works hard with me up hill but it's been a while since I hauled the younger two who are combined 80 pounds.

[cjn]

I have a similar situation, except we live at the bottom of the hill so our's starts out hard. I start in my lowest gear, and I'm not to proud to walk it if I have to. My 6 yr. old does help quite a bit. Even if I'm walking she will keep pedaling just to help out.

[masiman]

Plus the trailer and you are at an additional +100lbs. It is alot of work but doable if you have low enough gearing. Mechanical advantage lets you do wonders. Someone said, "with a big enough lever I can lift the world". That would be one side of the equation, the other is braking. We have a decent sized hill that I can coast out to 20-25 (depending on aero position). It has a gentle flat that gives us time to slow for the stop sign though. I would not want to have to reliably brake all the weight with steeper hills, traffic and crossroad dangers. Slide your rear over the rear wheel to help keep the wheel planted, it can easily lift under hard braking.

[AndrewP]

Let the 6.5 yr child do the hill on a geared bike, so you only have the 3 yr old + toys/snacks in the trailer. Use a v low gear on your bike like 24/32 or even 22/34.