tspeters

Hi all! Just wanted to say hello! My younger kids (5 & 7 yrs.) are now off their training wheels and getting better on two wheels. They were getting bored riding around in circles in the cul-de-sac so my wife and I decided to get some decent bikes and do some family riding. We picked up some Hybrid bikes for ourselves. After doing some research here on the forum we went with a 2011 Jamis Coda 21" for me and a 2012 Jamis Sport Femme for my wife . I've got to say these bikes are amazing after only having experience with Walmart bikes over the years . Comfortable, fast and easy to ride up hills. Of course it helps that my wife and I work out pretty regularly at the gym so we are in better shape than our younger years.

I was getting bored with traditional gym workouts and have been nursing a heal injury so cannot do running for my cardio. Biking seems a great compromise and I'm having more fun than just running.

We did 9 miles (4.5 miles out & 4.5 back) together as a family on a local paved bike trail Saturday. The kids were real troopers and had fun. We took frequent breaks and stopped for a picnic lunch. After we got home my wife and I managed to squeeze in another 9 miles for just the two of us. (Her mother watched the kids). It got my first flat 2 miles into the grownup ride . Good thing I put together a emergency kit! My first time changing a flat only took 15 mins. I had a spare inner tube and gas cartridge pump in my kit. Amazing how cool the quick release hubs are to remove the wheels. We managed a 12 mile/hr pace for our first ride together so pretty happy with that as a start.

Now I'm thinking about commuting to work on my bike. Only about 7 miles one way. Small town traffic 1/2 way then heavy 4 lane the rest. Not comfortable with the heavy traffic yet but may choose more back roads. The back roads don' t have much shoulder though. Maybe 6" right of the white line then usually a drop onto a gravel shoulder maybe 2' wide. I think I'll try to get some experience with light weekend traffic first on the back roads before trying it during commute traffic.
Sorry for the rambling but really enjoying our new passion.

Tom & Sue

10 Wheels

Hello Tom & Sue,

Welcome to Bike Forums.

Commuting is both fun and a challenge at the same time.

Bright clothing , mirror, and Dinnotte tail Light (Day Time Light) works for me.



What I use:

https://store.dinottelighting.com/din...-mount-p5.aspx

https://www.messengermirror.com/

10 Wheels

Front Light:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...of-front-light