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Mini Randonee

Old 09-03-12, 05:36 PM
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Mini Randonee

Saturday I planned to take the kids along the North branch trail from the Chicago Botanic Garden to Superdawg (20 mi one way) so I was planning on taking most of the day and make an outing of it. Turns out the wife made plans for the older kids to get their hair cut at 2:00.

So I decided to make it a "mini randonee" to see how they'd react to riding under a time limit. We left the CBG at 10:00 and I told them the Superdawg "control" closes at 12 noon. With the 7 y.o. leading the way on her little Gitane we made it there at 11:45

We had a fairly quick lunch and left Superdawg at 12:10 and made it back to the Botanic Garden "control" at exactly 1:30pm.

The best part is they were ready for more!

13 y.o was on the Ryan Vanguard
11 y.o. was on his vintage 24" Peugeot
9 y.o. was on her Sunset Lowracer
7 y.o. was on her 500A Gitane

40 mi+ in 3 1/2 hours with lunch, not too bad

The 5 and 3 y.o. were in the trailer on the back of my P-38 (I got my workout)
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Old 09-03-12, 06:53 PM
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Wow, that's impressive! I really would not have thought a 7 year old would be up for that, or a 9 year old, for that matter. I need to look up a 500A Gitane, but I'm guessing it's not the usually type of crappy kids bike.

My oldest is 6, and we have yet to break the 10 mile round trip mark, and while I'll remain optimistic, I don't think she likes cycling enough as an activity of it's own (as opposed to transportation) to undertake a journey of that length by next year, but we'll see.

A nice story, Del, thanks.
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Old 09-03-12, 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted by chaadster
I need to look up a 500A Gitane, but I'm guessing it's not the usually type of crappy kids bike.
Thanks Chaadster, It's called a Gitane Midget Racer, from 1975 or so. 500A is the tire size (about 20")
Here's her bike:
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Old 09-03-12, 10:03 PM
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Hmm, interesting, thanks. She's quite tall then? It's hard to gauge scale, but it seems like a 7yr old would not be able to straddle that. Mine's not short herself, but even her 20" wheeled old school style banana seat, ape hanger bar bike is a bit too tall for her now. They probably shoot up every year, though, eh?
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Old 09-04-12, 07:45 AM
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Originally Posted by chaadster
Hmm, interesting, thanks. She's quite tall then? It's hard to gauge scale, but it seems like a 7yr old would not be able to straddle that. Mine's not short herself, but even her 20" wheeled old school style banana seat, ape hanger bar bike is a bit too tall for her now. They probably shoot up every year, though, eh?
She can just clear the top tube standing,but has to hop up to get to the seat. It's really small. IIRC the seat tube is 18".
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Old 09-04-12, 01:06 PM
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Awesome ride. I thought my 7 year old was doing good when he made 5 miles on Saturday. Way to go to all of you but especially the youngest.
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Old 09-05-12, 08:52 PM
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Well, based on this we'll try the 50 mile loop of the North Shore Century on the 23rd. Should be fun , the kids are excited.
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Old 05-03-16, 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted by delcrossv
Saturday I planned to take the kids along the North branch trail from the Chicago Botanic Garden to Superdawg (20 mi one way) so I was planning on taking most of the day and make an outing of it. Turns out the wife made plans for the older kids to get their hair cut at 2:00.

So I decided to make it a "mini randonee" to see how they'd react to riding under a time limit. We left the CBG at 10:00 and I told them the Superdawg "control" closes at 12 noon. With the 7 y.o. leading the way on her little Gitane we made it there at 11:45

We had a fairly quick lunch and left Superdawg at 12:10 and made it back to the Botanic Garden "control" at exactly 1:30pm.

The best part is they were ready for more!

13 y.o was on the Ryan Vanguard
11 y.o. was on his vintage 24" Peugeot
9 y.o. was on her Sunset Lowracer
7 y.o. was on her 500A Gitane

40 mi+ in 3 1/2 hours with lunch, not too bad

The 5 and 3 y.o. were in the trailer on the back of my P-38 (I got my workout)
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Hello delcrossv -
I have seen the pictures of your mini racers on the internet and think they are great. I personally picked up a Miyata Sport Junior (24" wheel) for my oldest son at the thrift store and restored it for him (1986 Miyata Sport Junior - Pedal Room). I also recently bought my second son a Motobecane Nomade (18" wheel, and not at thrift store prices) and it is currently getting powder coated. The reason I am writing is because I have a third son who will eventually inherit the Motobecane and at that point my second son will need a 20" wheel bike which I am having a hard time finding. I assume your kids have outgrown your 500A tire Gitane so I was wondering if you would have any interest in selling it, or if you have any leads as to where I can find one. Thanks a bunch and good job on the bikes.



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