It is always a good idea to have your stuff packed and ready to go in case you sleep in...



Since this was a special day we stopped off for a quick bite and to get some coffee for dad...







The ride to school is just over 5 kilometres and we travelled at a speed of "who really cares because this is fun" and made it to school in the same time it takes us to use the bus.

There was plenty of bike parking as the mornings are still a little crisp... it was 40 F, sunny, and calm.



And we were not alone in our commute although the other parents were sure we had set a record for a ride to elementary school...



We plan to do this every Thursday as the girls have early dismissal and their school is very close to the bike path that takes us into the river valley so we can go and have a picnic after school if the weather allows.

Good for you - and your girls. I hope you enjoy many happy Thursdays just like this one!

DWR

Dude. So cool, cute little kid backpack panniers.

Those are Basil paniers that are made in Holland... they are exceptionally well made and very nicely designed.

They were gifts from The Girl and the butterflies love them... although they are not backpacks they do have shoulder straps to make them easily packable.

It looks like there are also other bike commuters at that school.

Anyway, this is a great idea for them and hope you enjoy it too.

This family always rides in together and they have been riding nearly every day throughout the year no matter the weather... it is really great to see.

They only live a few blocks from the school.

Cool! I figured it must have been a really good commute to make it your "bestest commute ever" without all the commuting you've done.

That was fun! "Thanks"

Yep... the word from the girls is that they'd like to do this more so as long as the schedule and weather allows we'll be riding in.

My oldest is more of a fair weather rider while the little monster would ride in anything.

Dad ever get grumpy without his coffee?, he he he.

Very nice, kinda makes me wanna have a couple of little commuters of my own.

I like that travel time is the same as taking the bus. It makes commuting that much more satisfying. I have the same luxury here, my next door neighbor rides the bus and I always get to campus before him when we leave at the same time.

I used to ride 13 km to work and could make the trip in as little as 22 minutes with my average being around 25 minutes... there was no way I could drive this distance in anything less than 30 minutes and the trip by car usually took closer to 40 in rush hour.

Even though we spent a good portion of our ride on the sidewalk we averaged a little over 10 kmh and when we did take the road the girls will ride at speeds over 20 kmh. Their old English 3 speeds are ideal commuter bikes as they are fendered, have chain guards, and the SA hubs have been re-geared from the higher stock gearing as the 3rd would be useless for them as well as most adults.

The girls were pretty energized when they got to school and after the commute home (that included a little side trip) they were more than ready to sack out at bed time.



As a car less family we do log a lot of miles and people are often amazed two little girls can cover the miles they do.

We are going to take a 20 km trip tonight and will probably ride 30 tomorrow.

Good for you. My girls are older and are not very interested in cycling. I've done my best, taken them out on rides, bought them nice bikes, etc. They just don't love it. Now the 17 year old is thinking of buying a motorcycle, and I'm not going to discourage her, because she needs some independence and to stop asking me for rides in my car.

I love it.

My daughters were late to start riding and I did not push them at all..once they took that first solo ride they were hooked and would rather go for rides than just about anything else.

My youngest is looking forward to helping teach a maintainence class tonight as she said she can show people how to properly oil a chain... she also knows how to lace up a wheel and insists on doing all her own bike work.

She's 9 and if you ask her what she wants she says, more gears and tools.

That is so cool.

sweet!