Congrats Jeremy!

Congratulations!

thanks guys - i did already change a few dirty ones, although "dirty" isn't really the term i would use, so much as "scientific anmaly".

I'll cast my vote for "black goo from the world beyond". Congrats Jeremy!

On topic: My wee guy is nearing the 1 year mark (wow, has it been that long already?) and I definitely think he'd appreciate coming along for a bike ride.. from those of you with little ones in tow, I'm looking for advice on buying trailers -- sliding seems safer than falling from a high mounted seat in case of a crash. Also, where does one get a helmet for a 1 year old noggin? Finally - is there anything particularly interesting to consider about riding fixed with a load (i.e. trailer+kid)?

Jeremy, WOOT!!!!! Congrats MAN!!!!

Wow, a year old - nice!

I used a Little Tikes trailer from Toys 'R' Us - kinda meh in terms of the range out there, but definitely did the trick - has good weather shelter including an raincover rolldown for the front. Attaches to the bike without needing to install anything extra. I used a thick cargo bungee between my saddle/frame to the hitch as an extra "just in case" thing, but it has it's own safety loop as well. Mine came off once (luckily it was only groceries in the back) due to not tightening it properly (at all, in fact).

I first grabbed a young helmet, I think from Canadian Tire - it was specifically smaller for the younger ranges (1-2years, IIRC) - then after that are the regular "infant/toddler/child" sizes from what I gather. I'm sure there's a bunch of places that'll have helmets for younger kids. Make sure there's padding, obviously.

I rode my old CT mountain bike and my fixed beater during the winter when I towed her around, just have a fully operational brake and obviously don't get carried away with the speed, as you've got a lot more to slow down. My only problem was fitting the trailer in the snow ruts, or rather, fighting it through the snow. I should note my riding is a LOT different with the trailer on the back, as I can't fit through nearly enough of the same spaces, so I tend to ride a lot more casually/slowly anyway.

Otherwise I've had great success with it - used it for moving some of my stuff, getting groceries, carting bike frames/parts to CBN (one of the only times that it rolled over... due to massive weight imbalance :)) and I used it at least every two weeks carting my daughter from the east end to the west and back.

I actually miss having that, as we now have to take the TTC while I build up a trail-a-bike for her (and wait for the weather to be a little more friendly for her) and it really sucks not having the transportation freedoms that we had with the bike/trailer combo - we'd go all over the place :)

This looked very uncomfortable, but she seemed fine (as kids do):

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...35904_2297.jpg

High Park Zoo '07:

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...50395_5448.jpg

Anyway, /ramble.

My son started on the bike at 1 when he went to daycare. We got a Louis Garneau helmet that fits correctly for him at Costco but I'm sure they're widely available. Last summer we used a bike seat which he really liked, and this winter we switched to a trailer which he doesn't seem to like as much as I'd hoped. (I ended up getting the MEC trailer... couldn't find any place that would give a break on list price on the Chariot trailer, which is the one I really wanted). I would agree that the trailer offers more protection to the little one, but it's also more of a drag (pun intended) riding with it. The trailer load totally changes the ride whereas with the bike seat you don't notice much difference. Another advantage of the seat is you can still jump onto the sidewalk now and then to miss gaping potholes or vehicles parked in the bike lane, but with the trailer it's a little harder to be doing that (yes I know it's illegal to ride on the sidewalk). Have fun with it!

yeo man! congratulations buddy!
:beer:

when you getting him riding?

welcome to the world, little bicyc... i mean, baby! :bday:

congratulations on the new addition to the family!

Congrats man!

that's what i'm wondering, i've heard of babies learning to swim before they can walk and interpret sign language before speaking but cycling before walking may be a bit of a stretch...

i've been looking around for a little cycling jersey and cap for him but no one seems to make them in baby sizes. maybe i'll email the people at walz?

Congrats Jeremy!

Sliding is absolutely safer than falling. I had a customer relate the story of a crash with his kids trailer and commented that his child actually was gleeful for the topsy turvy spin he took.

Helmets are not gonna be a prob. Just make sure it has a safety designation...CSA, ANSI, Snell and fits correctly.

I used to do mobile bike repair with my BOB trailer. I carried well over the 80lb weight limit and quickly realized that trying to skid with that much weight mounted resulted in what I can only describe as a jackknife. Not pleasant. I would mount a rear brake if I planned on towing fixed for any extended period of time.

seeing as the baby is only 3 days old i have a while to come up with the ideal trailer solution, but i was thinking of something along the lines of a chariot trailer and setting up a an upright bike like this one with a 8 speed nexus hub or some such thing (that one is usually sporting a large wald front basket):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2092/...478ff1.jpg?v=0

I'll see if I still have Carsons cycling cap here.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...y/IMG_6794.jpg

Things that suck.
1. Inflating a tube and having it blow apart while kneeling beside it.
2. Inflating a new tube in MEC and having it blow apart.
3. Waiting 1/2 hour to ride home because the ringing in your ears is so bad you can't hear cars coming up behind you.

Prize or any old school member Sunday Sunday Sunday
I hope to be there all day Sunday!

Jeremy, CONGRATULATIONS! Way to get a cute baby - sometimes those things come out looking like gargoyles but your's isn't too shabby at all. FWIW, Chartiot Carriers recommends about a year before you take your kid in a cycling trailer and 8 months before they're in the jogging one. Those are more estimations at developmental milestones though (when they can hold themselves upright, etc.) so get your kid in the gym early.

OH! Speaking of which: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br43e...eature=channel ... which directly relates to "How to Fight" (link for those who missed it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jeu6bXxTwfk)

* * *

Went to the show, it was a bust for me. Oh well!

Despite it starting to sound monotonous, HAPPY BABY BEING BORN DAY!

Passing on the bike show this year - just don't need anything that badly. Stock up show is fall.

Baby's are great!Congrats Jeremy.

Mike great build on the IRO.

Wow congrats!

Congratulations on the wee lad, Jeremy!

ok. word game time. write the first word that comes to mind.


pop.



(anyone tell I'm bored?)

Just got back from the show. It was fun to watch the kids jump their bikes.

I treated myself to an assos jersey :)