Broctoon

Saturday I rode 37 miles pulling a trailer with my two-year-old grandson in it. The terrain was mostly flat, and I was not trying to make good time (averaged about 12 mph). It was a lot of fun, but it left me pretty exhausted. I think dragging the trailer a given distance is equal to riding without it 1.5 to 2 times as far. I've said before that flat ground with the trailer is like a moderate climb without it, and moderate climbs with it are like steep climbs without.

This was only my third or fourth ride this season. We've had a cold, wet spring, and I recently overcame an injury that kept me from doing much physical activity all winter, so I'm just getting back into it.

We've owned this Burley trailer more than 20 years, and it's turned out to be one of the best purchases we ever made. When my daughters were little, I used it to cart them around. I recall taking my oldest one on some great adventures, sometimes 40+ miles. She'd pack a Fisher Price cassette player, some books, and a snack, and she was happy in there for hours. Now I take her son on similar rides, and he loves it. I hope we're able to keep it up for many more years.

There are lots of things in this world that I'm ambivalent about. Here is one that I'm sure of: bikes are good for families!

OkFine

I pull my son on a slow, social group ride every Monday evening. It's about 18 miles and usually around 15mph. It's nothing for the frequent riders and somewhat challenging for the new riders. The whole purpose is to bring the community together, but pulling a kid on a trailer turns it into a training session for sure. You're absolutely right there.

I'm hoping it keeps my kid somewhat interested in biking as he grows up, but at minimum, it's a way that allows my wife to ride along with us instead of one of the parents staying at home with the child while the other rides. Good for families!

livedarklions

And your calf muscles, no doubt! Win win.

OkFine

I don't know about Broctoon , but between the kid, trailer, and whatever my wife has snuck in the trailer pocket, I'm pulling a parachute that also weighs over 75lbs. I'm always inviting someone else to pull him, but no one ever wants to take me up on it....

KerryIrons

I always called our trailer my 60 lb. air brake. A great workout with slower riders.

Broctoon

Whenever I'm taking the trailer, I end up with additional stuff. It's so easy to grab a jacket, tire pump, extra snacks, and whatever else occurs to me, and toss them in. This adds considerable weight on top of the trailer itself and the kid(s) it's intended for. With it, I could push hard to make good time on a ride, and I'd probably get a really effective workout. But that is never my intent when I have a kid along. We take our time and look at ducks (or horses or whatever else comes along), sing songs, and just enjoy being outside. For a workout, I take a lighter bike and only carry the stuff I think I'll need.

On second thought, I guess it is a real workout, even at a casual pace and on terrain without big hills. I just mentioned in my original post that I got pretty exhausted from a 37 mile/3 hour ride.

CrimsonEclipse

This you?

Jedneck

My 1st grand was just born. Already looking for a trailer for bonding time rides.