rosefarts

Almost all my base mileage is with my kids. I would have added the little one sooner but I didn't trust the toddler not to beat on him for a while.

Two typical bike path loops are 18 and 26 miles. I have done 40. I still pass more than I get passed.

yamsyamsyams

My little ones get restless, between music, tablet shows, looking outside, and snacks, they fall asleep in an hour. Are yours different?

Tony Marley

Well done.

25-years ago, I did most of my training for a coast-to-coast bike ride pulling my daughter (one only) in the Burley trailer.

blakcloud

I pulled both my kids in a trailer for years. The interesting thing about pulling a trailer is that the weight you pull increases every year. As you get stronger they get heavier.

Have fun.

Camilo

Really great to see this thread! Much better than someone whining because he is so serious about "training" he resents parenting or being a great spouse. Sorry about the snarkiness, but this thread is just great, I love the perspective.

biker128pedal

Since you all are experts at trailering kids I have a question. How old or big or advanced should the little one be?

rosefarts

When I had one, I rode with him at 6 months or so, with a Snuggler seat pad. It was fine, he mostly slept.

With 2, I waited longer because my older one went through a phase where he'd beat on his baby brother and I didn't want to stop every few feet and deal with it.

jp911

I've got a 6-month-old and I'm excited for the day when he can go in the trailer. Any reccos on trailers? I've read the reviews, but would be great to hear from some users here.

Another question: do you stick to bike paths or have you ever ventured out on the road with the trailer?

PoorInRichfield

This has the makings of a modern day Milo of Croton story. Imagine how strong you'll be when those kids are adults!

Russ Roth

If I had a nice smooth bike path I might have started taking them at 6mo but if you ever watch them while the trailer heads down bumpy roads even at a year they can be all bobble headed which worried me a lot. Also being in the country with only roads with small shoulders I didn't trailer as much as I'd have liked. The real fun for me was once they could hit the trail-a-bike, only wish due to the closeness in ages of the kids that I'd have bought a tandem trail-a-bike but couldn't justify the 700 price tag. With the youngest being so slow to grow I did put 16" tires and 95mm cranks on it so he could start using it just after he turned 3. Less of a workout but lots more enjoyable pulling a trail-a-bike then a trailer though either way mine is still freeloading.

Bassmanbob

Enjoy:

ririder

Helmets?

force10

We waited until about 16 months. Never had a problem.

force10

We used a Burley Encore. Good balance between price and comfort. I see they now offer it with suspension for $50 more which might be worthwhile for bumpy trails - we did mostly paved bike paths and roads. It was way overbuilt and is sitting unused in perfect condition after two years use (just one c hild). I would start looking for one used.



You would be the best judge of the safety of you local roads. We mostly trailered behind a tandem so we made quite a spectacle and were easy to see. But one jackass paying more attention to his phone than driving...

biker128pedal

Thank you. I was looking at an Encore X. Used are hard to find without a long trip. This is for my granddaughter. She is 8 months. My son and DIL have paths in their area but I have to talk to them. They want one sooner.

tyrion

If you force the little ones to fast for 12 hours before the ride, you could probably get the cargo weight down to 13 lbs.

Ironfish653

Typical Guideline is that the kiddo be big enough to hold their head up steadily, about 10 mos -1 yr depending. There are extra neck-bolster pads you can get, and Chariot (Thule) makes a hammock-style sling seat for the really little ones.

As far as recommendations, Chariot (THULE) is probably the best in the industry right now. Adjustable suspensions, folding aluminum frames, the seats and harneses were both secure and comfy, and they have accessories for days. I used mine as a running stroller, with a 16" front wheel, my NY cousin is a competitive CC'er; she had skis on hers!
They are expensive though; $600-$700 new, and easily over a grand if you get a bunch of upfits. They've been making their Cougar / 'K-wing' chassis since 2005, so used ones are out there (they sell fast!) and, if you're a multi-sport type, the upfits for the current models are backward compatible with the older ones.

If you're shopping second-hand, Burley is the Toyota to Chariot's BMW, they're basic but effective and well-bulit. Either way, look for a model with 20" wheels, as opposed to the 16" and sometimes 12.5" that come on the really cheap versions. 20"s will make the ride better for them, and easier to pull for you.

rosefarts

I use an older Burley Bee I got for $60 before the first one was born.

It's been totally reliable. A doctor in town was selling an almost never used Chariot for $250. I do still kick myself for not calling him before it sold.

I went a little nuts a couple winters ago and figured out a mod mod to attach skis too. I think the higher end models can just do that, but not the bee. My mod worked and we've really enjoyed some short tours with the trailer... Both parents have an AT setup. One skis the XC loop with the kid and dog while the other rides lifts and takes turns. Halfway through the day, switch places. It's pretty sweet but you need a mellow/small ski area to make this work.

For helmet, I tried but it wasn't worth it. It just causes screaming. I average 11-12 mph and don't ride in traffic. Depending on personality and fit, maybe you can make it work. I think it's reasonable to consider the whole trailer a low speed roll cage anyway.

My wife is a runner, so we've also got a single and double Bob stroller in the garage.

If I had to do it again, I think a stroller like the Chariot that is a single and double running stroller, a bike stroller, and takes skis would have kept the garage a lot cleaner. They sure are expensive though.
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