Sunday, 9/14/08 at 9:56 PM
by Kelli Poindexter
by Kelli Poindexter
Adventures in the Baby's Bike Trailer
There are lots of new mom challenges out there. I’ve spent the last two months getting my daughter Rylie in the bike trailer. In a word, patience is the key.
I was very excited to get my new Giant FCR 1w this past February. I had illusions of riding miles and miles with my daughter in tow, so I had my bike built along with a brand spankin’ new bike trailer. Rylie was then 8 months old. We strolled on down to the bike shop to pick up our new wheels. Well, we didn’t just pick it right up and off we went. It took a little bit of time to get the trailer set up. We needed a different set up than the standard one and then I needed a few minutes to fit Rylie’s helmet to her head. The bike shop was a bit busy when we got there. We rolled out and Rylie was starting to get fussy. We live about 10 blocks from the bike shop. The longest 10 blocks I’ve rode in five years of living here. By the time we got to the end of the first block, she was not happy. I looked back and she seemed okay. I rode a couple more blocks. When we reached the light, she was really upset, so I pulled over, took her out and held her for a few minutes and she calmed down. She wasn’t hurt, just uncomfortable and maybe a little unsure of the bouncing. I put her back in the trailer and hurried home. Rylie was far from thrilled and took a little while to calm down after those initial 10 blocks. This first ride was traumatic for her. Clearly, I was a bit over zealous in getting the trailer so soon, and Rylie was not quite ready for the ride.
I went back to my original plan of waiting until she was 9 months old. During next month, I developed a new plan to get her ready for the trailer. We already walked all over town in the stroller. I decided I would start running and do a bit of off road strolling. This way she would get use to a bouncier ride. The other problem was the helmet always hitting the back of the seat and falling in her face. My Rylie is a cute little peewee, so she was just too scrunched up in the seat on that first ride. I needed to get her set up in the trailer so she could sit more upright and not have the helmet keep slipping in her face. Also, to get her familiar with the helmet, I kept it with her other toys and had her try it on once in while.
When she hit nine months old, we tried out the trailer again. For our second ride, we set small goals. We went the same distance, but got her more comfortable by using blankets to prop her up. I also tossed in a couple of her toys. She was a little upset initially, but settled down. The helmet still seemed to be an obstacle and kept slipping in her face. We rode to lunch and on the way back she fell asleep.
Two weeks later we set out for our third ride. This time we went about five miles round trip. I set out for a local park that had baby swings, which Rylie loves.
This time I propped her up even more so her bootie sat comfortably at the edge of the seat, a blanket under her feet, and another on the side in case she fell asleep again she would have something to prop up her head. When you use blankets to make a child more comfortable you must be sure that all safety straps still connect properly. I still included her favorite toys, and some juice. Also, I left the cover to the trailer open so she can see everything better. She is exposed to more sun this way, so I’m sure to lube her up with lots of sun screen. Too help with a better helmet fit and increase comfort, I have Rylie wear a light sweatshirt and I pull the hood up before putting her helmet on. You can also use a hat, but the sweatshirt has worked better for us so far.
A quick note on routes; I try to ride on bike trails and roads with bike lanes. It’s important to be aware of the extra width of the trailer when you ride. Also, plan your route as much as possible a head of time.
Our next ride was a test in running errands. The key here is to not have too many stops. We planned two stops. We mailed a letter and picked up a few groceries. For this ride, I was able to dial in the position of the blankets and the helmet fit. Trailer rides seem to go most successfully with a few stops/breaks. It’s nice when we have a destination that holds Rylie’s interest. She didn’t have a single protest on this fourth ride and again fell asleep on the way home. It’s great when she falls asleep and I can extend my ride a little bit longer.
Up next, my goal is to ride around the whole island, about a 10 mile ride. One final note, wear your helmet when you ride with your child, not only is it much safer, but your also a good example and it helps to get them to wear their helmet.
So in summary, to get your child/baby happy in the bike trailer, don’t start too early. Practice in your stroller on bumpier terrain. Get their fit in the trailer as comfortable as possible by using blankets to prop them up and prevent the helmet from slipping into their face. Also, use a hood or hat to make the helmet fit better and more comfortably. Set short goals initially and slowly get them warmed up to your dream of long distance riding. Be sure to bring toys and something to keep them hydrated, in addition to sunscreen. Most of all have patience and fun with your child. It doesn’t have to be a fight.
Final note, don’t give up your passion for cycling because you have a baby. Sell them on your passion and you’ll always have a riding buddy.
Kelli
I was very excited to get my new Giant FCR 1w this past February. I had illusions of riding miles and miles with my daughter in tow, so I had my bike built along with a brand spankin’ new bike trailer. Rylie was then 8 months old. We strolled on down to the bike shop to pick up our new wheels. Well, we didn’t just pick it right up and off we went. It took a little bit of time to get the trailer set up. We needed a different set up than the standard one and then I needed a few minutes to fit Rylie’s helmet to her head. The bike shop was a bit busy when we got there. We rolled out and Rylie was starting to get fussy. We live about 10 blocks from the bike shop. The longest 10 blocks I’ve rode in five years of living here. By the time we got to the end of the first block, she was not happy. I looked back and she seemed okay. I rode a couple more blocks. When we reached the light, she was really upset, so I pulled over, took her out and held her for a few minutes and she calmed down. She wasn’t hurt, just uncomfortable and maybe a little unsure of the bouncing. I put her back in the trailer and hurried home. Rylie was far from thrilled and took a little while to calm down after those initial 10 blocks. This first ride was traumatic for her. Clearly, I was a bit over zealous in getting the trailer so soon, and Rylie was not quite ready for the ride.
I went back to my original plan of waiting until she was 9 months old. During next month, I developed a new plan to get her ready for the trailer. We already walked all over town in the stroller. I decided I would start running and do a bit of off road strolling. This way she would get use to a bouncier ride. The other problem was the helmet always hitting the back of the seat and falling in her face. My Rylie is a cute little peewee, so she was just too scrunched up in the seat on that first ride. I needed to get her set up in the trailer so she could sit more upright and not have the helmet keep slipping in her face. Also, to get her familiar with the helmet, I kept it with her other toys and had her try it on once in while.
When she hit nine months old, we tried out the trailer again. For our second ride, we set small goals. We went the same distance, but got her more comfortable by using blankets to prop her up. I also tossed in a couple of her toys. She was a little upset initially, but settled down. The helmet still seemed to be an obstacle and kept slipping in her face. We rode to lunch and on the way back she fell asleep.
Two weeks later we set out for our third ride. This time we went about five miles round trip. I set out for a local park that had baby swings, which Rylie loves.
This time I propped her up even more so her bootie sat comfortably at the edge of the seat, a blanket under her feet, and another on the side in case she fell asleep again she would have something to prop up her head. When you use blankets to make a child more comfortable you must be sure that all safety straps still connect properly. I still included her favorite toys, and some juice. Also, I left the cover to the trailer open so she can see everything better. She is exposed to more sun this way, so I’m sure to lube her up with lots of sun screen. Too help with a better helmet fit and increase comfort, I have Rylie wear a light sweatshirt and I pull the hood up before putting her helmet on. You can also use a hat, but the sweatshirt has worked better for us so far.
A quick note on routes; I try to ride on bike trails and roads with bike lanes. It’s important to be aware of the extra width of the trailer when you ride. Also, plan your route as much as possible a head of time.
Our next ride was a test in running errands. The key here is to not have too many stops. We planned two stops. We mailed a letter and picked up a few groceries. For this ride, I was able to dial in the position of the blankets and the helmet fit. Trailer rides seem to go most successfully with a few stops/breaks. It’s nice when we have a destination that holds Rylie’s interest. She didn’t have a single protest on this fourth ride and again fell asleep on the way home. It’s great when she falls asleep and I can extend my ride a little bit longer.
Up next, my goal is to ride around the whole island, about a 10 mile ride. One final note, wear your helmet when you ride with your child, not only is it much safer, but your also a good example and it helps to get them to wear their helmet.
So in summary, to get your child/baby happy in the bike trailer, don’t start too early. Practice in your stroller on bumpier terrain. Get their fit in the trailer as comfortable as possible by using blankets to prop them up and prevent the helmet from slipping into their face. Also, use a hood or hat to make the helmet fit better and more comfortably. Set short goals initially and slowly get them warmed up to your dream of long distance riding. Be sure to bring toys and something to keep them hydrated, in addition to sunscreen. Most of all have patience and fun with your child. It doesn’t have to be a fight.
Final note, don’t give up your passion for cycling because you have a baby. Sell them on your passion and you’ll always have a riding buddy.
Kelli
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