new station wagon, or I lost 3500 pounds in one day (TM)
I can't remember - it must have been when I was a child, if ever - the last time I had this much fun on a bike.
I begged for it, proclaimed we couldn't go on without it, warned Martin they would all be gone if we didn't act fast (I was right, BTW), and gave all the encouragement I could to Martin's sale of our Miata in order to buy this. I even gave in to the fact that the bike that did everything I wanted was also the exact same bike as Sarah's. I gave up on that struggle and got the same darn bike. We're a gang now.
And I'm so glad. The bike is like riding on a cloud, even with 4o pounds of boy and 40 pounds of groceries in back. I ride it like a child, confident, bouncing happily over rocks and curbs. I was worried it would take me all summer to learn to ride with Sebastian on there, but this picture is the very first day I had the bike. The attitude adjustment is amazing. You just have to be willing to take an hour to get somewhere, and then it's a piece of cake.
The big board on the back is an Xtracycle. (That TM up there in the title is because that's a phrase of theirs.) The Xtracycle Free Radical adds length and stability to the bike, making it possible to do things like carry another bike, an adult, or a 60 pound bag of concrete mix.
I get teary-eyed when I watch their youtube video. I can't drive a car anymore, but this comes so close to the range and yet is so much more free, fun, and lovely. I can take Sebastian places without waiting endlessly for buses and trains.
We can GO! Slowly.
That is wonderful. It's not just your bike, it's your freedom! :)
Posted by: Heidi | 2008.07.08 at 09:15
Super cool!!!
Posted by: Mandy | 2008.07.08 at 09:58
Oh wow, that is so cool!
Posted by: Melissa | 2008.07.08 at 10:02
Very Dutch! Looks like fun fun fun!
Posted by: wiscjennyann | 2008.07.08 at 10:10
I'm so jealous! I was just looking at the Xtracycles yesterday and drooling. Maybe when my kiddo is big enough to ride I'll get one (and maybe the shop will be open again!)
Posted by: aimee noel | 2008.07.08 at 10:13
Oh this is just too cool!
Posted by: Mel | 2008.07.08 at 11:14
Very cool set up!
I got an Africabike this summer to ease my care usage, and it is the most delightful, wonderful thing in the world to pedal to the post office, library, and grocery store!
Bravo for bikes!
Posted by: Beverly | 2008.07.08 at 12:08
Woot! It's the Portland Mini-van! (coveting)
Posted by: cari | 2008.07.08 at 12:30
Oh, wow! I covet one of those! I go drool over them and their cousins, from time to time, at clevercycles.
Posted by: dale | 2008.07.08 at 13:29
How cool!
Posted by: Knittripps | 2008.07.08 at 17:30
How exciting, LB! You are too cute with your son on that awesome contraption:)
Posted by: Heather | 2008.07.08 at 18:49
Dale,
The one down side: It does not fit in the office elevators. :( I don't think it will in our new building either. It's about 8 feet long.
Posted by: larissa | 2008.07.08 at 19:00
Hooray for the Xtracycle and cycling in general! Biking is so much fun, even with many pounds of kid being towed along behind you.
Posted by: Jess | 2008.07.08 at 21:08
Sweet ride!
Have you heard of the Slow Bike Movement?
http://theslowbicycle.blogspot.com/
Another blog I read is xtrasue. She loves her xtracycle, too.
http://xtrasue.com/
Posted by: Bethany | 2008.07.08 at 22:38
slowly is the best way to go.
Posted by: shannon in oregon | 2008.07.09 at 16:57
WOW, You totally made my day!! I have been lusting after the Townie's, but this is over the top. How devine for you to have this mode of transportation available at this time in your life. I congradulate you, and three cheers for not giving up hope of owning your dream ride!! I did my stint of carting a toddler to and from daycare and me to work. I so wish I had something back then as wonderful as this bike to get us around town. That toddler is now 38yrs. old!
Posted by: Marcia Louise | 2008.07.10 at 13:49
i want one!
Posted by: Stevi | 2008.07.11 at 06:41
This reminds me of my mom biking four kids and several pounds of groceries in one bike trailer all over town for many years of my childhood.
You two look so cool!
Posted by: Katherine of it All | 2008.07.12 at 16:03
oh I love - I'm halfway there - just waiting for the latest batch of xtracycles and bobike to be ready. Can't wait. So, is that the bobike flip seat? I'm trying to finalize how I set up my 4year old and my 8 month old. Any hints for the newbie rider with kids?
Posted by: kate | 2008.07.19 at 15:50
That is so totally AWESOME! I have a Townie as well, and can just imagine the possibilities....
;-)
Posted by: claudia | 2008.07.21 at 11:52
..::applause::..
Yeah, aren't Xtracycles cool? I love mine!
Congrats on evading the bummer life in a cool way!
Posted by: beth h | 2008.07.23 at 15:10
Great photo (and post). I too have taken on a similar joy of biking. A reintroduction to something that I had loved as a kid, but gave up in my teens.
Posted by: Travis | 2008.08.11 at 16:36