Tim and I have a difference of opinion when it comes to Bromptons.
When he rides the Brompton, Tim forgoes toting around a heavy U lock and frequently chooses to take the bike with him when he arrives at his destination. In a shopping cart, in the corner of a restaurant or in a waiting room at the doctor’s office, Tim’s choice is usually to tote and stash the bike. Continue reading
Posted in alternative transportation, bikes, Commute
Tagged bike racks, Brompton, difference of opinion, folding bikes, lock?, stash?
Tim makes hauling large items look so easy
Posted in alternative transportation, BIG Loads, bikes, cargo bikes
Tagged bikes that haul, ski, snow, xtracycle
Tree Haulin Track Stand
Thought we’d post some photos of our 2011 Xtracycle Tree Haulin event. We won’t bore you with another retrospective of all of our tree-haulin adventures, you can read the one we wrote last year if you’re interested. Continue reading
I followed a cyclist down Eastlake the other day. We yo yoed for a few miles as we both climbed and descended all the hills heading North. He passed me, I caught up, he pulled way ahead, I caught up again.
The only reason he kept getting so far ahead of me is he was running red lights. As in, not–even–a–question the light was red, it was R E D. Continue reading
Posted in alternative transportation, bikes, xtracycle
Tagged basket, bikes, decoration, Fall, seattle
Can a kid participate in soccer if their family doesn’t own a car?
Tim and Maddie had a conversation about that very subject on Twitter today…she was surprised to learn that our kids play soccer and we don’t have a car. (She knew about the car part, she just didn’t know about soccer). Continue reading
Posted in alternative transportation, bikes, kids
Tagged bikes, kids, seattle, soccer, soccer mom
I’m feeling nostalgic today. My kids are growing up. Gone are the two-kid-hauling days when they read books and ate snacks and wondered and giggled with pure innocent joy while riding on my Xtracycle.
And took rides then ran a little bit and hopped back on:
Posted in alternative transportation, bigger than here, bikes, family cycling, kids
Tagged growing up, kids, nikes, nostalgia
Grab a cup of coffee and take 8 minutes and 33 seconds to watch this trailer for a new documentary being created about cargo bikes.
More on the project here:
Do you love your cargo bike? Has it changed your life? Your family? Your town?
Join me in producing an authentic crowdsourced document of a cultural revolution in progress. I’m seeking submissions from cargo bike folk all over the world to combine in the form of a feature length documentary. Send me your video, audio and photos by uploading to Youtube and emailing me a link. More info at www.lizcanning.com. Watch the trailer, visit my site, send me an email and learn how to become a co-director!
via Matthew
- Anne
Posted in alternative transportation, bigger than here, bikes, family cycling, longbikes, sustainability, xtracycle
Tagged cargo bikes, documentary, Family Cycling, film
It’s been a year since we bought our matching yellow Bromptons.
Of all the bikes in our fleet, our Bromptons garner the most notice. Why? Obviously because of the tiny fold. And because they’re matching. And lemon-yellow. And we’re both quite tall and we look a little ridiculous riding them. And so on… basically they are not bikes for the shy.
Quite honestly, at the time of purchase Anne doubted our families’ need for Bromptons: we don’t travel much, we don’t have a shortage of bike storage space at home, and we aren’t big bus riders.
Tim’s purchase pitch smelled like bike lust to her: more of a want than a need.
But his negotiating skills (with Anne not the seller) prevailed and he eventually convinced her. He even pulled out the habitual-bike-purchaser’s classic line: “At this price, if we don’t ride them, we can easily sell them for more than we bought them!”
Anyone heard that one from a spouse before?
And we’re both glad he won the negotiation because in the past year, we’ve discovered so many uses for our Bromptons. Continue reading
Posted in alternative transportation, BIG Loads, bikes, cargo bikes, kids, kids' bikes, sustainability
Tagged Bike on Bike, Brompton, carfreedays, Utility Bikes
Val (in the hat) at the start of 2008 Labor Day ride at 20/20 Cycle
As many of you know, Val Kleitz was a driving force for the Seattle holiday cargo bike rides. For us, he was the spirit of cargo bikes in general. So it’s quite fitting that this year’s Labor Day cargo ride is honoring Val as a memorial ride.
The Labor Day ride traditionally runs (very roughly) from 20/20 Cycle on Union St. to Cowen Park in Ravenna. Plan on a slow, cargo-and-kid-friendly pace. Make sure you carry enough in the way of food, beverages, and picnic supplies. Just in case!
We’re hoping to see a lot local riders and family cyclists showing support for Val’s memory, as well as enjoying some transportation cycling on a lovely day. As always, a cargo bike is Not Required (If you are hauling yourself, you’re hauling a load!). So come on out and join the pallet.
Details: Meet at 20/20 cycles (2020 East Union) noon Monday. The Pallet leaves at 1:00 and should take about 90 minutes to arrive at the Cowen/Ravenna park picnic shelter. Later Monday night is a wake for Val at Pike Brewery.
More details about both events here….
See you there!
-Tim & Anne
Posted in bikes, alternative transportation, seattle, bigger than here, cargo bikes, Events, family cycling
Tagged seattle, xtracyle, cargo bikes, Labor Day
We found these stickers on our bikes today (outside of Goodwill in the U District).
When we got home, I looked up kickstandcampaign.org and found this blurb on their About page: Continue reading
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