"…Let's Ride"

Anybody who wants to have a great time with their children needs to get one of these mountain bike kid trailers. I have two small daughters and love to take them out on the trails as much as possible. These trailers are designed based on two models: the convertible model and the enclosed model. Both fit up to three children; sizing and spacing information varies by brand, so check the manufacturer’s manual before loading them up. Almost all models are collapsible for easy storage and come with an attachable third wheel and handlebar for those days you just feel like walking.

 There’s a few important things to remember though, especially when your taking a baby and a toddler out. Here’s a great little story about our first time on the trails.

 I can recall it clearly, it was a beautiful day, sunny and warm with a light breeze, the perfect day to bring them for a ride, and I had been waiting for a while after I‘d purchased the trailer. Finally the day had come and there was no stopping us now. “Uncle Pete” and my nephew Cote met us at the maze and here we go…

 I got both of them strapped and clipped in nice and safe and tight, helmets and pads too, always, and stared out on the opening trail with Pete and Cote in the lead. I had already pulled the girls around in the city briefly before this trip but no off-road yet, so I had a decent feel for the extra weight. What I hadn’t considered was the “whoopdies”, rocks, roots, and any imperfection in the trail for that matter. It took quite a bit of time to get a “real feel” for what it was going to be like pulling this trailer on those trails. Every time there’s a dip in the trail, I would go through and come out then….WHOA!!!

You have to remember that every time you come out the other side of a dip, or over a small hill or bump, the trailer is just starting to hit it. This creates a forwards then backwards pull on the bike. I realized quickly that “picking your path” was never as important as it was then. You see, your bikes line is directly down the center of the trailers lines, depending on the mountain bike and trailer, “picking your path” gets pretty tricky. I also realized that even a small incline, left or right, while moving can cause the trailer to tip, slamming the girls to the ground. I,m sure they would love that, and mom too.

 After getting a good feel for how all the equipment was handling, the ride was great. We know the trails so staying on the proper ones for the trailer was not that difficult. The kids are having fun and that’s what matters right.

My model trailer is a convertible and has a roll up screen and windshield on the front side. I had these and the sides rolled up, not thinking, it was a nice day. About 45 minutes into it we decide to take a break for lunch. Its been smooth riding and no fussing from the kids, everyone’s having fun, a good day. I get off my bike and turn to the girls to see both of them are filthy. Covered with dirt, in every crevasse of their faces. I cannot understand what has happened, we have all been riding the same trails but no one is close to as dirty as them.

OOPS….. that’s when I realize what’s happened. My back tire, the screen and windshield are rolled up, and they are at eye level with the tire. I am so sorry girls, dad’s a little off.

 I got them all cleaned up and fed and back on the trails, this time with the screen closed That still wasn’t good enough though, they still got sprayed with dust through the screen holes. I closed the windshield and we continued to have a great riding day. My 1yr old actually feel asleep towards the end of our ride and I learned a very important lesson.

 Final Thought:

It’s very important to constanly moderate and understand how your equipment and accessories function in different riding conditons. I should have researched more about riding off raod with a trailer and children before deciding to jump right out on the trails. I would have known more about how mountain bike trailers perform in different conditions and would have saved my daughters from getting mouthfuls of “trail dirt” for lunch.

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