Cold Weather Cycling Garb

It is almost 2016, and chances are you'd like to take care of your health in the coming year. As I've mentioned before, cycling is a great way to integrate exercise into your life, and one benefit of starting in winter is that it only gets easier and more pleasant as summer approaches. That said, I am a big fan of the Scandinavian adage: "There is no bad weather, only bad clothing." Here are some tips on what to wear for winter cycling.

For moderately cold weather:
1) Balaclava
2) Gloves or cycling mittens
3) Ibex sweater

A balaclava under your helmet will do wonders to keep you warm! This is superior to wearing a hood over your helmet (it will probably blow off frequently and will catch cold wind even if doesn't). Gloves are also critical. It is important to keep all of your extremities warm for comfort, but your feet are at a huge advantage when cycling due to all of the circulation happening in your legs. Cycling specific mittens that look like lobster claws are available, but I think almost any warm glove does the trick. Just make sure they have enough grip to operate your breaks and gearing. The only item in this list that is brand-specific is possibly the best clothing purchase I've ever made: The Ibex Boucle Hoodie. I wear this sweater almost every day because it is one of those magical garments that keeps me warm without overheating, whether the temperature is moderate or very cold. Added bonus: the hood is essentially a built-in balaclava because of the high-necked construction that zips all the way to the chin.

For very cold weather:
4) Water proof shell such as rain pants, rain coat and/or gators
5) Ski goggles
6) Face mask
7) Excellent socks (I love SmartWool)
8) Thermal underwear

This list is compiled from observations of Kevin heading out for his daily commute around this time of year, plus a few recommendations of my own. In Denver, moisture generally becomes more of a problem in the snowy winter months, hence the waterproof outer layer. That said, waterproof layers are notoriously efficient at sealing in body heat, so extremely cold days (even if dry) are a reasonable time to set aside your "breathable" outerwear and risk feeling a little too warm by the time you reach your destination. Ski goggles are key. On windy days, my eyes feel cold before anything else, and visibility is especially crucial on icy streets. A face mask can supplement your balaclava if your nose gets cold. Socks and thermal underwear are standards for cold weather under any circumstances, but a lot of people forget about them and how versatile they can be. Yes, you can wear ski socks and long underwear to work all day! No one will know and you will be cozy and warm!

For icy paths and pavement:
9) Yaktrax or microspikes
10) Wide snow tires

I just bought Kevin a pair of Kahtoola MICROspikes to replace his broken Yaktrax. Good traction on your feet is key for cycling on snow or ice. You'll be grateful for them any time you stop and put your foot down, and they can prevent a little slip during your ride from turning into a major crash. Obviously, don't use these with clipless (clip-in) pedals. Lastly, take the time to outfit your bike with winter tires. Your local bike shop can help you with this. Even if you can't fit wider tires on your bike, you should be able to get tires with good tread for winter.

If you try all of these and still aren't enjoying cold-weather riding, check out my cousin Kim's Alaskan snow bike adventures for more ideas!

Thankful for Stormy Skies

Last week I had to run a mundane errand downtown. I decided to make the most of it by riding my bike. The ride to my destination was uneventful; boring, even. My mind kept churning on its usual unsolvable problems, but I enjoyed myself nonetheless. The ride home was a different story. I exited the government office just as a cold front was blowing in, sending sleet-flecked gales down the city streets between the tall buildings. I was inadequately dressed, so I resolved to work up a sweat in an effort to stay warm. I unlocked my bike and pointed it straight into the oncoming storm. Two blocks later, the wind was alternately whipping me out of the bike lane and slowing my speed to a crawl. I was putting in all of my effort and literally inching along. I gritted my teeth, bent low to the handlebars, squinted my eyes to protect them from the leaves blowing in my face, and felt ice sting my cheeks as cars whizzed past while I struggled to stay upright and move in my intended direction.

It became absurd, nearly hopeless, just before the exhilaration hit.

The usual unsolvable problems were forgotten. "Enjoyment" as I typically understand it was out of the question. Suddenly, I didn't care how fast I was moving on my bike. I just needed to keep moving. I didn't care how long it took me to get home. I just needed to get there. Bizarrely, this was exactly what I needed that day. No race. No complexity. No nuance. Just a goal, and adversity.

This Thanksgiving, I reflect on recent hardships. I am extremely fortunate in so many ways, but it turns out I am most thankful for the adversity I've faced in recent years. It reminds me of what is important:

Home
Family
Health

These aren't things that are raced toward. They are cultivated, often among harsh conditions. This year I am thankful for the adversity that brings the truly important things into sharp relief. Thank you for reading and have a very happy Thanksgiving.

Group Ride: Sunday on 16th

We organized a group ride for Sunday, November 1, without much of a plan in mind. The combination of Halloween and the daylight saving time change meant a lot of variables that could have resulted in some serious meltdowns. It ended up being a great, educational ride!

We met at the REI flagship store, then made a lap around City of Cuernavaca Park. A train passed by, which prompted us to head to the Millennium Bridge to get a closer look. After taking our bikes up the elevators ("We're allowed to put our bikes in there?!?!") we saw two trains going in opposite directions and resisted the urge to make up a word problem about one going to Chicago at 18 MPH and the other going to San Francisco...

On the Millennium Bridge

Two Trains pass under us; one empty, one full of coal

Waiting for the elevator with 16th Street in the background

My artsy shot from the bottom of the elevator. All other photos in this post taken by Kristina!

Then we hit 16th Street Mall. Monday-Friday, 16th Street is available to buses ONLY. On Saturdays and Sundays, however, cyclists can use it, too. The buses are infrequent, so we basically had an entire LoDo street to ourselves! Everyone got a kick out of seeing traffic lights with bicycle cutouts specifically for us.

We also discussed our Broadway pop-up lane ride. Our unofficial photojournalist, Kristina, mentioned that she had seen green cycling lanes elsewhere in town (on 14th Street, for example), and asked about implementation of the Broadway lanes. Bicycle lanes are city infrastructure, so government decides where, how, and when cycling infrastructure is implemented. There will be a Community Workshop on November 10 from 4-8 PM, during which constituents and stakeholders can voice their opinions on future changes to Broadway.

For lunch, we went to The Market on Larimer and got enough food for an army. It was all delicious. Then we headed back to REI and went our separate ways for the afternoon. The kids had some quiet time in the bakfiets with dad, and I cycled to rehearsal downtown. Thankfully I thought to bring my instrument in its ultralight case with me on our ride!

If you'd like to take part in our group rides, head over to our Facebook group page and request to be added. We have a lot of fun!

BUnG it up!

In my last post I mentioned that, as a cargo cyclist hauling kids and gear around, it is impractical for me to focus on strength-to-weight ratio. I am also mostly unconcerned with equipment weight. Family biking is a totally different animal than competitive road cycling, so unless you're planning to cycle through the Grand Tetons (which I actually did with my dad in seventh grade, long before I considered myself a Cyclist), don't worry about added weight, especially if it provides durability, convenience, or reliability.

Our current bakfiets weighs about 75 pounds. Add two kids, a sturdy lock, water for everyone, and miscellaneous kid gear for another 75 pounds or more. That means I'm using my own power to propel at least 150 pounds, plus my own body weight, around town. With numbers like that, I figure it is worth adding a little weight for a lot of comfort. To highlight some of my favorite items, I have decided to start a series of posts on gear I love that would make weight-conscious cyclists' skin crawl. I'm calling it Best Unnecessary Gear: BUnG it up!

First item: I admit I took a page from the auto industry's book and outfitted my bike with not one, but two cup holders. Actually, I shouldn't take credit. Kevin (aka Daddy) purchased both cup holders for me, knowing my enthusiasm for hydration generally and decaf mochas specifically.

Any parents out there drink coffee?

The gadget on my handle bars is the PDW Bar-ista™. While it is not compatible with my Thermos® Nissan™ and a variety of children's sippy cups, it holds pretty much everything else, including standard cycling water bottles. At coffee shops, I usually order my coffee in a too-big cup so it doesn't spill on my ride. Bonus: Extra room for the whip cream I can justify by cycling around with a load of 150 pounds. The joy this item brings to my rides is well worth the extra 2.5 ounces of weight.

Even Thumper wants coffee.

How To Ride Uphill

A reader joked that hills are what keep her from cycling. Understandably, she hates having to walk her regular bike uphill, and the thought of trying to propel a load of kids up an incline can't be much more appealing. Fortunately, there are strategies even novice cyclists can use to make climbing easier and more efficient.

This article outlines some of those strategies. To summarize and clarify:

1) Get into a lower gear than you think you'll need for the climb. For me on the bakfiets, that almost always means my lowest gear. Keep your cadence (pedal speed/RPMs) up, and try to maintain speed.

2) Avoid shifting gears frequently, stay in the saddle for as long as possible, and point your toes to get the most power from your leg strength.

3) Be aware of your posture and breathing. Imagine yourself as a star cyclist on an epic climb in a big tour. You have a calm expression on your face, you are leaning into the incline with a flat back, you are pointing your toes, you are breathing deeply and staying focused. Cheeks, shoulders, and fingers should all be loose.

4) Only stand up for extra pedaling power when remaining in the saddle becomes clearly unsustainable. Standing over the pedals is a way to use a different muscle group, but it probably won't get you very far. This strategy should be saved for when your strongest and most efficient muscle group can really benefit from a short break. Shift into a higher gear when standing up. When sitting back down, immediately shift back into lower gear and focus on keeping your cadence fast.

I found a collection of articles on the topic here, so know that you aren't alone in your desire for strategies to conquer uphill climbs! Know that some authors focus on increasing strength-to-weight ratio, which is not practical for those of us hauling kids, water, snacks, diaper bags, and toys.

Family Ride: Kid's Choice Picnic Dinner

Last week, before school, my son said, "After school? I wanna go for a long ride? And have a picnic!"

You got it, kid! The weather was lovely. I had a transportable dinner menu planned. We could take a not-TOO-long ride to a playground near daddy's work, so he would have more time with all of us before bedtime.

Daddy bikes to work, so he was able to ride home with us!

Of course, when I picked up my son from school, he didn't want to do it anymore. But I explained that I had made a plan at his request and daddy would be left at the playground with no dinner, wondering where we were. Fortunately this was amusing enough that he neglected to suggest I use my cell phone to alert daddy to our whereabouts. So, after picking my daughter up from day care, we set out in the box bike for the Downtown Children's Playground.

The playground sports a lot of great equipment and a really neat human-powered water feature. We've visited this playground before, but this was the first time the water feature was functional. The kids loved it!

Our menu included pan-fried chicken cilantro dumplings from Costco and spinach salad with carrot ribbons and yellow pepper spears, all garnished with soy sauce and sesame seeds. Crackers and cheese kept hunger at bay while we waited for daddy to arrive from work. I cooked the dumplings right before picking my daughter up from day care, and was pleasantly surprised that they held their heat so well in our indestructible Ortlieb pannier.

On the ride home, Daddy rode the box bike and coached our son in reading the street names posted over the Cherry Creek Path. Meanwhile, I was riding the commuter bike behind them, hearing both kids yell, "BANNOCK, MOMMY!! BAAAAAANOOOOCK!" More yelling of a new street name ensued at the next underpass. At this rate, our daughter will have a better sense of Denver's layout by her third birthday than I have now.

The kids melted down upon our arrival at home for bedtime. I couldn't really blame them. Who would want an evening like that to end?

#BikesOnBroadway

A fast-acting member of Jolon Clark's team makes way for an eager cyclist before the ribbon cutting!

I had a lot of fun at the kickoff of a great weekend of protected bike lanes on South Broadway! The pop-up lanes are a model of what could be the future of this bustling boulevard, currently on display between Bayaud and 1st Ave. If you have a chance this weekend, check 'em out by bike! Stop by Sweet Action Ice Cream, hit the sidewalk sales from 1-5 PM on Saturday, shop for Halloween costumes at thrift shops, and join our group ride from Washington Park to the pop-up lanes on Sunday afternoon! We're meeting at the Boat House at about 2:15 PM, and should get to Broadway in plenty of time to decorate bikes and take part in the closing parade!

Molly North of Bike Denver

One of my favorite parts of the protected bike lanes are the vertical dividers provided by Bike Denver. Metal planters with trees and tall grasses demonstrate how a buffer zone between bikes and motor vehicles not only improves safety, but can beautify the street as well.

Mayor Hancock, Councilor Clark, Crissy Fanganello, and Chris Nevitt

Mayor Hancock cuts the ribbon!

Broadway + bike lanes, with downtown Denver in the background

Recipe for a Fall Ride

1) Cycle to the grocery store to pick up a bunch of canned goods, a couple of bell peppers, and whatever else you need to make Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Chili (it isn't very spicy unless you add more than a dash of cayenne).

2) Check tire pressure and gear. Gather helmets. Decorate bike(s), if desired.

3) Rest overnight.

4) Throw everything in the crock pot and cook on low while you ride around for anywhere from 4-12 hours.

5) Skip the croutons described in the recipe and serve the chili with tortillas, cornbread, biscuits, etc. We aren't vegan, so I use real mozzarella or Monterey jack cheese as topping.

Enjoy!

From a Reader: What About the Fighting?

It's true. Riding with two kids in a bakfiets isn't always sunshine and rainbows. They are in very close proximity. They can easily hit one another, yell in each others' ears, and bonk helmets together, either on purpose or by accident.

The good news is, they are right in front of me, so I can nip most skirmishes in the bud. I can physically hold on to one helmet or the other if necessary, which usually cuts down on the helmet bonking specifically and behavior problems generally. It is also relatively easy for me to intervene with distractions that occupy their hands and mouths, such as snacks and water bottles. A couple of pinwheels are great distractions and take the cuteness level off the charts!

In the event that behavior is really out of hand, I move to the sidewalk, take the aggressor out, and walk for a block or two. That is usually all it takes for the child to realize the journey will be much more enjoyable in the bicycle.

If your destination is appealing to the kids, you can always threaten to turn around and go home. I used this strategy on our Beat the Heat ride to Union Station, before we were more than a couple of blocks from home. It was particularly effective because I said I would stay home with the child who was hitting, and the other could go with dad and have fun. I think it set the tone for the whole day: this outing is a privilege, and it is supposed to be fun for everyone.

Singing songs is another great way to get the siblings more focused on cooperating instead of fighting. YOU might be insane by the time they get to the fifteen billionth refrain of "Itsy Bitsy Spider," but it's still better than screaming, in my book. Personally, I like to adapt "The Wheels On the Bus" to "The Wheels On the Bike." Naturally, I accompany the verse about the bell on the bike with actual ringing of the bell.

One final note: Usually getting in the bike and on the road is the hardest part. Once we're rolling, there is so much to look at and talk about.... the rides really are mostly sunshine and rainbows!

Family Ride: Beat the Heat

The weather continues to be hot in Denver, so last weekend we undertook a ride we've been meaning to try all summer. We took the Cherry Creek (aka Colorado Front Range) Trail to Union Station and played in the fountains! The kids LOVED it! We bought some lunch at historic Union Station before heading home for nap time.

Union Station is easily accessible from the Cherry Creek Trail! Take the ramp exit from the path on Wynkoop (added bonus: there is a playground right there), cross over the bridge, and continue straight for a few blocks. Union Station and the splash pad will be on your left!

I was glad we brought water shoes for everyone; the wet stone tiles can be very slippery!

From a Reader: Describe Your Cycling Area

A reader asks: How bike friendly is your area? Are you on main roads with or without a bike lane? Are there bike paths that you take for part of your journey from point a to point b?

All great questions! While Denver came out on top of REI's inaugural "Cycling Town Showdown" in 2014, I think our placement at twelfth in the U.S. by Cycling Magazine in 2010 is probably a closer estimation.

I would describe most of our riding areas as "urban neighborhood," meaning that we use residential roads in the city, which intersect with multi-use paths. We live near Washington Park, which has dedicated paved roads for pedestrians and cyclists. The Cherry Creek path is famous as an urban multi-use path, which goes through the city along a small river, set low beneath the bustle of Speer Boulevard. We use the Platte River trail to get to Costco, and have to navigate one scary intersection at Iowa and Santa Fe Boulevard to get there.

While we use paths frequently, I would say we use bike routes and quiet residential streets just as frequently. We aren't big fans of traditional bike lanes, because of the door zone, high density of urban parking, and a tendency for many of these lanes to end abruptly. That said, sometimes they are the best option and can be a straightforward way to navigate an unfamiliar area.

When planning a cycling route, it helps to completely dissociate from what you would do in a car. If you're much more used to driving, it is tempting to try to cycle the same way you would go in a car. Instead, start from scratch by looking at a bicycle map or Google maps with the cycling option for mode of transport. Bike shops frequently carry bicycle maps which highlight cycling infrastructure. Printable maps may be available online for your area. Google maps should be taken with a grain of salt, but we've had good luck with it.

While these tools are great, they are no substitute for the knowledge and advice of local cyclists. They can tell you from first-hand experience which routes work well and which are best avoided. This is just one of the many reasons I set up this blog and our Facebook group!

If you find yourself without any tools to navigate an area that you know by car, imagine where you would drive if your normal route were closed for construction. Those small, residential streets that are near main roads but don't experience high traffic flow (think "detour" or "alternate route") are often great for cycling!

What Do "Sharrows" Mean, Really?

I admit it. I'm confused by shared lane markings, aka sharrows. These pictures of bicycles with chevrons pointing in the direction of traffic flow make me feel like I, as a cyclist, am more welcome on the pavement where they are painted.

In reality, it means that there should be a dedicated bicycle lane, but there is no space for it. It means that instead of sharing the lane with motor vehicles, I should actually take a full lane for my bicycle and expect motor vehicles to pass safely around me. It means that cyclists should obey laws exactly as though they were driving a motor vehicle. (See pg. 19 of the Denver Moves "Making Bicycle and Pedestrian Connections" report.)

In short, it means that a street marked with sharrows is exactly like every non-freeway street with zero bicycle markings. The one possible difference is that a driver might see a sharrow and think, "Oh, right! Bicyclists exist. I should operate my vehicle accordingly."

Today NPR published this story which ends with the conclusion, "But at the end of the day, reducing cycling accidents may boil down to something simpler [than creating bicycle infrastructure]: Making sure that bikers know the rules of the road — and that drivers know how to deal with bikers." Unfortunately, this isn't so simple. Sharrows are possibly the most prominent example of how confusing "the rules of the road" can be, for both cyclists and motorists. They probably aren't going anywhere, though; sharrows are a cheap and easy way for governments to boast investment in bicycle infrastructure without undertaking the efforts that help the most: bike boulevards, buffered or protected bike lanes, and regional paths.

It is also important to note that one of the studies linked in today's NPR story only includes data involving motor vehicles. These injuries and fatalities most likely have nothing to do with increased frailty due to age, contrary to what the story suggests. If you're plowed over by a two ton motor vehicle, it probably won't make much difference whether you are 14 or 41. The study compares recent data with data from 40 years ago. Think about that for a minute. You know what nobody was doing 40 years ago while driving? Using a phone. Just ask Christopher Weber and Matt Boeve, who bravely speak about this issue.

NPR, I love ya, but the conclusions of today's story are WAY off.

Options For Kids Who Don't Yet Ride Independently

I've received several inquiries about cycling with kids before they are ready for long rides, but are either too big or too energetic for trailers or box bikes.  We settled on the Follow Me tandem trailer. It allows kids to ride independently for part of the ride, then hook up to an adult's bike when they get tired or need help. We have also found that it can help kids get the feel of riding without training wheels, even if they aren't riding independently yet. It costs a lot to ship it from the UK, but we thought the benefits were worth the extra cost.

Other options we considered were the Trail-Gator and the Weehoo trailer. The Weehoo was eliminated because it MUST be used as a trailer. We are trying to minimize the amount of gear we buy, and we had already invested in an Islabike (more on this decision in another post) for our 5YO. The versatility of using the child's bike with or without the trailer attachment was very attractive, in addition to being convenient and space-saving. In fact, I frequently leave the Follow Me on my bike even when I don't have any kids with me.

The Trail-Gator is more affordable and available at Target, but we were concerned about reviews that said the child's bike tended to lean to one side or the other. It also is incompatible with one of our racks. As you can see, we need our racks:

We have friends who have a Weehoo and love it. One advantage is that your kid's rear will not get sore from a bike seat, so it might be better if you like to take REALLY long rides.

Using a tandem trailer takes a bit of practice. We taught our 5YO not to brake at all, ever, when attached to the adult bike. Then, we implemented a "red light, green light" method to let him know when to pedal harder and when he could put his feet down at a stop. It also helps to say, "Ready, set, green light!" when waiting at a stoplight so he has time to get his feet back on the pedals before we have to go.

One potential drawback is that neither the Trail-Gator nor the Follow Me are compatible with training wheels. So, if your kid is using training wheels, you'll have to remove them or re-orient them each time you use the attachment, then reset when done. That said, as I mentioned above, we found that the Follow Me was helpful in getting our child used to the feeling of riding without training wheels, even though he hasn't yet learned to cycle independently without them. The Trail-Gator website now offers flip-up training wheels for about $24. Please comment if you have used this product and would like to offer a review!

The Follow Me is Swiss design, and it shows. It is intimidatingly technical at first, but once you figure out where all the pins go and what the knobs do, it is easier than it looks. It caused some wear and tear on the rack we use with it (it started to pull off the rear light), but a bit of bike chain around the rack itself offered the needed support and prevented further damage.

Inaugural Group Ride a Success!

We had a BLAST on our first group ride! Playtime at the Cheesman Park playground followed by food at the Farmers' Market at East High School. Good times, great people, no flats! Join us on Facebook - just send a request!

Two Problems and a Solution

Recently I read this article by Julia Belluz on Vox which answers the age-old question: If there were more time in the day, what would you do with it? According to the 2015 Food and Health Survey, 36% would use an extra 4 hours per week to exercise more. Belluz gives suggestions for incorporating exercise into one's day, but missed an important opportunity: cycling as an alternative to driving. Moreover, the survey also found that 31% of respondents would spend more time with friends and/or family. As a parent, a lot of my "commuting" (getting kids to and from school and activities, as well as running errands) is done with my kids, and sometimes with friends and/or my spouse.

The very same day, the New York Times published an article by Jane E. Brody on the "Well" Personal Health blog, outlining the price children pay for screen addiction. Among studies showing myriad health effects, from stunted social development to increased violent behavior, one personal anecdote jumped out at me:

"Two of my grandsons... stay plugged into their hand-held devices on the ride to and from school. 'There’s no conversation anymore,' said their grandfather, who often picks them up."

What struck me was the the image that came to mind as the obvious alternative, and my own reality:

I use this bike (unfortunately no longer available from Joe Bike) to run errands and take my kids to school and day care. Instead of weaving through the city by car with kids fighting in the back seat or plugged into electronic devices, I get my workout and my kids engage with the world... especially if we pass a construction site!

This week, I rode to the Botanic Gardens to see "Stinky" the Corpse Flower and avoided parking hassles as thousands flocked to see the rare bloom. My husband and I frequently cycle for "date nights," stopping at a nearby restaurant and taking a long route home if the weather is nice. There are so many ways to incorporate cycling into daily life that eliminate hassles (parking especially) and really don't take much more time than driving or taking mass transit. So cancel that gym membership, put away the iPads, and put the time you would've spent in your car to good use!

Welcome to Family Biking Denver!

Welcome, and thanks for visiting a site dedicated to cycling families in the Denver area! My husband and I love to cycle with our kids. We started with a Chariot trailer attachment for our regular bikes, upgraded to a Joe Bike cargo bike, have purchased a Strider bike and various other tools to help the kids learn to bike independently, and welcome experience and expertise from our fellow cyclists!

Want to submit your thoughts on bicycle gear for kids and families? Have a favorite route to share? Looking for the best bike shops in town for your setup? Follow our blog and feel free to send submissions to: FamBikeDen@gmail.com