Take a look through the various categories of all the posts here on the blog, for posts on bike parking, bike commuting, cargo bikes, Dutch bikes, adaptive bikes for kids, bike reviews, and more.  I”m not writing for this blog as often anymore, but I’m still actively posting and sharing articles and photos about city biking on social media, so look for me over on Facebook ,  Instagram  and Twitter, or check out some of my biking videos over on YouTube.

You can also always drop me a line at samantha@dingdingletsride.com, as I do check my email now and them.  Happy biking!

KayCee and her new Bike Friday Haul-a-Day cargo bike.

Our friend KayCee recently switched from a Yuba Mundo cargo bike to a Bike Friday Haul-a-Day cargo bike. You might know KayCee from her blog Chicago Bike Mom, or you might recognize her  from a Chicago Kidical Mass bike ride . I think that’s probably how I first met KayCee as I always notice other families withYuba Mundo cargo bikes like ours,  as opportunities to talk about tips, tricks, and latest upgrades and such.

KayCee and kids riding their old Yuba Mundo cargo bike at a Roscoe Village Kidical Mass bike last year.

They really loved their orange cargo bike, but it was a cumbersome bike for someone who  lives in a high-rise condo building in the city.  It just barely fit in their elevator – and that was without a front basket – and it’s not exactly a light-weight bike.  She started looking around at other cargo bike options, and learned about the Haul-a-Day cargo bike from Bike Friday.  While Bike Friday is known for their folding travel bikes, this cargo bike isn’t a folding bike, but it is lightweight and very agile for a cargo bike. The frame is adjustable to fit riders from 4ft to 6’4 ft tall, and with the 20-inch wheels, it has a very low step-over height – something we find challenging with the Yuba Mudo sometimes.  While each bike is basically a custom build for the owner, the bikes are built with standard bike components, so they can be serviced by a local bike shop.

We met up with KayCee over the holidays, not too long after she got her new bike,  for a little show-and-tell.

You can get an idea of the difference in size between this bike and our Yuba Mundo in the background.

She said it was definitely a good decision.  The bike handles well under load – meaning with her two kids on the back, and she can still haul them and all the gear they need for their bike adventures around the city. The Haul-a-Day is available with all the cargo bike components you could want like double-kickstand, cargo bags, and fenders.  And there’s also three sizes of the Whoopee bars for passengers, adding to the cargo bike lexicon for those side-rail/handlebar thingys known as Hoopties on Xtracycles and Monkey Bars on Yuba cargo bikes.

A two-leg kickstand which comes standard on all Haul-a-Days.

Haul-a-Day cargo bags.

You have the option of 8 or 24 speeds for your Haul-a-Day and you can order one with disc brakes too if you prefer.

A look at the 20-inch front wheel, fenders, and brakes.

The top tube is what makes the Haul-a-Day cargo bike so adjustable – it can slide and adjust in 4cm increments from 48cm (roughly 19 inches) to 60cm (almost 24 inches), with a rider weight limit on the saddle of 220 pounds.  At the full 60cm setting, it’s 75 inches end-to-end, with a 53-inch wheel base, and weighs about 35 pounds.

The Haul-a-Day main frame adjusts by loosening two pinch bolts, then pushing in the spring loaded button and locking the frame in to the size desired. Simple and quick. ( from bikefriday.com)

The adjustable top tube on a Bike Friday Haul-a-Day cargo bike.

If you want to read more about KayCee’s everyday biking with her Haul-a-day , check out this post on her blog covering her assembly of the bike and the first few excursions.  Even better for a city-biking family, read this post where she recounts a successful bike outing that included loading the bike and kids on the El.

Thanks for taking time out to show off your new bike KayCee!

(photo courtesy Chicagobikemom.com)

]]> http://dingdingletsride.com/meet-the-bike-friday-haul-a-day-cargo-bike/feed/ 1 http://dingdingletsride.com/family-biking-flashback-bike-the-drive-2009/ http://dingdingletsride.com/family-biking-flashback-bike-the-drive-2009/#respond Sat, 10 Jan 2015 19:44:24 +0000 http://dingdingletsride.com/?p=4012 LD recently came across photo of us from a bike ride back in 2009. Emily of the Mamfiets blog used the photo in one of her Friday Family on Bikes  posts.   It was taken right after the annual Bike The Drive in Chicago.. The 10-year old LD doesn’t remember doing that ride as a 4-year old, so I dug up the blog post I wrote about it on another blog and decided to share some of it with you all too. Enjoy the photos of warm-weather biking and of our family a few years ago.

Memorial Day Weekend & Bike the Drive(2009)

This morning….verrrry early this morning, we got the Burley bike trailer hooked up and headed downtown to the annual Bike The Drive lakefront bike ride. Every year they empty Lake Shore Drive of ALL car traffic by 5:30am and block it off for bikes only until 9:45am. They allow up to 20,000 registrants, and this year, like most years, registration was closed before the event. Here’s a link to the Chicago Tribune’s coverage.

We got up around before sunrise so we could get the bikes and gear downstairs and out the door nice and early. We were a little groggy, but once you see that morning sun on the lakefront, it’s all worth it. We saw recumbent bikes, tandems, kids on bikes, dogs on bikes–well, on bike trailers —  trail-a-bikes, and more.

It’s 5:00am and we’re getting ready to head downstairs to our bikes and ride over to the lakefront. LD’s dressed and ready to go, but that doesn’t mean he’s fully awake.

Huh?

It got very crowded as we worked our way around Grant Park, through the ride’s “entrance gates” and onto LSD.. too crowded and busy for me to snap any pictures. Once we got onto LSD though, it opened up and we headed north!

This next picture was taken about 6:20am. We got our riding in before it got super crowded — you had to be off the drive by 9:45am.

Sunrise over the Chicago Yacht Club.

We headed north on the drive, and this next photo was taken as we biked past Randolph St, down the viaduct and around the curve.

Still heading north along the lakefront.

Riding by the Hancock building with a few clouds.

Headed north towards the pedestrian overpass that connects Lincoln Park to the lakefront.

We stopped at Fullerton for a little stretch. No self-respecting 4 year-old would be caught in a Burley w/o the essential toys, snacks, blankets, etc.

How to travel in style.

Great morning for this guy to be out on the water!

Sculling on the Lincoln Park lagoon.

Fisherman on the lagoon

Crossing the bridge with my shadow.

Looks like we were being memorialized on canvas that morning too.

Painting the drive.

Another look at the Hancock building as we headed back towards Grant Park.

Back at the post-race festival, we collected our t-shirts!

What a beautiful morning for a bike ride and downtown bike festival.

This was back before I had my Dutch bike. Did this ride on my trusty red Trek.

Yeah, he was having a good time.

It was a great day for a bike ride, and having Lake Shore Drive open only for bikes for a few hours, is an amazing experience.

C’mon Chicago cycling women – join us downtown on December 18th for some glog, beer, a little Christkindlmarket action, and then a sociable ride up to Four Moons Tavern in Roscoe Village!  Here’s a link to the post about last year’s ride – if it looks like we were having a good time, well yeah, we were.

Get all the details here on the Facebook invite.  Grab your winter biking gear and come along for a fun ride!

Heading west on Kinzie during the 2013 December ride (Photo courtesy Sarah Dandelles).

Nashbar Commuter Garment Pannier

This is the second installment  in my Bike Talk series: posts that take up a question or topic that other cyclists or would-be cyclists have brought up to me.  Today’s post is all about biking to work for those who have to wear suits to the office.

For some folks, a short bike commute to the office even in office attire, is a doable thing. We bike slowly, we change out our shoes, maybe change our shirts or add a sweater or jacket after we’ve wiped down and bit, and are cooled off and at the office.  For others though, there is no way we’re going to wear a suit on a  bike to the office.  And then if not wearing it, how do you keep your suit from being completely wrinkled and destroyed on the bike ride in? The answer, I’ve learned, is garment bag-style panniers!

I was talking about clothing and bikes to a group of women at a Women Bike Chicago event this spring, when someone asked about wearing suits to work. An member in the audience replied that she managed it with garment bag-style panniers. Sue C., who wears suits to work on some days,  relies on the Nashbar Commuter Garment Pannier pictured at the top of this post.

I never ride in my suits. I’m too worried I’ll get them all gunked up or I’ll get too sweaty and gross. For days when I have to wear a suit,  I put the suit and all related items in the bag, and bike in wearing whatever’s comfortable. (Again, usually jeans or capris or whatever feels weather-appropriate;  it’s only about a 5-mile ride, so nothing high-tech needed.) When I get into work, I find a place to change and stash the pannier in my workspace.

As for the bag itself, I’ll quote Sue again, though she basically mirrors the description found on the site about this bag.

It fits over a standard rack, so it takes up the entire back rack space. Along with the standard rack attachment, it’s got some additional clips to attach one side of the bag to the other to keep it even more secure. I tend to put put shoes/other accessories (like socks/belt) in the side pockets. The side and top pockets are fairly roomy, and I have no trouble fitting whatever else I’m wearing in those. Internally, it fits full-size hangers with no problems, and has a couple straps across to keep the clothing in place.

The key to these bags is that they hold your suit on full-size hangers so that they’re not just rolled up and stuffed in a bag.

Nashbar’s pannier isn’t the only one out there, but it does appear to be the lowest-priced.  Here are a couple of other options.

1). Hyalite Company makes this “Swingline Bike Pannier” which says it’s made to fit your suits, but narrows at the top of the bag (when unfolded) and didn’t offer any photos with hangers.

Hyalite Co. – Swingline Bike Pannier

2). Two-Wheel Gear makes this, “The Classic Bike Suit Bag” which also holds full-size hangers.

Two Wheel Gear – Classic Bike Suit Bag

There are a lot of bike bags and panniers out there, but finding ones that work like a hanging garment bag and still fit nicely on your bike has been the challenge for some commuters that I know, but  Sue seems to have found something that can work.  Let me know if you wear suits to work and bike commute a few days a week – what’s your secret?

If you’re interested in other tips on commuting to work by bike, check out this series of posts I wrote for the Campmor blog on Bike Commuting 101. 

I put my Dutch Omafiets to use as a parkside coffee-stand.

Dutch bikes like to hang out together at picnics.

And, this very unique John Deere cargo bike (it utilizes the Xtracycle extension) was in attendance too!  If you’re interested in knowing more about this custom cargo bike read my post from back in 2011 when I interviewed Ryan, the owner and creator.

Along with the brunching activities , we had kites too! Adults and kids got in on the kite-flying fun.

Two bikes that I’ve taken photos of multiple times over the last few years as examples of solid, non-pricey city bikes stopped by the brunch too.  This black Manhattan Green bike (Green is the model name) and the blue Bianchi Milano Cafe Racer. Sarah’s black bike is showing signs of the last few years of city riding that it’s had – those poor fenders – though. I believe the Bianchi bike debuted around 2008 – not sure if they’re still made anymore, but I still seem a few of them in Chicago.

Manhattan Green bike

Bianchi Milano Cafe Racer

 We had a great time as evidenced by the smile on LD’s face – hope everyone else did too.  Who’s up for one in September or October? Any suggestions on a place?

Say “Hello” to Margaret, and her beautiful city bike!

I was heading home from work the other night, and I caught a glimpse of her bike and those hammered fenders out of the corner of my eye.  So, I walked over and started to ask her about her bike.  Turns out,  she knew me! Well, sort of.  Margaret attended the Women Bike Chicago event back in April and attended the talk that Julie and I gave on “Biking Safety, Comfort, and Style” where we displayed our very different styles of bikes, and talked about how we plan our commutes and our outfits.

Margaret had been thinking about getting a bike and after the event she finally went out and got herself a great city bike!

Margaret bought The Jane bike from Heritage Bikes.  Heritage bikes are made here in Chicago, and you have quite a few customization options when you get one of their bikes.  This particular bike was a display bike, but Margaret did add the double kick-stand after watching me demo how I use my double kick-stand. The hammered fenders are an extra option too for these bikes, and I think you have  a choice of Velo-Orange chain cases – or partial chain-case as on this bike. They come standard with an internal hub.

Margaret says she really loves this bike and rides it for work and fun all the time. She has panniers that she hangs on the rear rack, and can easily load everything she needs in it for work.

One other thing you should know about Margaret – she learned to ride a bike just six years ago! Go Margaret!

Anyone else have a bike from Heritage Bikes?  They’ve definitely added to the mix of great city bikes available in Chicago – tell me about yours!

A WorkCycles FR8 bike, fully decked out with the front rack, front jump seat, and rear kids seat.

Back on Saturday, July 19th Chicago Cargo and Alt-Cycle Shop hosted another fun Cargo Bike Roll Call. Alt-Cycles provided the location as part of their grand opening in Lincoln Park.  A bunch of Chicago cargo bike owners stopped by to provide the cargo bike eye candy.  From family trucksters to utility bikes to delivery vehicles, there was something for everyone to look at.  Oh, and there was beer, BBQ, and some great raffle prizes too!

These are just some of the bikes that stopped by the Roll Call.

This Yuba Mundo is fully loaded with gear an towing a blue kids bike.

Of course, our orange cargo bike was there.

Our Yuba Mundo has the front basket, and we brought the giant panniers called “Go-Getter” bags that are also sold by Yuba Bikes. They are great.

Most cargo bikes have great attachments and accessories for kids seats, footrests, hand-holds, tow slots, panniers, you name it, to fully customize the bike, which you can spot in many of these photos.

Xtracycle has an orange version of their great Edgerunner cargo bike too. This one has the Bionic e-assist kit, along with bags, a kids seat and foot rest, and extra hand-holds.

Here’s an example of the Xtracycle extension attached to a Specialized StumpJumper.

This bike has the side bags that XtraCycle sells for their bikes, and a Yepp Child seat mounted on the board.

No surprise that there were a fair number of Bullitt cargo bikes in attendance, all showing off how useful a cargo bike can be.

Yes, that is a Bullitt bike under that cover.

Yuba also makes a smaller cargo bike that’s aimed at urban cyclists who need a utility bike that requires less storage space and fits on bus bike racks and Alt-Cycles stocks them in regular or e-assist models.

These white and green bikes are Yuba Boda Boda bikes – a smaller cargo/utility bike.

A big thanks to the guys from Alt-Cycle for hosting the event for everyone.

And.. thanks to the all the vendors who donated goods for the raffle, including ABUS locks and Planet Bike Lights as the Ding Ding Let’s Ride family won items from both!  We won the Big Bordo folding lock & case – which was immediately added to our cargo bike – now we don’t have to switch locks around.  Thanks ABUS!

Talk about a great bike lock and a great raffle prize!

If you are interested in learning more about cargo bikes or taking a test ride for yourself, check out these Chicago bike shops that sell and service the different types of cargo bikes that are available in the US:

• Alt-Cycle Shop  (2500 N. Halsted Stree)  Yuba Mundo, Yuba Boda Boda, Bullitt, as well as electric assist kits for these bikes.
• Blue City Cycles  (3201 S. Halsted) Yuba Mundo
• Boulevard Bikes ( 2535 N. Kedzie) Xtracycle
• Chicago Cargo  (call to make an appointment) Bullitt, Omnium Cycle Truck
• Green Machine Cycles (1634 W. Montrose) Xtracycle/Edgerunner, SOMA Cycle Truck, SOMA Tradesmen, Bullitt, and  CETMA cargo bikes too!
• J.C. Lind Bike Co. (1311 N. Wells) Yuba Mundo, WorkCycles Bakfiets, WorkCycles FR8, Christiana Trike, Winther Kangaroo Trike, JC Lind Triple Lindy Trike.
• Rapid Transit Cycle Shop (1900 W. North Ave & 1305 S. Halsted) Xtracyle/Edgerunner

This month I’m hosting a picnic bike brunch for everyone who bikes in Chicago. Grab your favorite summertime brunchy snack or drink and head on out to Arrigo Park  near Loomis and Polk , near UIC. It’s got a statue of Christopher Columbus, it’s near Garibaldi Park and Taylor Street, so bonus if you’re looking for some Chicago Italian-ness too.

The Ding Ding Let’s Ride family will be there by 11:00am with our orange Yuba Mundo, my Dutch Omafiets, and probably LD’s adaptive trike as well.  We’ll try to stay on the west side of the park near the statue and fountain if we can find a nice shady grassy area for a picnic, but no matter what, we should be easy to find.

Grab your bike and your #bikechi buddies and bike on over to the park. See you on the 17th!

The former ship MV Abegweit, permanently docked in DuSable Harbor in Chicago, and home of Columbia Yacht Club.

You can walk down the dock towards the side entrance to the club, and there you will find a set of wavy bike racks just waiting for a bike or two.  Wavy bike racks properly spaced..  just don’t try to walk around them or you may end up in the water.

Oma hangs out at the bike racks on the dock.

It appears the club keeps these racks under surveillance too.

The view of the city from the bike racks or the harbor there, is beautiful (Dusable Harbor can be found where lower Randolph street dead ends into the lakefront).

The harbor views are lovely too.

Here’s a little history on Columbia Yacht Club – it’s not as old as the Chicago Yacht club , but it has a long history with Chicago nonetheless.

It seems like the city or other organizations have continue to add more places along the lakefront where you can lock up your bike before having a picnic, doing some exploring, or joining some friends for a boat ride, and I am glad for it.

If you want to read other posts I’ve written about bike parking around the Chicago area, or links to best practices for bike parking in general, check out my Bike Parking Fridays page.