Bikes

When Rob and I moved from Ohio to Virginia I couldn't take my bike with me, there just wasn't enough room in our one bedroom apartment to store it. So I gave it away, and cried. All these years I have dreamed of getting another bike. There is just something to the feeling of freedom a bike gives and the little kid it brings out in me. Well, tax return time rolled around and I managed to convince Rob to let me buy us a couple of bikes. A great deal on a bike trailer off of Craigslist sealed the deal and we are now a cycling family!

Rob affectionately, I think, gave my bike the nickname of "Pink Thunder" because, as you can see, it is VERY pink. I wanted to call her "Rose", but Rob's name was much more memorable. The color makes me smile, which is ironic because a couple of years ago I didn't even own anything pink! Even my parents were in shock when they saw the color.

 A couple of times a week I bike the 9 mile trip with my panniers to a grocery store and get back before the family is awake. I love the early start and energy the trip gives me! It also helps me spend less at the grocery store since 1) no gas, and 2) that extra one or two items either adds extra weight or volume, something I have to be careful of now. There is a great 45-mile trail called the W&OD that runs right by our house that makes the trip safe and smooth.

Before purchasing real panniers I made my own out of two reusable grocery bags. They worked great for a couple of trips, but kept rubbing and bumping around so I upgraded.

 Rob has been commuting the 14 mile route to work a couple of times a week by bike and is thoroughly enjoying it. It tends to be a bit time consuming this way, so we purchased a bike rack so that Rob could drive into work with his bike on the back, ride home in the evening, ride to work in the morning, and then drive his bike back home.

We have taken the kids out a couple of times now. For my birthday Rob pulled the kids 23 miles while I casually rode, free of panniers or groceries! That was a fun outing. Jacqueline slept the majority of the time and Asher, Rob and I chatted and enjoyed the views.