Eli is 4 months old now, much younger than Seth was when I first started cycling with him. Seth was 9 months old when I first took him out on my bike, he was a sturdy, crawling, cruising, solid little man and he went out on a wee ride fixed to my mountain bike. It was another year and a bit before he experienced the luxury of a cargo bike. The blog has been slow for a month because I have to admit to being a little nervous about taking a very little baby out on a bike. I wish I wasn't, I don't think I'd feel nervous about taking Eli out in the old Croozer, despite the fact that trailers flip, I probably wouldn't feel nervous about taking him out on my old 995, despite having come off in the past but for some reason I've had a mental block over the Madsen. After a lot of thought here are the reasons why I think I've been a bit nervous about taking Eli on the Madsen.
1. My first impressions of the Madsen is that it is a bit twitchy and whilst this was easily fixed with new tyres first impressions count.
2. We home made our baby seat as at the moment the Madsen is not set up for carrying babies or young toddlers. Despite the fact that our baby seat fits and is great, Eli's head is below the top of the bucket and he is strapped in a harness which is then strapped in the bucket very securely, there is still that nagging voice in my head telling me I'm no engineer and should leave these things to the experts.
3. Riding with kids generally can be a nervous experience, especially in the snow and ice we have had this winter. However, Totcycles article on Is family Cycling Safe? is worth a read if this is a major concern.
4. Finally, I'd been a bit cocky and not taken time to get to know the Madsen or have a ride without the kids in. Easy to do with the Madsen as unlike a Bakfiets it rides just like a bike.
So, this weekend I took the bike to a local spot and rode about a bit, leaning the bike, squeezing through small spaces, going as slowly as possible and then as quickly and just getting to know the bike. I'm pleased to say I had fun, and the bike lives up to expectations. I even got Eli in for a ride too.
