[pe2-image src=”//lh6.ggpht.com/-7e7NvfIpcHQ/UdpiGwlY6kI/AAAAAAAALks/KL09UNxgtvM/s144-c-o/IMAG1830.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/BakfietsToAnping#5898134530255546946″ caption=”Children on Board” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1830.jpg” ]
Since building up the cargo bike I’ve been keen to give it a longer test.
There are two reasons in particular.
Firstly, I wanted to see how comfortable it was for a longer trip. Scooting around town is one thing, with limited distances and limited speeds meaning that I don’t get an accurate measure of how it does in the long term. How much more effort does it require and is the general setup comfortable for a few hours in the saddle?
Secondly, I wanted to see how comfortable it was for the kids. They are not doing any riding so I can rule out tiredness for exertion. But can they sit down in there for so long without getting edgy? To make it clear, this is not kid torture, rather gauging how much is too much. To further defend myself against accusations of putting my kids in harms way, I’m discovering what people who have cars already know, and that’s how long they can go between stops with kids on board.
I’ll uncover my findings at the end.
On Saturday evening the kids and I agreed to a bike trip on Sunday. I tend to get objections when I don’t warn them ahead, so this time we planned it and set out the general schedule for the day.
[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-DPCgS4G7mjo/UdpiAhZ6BQI/AAAAAAAALkc/mxfQ7PVjiJA/s144-c-o/IMAG1828.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/BakfietsToAnping#5898134423101637890″ caption=”Christopher having breakfast” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1828.jpg” ]
Sunday morning started a little late as usual, we rolled out of bed and went for breakfast at the same place the kids always like to eat on Sundays.
[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-MZbm2JyVRH4/UdpiDuIf1oI/AAAAAAAALkk/SFiK_JIYLxQ/s144-c-o/IMAG1829.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/BakfietsToAnping#5898134478057887362″ caption=”Christina having breakfast” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1829.jpg” ]
Sidenote on safety: I’ve had comments from people along the lines of “is the bike safe for the kids”? Personally I think the question is insane, and let me explain why. In my little town I regularly see a single parent carrying two kids on a scooter. Typically one child will stand on the spot where your feet rest (as the guy in the picture above is doing), and one behind the parent. Nobody asks, “is your petrol-powered, 40km/h – 50km/h scooter with two children, one holding on for dear life and one balancing precariously at the front, safe?” or “is riding down the wrong side of the road, weaving through red lights, often not taking a glimpse at the traffic, safe?” or “is this adult who wobbles around like an old fogey, but has actually been riding for their whole life, safe?” I barely hit 20km/h most of the time, I stop at reds (always when the kids are on board), double-check for people running the lights when its green for me, glance ahead at every intersection and slow down rather than weave, I am vigilant at all times. YES, it’s bloody safe, and NO they are not going to fall out of the damn box. END.
[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-kGOueL1nttU/UdpiKImQTzI/AAAAAAAALk8/0W-eTnDhG-4/s144-c-o/IMAG1832.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/BakfietsToAnping#5898134588241235762″ caption=”Comfy” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1832.jpg” ]
I put in two cushions from the couch for the days ride. Christopher can completely recline in the box, while Christina is slightly more constricted. This box is longer than most typical designs I see online. This makes the bike more cumbersome than shorter models, which is not great for urban settings. For my uses, the length is not a big issue as I don’t have to deal with masses of cars or any traffic jams, so no weaving in and out of small spots. We packed umbrellas for the sun as I have not created a sun cover for this monster yet (on my todo list).
It was a rather windy day, with something I’ve become unaccustomed to, wind from the South. This provided my first lesson: big, flat panels kill in the wind. It was a constant battle all the way to Anping. The journey is only 21km or so, but took over an hour and a half. The journey back was much easier.
[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/-vwBBlELu7uM/UdpiPtgS7RI/AAAAAAAALlM/AfmchT48nhk/s144-c-o/IMAG1834.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/BakfietsToAnping#5898134684047699218″ caption=”Wide and open with the wind in my face” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1834.jpg” ]
The most astonishing thing, which in hindsight is really to be expected, is that the kids were quite content in their resting area. As we went along they put their hands out to feel the wind and were peaceful most of the time. That is bliss. I feel completely at one with the world when I’m enjoying myself on the bike, and now it’s possible for me to do it while dragging my two little beloveds along. Yay!
[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-IM9P9iu1OCo/UdpiNCLtNFI/AAAAAAAALlE/xv-2feRM1yw/s144-c-o/IMAG1833.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/BakfietsToAnping#5898134638058878034″ caption=”Side view (yes, it’s only half-painted, I’ll get to it)” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1833.jpg” ]
So after quite some time we were heading down the last, long stretch to Anping to a spot I was so looking forward to seeing.
[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-PLwvByzJWnQ/UdpiUt4D6LI/AAAAAAAALlc/PbFHLcr8m64/s144-c-o/IMAG1836.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/BakfietsToAnping#5898134770046724274″ caption=”Anping Bridge facing South” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1836.jpg” ]
[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-kVp1NMXAOE0/UdpiWw3aCAI/AAAAAAAALlk/O2TTp9T-NDo/s144-c-o/IMAG1837.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/BakfietsToAnping#5898134805209024514″ caption=”Anping Bridge facing North” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1837.jpg” ]
The view from this bridge is one that I could enjoy for the whole day. I guess it’s the same feeling as when I’m up in the hills, and I could just sit about and enjoy the scenery for the whole day.
We walked slowly across the bridge, enjoying the sunshine and the fresh air off the sea.
[pe2-image src=”//lh4.ggpht.com/-jz7Yssq3J9I/UdpiecEM0ZI/AAAAAAAALl8/42I1jH7jL6Q/s144-c-o/IMAG1840.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/BakfietsToAnping#5898134937064493458″ caption=”Tree Climbers” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1840.jpg” ]
Ice creams were on the menu as well as a fresh stock of water as we had already polished off the two liters we brought with us. We went to explore the area near Fort Zeelandia where Christopher started to climb trees and Christina started asking to use my cellphone to play games.
Our friends Corné and Elmari just had their son and we planned to visit them at Chimei Hospital in Yongkang City, approximately 7km away.
[pe2-image src=”//lh3.ggpht.com/–b3USMQpDJQ/Udpigjwil3I/AAAAAAAALmE/628IXu4EgXA/s144-c-o/IMAG1841.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/BakfietsToAnping#5898134973489256306″ caption=”Chimei Hospital” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1841.jpg” ]
The cruise over to the hospital was quick and uneventful. Unfortunately, the information counter staff were all off, and I got no answer from my friends’ cellphones so I gave up on locating them. We guzzled down some more water, ate some chips and headed home.
[pe2-image src=”//lh5.ggpht.com/-TjSiV3K5urs/UdpiioO0OTI/AAAAAAAALmM/kGKLtUZHm2A/s144-c-o/IMAG1842.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110249026098208712655/BakfietsToAnping#5898135009049721138″ caption=”Huh?” type=”image” alt=”IMAG1842.jpg” ]
We got home before dark ready to eat a whole ton of food. After gobbling down we took a much needed shower then headed to bed.
So, back to the two things I mentioned at the beginning.
Firstly, the bike is comfortable for distance. The setup is really just a normal bike with different handling. Even with the shocking components it was a decent ride. One change I’d make is to have bent-back handlebars, the MTB handlebars are not ideal for distance and even barends would have given some much needed hand relief.
Secondly, the kids were great. They were comfy and seemed quite at ease in their box. They do, however, need a sunshade for such sunny days. I’m a little more worried about the sun than the rain as I would likely just pull over and find shade if it started raining. With that said, a sunshade would provide some mild rain cover, which would prove handy for commuting where the ride has to be done, but the cover just needs to keep the majority of the rain off them for a short stretch.
It was a fantastic day, with the whole lot of us enjoying being out on the bike. Bliss.