I've gotta work this through in my head.
~Nathan is 5 and can ride his bike on a 10km round trip.
~We live in a smallish town and have the ability to ride on a grassy bike track for the majority of the ride where there are only a couple road crossings (small town stuff lol).
~Trailer can take up to 45kg - my kids together currently weigh 35kg.
~Without kids in the trailer, it would carry two large grocery boxes for our fortnight's shopping
~Danielle won't realistically be riding a bike for the next 2yrs
~This would have life beyond children needing to ride in it
~For longer than 10km trips (like to nannie and grampies etc) it would give us further independence of the car since other bigger trips around here would be 15km round trips
~Dollars not really an issue considering the hike in petrol (12 cents per litre in the past week) - we would make it work (and Simon's work discount always helps ;))
Have I convinced myself yet?
8 comments:
You could really justify it if there is a remote possibility that you'd have another kid.
When our oldest was 4, we bought this:
http://www.bicycletrailers.com/Chariot-Cougar-1.pro
The trailer doubles as our only stroller so it has gotten constant use over the last 4 years now (we now have a 3 yo too).
Best investment ever, especially considering we're hoping for a 3rd kid now.
A3 would have been our only one to fit in one of these so we went for the seat that Simon got us (thanks again!). Eventually we'll get one of those bikes that attachs onto the back of ours. Later in the year we're getting a bike trailer from here: http://www.cyclingchurch.org.nz/kitset.pdf for our shopping.
Thanks for the links!
Malva, I have seen the stroller style, they look very cool - definitely no more kids here, so just a trailer is required.
Sharon, hmmm, I'm just thinking that it would give us the ability to carry stuff as well as Danielle for 2+yrs and then will revert to being a big trailer with rain cover and have the ability to carry bulkier things. Price is about the same at the one you are looking at if you were to buy their wheels and extras, so not huge in the big scheme of things I don't think. Arghhhh!!
I'm looking at one. Miss 5 rides as does Miss 11 and Miss 8. Miss 3 won't be riding for a few years yet as she is tiny tiny tiny. It can take all my groceries and with fuel prices the way they are headed I can see it getting lots of use. I would not be getting the one that converts to a stroller though. Where are you looking at getting one from?
Totally justified!
I'm not sure what the question is. Of course it's a good long-term investment. Gas will only get more expensive and the trailer can be used for kids, groceries, picnics, garden supplies, and anything else that you can think of. Go for it!
CHile, ah yes, part of the story is missing I guess! The dilemma is the various options of accommodating the kids at the ages they're at, the various options for doing that (seat on the bike, child being able to ride independently at some point, and towing gear around and making sure we spent our money wisely to make the best long term choice without having to upgrade too often to get there) or whether to wait and just get a trailer. But anyway, we've gone ahead and bought it.
Clea - we are buying it from a local supplier (in NZ).
definately yes! we have one that each of our 3 kids have rotated through and still use. often used as a stroller and totally doable for hauling groceries, etc... lots of fun and little hassle. check craigslist before you go to the store though :)
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