For the Love of Balance Bikes

Back in March, I did a post all about Multisport Journeys, a company dedicated to helping inspire people to get outdoors.  We also had a photo contest to help the company up their amount of "kid images".

Melissa of Adventure Tykes was the winner with this fabulous photo of her son, J-Man riding the single track on his Strider Bike:

Since we are such HUGE fans of balance bikes over here, I wanted to be sure that everyone saw the image that Multisport Journeys made based on her photo.  Isn't it great??

The image is available on the Multisport Journeys site for you to customize with one of their numerous products (short-sleeve tees, long-sleeve tees, mugs, etc.)  

Additionally, Christina C. won runner-up with this photo (which I also think is great and love that it features yet another Strider!) 

Thank you, again, to everyone who entered the contest!  They were all fabulous and it was very difficult to choose a winner!

*Gear Review* Osprey Syncro 15

This is the time of the year when we really switch gears and end up spending most of our traveling time on our bikes.  While we are bound to still have snow, it is certainly warming up quickly.  Between higher temperatures, a drier climate and the elevation (nearing 7000 feet here,) hydration is a must.  Since moving to Wyoming six years ago, I feel as though I am constantly battling the dry climate.  A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post focusing on staying properly hydrated and nourished on the trail (for all ages.)  Sometime in the next few weeks, I will be going into a little more depth about the Geigerrig Hydration System (which I personally think is the very best out there for numerous reasons.)

However, actual hydration aside, I think that the packs hydration systems are kept in are equally important.  Bottom line: if the pack is comfortable and you want to wear it, you will be much more apt to keep at the task of drinking lots of water.


I am pretty excited about this new pack from Osprey (the Syncro 15).  In fact, that is an understatement (which Mtn Papa could verify because he has to listen to me rave about it every time we go biking....daily...)

This Moment....

*No words necessary, just a precious moment from our life*

*Guest Post* Raising Cycling-Crazed Kids

This week we have another dad guest blogger :) Darryl and his family are huge cyclists, and since we share their love of biking, we are excited to have them here!  As always, feel free to comment and make sure you check out his blog, Loving the Bike.

I am one of many dads out there who is passionate about cycling and definitely Loving the Bike.  It’s only natural to want your kids to have the same passions and enjoy the same things as you, right?  I’ve never pushed cycling on them, but I have to be honest and say that it brings a huge smile to my face when I see them out riding or getting excited about the bike.

Due to us being a gypsy-like family and spending a lot of my daughter’s earlier years moving around and not always living in a place conducive to learning to ride a bike, she never started riding until she was eight.  She’s now 13 and although she likes getting out there some nice rides together, her love is running.  What’s a cycling dad to do?

Wearing Helmets All Year Long (+ Wizbang Hat Review and Giveaway)

*This post has been updated to include a giveaway - please read all the way to the end!*
*CLOSED* Congratulations, Carla (lucky #10 - check your inbox!)

We are huge proponents of helmets in our family.  We wear them skiing and biking (and don't even think about NOT wearing them if we are on motorized vehicles.)  We have been touched by deaths due to people not wearing helmets, and I am shocked every time I see a motorcycle go through town (which we get a LOT of in the summer) with a helmet-less rider.  Additionally, many ski resorts are moving towards mandatory helmet use.  This is my plug to please wear a helmet - it could save your life (and sets a great example for your kids)!

Yesterday I mentioned that we bike all year long, and when you live at 7000 feet, that means that a lot of the time some sort of ear protection from the cold is needed.

First of all, J wears an infant helmet by Giro called the Me2 that I highly recommend.  The Me2 is adjustable as the child grows (or you change layers of clothing.) When we bought J's balance bike, he tried on a bunch of different helmets and it was the one that fit him better than any of the others.  I also love that it comes down further on the back of his head just to provide that much more protection.

I admit that as a family, we (meaning Mountain Papa and I) are much lazier about wearing helmets simply because of the hassle of fitting a hat under them.  Really lame excuse.  But, because I know we are not the only ones that struggle with it, I wanted to highlight a few hats that are multifunctional (especially for biking) for us as a family.  These are certainly not the only ones out there, and we would love to hear some of your own favorites!

Mountain Hardware, Wizbang and Icebreaker hats

*Guest Review* Strider Bike

We are a HUGE advocates of balance bikes in our family.  My own thoughts will come at the end of this post, but first I would love for you to hear from Mollie who tested out a Strider bike with her 2.5 year old son (because I think it is always beneficial to hear a couple other viewpoints!)  I also wanted to do a comparasin of Strider vs. Haro (which is what J has.)

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J showing L how to ride (first day on the bike!)

I cannot sing the Strider Bike's praises enough! We received it a few weeks ago, and my two year old son has thoroughly enjoyed riding it almost everyday.  We live in Wyoming and he rode it one time before having to jump into the car and drive to Louisiana for a family emergency.  Of course we brought it with us. :)  The bike is so lightweight and takes up barely any space in the car.  

A Biking TRIO!

Tonight was momentous - we biked together as a family....all THREE of us (P is just a BIT too young at 4 months...) J has a balance bike and something clicked tonight as he rode around and we rode with him.  I have taken him out to ride plenty of times, but I usually just walk pushing the stroller while he rides.  We were proud parents to see him cruise on that bike, and he was thrilled!  He even biked about half of the 1.5 mile trip home.  So fun!!!

The best part is that he wants to ride like Daddy and Mommy and we love that he can be active and keep up with us (at a 2-year-old level anyway!!)

This is how we get down to the park....love that Chariot!

Proud Kid! Helmet and all.... :)

Just like Mama (see helmet placement)

At the park waiting for Daddy to meet us to bike home together (P is happy - even if he doesn't look it! - in the Action Baby Carrier!)