Cycling Mums: advice please!

[BlueChampagne]

My round trip to work is 17 miles, which I used to cycle before the arrival of DS. Only stopped at 38 weeks (but was down to 3 days a week then). Childminder will be 1 mile from work, and DS due to start when he's 6 months. When can I start loading him on bike? Do you think I can cycle 4 days/week? Any advice on child seats? Route is mostly minor roads and cycle path (on and off road). Thanks!

We have yet to take dd (8 months) on bike as i think they need to be able to fit helmet properly . I think dd head must have been bigger as he was definitely on by now. The smallest helmet we have found is a'specialized ' one. We have a hamax seat and find it fine, just went with what the bike shop had, we now have 2 and are looking forward to getting out and about this summer. We have tried trailers on holiday before and they are heavey if going uphill but seemed fine on the flat.

My bike shop said it was OK for them to wear a hat under the helmet to help it fit. After all, you put extra padding in an adult one to alter the fit, so it made sense to me.

has anyone got any tips on using a trailer for a younger baby and has any one used one of the weber seats which go inside the trailer i found one on ebay but haven't got the money for it so was wondering what other people do

oh wow i love the look of the christiania bike- where can i get one??

for a long regular commute , I'd look seriously at a good quality trailer. you will be happier about cycling with tot in wet weather if they r dry and snug. I have and recommend a CTS chariot trailer. bit pricey compared to an ebay steel special ... but... so much lighter, easier to maneuver and generally more user friendly.
We have taken boy cycle touring with ours and he was happy to spend 2-3 hours in the trailer at a time, generally fell asleep. regularly we use it for drop off and pick up from CM and trips into town for activities/ libary/ park etc.
started use at 6 months, boy had good head control. could have bought a webber baby seat insert to use from birth.
try as many options as you can before you buy, yu may find you don't like something you expected to lve or vice versa.

I feel like I'm always plugging it, but have a look at A to B magazine - their latest issue has an article about cycling with a baby (the people who write it have got a brand new one). Must say, I wouldn't myself take a newborn in a trailer, but each to their own.

We've gone for a BoBike Mini, which attaches to my handlebar stem. It's lovely, and DS thinks it's just delightful to bowl along, waving merrily to pigeons, cars, passersby - my rides are now a long series of huge smiles from people who see him. Only thing is that he did drop off once, when we were nearly home, and it doesn't seem to be a seat for sleeping in - I found it much much harder to balance.

Also, on helmets, DH got one for DS at 10 months; he bought the smallest size and we had to take it back and exchange it for the toddler one, as his head was far too big for it! It's a Met one.

Hi - I just found this thread which is really helpful, so wanted to resurrect it. DS (1 tomorrow ) and I have just been out on our first proper bike ride together. We have been lent a Hamax seat for a month as part of a scheme through Ealing Cycling Campaign, and I have a helmet for him. However, I'm just trying to get my head round the logistics which will determine how successful and fun this is really!

How do you transport the baby when you get to the other end of your journey (e.g. assuming you are shopping or running errands rather than just visiting someone or cycling for the fun of it)? Is it possible to cart around a couple of days worth of food shopping and baby paraphernalia as well as a baby on your bike? Is there anything easy I can take for covering up DS if it starts raining part way through the journey?

And any general tips? There are a few parks around here, and a towpath not too far away, but I'll also need to go on busy London roads as well.

Carrying around your baby at the other end is the real PITA, tbh. You can carry quite a lot of stuff, with paniers and a backpack (although that will hit your kid in the face a bit, while you're riding), but as for carrying your kid ... well, a hip sling thing could work, or just a regular fabric sling? Or you can carry your child on your shoulders?

Wow - super quick answer NotQuiteCockney!

Doh! I didn't think about the sling . I have an ergo which folds up quite small, so I guess that solves that problem.

Any particular panniers you recommend?

I have seen people cycling with a fold-up pushchair (sort of towing it in with one hand) but wouldn't try it myself! I have stuffed a wilkinet sling into a pannier in the past though. Much easier once they start walking.

If you go for front panniers, you can probably get shopping in one and baby stuff in the other, but this is likely to make them uneven in weight. My panniers are Altura, which are quite expensive, but unfortunately you get less choice with front ones.

Other tips would be (especially to start with): take it steady, don't go if it's windy, give yourself extra room to stop and on turns, watch out for potholes, and read the traffic even more than normal. It is a bit taxing on the nerves, but once you both get used it it, a great joy too.

BTW, ill health, snow & gales aside, DS is doing 70 miles a week by bike and I'm doing 85!

Hi, can I join in?

I have a chariot trailer which I adore but now DD is 18mo and walking I want to get a childseat for playgroup runs and the like. I'm looking at the Bobike Maxi but I'm not sure if it will stop me using my panniers. Does anyone have a bobike maxi or another seat that works with quick release rear panniers. I really don't want to have to buy new front panniers if I can avoid it.

Thanks.

Wow, blue champagne! I'll be lucky if we do about 10 miles a week (all very local trips for now) although I am thinking of starting to commute by bike again (used to when it was 4 miles away, but moved and it is now 10 miles)

Well, HolidaysQueen, that's on a good week! Not too hilly round here. Anything is better than nothing though, isn't it, and it helps you get back in shape too.

Point on carrying child at the other end of your bike ride- Quinny do a special attachment to the bike for their zapp pushchair. It goes onto the side of the luggage rack and the pushchair (folded) hooks on it, ready to unhook at the other end. (saw this in Holland- not sure if available in the UK)

You mentioned 'Christiana 'bikes, there is another dutch option on ebay at mo, a tricycle jobby with big box at front. its called a 'bakfiets'