Bushlove Racing: Double Trouble!

Not long after arriving in New Zealand I saw the legendary John & Kaitlyn Randall riding a trailer bike set-up at a PNP XC race, with Sifter riding Captain and Kaitlyn stoking away behind. I was very impressed and resolved to get one of those as soon as my little girl, Ella, was big enough.

Three years on, and about 9 months after getting the thing, and just a few days before her 4th birthday, Ella and I took our first tandem outing today. It was awesome!

It has only been in the past three months that she has really had the confidence, and extra height, to be able to get on board and not mind it's inherent little wobble, and of course my eratic steering and turn-down 360 tailwhips ftw. She has to climb up onto it horse style, but can turn the pedals all the way around (doubling our watts). I cut the regular bmx bars down to size too. I put the rear tire at 20psi, but Ella lambasted me and insisted that we drop it to 15psi, the same as her weight in kgs. She admonished me thoroughly for my lack of understanding of rolling resistance. I should have known better as I run my Nobby Nics at 33 psi, and you guessed it - I'm 32.

After a little testing of her confidence round the block, we packed a bag with spare jumpers, water and of course a bag of "Biker Lollies" and set off for our adventure.

We went up to the top of our road and all the way down the track from Aotea (lh yellow track) towards Porirua Train Station via the Bothamley Park track (see Tracks.org). We rode through every puddle and stopped on each of the 5 or so bridges for a lolly or two. Ella loved every minute of it and It was a very special Daddy/Daughter outing. I can think of several other trails we can head out to at the weekends too. There's Deliverance, Trickle Falls and of course the Rock Garden. All dread the Aldred tandem hardcore massif!

If anyone reading has kids young enough I can't recommend these trailer bikes enough. If you want to try one out, give me a yell on davo@bushloveracingDOTcom. You are more than welcome to borrow ours to give it a whirl.

Davo & Ella

PS - Randall: How many years will your Karapoti Challenge tandem record stand?...

10 Comments & cheeky remarks:

Anonymous October 5, 2009 at 2:57 AM: Gorgeous pix, Davo - I see you swapped out the gay pink chain on the SS for a charming pink bundle of smiles - good trade!! from fatwombat
Rammer October 5, 2009 at 7:34 AM: Nice work fella. I know a small child who would LOVE one of those. Daddy does all the work and she can hang out looking at the scenery... Might have to come round and see if she likes it. Good daddy/daughter stuff that DOES NOT involve tea parties and hair clips!
Tiger October 5, 2009 at 7:59 AM: Nice one buddy, sounds like a perfect day out. Bet Ella was all smiles for the rest of the day.

I hear though that most of the lollies were for the pie in front ;)

Will be a while away but might take you up on the offer of trying out the half bike for Lil T.
sifter October 5, 2009 at 8:09 AM: Awesome story Davo, and thanks for the mention!

It was Bill Brierley who inspired me to go riding with Kaitlyn - his wee one is now a young woman!
day dreamer October 5, 2009 at 8:21 AM: Awesome work Dreamy Dave. Between yourself and Slacky's recent performances, respect is returning to the BLRT.

Family = Win.
Davo October 5, 2009 at 10:07 AM: You should knock out a couple of little ones, DD. Might ruin your svelte racing figure though. But apparently you can burn 500cals a day breast feeding, so you'd be racing again in no time ftw.
Angry October 5, 2009 at 11:27 AM: Ella looked super stoked to be your stoker.
Kids are great.!
Anonymous October 5, 2009 at 11:47 AM: Good stuff Davo, maybe a bit of resistance training will help drop the pounds and find some kind of form?
Davo October 5, 2009 at 12:28 PM: I can only hope that will be the case.
Unknown October 5, 2009 at 1:01 PM: I was trying to read the cute family story but got distracted by the new banner. Nice pose Tiger-boy. Trust you to be riding round shirtless........