Winter riding with kids

[jrenaut]

Everyone at school this morning was jealous of the kids’ new balaclavas. Turtle Fur from Amazon (the girls even got to pick their own colors, they like them so much they wear them all the time), which has the additional advantages of 1) Prime eligible and 2) they sent a 15% off coupon for more Turtle Fur.

The blanket is the thing I miss second most about the kids outgrowing the trailer. Most is not having extra weight to hold up when I’m stopped.

[DismalScientist]

If they want to stay warm, tell them to get out of the box and start pedaling.

[Steve O]

@dasgeh 99626 wrote:

What are your tips?

Wow! Very tough to refrain after being given such a big opening.

[Justin Antos]

Does anyone have any tips for how to handle very cold (and wet) mornings with the kid on a front seat? I’m using a Yepp Mini on our dutch bike, but with a bulky winter jacket on the kiddo, I have a hard time getting the straps around him properly, and he just looks uncomfortable. The windscreen looks like overkill that would just get in the way, and he’s almost ready for the Maxi anyways (and besides I’m saving up for an EdgeRunner .

This morning was our first headwind-rain combo commute, and he was pretty miserable. I’m wondering if I should work on getting the layering right, or just take the bus for the next few days.

Do you put hats on under their helmets? I’m using a Nutcase with earflaps.

[Justin Antos]

Dasgeh, what kind of rain cover do you use with your BoBike mini? And for the kid, any special head or face gear?
Thanks!

[jrenaut]

We got Turtle Fur balaclavas for our kids to put under their helmets, but they run a little large for my kids (4 and 6) so that might not work for you. Different brand, maybe.

[dasgeh]

@Justin Antos 99858 wrote:

Dasgeh, what kind of rain cover do you use with your BoBike mini? And for the kid, any special head or face gear?
Thanks!

We use the wind screen for the BoBike Mini below 50 degrees or so, and we duck tape a rain cover thing from a child carrier backpack (something like this) on to the windscreen and seat. We also have the rain cover for the bakfiets, so that’s what we use most of the time. That also has the advantage of keeping them warmer than other options. We do have a relatively small balaclava that works under our daughter’s helmet, so that’s what we use when it’s REALLY cold. (Ugh, tomorrow).

It helps that I have a pretty small head, so we have some kids helmets, some helmets that fit me and fit the kids with hats on, and some helmets that fit my husband and fit me with hats on.

[americancyclo]

REI has kiddo sized face masks for the colder weather. some are furry, some are neoprene.

[dasgeh]

There are a number of British and European companies that sell great waterproof stuff for kids. Might be worth looking across the pond.

[wheelswings]

Wow. That’s a challenge to keep a non-encapsulated kid warm and dry. I hope some of the ideas from dasgeh, jrenaut, americancyclo and others will work for you. If you don’t find a good solution, I’d consider switching to a trailer with a waterproof rain cover. With fluffy warm blankets, yummy snacks/cocoa, sturdy boots, and sometimes even hot-water bottles, the children can have a wonderful time commuting in the worst of conditions. Even while your own fingers and toes are chilled and wet from the snow or rain, it will warm your heart to hear the little ones giggling and singing “jingle bells” from the trailer. Our double Burley was one of the best investments I ever made.

[americancyclo]

@wheels&wings 99865 wrote:

I’d consider switching to a trailer with a waterproof rain cover.

This worked best for me in the rainy weather back when the sun was still up. I didn’t care so much about getting soaked, but at least the little one was dry and warm with blankets in the trailer. road spray usually got the floor of the trailer wet though, so we added in some extra blankets or cardboard for her to rest her feet on

[cvcalhoun]

@wheels&wings 99865 wrote:

Wow. That’s a challenge to keep a non-encapsulated kid warm and dry. I hope some of the ideas from dasgeh, jrenaut, americancyclo and others will work for you. If you don’t find a good solution, I’d consider switching to a trailer with a waterproof rain cover. With fluffy warm blankets, yummy snacks/cocoa, sturdy boots, and sometimes even hot-water bottles, the children can have a wonderful time commuting in the worst of conditions. Even while your own fingers and toes are chilled and wet from the snow or rain, it will warm your heart to hear the little ones giggling and singing “jingle bells” from the trailer. Our double Burley was one of the best investments I ever made.

I second that. I bought an ancient double Burley, even though I have only one grandchild in this area, and she loves it! And her parents are now thoughtfully providing me with a second, so the double will definitely be needed.

[hozn]

Yeah, the trailers are really toasty with the plastic covers on. I learned that one does have to be careful of water getting in from the bottom when it is raining hard.

Trailers are also great for snowy/icy conditions; don’t have to worry about falling over with kid(s) on the bike.

[Author]

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