A fellow family biker recently coined the term “kidmiles” to describe miles biked with a kid on board. I agree those miles deserve a special name (that special name is kidkilometers where appropriate, by the way).
I have to admit I feel incredibly accomplished (or more worn out, sometimes) if I pedal a lot of two-kids-and-their-two-kid-bikes-miles, but today I had just one kid. Still counts as kidmiles, but easier kidmiles. I weighed the Big Dummy at the vet’s office recently and discovered it’s 76.4 pounds. I think the four-year old is 35 pounds and we had minimal stuff.
It was supposed to be sunny and 80 degrees today, but it stayed cool and cloudy so this isn’t the pretty photo essay I thought it’d be, but we saw some cool stuff nonetheless.
First stop: Westlake Center, where I gave the bike an extra pat goodbye as I left her under the monorail tracks. I’ve seen a lot of ravaged bikes on that rack.
But she was still there after we bought FOUR new bike bells at Daiso.
And this wind sock–shown here at our second stop, Back Alley Bike Repair in Pioneer Square.
The Back Alley visit was for a new pair of socks. Many choices, but I figured I’d go for the big wheels and represent the kiddie set at tomorrow’s StarCrossed cyclocross race. Hoping all the kidmiles will help me on the course!
Then Pike Place Market. Partially because unless I want to go way out of the way along the waterfront, the easiest route is up Western Avenue that ends at the market, but mostly because I wanted Briar Rose Creamery truffles and one of the two places to get them in Seattle is Beechers Handmade Cheese. We also grabbed a balloon animal, watched the fish throwing, and ate a bagel in the park. Crowded place, but fun!
And the trip home took us past Velo Bike Shop so I could check out the old Chinese baby bike seat I’ve been admiring through the window.
If this bike were in use, the seat would be closer to the front of the bike.
I like the double kickstand, too.
Then on to the world-class separated bike lane on Dexter. Ha.
But I was impressed with the TRAFFIC MERGE WITH BIKES sign once passing the delivery trucks blocking the bike lane. I’ve only seen BIKES MERGE WITH TRAFFIC before. Nice to know they made a special one. Never mind that bikes are traffic, too.
The little guy requested we swing by the Densmore bike tree on our way home so that meant a ride by the Essential Bakery salmon bike corral:
And behold the bike tree!
We continued a few uphill blocks out of the way to ride along the Neighborhood Greenway. The other streets up here are quiet enough, but I like to be a presence on the greenway. 13 kidmiles in the books.
Family Ride 
Yikes! I always get nervous parking out on the street. My favorite places to park in Downtown Seattle are Union Square (Go on 7th past University, down the ramp–racks are at the bottom) and the City Target parking garage on 2nd & Union (I think). Not quite as convenient for short stops, but peace of mind is worth something. :)
Thanks for the parking tips! I think the City Target parking garage looks high-thefty! No proof, just a feeilng. Maybe I should give it another try…I am in the mood to buy a six-month supply of toilet paper and that’s just the place!
I didn’t realize you did cyclocross also. Cool! My husband just did one today. I’ve done a few here & there and hauling the kids & mtn biking are great for training. It’s so nice to see another mom totally into bike commuting w/her kids.
Oh, Kristin, I SUCKED at cyclocross today! I need to practice. And maybe mountain bike some, too :) I’ve only mountain biked a handful of times and not in the last five years we’ve lived here. There are some nice parks here (or so I see in pictures :)).
Well at least you did it. I’m not the best at it either, but when you finish it’s such an accomplishment. We mtn bike a lot, we are in Colorado. But with all the flooding here it’ll be awhile.
Thanks :) You’re right–I did want to leave the course halfway through the first lap and take a nap on the grass. I wasn’t speedy, but I kept going until the end. Take care and stay safe!
how did you attach the wind sock?
A friend had already ziptied a long bamboo stick to my bike–tightly at 3 spots (Yepp seat, Yepp rack, and Xtracycle vrack). I stuck the windsock to that with a couple hair rubber bands :) I wouldn’t mind a proper flag pole to hang various signs from, though…
so sorry your bike trailer was stolen! thanks for the post about Daiso. I have been wanting to get a bell that wasn’t totally overpriced, so thank you! i picked one up today (and other finds) and will be going back for sure. also, i totally understand hesitation about parking bike on that bike rack under the monorail. i feel the same way whenever i leave mine there for a short run into the bartells or mall. :)
I hope the bell holds up! Our previous compass bell has been going strong for 5 months now.