So two days after I bitched about my not-so-great bike shop experience, a couple things happened.

This happened:

while I was pulling 2 kids in the trailer, far from home. It wasn't this impressive at first, just some popping and a flat. I brought it home and tried to use the pump to blow it up and didn't realize a section of the tube was pinched by the rim. The blowout was loud and impressive! I've changed tubes before on the jogging stroller, but wanted to be sure the wheel didn't need anything else so I wanted to take it to a bike shop. Also earlier that day (pre-flat) we were flying down a hill with a stop sign at the bottom. My brakes slowed me down, but we didn't come close to stopping. It was a little scary.

I was just walking the bike down the driveway when some guys from xtracycle called. They tweeted (ugh, did I just write that?!) about wanting to chat with people who were on the fence about becoming xtracycle riders. I emailed them and they actually called me! I hope I shared some useful info, I was kinda rambling. I forgot to mention that I blogged about my thoughts regarding Madsen vs a Radish a couple months ago before Michael bought my Craigslist Trek. It was very cool to hear their thoughts and so gratifying to feel like I am not just riding around town with my kids, but I am a part of a movement of people who are looking to reduce dependence on cars and increase the fun of getting around town. I am looking for more bike-community and xtracycle people have it in spades. Sounds like they have some cool ideas to make xtracycle stuff more accessible and I look forward to seeing what they come up with!

It was so cool to have comments from friends with their bike shop recommendations- thanks Gin, Rochelle and Laurie! Since I would be driving "ol' NOT reliable Subaru", I called Mikes Hike and Bike in Richmond which is only 15 minutes from Berea. Mike couldn't have been nicer. He told me over the phone how to pop off my rear wheel and the boys and I were soon at the store, wheel in hand. Mike had a tent set up that the boys could play in. He showed me how I could tighten my brakes, helped me pick out a good bike helmet and fixed my wheel. Julian noticed the Surly Big Dummy outside and we asked Mike about it. (A Big Dummy is a bike and long tail kit combined into one solid cargo bike). Here's a photo from xtracycle's website.

Anyway, it's his bike, and he shared his thoughts about riding with his kids and cargo. It was very cool! I am pleased to not only have found a bike shop to go to but to also have a conversation with someone who is excited about the possibilities of cargo bikes. Thanks Mike!

I'm so glad to have a functional bike again and it's great to know that there are people like the xtracycle folks and Mike in the biking world.