performance

happy birthday Trent!

Trent is the youngest child and the fourth boy in our family. He is awesome because he is a laid-back kind of guy and he knows how to sew. A few years ago he was excited about sewing a fleece jacket for himself and with very little prompting he was persuaded to create a Google profile (the "Fleece Maker") with this photo as the icon. He is really into music but is polite enough to remove one iPhone earbud while he is talking to you. Sometimes on the phone I have to remind him to do this but I know the feeling of needing to listen to your music at all times so I understand.

I still think of Trent as a little four-year-old in a corduroy hedgehog costume at Halloween (so, so cute). I can hardly believe he is almost grown-up! I am proud to say that I personally drove my mom to the hospital when she went into labor with him. I was 17 and so nervous that I could hardly drive, but we made it. Happy birthday Trent, we love you!

hello, baby

Amelia Francine Love
July 20, 2009 at 5:42 am
7 lbs 10.5 oz
20 inches

You are a sweetheart and your mother is amazing. More pics soon...
Also see Craig's dad's photos on Flickr.


Dad and baby Love


Uncle Craig and baby Love

thinking about longtails

I really, really want a cargo/longtail bike, so today I did a test ride on the xtracycle radish. I liked everything about it except the fact that it wasn't a step-through. It felt compact and nimble plus it's cute (I know, I know, but cute counts). The stability was fine; I could touch the ground while seated, which is important to me because I don't want to have to hop off or lean the bike over if Omi is on the back. The only problem is throwing my leg over the top tube. I like to bike in a skirt and it just isn't graceful on the xtracycle.

So, I'm considering options. I didn't like the Townie/xtracycle combo; it felt too loosey-goosey and the geometry isn't set up for climbing hills. The Breeze/xtracycle combo is nice but spendy. What I need is a step-through under $600 that I know will work well with an xtracycle.

I just came across the Madsen, which is a step-through and looks nice. I like the price and the fact that the kids sit inside the bucket. I think a locking top and rainscreen for the bucket are in the works.

I guess I'll keep up the test rides for now. Somewhere out there is the perfect longtail bike for me.