--- In michiganderbicycletour@yahoogroups.com, "gregjenn1995"
<greg@...> wrote:
>
> Ok, I need a little insight from the veterans.
>
> I have never done the ride before.
> My wife and I want to take the kids on the two-day. I know that
our 9
> year old could complete the 20-30 miles for each day. My issue is
our
> 7 year old. His bike is just a 18", single gear. I don't think it
is
> fair to try to make him ride that distance on that bike. He isn't
big
> enough to ride a multi-gear bike yet.
>
> Is there an option to have him start 1/2 way or something like
that?
> Any suggestions? Should I just wait a year or two?
>
> If he were little, I would just put him in the bike trailer and pull
> him along.
>
> Open to anything.....thanks


Hi gregjenn1995:

First of all take a minute to check out my message, #136, dated
1/6/08. I've been doing the Michigander since 1993, so I hope you
will find my message helpful.

I definately think you guys have the right idea about just doing the
two day(something I mention in my message)with your kids. It's a
good way to break the younger children in, and there is no reason why
they too can't enjoy themselves.

I will be doing the two day portion of the ride with my granddaughter
this coming year and she just turned nine. I don't know if you know
what a "tag a long" is, but if you don't, it's one of two things.
You can purchase a tow bar only, using the childs own bike(the front
tire is raised off the ground)so they ride on the back tire, can hold
their handlebars and still be able to pedal, but you do all the
control work of stearing and keeping the tandem on course.

The other kind of tag a long is actually a towbar attached to a rear
tire only bike.

The tow bar only runs about $79.00 new and the whole set up runs
around $100.00 new, and up. You could look on ebay, amazon or craigs
list for something new or used. I included an amazon web site and a
couple of others so you could see what a tag a long looks like and
just the tow bar(see yframe web site for this one).

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I4255G/?tag=googhydr-
20&hvadid=2368585251&ref=pd_sl_6yq20coqb7_e

http://yframediscounts.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=74

http://www.trail-a-bike.com/product/



GOOD LUCK.....and let me know how it goes!
Hopefully I've been able to help you out a bit.

See you down the trail.......Patt