Cycling chronicle 1
Aaryana, my eight year old daughter is yet to find her cycling balance. Yes, I am acutely aware of how late she is—especially when I see four-year old Dutch kids riding like pros. But then, I see myself in her.
The Halfords guy refused to sell me a carrier seat mount, because he thought her 25kilos weight was over the 22kg capacity of my bicycle carrier. So we had a problem. My wife’s bike is already mounted with another seat for my younger four year old daughter. Leaving kids home would rob all the fun. In any case, we wouldn’t do it.
On inspection, the carrier’s welded joints look strong. Plus, my bike has two 6mm solid steel rods as primary steel—going to the axle of my rear wheel, with about 6inches of unbraced length—for resisting axial compression. For a 25kg, that’s roughly about 9MPa—four times less than 36MPa (0.15Fy, assuming mild-steel). You needn’t do the math of course. In India, I have seen enough adult pillion riders on carriers slender than mine.
With weight restriction out of the way, Aaryana could now ride on the carrier. Still, there were two problems. One, it’s uncomfortable, and two, there’s no foot-rest. I solved the first problem with a fleece blanket securely laid over the carrier, whose surface now feels like a cushy pillow.
Problem number two remains unsolved. I am trying to get some kind of foot-rest for Aaryana. For now, she’s resting her tiny feet on the large closed axle bolts. While she doesn’t complain, I know it’s not a comfortable position, particularly on long rides. On bumpy roads, she slips her footing. But that is not stopping us enjoying country rides—at least not yet.
I didn’t find anything for the foot-rest in cycle stores in my area—probably because what we are doing here is unusual; I haven’t seen anyone older than 4 years riding pillion. If you have suggestions1—something I could buy a pair off the shelf, then please do share.
- The other (expensive) option, common around here, is to get a tandem attachment. [←]