Month: November 2017

BIKE, FAVORITE GEAR, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Gear Review: Burley Minnow Bike Trailer
- November 17, 2017
This post was sponsored by Burley. Bike trailer was provided as post compensation and for review purposes. All opinions expressed and photos herein belong to the author.

Biking with the kids is quickly becoming one of our family’s favorite ways to spend time together outdoors. We are lucky to live in an area with some incredible state and local parks full of beautiful bike trails. The fresh air and exercise feel fantastic, but getting the entire family out on the trails is never easy.

Our kids are as different as they can be. The 5 year-old is all wild unbridled energy. He rides his own bike and expects us to keep up with him. The 3 year-old, on the other hand, is like molasses sometimes. She takes her sweet time and would much rather twirl around and pick wildflowers than get anywhere in a hurry. She has little to no interest in riding a bike right now and is certainly not ready for any lengthy family bike rides. We’ve been looking for the best way to include her in our rides in the most efficient, cost-effective and whine-free way possible. Which is why we love our Burley Minnow bike trailer.

Benefits of a bike trailer

While being outdoors with your kids and getting fresh air and exercise are all amazing benefits to biking with kids, having a bike trailer offers benefits beyond the obvious. Here a few of our favorite things about using a bike trailer when biking with kids:
- Storage – Most bike trailers have a cargo area in the back to store a backpack, groceries, diaper bag, toys, camera, small cooler or whatever gear and supplies you need for your biking adventure. We tend to overpack on outings with the kids, so without a storage area, we’d have to purchase a separate storage basket for our bikes or pack everything in a backpack we wear during the ride.
- Safety – I don’t claim to be an expert bike rider, so having a bike trailer behind the bike, as opposed to a large toddler in a bike-mounted seat, feels much safer to me. Bike trailers are much sturdier and less likely to tip over the adult’s bike. Plus, good bike trailers have a durable roll-cage and 5-point harness to keep children secure.
- Longevity – Bike trailers can be used for years and can accommodate kids and cargo up to about 100 pounds. This means kids can ride in a trailer for a much longer time than they can fit in a mounted seat.
- Weather-protection – While we don’t ever plan on biking through rain or storms, bike trailers offer a level of weather protection that bike-mounted seats or tow bars don’t. Lots of bike trailers have water resistant covers to protect from wind, rain and/or snow. You can even get a separate Amazon that will keep little ones (up to 2) snuggly and warm.
- Stroller option – Some bike trailers also offer the option of converting in to a stroller, jogger or even a sled!! Depending on what you want (and how much you want to spend), there are a lot of options out there for whatever outdoor needs you have.
Features and specs of the Burley Minnow

If you’re looking at adding a bike trailer to your family outings, check out the Burley Minnow. It’s the newest trailer in the Burley line-up and perfect for families looking to haul around one kid and some gear. Here are few features and specs that we love about the Minnow:
- Single-seat – While Burley does make a number of other trailers that accommodate more than one kid, the Minnow seats one and that’s all we needed. This single-seater is perfect for our 3 year-old and will last a few years until she’s ready for rides on her own.
- Safe – The Minnow has a full aluminum roll cage, 5-point harness system and passes rigorous Burley Standard durability testing. It comes with a safety flag, reflectors and UV protection on the tinted windows.
- Smooth ride – While I haven’t actually sat back there myself to personally test it out, both kids have tried it and love it. They both said it’s comfortable, not too bumpy and lots of fun.
- Storage – The Minnow has a ton of storage space. There’s a spacious rear-cargo area large enough for a full back-pack and my camera bag. Plus, there’s upfront storage for water bottles, keys, phone, snacks, etc.
- Infant seat accessory – I love that Burley offers a separate infant seat (Amazon) that you can use to secure babies 3-12 months old. While I was certainly not expecting anyone but Mim to get use out of this trailer, turns out that it will be the perfect biking accessory to have when baby #3 gets old enough to be able to go on biking outings with us. Although, be advised that the baby seat should only be used on trailers that have stroller option if your child is less than 12 months old. When towing behind a bike, baby needs to be able to sit up unassisted and wear a helmet.
- Easy to assemble – The trailer comes nearly unassembled, but it’s a quick project. There are no extra gear or parts that you’ll need to order or purchase. It comes ready-to-bike and includes a hitch, tow arm and safety flag.
- Fold-flat design – The Minnow folds flat for easier storage and transport.
- Affordable – Starting at $215, the Burley Minnow is a quality, entry-level trailer that won’t break the bank.
Our Burley experience

We have thoroughly enjoyed having the Burley Minnow bike trailer as an option for biking with the entire family. My daughter calls it her “buggy” and asks to take rides daily! We bike around our neighborhood and to local parks and playgrounds. We’ve biked to a local farm to feed the horses carrots. We’ve even ventured out a few times to hit more serious trails. Having the trailer keeps the little one safe and prevents (so much) whining! She gets to sit back and enjoy the ride…maybe even take a nap! It’s also nice to have a place to store gear and supplies while we’re out. Even small items like water bottles and Goldfish car be a hassle to carry. It was a breeze to assemble and takes no time at all to hook up to our bikes whenever we’re ready for a ride.

Find Burley online

Burley was started nearly 35 years ago in Eugene, Oregon. They’ve built a reputation for safe, durable products. The name Burley is synonymous with “bicycle trailer.” They’re known around the world for recreational transport gear that sets the standard for safety, durability and thoughtful design. While they’ve continued to perfect the bicycle trailer, the product line has grown to include multi-functional child carriers, jogging strollers and balance bikes. To shop Burley products and/or get more biking inspiration, you can find them online:

Website // Blog // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram // Amazon

Anyone else use/have a bike trailer?
OUTDOORS INSIDE
Essential Oils for Outdoorsy Moms
- November 13, 2017
Today I’m really excited to bring you a beginner’s guide to essential oils. I know next to nothing about essential oils, but I’ve been intrigued about them for years. I know they can help with everything from bug bites to headaches to upset tummies. You can clean with them, cook with them or just use them for making your house smell great. I asked my friend Gale (the “oilest” person I know) to put together this little beginner’s guide for all of you that want to know more, but don’t know where to begin. She’s including a few oil “recipes” for some things us outdoorsy moms (all moms, really) deal with a lot, including an immunity booster, which is perfect for this time of year. As always, if you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Happy oiling!

Beginner’s guide to essential oils

I’m pretty sure you have at least heard the words “Essential Oils” being murmured within the last few years. It is more likely that you have at least one friend or family member who drones on and on about the greatness of those magical little bottles (guilty). But what exactly is an essential oil? In the most basic of terms an essential oil is a highly concentrated plant extract. That extract consists of all the goodness that keeps plants healthy. And lucky for us, those extracts can do much of the same for our bodies. And that, my friends, is super exciting, because it allows us to have some natural alternatives to many everyday needs. There are three main ways to use essential oils; topically, aromatically, and internally.

How to use essential oils:

Internally:

I’m actually not going to discuss internally here because it’s extremely important to use only high grade therapeutic grade oils for this. And since I can’t come into each one of your homes & make sure that’s what you are using, I’ll just leave you with that warning. I also personally believe that essential oils work great without having to use this method. So we will be moving right along, but I did want you to know that with the right essential oils, it is an option.

Topically:

When we apply oils onto our skin, they are absorbed into our bloodstream through our pores and follicles. I advise that this always be done with carrier oil. Especially when applying to children. Essential oils are very concentrated and therefore very strong. Carrier oil will help to protect the skin & slow the absorption rate of the essential oils. Some popular carrier oils are; coconut oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, and jojoba oil.

Aromatically:

Inhaling essential oils heightens the senses and can trigger numerous healing responses in the body. Inhaling the fragrance from essential oils triggers our limbic system. This system controls heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels, and hormone balance. Therefore essential oils can have some profound physiological and psychological effects. You can simply place a drop or two in the palm of your hand, cup them around your nose and inhale deeply.

Diffusing with a diffuser also falls into the aromatically category. A diffuser disperses the oil in a micro-fine vapor into the air. This allows anyone within the room to benefit from the essential oils.

Essential oil uses:

The second best part of essential oils (the first being that they are chemical free) is how versatile they are. They can be used for everything from stress, bloating, wrinkles, sleep, bruising, colds, to house cleaning and bug repelling. There really is an oil for that!

Essential oil recipes:

We are an essential oil loving family and I try to use them as much as possible in place of store bought products. As a mother and semi health conscious being I love that I can cut some chemicals from our everyday lives. The brand that we use is Young Living. They have proven to work well for us time and time again. I trust the company with the purity and authenticity of their oils. I’ve tested all of these recipes on my family and we approve them all!

Bug repellent:
- 10 drops YL Peppermint
- 12 drops YL Thieves
- 10 drops YL Purification
- ½ cup distilled water
- ½ cup witch hazel
- 10 drops of YL Citronella (this is optional, but I always add for good measure)
Mix together in a spray bottle. Shake before each use. This recipe can be used on dogs as well.

We spend much of our summer touring around to different campgrounds in our trailer and this is our go to bug repellent. It just plain works and smells nice too. I also love that this is another alternative to using Deet.

Owie roller:
- 5 ml roller bottle
- 12 drops YL Frankincense
- 12 drops YL Lavender
- Fill the rest of the bottle with carrier oil of choice
Can be applied to bumps, lumps, scrapes, & bruises. This one is easy to carry and has saved us from many tears on hikes and outdoor explorations. It also increases the healing time of all boo-boos. This clumsy momma gets a lot of use out of this one too.

Immunity booster:
- 5 ml roller bottle
- 15 drops Thieves
- 10 drops Purification
- 10 drops Frankincense
- Fill the rest with carrier oil of choice
This is how we combat all things icky & sickie during the winter months. We simply roll on to the bottoms of our feet first thing in the morning and last thing before we go to bed at night. AS you can see, we love the roll-ons for the convenience factor. Life is busy, but make them ahead of time and use when needed. I mean, truly, it’s so easy that my 4 and 5 year old can apply it themselves. But it makes all the difference in the world when it comes to how often and for how long we are down with some germ. If we DO end up catching a bug, I add 10 drops of Oregano Oil to the above combo to kick that booster into overtime!

Tummy tamer:
- 5 ml roller bottle
- 15 drops Digize
- 10 drops Peppermint
- Fill the rest with carrier oil of choice
This one is to have in case of the ever dreaded stomach flu! It is a life saver for those nauseous moments. But the flu and nausea aren’t the only things this one can tame. It’s also extremely helpful for both diarrhea and constipation. I’m not exactly sure how it’s works out for those two opposite issues; I just know that it does. Like I said, family tested and approved.

The Essential things to remember about Essential oils (see what I did there?) are that they very concentrated, brand and grade of the oil does make a difference, and they are extremely versatile. This makes them a fantastic chemical free option for many daily needs. If you would like some more information you can check out Youngliving.com. My member number is 1597647.

Gale Jenkins is a SAHM to three wonderful, yet exhausting kiddos. Is married to her best friend, who happens to be a ninja disguised as a corporate world MVP. She is an Essential Oil enthusiast. Ok, fine – Essential Oil freak is probably a more accurate description. She is also a wanna be writer, who has all the ideas & wit to be one, but lacks the discipline needed. She spends as much time as possible taking adventures in the family trailer, and when she’s not on the road, she can be found at home, dousing both herself & her children in Essential Oils.
FAVORITE GEAR, HIKE
Gear Review: See Kai Run Boots
- November 7, 2017
This post was sponsored by See Kai Run. The boots were provided as post compensation and for review purposes. All opinions expressed and photos herein belong to the authors and photographers, as noted below. This post may contain affiliate links.

Winter is coming!

Getting your kids outside during the winter months is not only important for their physical health, but for their mental health as well. The winter months provide different ways of moving our bodies, such as sledding, walking up a snowy hill or building a snowman. Children’s larger muscles are put to great use in the winter months due to the challenges that snow provides. This large-muscle use and increase in physical activity support children’s gross motor development and overall health. In addition, getting lots of fresh air and Vitamin D decreases the likelihood of winter colds and illnesses, such as the flu.

If your kids are like mine, they’ve probably outgrown all of last year’s clothing, coats, layers and boots. Which means it’s not only time to size up, but it’s time to reevaluate your needs and check out any new gear on the market. Winter boots are one item that we always need as soon as the weather turns cold. My kids are outside a LOT in various conditions, so we need tough durable, yet comfortable boots. Boots that will hold up to the abuse, allow their feet to grow during the winter and keep them warm and dry. That’s expecting a lot.

Get the right gear

One thing I’ve learned about getting kids outdoors is that having the right gear can make or break your experience. Icy hands and feet are not only uncomfortable, they’re dangerous and easily preventable. And there’s nothing like cold fingers or toes to guarantee whining and complaining about outdoor weather. To ensure that your child has fun in the cold, the most important thing to consider is appropriate clothing, including winter boots.

Over the last few years, we’ve made various mistakes with our winter boot selections and learned many valuable lessons. For example, insulated boots that aren’t waterproof, get wet, soggy and cold after playing in the snow. Waterproof boots that aren’t insulated don’t keep little feet and toes warm enough. The opening of the boot needs to be wide enough to accommodate thick socks and pant legs, but tight enough to keep the boots on in deep snow and keep pant legs secure. Tie boots seem to come untied all the time. Leather boots need treatment and protection. Who knew there were so many considerations when buying kid’s boots?

See Kai Run boots

That’s why I’m really excited to share the newest line of insulated and waterproof boots from See Kai Run, one of our favorite kid’s shoe brands. See Kai Run was started in 2004 by a Seattle mom on a quest to find a shoe that was best in health and design. She ended up launching her own line of shoes that are fun, fashionable and feature the finest in materials and craftsmanship. All See Kai Run shoes are proportionally engineered for a child’s foot and designed to promote healthy foot development. They are flexible, which helps develop proper balance, gait and stride. The broad toe boxes give little toes lots of room to move, which build strength in muscles and tendons. Plus, the wide openings and secure closures provide optimum fit for a shoe that’s easy to get on and actually stays on.

We had the opportunity to test out a couple pairs of boots from the new line of See Kai Run insulated and waterproof boots. My kids each put a pair of boots to the test as we hiked on a chilly Midwest morning. We also sent a couple pairs out to Salt Lake City, Utah, to make sure they could also withstand the cold and snow of the mountains. I’m happy to report that each pair was a big hit from both kid and parent perspective. Here’s what we thought of them and all our favorite features.

Waterproof and insulated

The first thing I noticed when unpacking these boots was how thick and durable they were. They are not only insulated with a 3M Thinsulate™ thermal lining that is good to -35°, but the insulation is soft and fuzzy (not hard or scratchy). Plus, the bottoms of the boots are made with a thick, seam-sealed, waterproof membrane that keeps water and debris out and increases durability. The rubber traction outsoles are perfect for wet surfaces and aren’t slick or slippery. Both kids said the boots were really comfortable, roomy and sturdy. My son loved jumping around in them and smashing pinecones and acorns. Not once did we receive a complaint about the boots on our hike — complaints about the weather, the distance and the lack of snacks was abundant, but not about the boots! We can’t win them all, right?!

Wide openings

I loved that these boots all had really wide openings, large enough to fit my kid’s wool-sock-clad feet. The double-velcro straps on my son’s boots (Charlie) actually made the opening incredibly wide, allowing me to stuff the bottom of his pant leg into the boot opening no problem. Then I could secure the boot around the pants with the velcro. Genius. The tongue on that boot is attached on both sides, so no issue with it moving around, making it easy for him to put his own boots on. The openings on my daughter’s boots (Abby) were not quite as wide, but still gave her plenty of room to get her feet into. The laces on the Abby boots are stretchy, allowing the tongue to fold down for easy access. Both boots had wide enough openings for the kids to get them on by themselves, but the velcro straps made them tight enough that they won’t slip off while trudging through heavy snow.

Stylish

While function definitely outweighs fashion when it comes to buying quality outdoor kid gear, this is one of those times that you don’t have to sacrifice cuteness in your quest for quality. The entire line of See Kai boots are absolutely adorable. I had the hardest time deciding which boots to choose because there were so many great styles and color combos. We chose the girls Abby (brown) and boys Charlie (navy) styles and the kids loved them both. The colors and tweeds are perfect for fall. They’re not obnoxious or super bright or gaudy. Most of the styles come in both toddler and big kid sizes. There are tall boots and ankle boots in the new line. Whatever your style is, there’s sure to be a boot that you love.

Shop the line

The new line of See Kai Run boots are available nationwide in stores such as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Ave, REI, Zappos and Amazon! Basically, they’re everywhere! Most pairs are priced between $60 – $75, which I think is very reasonable for such a durable, quality boot. These will definitely last all season, get tons of use/wear and can probably even be passed down to the next kid when they’re ready to size up. Well-made, comfortable, quality gear is something that you’ll never regret purchasing and will make your time outdoors that much more enjoyable!

See Kai Run

If you’re in the market for a great, quality kids boot this season, check out the entire line of waterproof and insulated boots from See Kai Run. I have a feeling you’ll be just as impressed as I was! You can find them online in the following locations: Website // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram

What’s your favorite outdoor (boot-friendly) winter activity?
BIKE, FAVORITE GEAR, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Gear Review: Schwinn Amplify & Circuit Bicycles
- November 1, 2017
This post was sponsored by Schwinn Bicycles. Bikes were provided as post compensation and for review purposes. All opinions expressed and photos herein belong to the author.

This has been a year of big changes at our house, especially for my son, Mac (5). Not only did he start kindergarten, but he got rid of his bicycle training wheels, learned to swim without floaties, bait his own hook and got to go hunting with daddy for the first time. Of all of these milestones, learning to ride a bike on his own has probably made the biggest day-to-day difference for us. Suddenly, he wants to ride his bike everywhere!

Getting those training wheels off has given Mac a newfound sense of independence, adventure and confidence. My husband loves riding with him around our neighborhood and local park. After a while I started to get frustrated being stuck at home with no bike, unable to join them on their adventures. It had been years since I did any riding, but I had to admit that it was finally time for me to get a bike, too.

With new bikes needed for us both, Mac and I were really excited to have the opportunity to each review a Schwinn bike. Schwinn is a tried and true company that’s been around for ages. It is associated with high-quality, affordable, durable bikes. From “walk ‘n’ roll” kids bikes to the Le Tour Legacy, they offer a comprehensive line of bikes that suit the needs of any rider, young to old. Their bikes are built to the Schwinn Quality standard, with over 100 years of cycling heritage, passion and expertise. With a quality brand selected, all we had to do was pick out the perfect bike best suited for each of our needs.

Choosing the right size bike for kids

Schwinn believes a well-fitted bike makes the child more comfortable; and being comfortable inspires confidence and the motivation to learn. However, figuring out children’s bicycle sizing can be tough and overwhelming. Kids bicycle sizes are determined by the wheel size of the bicycle (12″, 16″, 18″, 20″, 24″). The wheel size of children’s bicycles directly correlates with the frame size of the bicycle. Oftentimes you can make a good estimate for what size bike your child will need based upon their age. However, with children going through growth spurts and varying in height, it is always better to measure your child’s height to find the right bike for them. Of course you should have them test ride the bike as well!

Finding a bike that fits is crucial to your child’s safety, especially since both oversized and undersized bikes can prove hazardous. Bikes that are too large can prevent a child’s feet from touching the ground and keep hands from reaching the hand brakes. Bikes that are too small, on the other hand, force a child to pedal awkwardly with substantially bent knees, which can cause knee pain and make a child’s legs tire quickly. When fitting a bike, make sure your child, while seated, can touch the ground easily with both feet when the seat is in its lowest position. (The seat can be raised gradually as your child grows.) Adjust the seat so that your child’s legs bend slightly at the bottom of each revolution when pedaling.

For more info on kids bike sizing, see the Schwinn website here.

Schwinn SmartStart bikes

Parents are often concerned that their child will grow out of a bicycle to quickly. That’s why the Schwinn SmartStart is a great solution to help your child’s bike “grow” with them. Schwinn SmartStart bikes are built with a child’s proportions in mind. The grips are smaller, the pedals are closer together, and the seat is angled in a way that will make the body angle needed to pedal less stressful. Raising the saddle of a Schwinn SmartStart bicycle raises the angle of the seat and the distance from the seat to the handlebars and pedals. This means that as your child grows, the bike evolves and fits your child longer.

If your child is more comfortable, then they will want to ride, and learning will be less frustrating for everyone involved. Plus, you can’t loose with the Schwinn name, since it is backed with a limited lifetime warranty for as long as you own the bike, and has been building great kids bikes since 1895.

Schwinn Amplify

We ended up choosing the 18″ Schwinn Amplify SmartStart bike for Mac and it was a great choice to get him started on his cycling journey. The bike is black and blue (two of his favorites) and designed specifically for kids (as opposed to a shrunken version of an adult bike). Like all the Schwinn SmartStart bikes, the grips are sized for smaller hands for easy steering, and the pedals are positioned closer together, so picking up speed is a snap. It’s fast enough to give him the thrill he desires, but can stop on a dime. It has back-pedal coaster and hand brakes, both of which he utilizes. He couldn’t love this bike any more. It’s been so much fun watching him gain power, strength and confidence as he rides. And while we’ve only had it for a few months, it’s already survived multiple crashes and wipeouts. It has proven to be durable and tough.

Amplify stats and features:

Model & Size: Schwinn SmartStart 18″ Amplify
Color: Sidewalk Bike
Fits heights: 42-52″
Age: 6 years – 10 years
Retail price: $119.99
- Rigid high-tensile steel child frame
- Coaster and front and rear hand brake
- Single speed
- Rigid frame and fork
- SmartStart design features smaller grips and pedals that are closer together to promote a comfortable fit
- Training wheels included
Picking the right Schwinn bike for adults

With so many different types of bikes to choose from it can be hard to determine which bicycle is best suited for you. However, if you know a few basics about each type of bike it will be easier to zero in on a bicycle that fits your lifestyle.
- Cruiser Bicycles: These retro looking bikes have wide balloon tires, wide saddles, and keep you in an upright seated position. These bikes have a simple mechanical design and a single-speed drive-train. They are incredibly durable, which makes them very easy to maintain. A cruiser is a great choice for the casual and stylish cyclist who is looking for a stable bike. This cyclist is not concerned about how fast they get from point A to B, and will primarily be biking on flat terrain.
- Mountain Bicycles: These durable bikes typically have wide knobby tires, a stout frame and shock-absorbers. They have straight handlebars with a raised seat that keeps you in a more upright seated position than a road bike. With stable wheels, these bikes can handle the dirt, potholes, and gravel of off-roading. While the sturdy features make this bicycle excellent for rough terrain, they can also make a ride on the road heavy and slow.
- Hybrid Bicycles: This bike combines features of both the road and mountain bike styles to create a perfect compromise. The Hybrid has skinnier tires and a lighter frame, which allows it to go faster than the mountain bike. It’s ideal for the cyclist who wants a general-purpose bike that can handle multiple terrains and riding conditions. This bicycle is not only durable and comfortable, but is also fast. Ideally suited for beginning cyclist or commuters who want a quick, comfortable ride.
- Urban Bicycles: These bikes are durable with strong frames to handle any possible hazards of the city road. This type of bike comes with fenders to keep the rider free from mud and water kicked up. The handlebars allow you to sit upright for a comfortable ride. Urban bikes are ideal for practical city dwellers who want to use their bike for running errands or commuting to work.
- Bike Path Bicycles: These bikes keep riding simple and smooth. Wide plush saddles, upright seating, plush suspension, and tires similar to those found on mountain bikes (but smoother) make riding a Bike Path bike extremely comfortable, although less efficient then a Hybrid. The Bike Path bike is ideal for a casual cyclist who desires comfort and leisurely rides.
- Road Bicycles: These bikes have skinny tires, light frames, and a forward leaning riding position that allows a cyclist to go fast on pavement. The road bike has two types of handlebars for the road cyclist various needs. Drop-bar handlebars are for the cyclist who wants to go faster. They are lightweight and create a more aerodynamic riding position, while also allowing you to better transfer your energy to moving the bike. However they may also put more strain on your back. The flat-bar handlebars allow you to sit up in a more upright position to reduce strain on your back, wrist and shoulders, but they are less efficient in speed.
For more information on choosing the right Schwinn bike, visit their website here.

Schwinn Circuit

Choosing the right bike for me was a bit tougher. While I’m no longer growing (at least not up…out is a different story!), I wasn’t sure exactly how/where I’d be riding the most. I wanted a model that I could ride on the paved streets of our neighborhood and the gravel trails at local parks. I ended up choosing a Schwinn Hybrid Bike called the Circuit. As mentioned above, the hybrid combines features of both road and mountain bike styles. The Circuit has skinnier tires and a lighter frame than a mountain bike. It’s a great general-purpose bike that can handle multiple terrains and riding conditions. While I’ve known how to ride a bike forever, I still consider myself a beginner, so this bike is a good one to start with.

The Circuit is agile and responsive, yet seriously durable and tough. It comes with 21-speed Shimano EZ-Fire shifters, which were very easy for me to learn and pick up on quickly. I’ve never owned a bike with gears before! It has powerful mechanical disc brakes for fast and efficient stopping. Trust me, they’ve been tested and work great! Riding behind my impulsive (and easily distracted) 5 year-old has made me quick on the breaks! The ride is smooth and comfortable, even when four + months pregnant!

Circuit stats and features

Model & Size: Schwinn Women’s Circuit 28″ Hybrid Bike
Color: Teal Blue
Gear Speeds: 21
Bicycle Frame Height: 15″
Bicycle Frame Material: Aluminum
Wheel Height: 28″
Maximum Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
Dimensions: 58 inches L x 35 inches H
Weight: 35 pounds
Retail price: $289.99

Add a Schwinn to the family

Riding a bike is a rite of passage for a kid; a passport to worlds beyond the front lawn. Bikes represent fun, freedom, and fresh air – everything that’s good about childhood. Moreover, biking is a healthy pastime that kids will never outgrow. One that encourages them to be active, safe and aware of their surroundings. And once you have a bike, it’s fun, free and easy to do with the entire family. Biking with kids and as a family has never been easier. If you’re looking to add a bike to your fleet, I highly recommend Schwinn’s line-up of kids and adult bikes.

You can find more information on Schwinn Bicycles in the following locations:

Website // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter

And don’t miss the next post in this series – Tips & Advice for Biking with Kids (coming soon!).

What kind of bike do you and your kids ride?