one hundred and ninety eight

We went for a bike ride today. All told we were on the trail, wheels rolling, for about half an hour. It was great! We all had a good time riding and watching airplanes land and stopping in the shade for water breaks.

Saying that we spent thirty minutes biking today is deceptive, however. Here’s how the rest of the bike trip broke down (give or take):

*15 minutes spent getting the trailer from the attic and assembling it.

*40 minutes spent inflating six bike tires, fixing chain issues, adjusting seats and breaks and buckles.

*20 minutes spent connecting the trailer to my bike and a test ride.

*30 minutes preparing and eating lunch.

*10 minutes putting on helmets and filling water bottles and encouraging two girls to get a move on.

*10 minute ride to the car.

*15 minutes spent getting all the gear into the car (mine on top, minus the front wheel, disconnecting the trailer and folding it down, trailer and C’s bike into the trunk, front wheel in passenger seat, helmets scattered)

*15 minute drive to the State Forrest, listening to C whine that she didn’t want to go biking.

*15 minutes spent reassembling all the bikes and gear, putting on helmets and buckling Esme in.

*5 minutes spent petting a dog in the parking lot.

{actual time spent biking goes here}

*40 minutes on the reverse trip (pack up bikes, girls in car, drive, unpack, park, walk to house, bikes away on porch)

*5 minutes spent making snacks and large glasses of water.

I’m not going to do the math, but I could really use a pit crew!