5 Person Bike going 7000 miles...

I just saw this. Incredible. Has anyone seen them yet?
Family of 5 riding across america. Maybe they saw Eric Foltz somewhere!

Check out the second kid back...totally out.

http://www.pedouins.org/​

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first and second kids both don't have pedals.

 

I think the second kid is asleep!

 

Wow! How do they keep kids that young interested in being on the bike that long?

 

Awesome.

That is all.

 

That's pretty inspirational, especially in a time when many families don't even road trip across the country that much.

Actually they both have cranksets mounted higher up on the frame, they're just not using them.

 

Wow...we drove RT from California to Wisconsin when I was 8 and I hated it! Sooo bored and that was in a comfy RV! While I would love to make that trip again now that I am older, I consider myself lucky pops bought an RV instead of a 5 seater bike!

 

I was following it until they got to San Diego. I believe they said they were going to take an extended break there so I haven't checked back on them.

Nevermind keeping the kids on the bike, what about the spouse?

 

Not so....second and third seats are outfitted with tiny "stoker kits" so even the smallest ones pedal. I can't imagine that they are putting out mega watts, but they can pedal.

I'm bummed...looks like we missed them in Socal by weeks. I would have loved to meet them. I can't go an hour in a car without my 12 year old daughter thinking it's the end of the world. Definately a very special family.

 

I rode with them for a day from Laguna to Huntington back in February. Here's my fat gut with Bill.




I'd seen them on the web somehow and have been following the journey.
They are in SF right now, the website has a tracking page.
Pretty amazing what they are doing.
All the kids have pedals, just Robin's (the littlest) aren't connected. She's pretty much a in a car seat with some padding so she can nap. She does often pedal in time with the others rather sympathetically. When I talked about this, she would pedal faster to show she is doing something.
Jasmine, the first girl on the bike (middle in age) has her own crank up higher connected by a chain down to the bottom. Here's a better shot showing their configuration.



They've been thru a lot on their journey. Lots of abuse on the equipment due to the load. Lots of flats, a few trailers, some wheels and hubs. Last week their electronics on the trailer caught fire while camping and burned totally.

Bills's pretty funny with his work boots and on the trailer they have a kiddie toilet seat and a porcelain wash basin. Shows their Kentucky heritage.

 

Very cool......but don't they have to work?

 

Dude i saw them coming back from San Diego, it was a CoMotion, was in awe watching them start off at a light, took scenic route on old 395 highway.That is cool Craig thanks for posting.

 

Very cool. You can cheer them on from this page: http://www.pedouins.org/cheer.html

Found this on the home page:

4,000 miles Two Oceans + One Gulf 13 States

With a leap of faith we left Kentucky on August 1, 2009 with $300 in our pockets. It is our goal to ride our five person tandem bicycle across the country to Alaska.

Dad, Mom, and daughters Cheyenne, Jasmine and Robin, then ages six, four and two.

We set out to prove that it is possible for a blue collar worker and a stay-at-home mom to live their dream. A dream to show our girls this great country we live in.

A country filled with wonderful people. People that live a life of love, a life of sharing, a life of giving.

We are honored to say that we have been the recipients over and over again of this warm love.

We have been offered places to stay, hot meals, a heartfelt cheer and also cash to fund our needs on the road.

You are one of many that have touched our lives. One of many that we have had a chance to touch.

You are part of the reason why we are able to do what we are doing. To bring joy and laughter, to bring hope, inspiration and encouragement.

Thank you for being a part of our journey. Thank you for letting us be a part of your journey.

In this life we can only live life to the fullest. Take action upon your dreams. Love, live, be kind.

Let us continue the journey together. In tangibles it will lead us to Alaska. In spirit it can lead us anywhere.

 

Awesome :clap:

 

I actually saw those people a month ago riding thru Capo Beach. Then they were on the News the next day. Funny!

 

Why would anyone subject their kids to 7000 miles on a bike that's way too big for them? Selfish act by the parents if you asked me, not to mention the danger being on the rode for that long. Someone should call social services on them.

 

wow that is cool and great for them. it must be like starting a freight train?

 

Much like. Every start and stop and move requires coordination. They go very, very slowly uphill and stop on them often. I almost ran up the back of them the first time; I didn't realize they would stop.
You know how when you are going uphill and your bars turn a bit; with that bike it looks like a huge gate swinging closed pivoting around the trailer.

 

Just awesome. What more can I say, that is some true family time.

 

That frame would cost thousands, we built a three person at a shop i worked at and it used 4 or more chains alone, then all shimano ultegra.That one is a work of art.S&S couplers rule.