The Boda Boda in Britain!

Conviction that we made the right move runs strong after our first four days here, honestly I feel like we've been here forever and am more in love now with my homeland than I ever have been. You know when you build something up in your head, you begin to wonder if you are seeing it in it's true light? Well, I was a little worried that England couldn't live up to my expectations, but it has shattered them and gone beyond. Kyle too, everyday he just smiles and says "thank you for sharing". Our main goal was a better standard of living, more freedom, less stress,and better opportunity for our son and there is no doubt in my mind that we are closer to those goals here than we were in our previous lives. It will be a long journey of hard work to get us to those goals, but they are attainable to more than the privileged here (in my opinion of course).

Now back to bikes...look at what our good friend Andy did.... He helped us build Britain's first Boda boda, well at least I think it is! And let me tell you, it is one lusciously gorgeous bike and everything I had hoped for. Sadly we haven't got a pump so I'm off to buy one today and then I can take the Boda out for it first spin around the village. Love those cork grips! 

Sorry about the wrong date stamp, I keep thinking I've fixed it and then it comes back...I assure you these pics were taken yesterday!

Blondy locks helping Daddy!

Andy putting the front wheel in place, whilst Jack checks out the ring-a-ling bell!

Notice the green pedals too! I love the stunning colour. Andy's wife, Sarah who describes herself as not liking bikes says she has proper bike envy for my Boda Boda and they were both impressed at the price point!

Nice bamboo rear deck with a handle!

I think he thought it was Christmas all over again, it surely felt like it for me too!

Andy is a real gem and whipped the bike together in no time, even with Jack's "assistance"!

I opted for the double kick stand as I was so impressed with the Mundo's, sure enough the Boda's stand is solid too!

I think I will be ordering some bamboo steps for it too!

 Thank you Yuba for my wonderful Boda Boda, I feel so privileged to have two of these amazing bikes and they have and continue to improve, change and inspire me.

The "mumma bike" as Jack lovingly calls it, the Mundo! Oh how I have missed thee!

Look at that little mechanic!

Andy has three year old James, so he's used to toddler assistants!

Bonding over bikes!

I love the fact that my little boy loves bikes!

Jack actually managed to tighten the mud guards on!

Andy takes the Mundo for it's first spin in the UK!

Lovely Grace, James and Jack enjoying a seat on the Mundo. Today Kyle and Andy are taken the little ones out for a ride on the bikes, while Sarah and I head to Bristol for a few more supplies we need.

The surrounding countryside is beyond words beautiful so I look forward to sharing many pictures and adventures in the near future. We shall be taking off down the Strawberry Line soon enough!

Jet lagged and tired, happy and hopeful!

It's been an amazing few days. Our journey has both ended and just begun as we recover from the jet-lag, the immenseness of it all leaves me a little tongue tied.

Our arrival into London was a bumpy, gusty, slightly crooked, worst landing ever, never land in the tail end of a huge storm again kind of event. I squeezed Kyle's arm tighter at landing than I did during Jack's arrival into the world and have sworn off flying ever again. We hired a porter for our luggage as there was no way Kyle and I could move it all, our van arrived and was loaded with minimal fuss and a few hours later we found ourselves wiggling down the M4 in a van enjoying that foul tail end of Sandy again. Our driver was a very friendly Bristolian fellow, who chatted endlessly and comfortably about life in general whilst Kyle drifted off and Jack woke bright eyed and bushy tailed. I for one was wiped out, having not slept for about 35 hours at that point I felt nauseous from the stress of the trip and so tired that I'd close me eyes, drift off, wake with a start and realize the driver was still chatting away to me.

A very sketchy drive made so much better by a competent driver, I'm so relieved we didn't do self hire, good investment to hire a driver after such a long trip.  Excuse the stupid date stamp!

When we checked in our luggage and the cargo bikes at Seattle I was preparing to hand over a small fortune for our over-sized bike boxes, but the lady at the counter announced our total with a big smile. Only $56 to fly each bike, I felt like hugging her! In fact the cost of transporting the bikes upon arrival, to Bristol from Heathrow, was more than their actual flight, which is why I would wholeheartedly recommend flying with Iceland Air to anyone thinking of traveling with a bike, not only did their tickets come in cheaper than all other airlines, but the level of service was excellent.

My first impressions after my 20 year absence have left me wondering why my mother ever wanted to leave, I love it here. I find it to be a breath of fresh air after the horribly conservative town we previously called home. I love the diversity, culture and heartbeat of home. I know everyone has their own cup of tea, as they say, I feel like Kyle and I are hesitantly taking our first sip off a new pot that will go down well. I thought my rose tinted glasses would get shattered upon arrival, whereas in reality we are both 100% sure that we did exactly what we needed to do for our family to have the lifestyle we want. So far anyway. We've been here 3 days, so the reality is we have a lot of work ahead of us to establish our roots, but we are both eager to get the ball rolling.

Yesterday we took a few strolls around the village, grabbed some groceries in the afternoon and a Chinese takeout for dinner later in the day. Jack has been asking to "go home" and talking about our beloved Beatrix endlessly. Her absence remains the biggest blight on the whole happy adventure to be honest. Every stray crumb of food on the floor reminds me of her and tears well up within me. Although I hear she has already settled in comfortably and is getting lots of love with her Auntie and Uncle in Portland.

Today we're off to explore a little bit of Bristol and pick up a camera and mic for our laptop so we can start Skyping our loved ones. Our new friends Andy and Sarah (whom we met because Andy read my blog) have been so amazingly welcoming. Sarah has kindly offered to run us about in her car today and Andy said he will help us put one of the bikes together on Sunday so we can be a little more independent. Our living accommodations are so lovely and well situated with the train station being just a block away and the local grocery shop being about 1/4 mile down the road, carfreedom is going well so far. I have so much to share here, but the little one stirs and showers need to be taken, so I will be on my way for now and thank you for following along!

The beginning of the journey

Jack's new t-shirt from Joe Bike

Today I finally got the pleasure of stopping by Joe Bikes in Portland and picking up my shiny new Yuba Boda Boda! It is just as stunningly beautiful as I had imagined, and I can't wait to take it for its first spin in England. I also picked up a t-shirt for Jack so he can share this great motto with our new peeps in Bristol. I wouldn't say the reality of moving to England has 100% set in yet, but it is certainly getting close now. Tomorrow morning bright and early, we leave Portland and head for Seattle where we will fly to Iceland, and then on to England. It's Monday as I write this and we won't actually finish our journey until early evening on Wednesday, it seems like an awfully long journey when you consider drive time, lay overs and flying. I haven't slept good in weeks at this point, I'm suffering from nerve pinches in my legs and have an achy back that complains at every step. It will be fabulous to get settled in to life in Bristol really soon!

Sidewalk shopping

Inside Joe Bikes

It's a Bodaful Life

The Boda Boda in my brother's truck, ready to be taken home for packing with the Mundo.

Our stack of luggage is huge now- we have two massive boxes of bike, 6 suitcases, 3 carry on bags, a stroller, a toddler car-seat and a few handbags, oh and a toddler! Did I mention we're flying for 13 hours with a TODDLER! I have had trouble finding a way to transport us and our luggage from Heathrow to our new abode, but managed to secure a driver and van just today. The price is surprisingly reasonable and they offer door to door service for only a little more than the cost of a van rental, except this way we can relax and enjoy the view, rather than contend with the traffic and congestion we will probably run into. They also offer assistance with loading and unloading which is certainly worth a few extra pounds to someone like myself.

Cool sign for someone who peddles their wares

Leaving our families and Beatrix behind has proved to be immensely hard on us, much harder than I expected. I have cried so many tears in the last few days as good friends have been left behind, it has been emotionally draining and left me numb, and yet I know nothing will compare to when we arrive at Seatac and have to bid goodbye to my brother and his family (and Beatrix, who is coming to say goodbye too).

Ahead of us is an uncertain and scary journey that we are calling an "Adventure". Life is so short and whilst the goodbyes have and will continue to be heart-wrenching, the truth is we have wanted this dream for so long and it's finally becoming a reality, it's time for new adventures, new thrills, new goals and new challenges.

The Naked Mundo at Joe Bike

The Yuba Mundo waiting to be boxed for flight at Joe Bike in Portland

We're only 12 days away from our flight now and my beautiful bike is getting boxed up ready for flight at Joe Bike in Portland. It looks so naked, I can't wait to unpack it the other end and get it dressed again, although I think the Peanut Shell will be sitting on the Boda Boda from now on.

I have been staying very busy with the final sales of last minute items and packing suitcases. Kyle only has 5 work days left until he can stay home and help me, which is cause for celebration. On Saturday we're celebrating our Anniversary ( a little early), my Birthday (a little late) and our going away party. It will be bitter sweet to say goodbye to so many dear friends, but most of them have sworn to visit us within the next few years.

We're flying from Seattle with Iceland Air who apparently have WiFi, so maybe I will blog at 30,000 feet! I'm optimistic that Jack will sleep on the flight, but we will see how it goes. Thanks for reading!

The Mundo in PDX

The Mundo just arrived in Portland and was greeted by my wonderful sister in law and niece. Stephanie and Amelia obviously wasted no time in jumping on for a ride, they are cargo bike riders too with a Kona Ute in the family.

Our friends were so nice to deliver the Mundo ahead of time for pre-flight packing at Joe Bike. My brother is going to cycle the Mundo over to Joe's in the next few days where it will join the Boda Boda, it all seems so real now and I'm both excited and nervous!

The Yuba Mundo begins it's journey

Last night Kyle and a friend hauled the Mundo upstairs, stripped off the peanut shell and panniers, along with all the little things that make it "mine". Then we loaded it into a minivan (yes, it fit!) and sent it off on it's merry way to Portland with some good friends.
Once it's arrived it will be stored at my brother's house for a few weeks, until we make the trip down that way on the 28th of October. Then, on Monday the 29th, we're taking it to Joe Bikes in Portland for boxing and also picking up the beautiful Boda Boda. The following morning we're heading for Seattle and the airport to fly to Iceland and then on to England.
It's obviously all very exciting and busy, busy around here but my health issues have been seriously impacting our progress. We have one more large moving sale to host this weekend, then the final push to clean up the house and yard. The end is in sight! Thanks for following along with us.

Always trust your bike community to have your back. Always.

Always trust your bike community to have your back. Always.

Do bikes just attract decent people? I don't know, but it sure seems like it. Maybe it just comes down to people who like bikes see beyond the surface and notice the details between the lines, much like when we're riding, how we notice the little things beside the road that car drivers would never notice.

Here are the reasons I am selling the Mundo:

• It costs money to fly or ship the bikes and the mundo is a big bike, costing more than average.
• If we sell the Mundo it enables us to have a little more grocery and rent money for the period between paychecks, something we really need.
• Once we've landed, if we fly with our bikes they inhibit our ability to take public transportation.

I have been encouraged by many friends to reach out for help at this time, to not sell the Mundo but rather to ask for help in the costs associated with getting it to England. Would you help us?

If we could keep our bikes not only would they obviously improve our lives just by their very existence, but also they would enable us to have an easier time finding work, getting Jack to school, getting healthier, even aiding us in earning money, but mostly this journey is far from finished and this doesn't feel like how things should end.

Of course, taking the Mundo means we won't free up that extra money towards living expenses but I am seriously considering doing an art sale or possibly even a car wash to help raise some funds to give us a little more cushion and room to breath.

Ultimately I can't offer much more than my sincere thanks for all that has been given to me here within the cyber pages of my blog, but maybe this time a little hand written note of thanks would be an acceptable sign of my appreciation?

If you feel like you could help us in some way or with a small contribution to the fund,  please send me an email for directions or if you prefer you can use PayPal and our email address, which is youaintgotjack(at)yahoo(dot)com

I would never have dreamed of writing this post had I not been moved to, by my dear friends around the world who encourage me and support me, I have been told I should ask and I will receive, you know who you are. Much love and gratitude that my limited words will never be able to express fully.

Regretably Offered For Sale - Yuba Mundo

There will always be things you part with along the way that beat you up, as our journey continues the things I part with that will truly hurt will include this bike. It's been a life changer, a steady reliable friend and I honestly love it, I will cry when we part.

With that being said, I know that I have a new bike arriving in the next few weeks and that it encompasses everything I need and want in a bike, but this steed pictured here, has served me well, it has altered the path of my life and in doing so has made it necessary for us to part. I don't think we'd even be moving right now if I hadn't gotten the boost in confidence this bike has given me.


There are numerous reasons that make it impractical for the Mundo to stay in our family, but in the end it all comes back to finances. We can't afford to keep it because it adds too much to our travel costs, and our budget is literally so tight that I can't justify the extra costs of keeping it and not freeing up a little cash instead, and trust me I have tried, and tried, and tried. It's not even that the money we receive from the sale will provide a cushion for survival, I'm not sure we'd be able to move without selling it, we literally need every penny.

We've decided to sell it as a complete set-up, I'm going to buy another child's seat the other end and recreate the sun-shade / rain cover on the Boda Boda (which will NEVER leave my company). I thought about taking the seat and canopy with me, but I felt like it would be a shame to dismantle such an amazing vehicle for change. I would love nothing more than to see another parent and child/children enjoy this bike and let it take them to new places, I want to share the love of the Yuba Mundo! 

Yuba Mundo
Running Boards (not pictured, brand new, never installed)
Go-Getter Pannier Bag
Stand Alone Kick Stand
Peanut Shell Seat with Sun Shade set-up and Rain Cover
Cateye Computer
Original tires with thorn proof liners
With original saddle (not pictured)


$1250

Contact me at youaintgotjack(at)yahoo(dot)com for more details.
Shipping costs are not covered in this price.

(STOP- read this post to see an update on the Yuba Mundo >> UPDATE)

Clicking my mouse on "publish" for this post is painful.

Cargo bikes by train

A fellow blogger recently posted about his desire to travel by train with his cargo bike and explained how the current Amtrak restrictions on weight leave many of us cargo-cyclists unable to enjoy the freedoms of train travel.  Traveling by train is a delight for so many reasons, not least of which is it's affordability and relaxation factor!  Is it possible to be stressed on a train? I think not, unless maybe Hercule Poirot is seated in the next cabin. 

Rather than sit back and complain about the current restrictions (which is all I'd done when I found out about them a few months back) this blogger wrote a letter to Amtrak in the hopes of inspiring them to make a change, even if temporary, to allow those restrictions to be lifted for a period of time.  In support of his work I went to Amtrak's Facebook page and their website and wrote short notes of support for the idea and I encourage you to do the same.

Having the tracks open for those of us on a car-less journey would give a sense of freedom usually only felt by the super fit touring cyclists, not slow poke, ex-couch potatoes with little tykes in tow.  I personally would love to visit my brother and his family in Portland- they have been so supportive of my journey and I would love to show off my bike to them.  We also have a relative in Seattle who was born a week or so before Jack, whom we've yet to meet and I would love for him and Jack to get together and enjoy some cheerios and a sippy cup while us adults catch up on the last few years. 


Here is a link to the TRANSPORTland blog,  I hope you'll "make tracks" and go there to check out the letter and lend your support!  It didn't take me much more than a few minutes.