That’s right, prepping and marital advise, all in one blog post, that’s just how we roll here at SHTF, lots of value for your internet-buck.
We all know we need to be keeping fit BEFORE the SHTF, right? Right. I’m sure all of the SHTF Blog readers are getting their daily dose of sweat, so I won’ t insult them by reminding them about how important things like cardio, and weight bearing exercise and target practice are.
Let me ask you though, how many of you are including the person who’s most likely to be your partner in any SHTF event? For most of you, I’m talking of course about your spouse. (Some of you perhaps I’m talking about your roommate, or best buddy, or family member. Just ignore the marital advise, and take the rest.) I think it’s fair to say that most of us will either be at home when the SHTF, or we’ll head there as soon as we can. We need to know that the other adult(s) in the house will have our backs. Plus, studies have shown that working out with your partner produces chemicals in the brain that increase the feeling of happiness, reduces stress and actually increases sexual arousal and the desire for sex! What’s not to like about this?
Build trust and muscle – Do some weight bearing exercises. Whether it’s spotting each other for bench presses, tossing hay bales or humping some 40 pound bags around a walking trail, you will grow closer to your SHTF patner and learn each others limits, weaknesses and strengths. You can take those strengths and weaknesses into account when you are planning emergency responses. Or, conversely, work on the weaknesses that present a vulnerability to the preparedness level of the team. Like, for instance, your BO bins are pre-packed and ready, but they weigh 60 pounds each and your spouse can only lift 30 pounds.
Increase your stamina and your communication – Fit some couples cardio in, and reap the rewards physically as you both keep each other motivated. Reap rewards in your relationship, as most cardio is conducive to chatting with your partner, even if it’s just during warm up and cool down. We all wish we had more timer for those two things, so combining them is the best kind of efficiency. Again, you can focus on needed fitness levels for survival plans. Like, your BO plan includes a bike and trailer and your spouse can only go a couple of miles with the trailer before becoming winded. Hubby and I fit in bike rides as a family most weeks last summer. The fresh air, the bike wheels humming on the trail, the sweat and the conversation never failed to lift spirits and ease tension. And yes, we can both go significantly farther than a couple of miles while pulling a trailer.
Speaking of bikes and families, I’m going to crowd source this question. any readers have any bright ideas for infants and bikes? Hubby and I aren’t coming up with any good solutions for including the baby in our rides. The arrangements for the toddler don’t seem quite up to handling the baby. Help me out if you’ve seen any good solutions. Thanks!
– Calamity Jane
Save Your Life and Your Marriage
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11 comments
Hmm.. Would putting the infant in the infant car seat, then strapping the seat into one of the pull behind trailers work?
Had a chance to write more…Here are the two things you need to keep in mind:
1. Is the baby’s head/neck properly supported? For instance, most jogging strollers are recommended at age 4months+…the baby needs to develop the neck muscles to keep from flopping the head all over the place (for lack of a better term). The infant car seat is best up until they get good head control- because it is designed to protect the neck/head…that is why I suggested using the infant seat.
2. Is there proper protection in case of a crash? Honestly, I was always a bit afraid whenever I took (even the older toddlers) in the bike carrier…if we were to have gotten hit by a car….shudders….However, barring a direct hit by a vehicle…you need to make sure the child is securely fastened in the trailer, etc. so that they are not thrown around if the bike/trailer tips over.
Does that make sense??
You could always do a bike trailer with an infant sling. Here’s an example. http://www.rei.com/product/783817/chariot-carriers-infant-sling
OH, that’s awesome! Thanks!
My husband is not for “prepping”. But he loves hiking, fishing and camping, so we go on walks with the kids. And we are planning a camping trip as soon as he can get some time off. When we walk we always take the stroller, so when the little one gets tired we don’t have to carry him.
We do not bike, yet. We both want to start riding bikes but have not gotten around to buying any. As for taking the baby, I have no idea. I have always been one to take my kids every where but I think I would be to afraid to bike with such a little one. Maybe try asking people at bike shops.
i’m not doing anything for anyone as i don’t currently have anyone as i read of bank runs in europe and asia and get a daily dose of every country and major company underestimating how bad their situation is, that type of doom doesnt sell well to women; they want a happy, optimistic guy; but all i see is dark clouds.
so, i’m getting myself ready and manging to have some extra around for family members and i figure a guy who was ready for what i believe is a 2 to 3 year worldwide depression ought to have his pick of women that are needing a guy who can handle whats going on.
i know some will be offended that i take advantage of the coming depression to land a great woman, but dont tell me that women and men hadnt sought out the most capable mate for hundreds of years.
Jane,
I’ve cycled for many, many years & rode with my older kids (now 19 & 17) from a very young age – mom had no interest in riding – silly girl.
Anyway two things I’d assess is – your ability/comfort road biking & where are you going to be riding – parks, “city” type streets, gravel type roads etc – you get the picture.
Those two are the biggest concerns because if things get a bit wonky you need the confidence to make adjustments/corrections as you ride. You can always build the confidence in mellower areas to get a feel of things then, graduate up. First & foremost, you’ve gotta control yourself & the bike.
I started with the trailer in back & made sure the child was secured well. When they got older (as far as muscle control with their neck) I went to a car seat type on the back of the bike. Be careful because those things can throw your balance off quickly because there is a limit to their stability. Bikes are not designed for that weight being directly over a single tire so as their weight shifts or you turn a bit sharp or what have you, the relationship changes.
Once they were 4-5, I trained them to ride a 2 wheeler & took them out often and made a wonderful game out of riding. I always ride behind them & coach gently. Riding behind them gives them a feeling of being more responsible & you can make any corrections with verbal commands & if things look like they are going to get spooky, a couple of hard pedal pushes & you are there for the rescue.
My now 7 year old is a wiz riding a bike & I have him well trained on city streets BUT he is never allowed to ride on them without me being present. I do ride behind him still & watch the road like a hawk.
Hope that helps!
BTW, I never crashed or fell over with my kids so, fear not!
Yea, that weight over the tire issue is why we haven’t tried that car seat type option. Thanks for all the insight!
There’s a lotta bicyclists here where I live, & there are some pricey ‘Dutch Bikes” that are basically a marriag of a wooden wheelbarrow & a bicycle – the look more durable than seats & trailers, but I only mention it to recommend that a handy couple like yourselves MAKE YOUR OWN – an open Styrofoam cooler padded & belted would be safer than what they sell in bike stores…
However I’ve seen a LOT of crashes, and been in a few. Know this:
DON’T put your kid in front – that’s where you’ll go in the slightest crash – into the kid & over the handlebars.
Doesn’t matter how ‘good” you ride. People are crashing all the time because of terrain, other careless riders, pseudo lance-armstrongs, inattentive/lost drivers, and also drivers who highly resent that you are riding with the walk sign instead of walking…
After seeing all this I don’t think I’d let my kid ride in the road until… 16? America just isn’t laid out for bikes, and there’s no safety in numbers, either… If you do – put a “Baby On Board” sign & cute LED’s & flags & streamers, anything you can think of to make people consider their actions. Sorry, its the truth!
Nothing drives me crazier than the Lance Armstrong wanna be’s!! They get all decked out their Tour De Whatever outfits & are a real pain in the ass when on the road. I rode competitively years ago & realized right away that a race is in a controlled environment where streets are blocked off AND when practicing or staying in shape, you are on public roads that belong to cars! So it’s best to understand who rules the road & who can get road rash.
These arrogant doorknobs who think they own the road while riding in their yuppie garb makes me want to drive by & casually bump them off of the road. Seriously.
That being said, wait until a kid is 16? I don’t agree – the earlier the better because, in my experience, you can control the child pretty easily when you keep in step, coach age appropriate & watch the damn road.
PS
I started riding busy city streets by myself when I was 9. & took a 50 mile ride on Pacific Coast Highway in So. Cal with 2 friends, stayed overnight in tents when I was 13. So my experience is a bit different but the roads & traffic is pretty much the same.