Seems like every sidebar I pass features this:
I’ve even seen posts from people just desperate to win it (apparently there is a July contest and posting gets you entries – run don’t walk!)
Now, I’m not going to claim to be that much of an athlete to begin with – but I think this looks like a nightmare. Seriously. Pulling a bucket full of kids around? Yeah – no thanks.
Who came up with this idea? And who tested it out? Obviously people who live on very flat terrain.
Well, if you are a Madsen enthusiast, dying to get one of these babies in time for your family vacation at the beach, I have one question for you: How much do your children weigh?
My oldest son is only four, but he’s pretty gigantic. So that’s almost 60 lbs. of kid right there. Then there are the two year old twins who are both about 30 lbs. Altogether – that is well over 100 lbs of child to lug around.
How much do you think these kids weigh?
(in a skirt no less!) My second question is, have you ever pulled your kids around in a wagon? Yes? Okay – now strap that wagon to the back of your bike and hit the trails. Try to find one with a good incline. ‘Cause THAT sure sounds like fun!
I could just see myself on one of my neighborhood hills, sweating bullets and only just barely moving. At some point I would finally feel my muscles seize up, then fall over sideways, bike, kids and all. And I won’t even get into the terrifying image of downhill inertia taking over…
When I first saw this thing, I laughed. I thought it must be a joke. A pretty, blue joke. But surely not something that people would actually want. I mean really – is this what the masses think of when they hear, “fun summer afternoon”? If I surveyed the blogosphere at large, would there be a resounding “YES” to the Madsen?
Insert Family Feud scene here:
Richard Dawson: The question is: What is a popular summer activity?
Johnson Family: Swimming!
Richard Dawson: We’re hitting the beach or the pool…Survey says!
Scoreboard: X
Richard Dawson: Hmmm. Out of 100 people surveyed, no one likes swimming… Okay…let’s try again. The question is “what is a popular summer activity?”
Johnson Family: Tennis!
Richard Dawson: Meet me on the court at ten…and Survey says!
Scoreboard: XX
Richard Dawson: Ho! Too hot for tennis… You have two strikes now, so one more to go. What is a popular summer activity?
Johnson Family: Pulling a bucket of children uphill while riding a bike!
Richard Dawson: We’re going with the Madsen! And Survey says!
Scoreboard: dingdingdingding Pulling a bucket of children uphill while riding a bike = 100
Survey says: bloggers LOVE Madsen.
Just another example of why I’m not fun….