Today I loaded my bike up for the first time at the local grocery store. When I moved it off the kickstand I was completely unprepared for the weight shift and almost dropped it as the front wheel shot off to the right and the handle bars dived for the ground. Immediately I felt completely incapable of riding it home and was sure I would eat dirt before the trip was done. I decided to push the bike to the sidewalk and distance myself from the people going in and out of the store (didn't need spectators seeing me make an idiot of myself), so I got to the sidewalk and I'm standing there wrestling with the bike when a bus decides to stop and pick me up and I'm not even at the bus stop! He realizes his mistake and continues to the end of the block where a guy is patiently waiting for him. I venture a leg over the bike and take off down the sidewalk, hoping the bus will take off so I can stealthily slip onto the road and get home before eating dirt. Alas the bus driver decides to wait and watch me as I cycle by, possibly he wants another look at "that cool orange bike", but most likely he was hoping I was going to give him some morning entertainment by falling on my arse! Luckily I made it along the sidewalk, slipped onto the road, nipped down a side street and with amazing gracefulness I road home with no wobbling at all!
I attempted to balance the load by stuffing the smaller pannier on the left with really heavy items like milk, laundry detergent, a large jar of sauerkraut, two packages of tofu and a can of baked beans. I filled Jack's seat with easily crushed items like bread, tortillas, eggs and toilet paper. The large Go-Getter got stuffed with all the rest, including fruits, veggies, cereal, cookies, tea, coffee and butter.
I realized today that I might be one of the only long tail bike owners who does not own a single bungee cord, so I shall remedy that as soon as possible. I think a bucket attached with a bungee behind the smaller pannier would be really useful. This trip did a lot to boost my confidence with the bike and it felt really good to know I'd eliminated the need to use our vehicle.
It's good that you have discovered the good use of the bungee cords. I never leave home without a few. Even if I don't plan on picking up anything. Never know when you will find something "interesting" while out riding......
ReplyDeleteHarry- I still need to make an emergency kit too- puncture repair stuff, some twine, a length of duct tape and all that. I seriously long for the day I find a cool free pile so i can haul home some project that the husband will roll his eyes at:)
DeleteLooking good! Here's what we did on one of our first grocery rides. I am considering adding them again, as they were quite effective. http://www.asimplesix.com/?p=53 Have you seen a Civilized Conveyance's boxes on her yuba? They look beautiful, but I wonder about the added weight...with hills.
ReplyDeleteThey are HEAVY, surely, but they are what we need for now-- keeping the babe protected is the first priority, of course. We look forward to when they can come off, though. Maybe another month? And then our Yuba will be a lean, mean, cargo machine once more. :)
DeleteInkandpen- would you guys say they are not worth the weight unless you are looking for the safety factor? I think they are spectacular, they look fantastic- but not sure I could handle any more weight on the bike lol. The green is my fave color- love green!!!
DeleteI think they're only worth the weight if you've got babies or other fragile things to carry-- otherwise, you can carry more with straps on the bare frame, and groceries carry as easily in the go-getter. The other functionality that we're looking to replace when they go is the wide flat platform across the back to carry things wider than the topdeck.
DeleteYeah, i just love the look! so classy! but yes, that go-getter can hold a ton of weight! Interested to see your back deck platform- that will be a cool project!
DeleteHey Stacy- Love your bin idea!! I have seen A.C.C's blog/bike- it's beautiful and I love the bins. I thought once I got fitter I might consider adding something like that to mine, but they do seem hefty for sure.
ReplyDeleteLindsay, get some lengths of rope and learn a few decent knots...much more versital and secure than bungees.
ReplyDeleteHey Kevbo- You are probably right and I'm actually pretty good at knots so I shall do that, may even have some hanging around here too! I shall go on a hunt tomorrow!
DeleteNRS straps are secure like rope, easy like bungees. Best thing I've found for securing loads on a bike, hands down.
DeleteNice- I will take a look at them! thanks
DeleteHi, Lindsay;
ReplyDeleteWe've been following since just before your bike arrived, but this is our first comment. We just want to say congrats on your fortitude! We've yet to master the art of panier loading & pretty much still stick to backpacks!
We ride in a city with limited bike infrastructure and with trams that run in rails with grooves just about the size of a bike tire in the middle of many streets. It took us a while to get up the courage to deal with those conditions, but it becomes pretty easy with practice & familiarity...All of this chatter because we simply want to extend our encouragement to you to stick with it. It will become a piece of cake, and you will become so addicted to riding that you will go into depression on deep snow days :-p
looking forward to the next installment!
Hello bee and jay- Thank you so much for following and commenting! I can't imagine cycling in your conditions, it would be totally freaky! Around here most people are so scared to get near me they seem to hover right behind me for about 5 minutes and then rocket by at any spot where they deem it wide enough- even though the roads in College Place are ridiculously wide and quite.
DeleteThank you too for the encouragement, warm comments always leave me with a smile on my face and it just feels so good to know other people are out there conquering the same challenges! Cheers! Lindsay
I've yet to get a longtail, a Big Dummy is my short list. Still counting my pennies. For now hauling is on the back rack or trailer. My pannier always has a minimum of 4 bungee's in it. 2 pair of different lengths. When the trailer is with me, I carry 2 5' cam straps and 2 10' ratchet straps.
ReplyDeleteBTW I love free piles too.
Shaneg20- I really like the big dummy, nice looking bike! I would still be counting my pennies if the local bike store didn't let me make a few payments!
DeleteThats an impressive load. I have never carried as much as that. My tips are to keep the weight low and ensure things cant bouunce out. Well done, what lock do use to secure the bike at the store? Do you carry a backpack too?
ReplyDeletePete
Pete- I ended up just getting a bit of remnant chain and a lock from Home Depot, while I certainly wouldn't leave it locked like that anywhere else, the local grocery store seems to have mostly unlocked bikes outside. And I can literally leave it right outside the door where the clerks can see it and they know me. If I'd have really tried that Go-Getter would have carried all of that on it's own probably- its a huge bag! I don't carry a back pack and don't know that I will because I'd probably just add another bag to the bike if I needed to.
DeleteCheers- lindsay
Mad props on the load\trip,I can see it being a big confidence booster! I've not yet tried a loaded grocery run (rack and trailer here,contemplating which longtail to invest in possibly early 2013,a Yuba or an Xtracycle conversion for one of my current bikes\projects),but I will be in the near future-your trip was inspiring! And yeah,bungees,rope,twine,repair kit (with sweet duct tape) definately something you should consider every trip :)
ReplyDeleteThe Disabled Cyclist
Hello TDC!
DeleteYou know the Yuba is a really affordable bike, compared to other cargo bikes, and that way you could keep your current bike for regular riding. I think I will get a simple used regular bike for if I want to zip out solo sometimes.
Oh no! I'm caught up already...
ReplyDeleteHehe, it was really hard not to comment on earlier posts in case you solved the problems (it looks like you did) that I wanted to help with.
Good for you! I can't imagine trying to start out biking in winter (with a kid no less!). I've fallen 5 times on ice and had a brief stint of hate for my bicycle when trying to stud the slick tires. It failed, but I've since been given a mountain bike that I plan to use on snow days.
You have lofty goals, but it sounds like you are doing very well so far! Just keep at it, one day at a time, and before you know it a year will have passed.
Pretty bike! I originally started trying to exercise because I really wanted an Xtracycle Radish- I thought it was the neatest invention ever, and I made a poster with a picture of it and the words "Have you ridden today?" A little bit later and I'm now commuting 3 miles, 4 times a day. I'm amazed at how much better at it I've gotten, and yet how it's still challenging on some days.
Anyways, I'm going to subscribe and follow you through blogger. In the great words on your blog: "Keep calm and pedal on"!
Hello Red-Eyed Tree Froggy- Oh thank you for reading all that haha so sweet! I do have lofty goals for sure and sometimes they can be quite overwhelming, especially when the toddler is screaming and my nose is running and the rain is too- I find myself wondering why the hell im doing this :) But we all know why, because this is far more eventful and enjoyable really.
DeleteHow excellent that you commute to work, and having lunch at home I take it? That's what my husband will be doing too. Thank you!! Lindsay
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and think what you're doing is great! My husband and I don't drive, but I've literally just got a second hand bike to cycle to work so I don't have to pay expensive bus fares anymore. I'm not very confident yet, but hopefully this will come with time as I will be doing a 3 mile each way daily commute! It's good to see other people starting out.
I carry a rucksack, which normally does us for most shops, but perhaps investing in saddle bags or some such might be a good idea in the future!
Hi Lo-Lo,
DeleteThat's exactly what I'm hoping, that I shall get more confidence with time. It's important too because confidence itself means you are safer. I think saddle bags are nice because the weight is carried lower, giving you more control and stability. BUT- I think that's also the beauty of cycling- you don't need a lot of stuff really. Keep us updated on your commute! Lindsay
I love it! That is quite the load and it is so awesome to see you use the bike the way it was intended. I also agree that a backpack is not necessary. If possible always add another bag to the bike.
ReplyDeleteI know bicycle don't go the speeds that motorcycles go but when I was learning to ride a motorcycle I would use a backpack to carry things when I needed it. An older biker saw me a told me to get some saddlebags because if you carry anything solid and get knocked off the bike for whatever reason you could land on your back and be seriously injured if not paralyzed from an accident that you very well could have easily walked away from.
I'm still amazed that you got all that home on the bike. The photos don't make it seem like the bike has all that storage space, but obviously it does lol. Keep it up!
Hi Jason- I could have fitted twice that amount of stuff if I could actually cycle the bike after I'd loaded it lol.
DeleteI really hope to do more and more utility riding, I love the challenge!