View Full Version : I went grocery shopping!
spotlightmama
06-04-2008, 01:46 PM
I just put my new Basil panniers on The Green Monster and made my first trip to the grocery store! :D
Here's all the stuff I got:
2 bags sharp cheddar cheese
4 sticks of butter
Coffee creamer
sour cream
dozen eggs
Pam
tortillas
2 cans of veggie stock
1 box macaroni and cheese
hotdog buns
veggie beef
veggie hotdogs
2 lbs. organic chicken
2-liter of Rootbeer
bottle of sunscreen
AND...I didn't even lose one egg!! :p
OakLeaf
06-04-2008, 02:26 PM
No, the part that flabbergasts me is that you got butter home in Florida in June. I assume you'd have admitted it if it melted all over your new panniers and your other groceries? :cool: Do you have one of those thermal bags?
Good job! Commuting is fun ain't it!
Xrayted
06-04-2008, 02:36 PM
Congrats. Now the next step is the huge bag of pet food. Make sure you clip out on that side. :D
Actually, that's a good point. I may want to invest in a thermal bag for my panniers for the summer shopping. :rolleyes:
coyote
06-04-2008, 03:15 PM
That is a lot of stuff. Hmmm, I'm rethinking my panniers. :)
spotlightmama
06-04-2008, 03:46 PM
No, the part that flabbergasts me is that you got butter home in Florida in June. I assume you'd have admitted it if it melted all over your new panniers and your other groceries? :cool: Do you have one of those thermal bags?
Good job! Commuting is fun ain't it!
lol - I didn't even think about the butter! And oh man was it hot - Google weather said it was 102!! :eek:
Amazingly, the butter didn't melt. I should try to get one of those thermal bags though - I may not be so lucky next time! :p
KnottedYet
06-04-2008, 05:30 PM
Congratulations!
I love love love getting groceries on my bike. It's so satisfying, in some way. (can't define it... maybe the hunter-gatherer thing?)
Melalvai
06-04-2008, 05:31 PM
A trailer is a big help with groceries. If you're shopping for a family it is essential.
KnottedYet
06-04-2008, 05:43 PM
A trailer is a big help with groceries. If you're shopping for a family it is essential.
This is a spiffy grocery trailer: http://www.bicycletrailers.com/Croozer-Dog-Trailer.pro And mine (a bit older) folds flat so you can use it as a flatbed trailer for thrilling loads like a case of toilet paper from Costco. I assume the new one will fold flat the same way.
spotlightmama
06-04-2008, 06:24 PM
There IS something great about getting groceries on your bike! :)
I actually have a bike trailer for the kiddos - I don't know why I didn't use it. :rolleyes: I guess I just really wanted to use my new panniers, lol. :p I'm sure it would have been much easier to balance!
sgtiger
06-04-2008, 06:31 PM
Knot's trailer is very cool. I was really impressed with how flat it folds down.
There IS something great about getting groceries on your bike! :)
I actually have a bike trailer for the kiddos - I don't know why I didn't use it. :rolleyes: I guess I just really wanted to use my new panniers, lol. :p I'm sure it would have been much easier to balance!
Well, if you thought the panniers were hard you should try the milk crate sometime!! There's a thread somewhere on this site involving me having an *interesting* ride home with a load of groceries that was heavy and didn't fit into the crate very well. Getting groceries on the bike is definitely satisfying--seems I'm not the only one who's discovered that.
shootingstar
06-04-2008, 07:38 PM
Congratulations!
I love love love getting groceries on my bike. It's so satisfying, in some way. (can't define it... maybe the hunter-gatherer thing?)
Yea, cycling and eating quite compatible.
Though we buy junk food at times, I am certain if we had a car, the temptation would be greater, to stock up way more different junk foods.
Transporting groceries by bike, does for me, make me abit more conscious of food choices and purchases while I'm wandering around in store since there just is less transportation space is to get the food home. If I'm climbing hills with grocery weight, then I wanna make sure it ain't just a junk stone candyweight that I'm luggin' home...except if it's for a party. :D
Call me wierd, but I find it best on the weekend to go for a long 65+ km. ride early in morning and then go grocery shopping near the end on the way home... My body would be primed just after a good ride...to want to make somewhat healthier grocery choices....while I just abit later I had my coffee and apricot scone for energy. :p
We do bits of bike grocery shopping throughout the week ..each of us while we run our own daily schedules, with usually mini-bike grocery trips on weekend together.
bikerHen
06-04-2008, 09:00 PM
[QUOTE=Xrayted;324873]Congrats. Now the next step is the huge bag of pet food. Make sure you clip out on that side. :D [QUOTE]
Been there, done that. :D:
It's almost worth the effort just for the looks and comments I got while loading my trailer with 20lbs. of dry food, 12 - 22oz cans of food and a bag of dog bones. I love my trailer. I take it on a grocery run every week. :D bikerHen
malkin
06-05-2008, 04:46 AM
I have one of these:
http://www.leggero.com/leggero/shop/store/product_view.asp?KatalogeID=36
and its bike attachment.
It does a nifty, presto-change-o from trailer to shopping cart to hand cart.
KnottedYet
06-05-2008, 04:55 AM
Malkin, that is extraordinarily cool!
Becky
06-05-2008, 05:15 AM
Congrats on the shopping trip!
I have to ask though: did you leave your panniers on your bike or take them inside? Did you lock the bike? I'm still trying to figure out the logistical details of bike shopping. There's so much nice stuff (panniers, lights, etc.) on my commuter that I get nervous about locking it outside the supermarket. I keep telling DH that I need a cheap single speed for running errands :D
Geonz
06-05-2008, 05:32 AM
Welp, you didn't think I could let this just lie out there... can't fnd my grocery picture right now but here's another example.
I like taking bags in with me (welp, of course, then I don't have the paper or plastic thing either ;) ) - I don't like leaving things out that could be taken, even though it doesn't happen that much around here (once you're off campus. http://bp0.blogger.com/_2H3G4C5T6s0/R7w-kWN1QTI/AAAAAAAAAjc/OTlwjYopoaU/s320/Oranges+on+Xtracycle.jpg
OakLeaf
06-05-2008, 05:39 AM
I am certain if we had a car, the temptation would be greater, to stock up way more different junk foods.
OTOH, it's a lot easier to justify that late-night cookie run when it's on the biccyle... :p;)
Add me to the list of those who love shopping on the bike! I especially love it when it's farmers market shopping and there are rhubarb stalks and greens tumbling out.
spotlightmama
06-05-2008, 07:15 AM
Transporting groceries by bike, does for me, make me abit more conscious of food choices and purchases while I'm wandering around in store since there just is less transportation space is to get the food home. If I'm climbing hills with grocery weight, then I wanna make sure it ain't just a junk stone candyweight that I'm luggin' home...except if it's for a party. :D
You're totally right - it definitely helped me stop from any impulse buying. As soon as I picked up something off the list, I had to ask, "Do I really want to carry this home?" lol But Oakleaf has a good point...because I promptly used the butter to make peanut butter cookies. :p Cookies have become quite a motivating factor for riding lately!
Congrats on the shopping trip!
I have to ask though: did you leave your panniers on your bike or take them inside? Did you lock the bike? I'm still trying to figure out the logistical details of bike shopping. There's so much nice stuff (panniers, lights, etc.) on my commuter that I get nervous about locking it outside the supermarket. I keep telling DH that I need a cheap single speed for running errands :D
I did lock my bike up, but I left the panniers on. I was torn on whether or not to take them in, but they would have been sort of a pain to take off and I didn't anticipate taking too long. I was nervous that someone would take my bike, but I figured that I can't just be held back from running errands by that fear (but believe me, I shopped fast, lol). But this is the main reason I haven't taken my trailer...I'm not sure what to do with it when I go inside. I suppose I could take it in and use it as a cart...
And I am SO jealous of that Xtracycle - I am dying for one. But after the money I've spent on two bikes and the requisite accessories - :eek: It'll be a while, lol
It's funny - because of the subject matter, when I saw your tagline at the bottom (MS 150 Cycle to the Shore) I read it as "Cycle to the Store" and was thinking "wow, that's a long way to ride in order to get to a store!" :p
My rule of thumb for shopping is to carry one of the shopping baskets rather than a shopping cart. When it gets to heavy to lug around, then I know I have enough :)
Becky
06-05-2008, 07:34 AM
I did lock my bike up, but I left the panniers on. I was torn on whether or not to take them in, but they would have been sort of a pain to take off and I didn't anticipate taking too long. I was nervous that someone would take my bike, but I figured that I can't just be held back from running errands by that fear (but believe me, I shopped fast, lol). But this is the main reason I haven't taken my trailer...I'm not sure what to do with it when I go inside. I suppose I could take it in and use it as a cart...
You make a good point about not letting fear hold us back, and one that I need to take to heart. After all, it's just stuff. My panniers, like yours, are a royal pain to put on and take off. I think that I will try to modify the pannier attachments to make them easy-on, easy-off- suggestions are welcome!
I was actually considering that it might be easier to shop with the trailer and just use a long cable along with my U-lock to secure everything. I can easily roll the drysak up to carry it inside, and maybe even use it as a bag for my goodies!
DH and I did scope out another grocery store last night- not one that we usually shop at, but one that would be easier to get to by bike. I might give it a try next week.
Melalvai
06-05-2008, 12:38 PM
When I use a pannier on errands I take it inside with me, but it goes on & off easily.
My trailer, I leave attached to the bike. At the grocery store I go to that is fine. I've often thought as I am locking up my bike but not the trailer that I'm glad I don't live in one of those places where the trailer would be gone, because mine is also easy-on-easy-off. I suppose I'd run a cable lock through a tire or something in those places.
spotlightmama
06-06-2008, 05:46 AM
It's funny - because of the subject matter, when I saw your tagline at the bottom (MS 150 Cycle to the Shore) I read it as "Cycle to the Store" and was thinking "wow, that's a long way to ride in order to get to a store!" :p
:eek: lol - that would be quite a trip!!
You make a good point about not letting fear hold us back, and one that I need to take to heart. After all, it's just stuff. My panniers, like yours, are a royal pain to put on and take off. I think that I will try to modify the pannier attachments to make them easy-on, easy-off- suggestions are welcome!
I was actually considering that it might be easier to shop with the trailer and just use a long cable along with my U-lock to secure everything. I can easily roll the drysak up to carry it inside, and maybe even use it as a bag for my goodies!
DH and I did scope out another grocery store last night- not one that we usually shop at, but one that would be easier to get to by bike. I might give it a try next week.
It is just stuff. Go for it - I promise you'll be glad you did!
shootingstar
06-07-2008, 08:19 AM
I do unhook and carry my panniers around. Yea, a bit of a pain but I've done it for so many years now.
We tend to make several mini trips to different food shopping places during the week. Grocery shopping is seldom in 1 singular bike trip. Since each of us are on our bikes often during the week, we each take the initiative while rolling along homeward, to buy some food.
In retrospect, now I realize that we don't even draw up grocery shopping lists in advance..since it's shopping for just 2. So our cycling grocery shopping trips and efforts very rarely duplicate too much of same food or buying the "wrong" food.
Melalvai
06-07-2008, 11:43 AM
I do unhook and carry my panniers around. Yea, a bit of a pain but I've done it for so many years now.
So much of what I do related to my bike is so routine now I don't even notice. Like locking & unlocking, takes me just seconds, and it's just part of the ride. But when I started, it seemed like it took forever!
I guess anything is like that. Even getting in & out of the car, I could take a long time doing stuff like buckling the kid in her carseat, stashing my bag and/or purse and/or whatever else somewhere--oops, not on the kid--finding my sunglasses, running back in for this that and the other that we forgot, turning around at the first stopsign to run back for something else forgotten.
She's almost a teen now and this isn't quite the ordeal it used to be...still, my point is we get used to these little things that were such a pain.
TJ_Relic
06-07-2008, 04:56 PM
I did lock my bike up, but I left the panniers on. I was torn on whether or not to take them in, but they would have been sort of a pain to take off and I didn't anticipate taking too long.
I just got the Basil Panniers and I'm really uneasy about the velcro straps at the bottom and the other straps at the top. The velcro ones also don't line up well with the bars on my rack, so it is all weird. What the heck is going on there? I was thinking about putting some sort of plastic buckle. Any ideas?
spotlightmama
06-07-2008, 05:47 PM
I just got the Basil Panniers and I'm really uneasy about the velcro straps at the bottom and the other straps at the top. The velcro ones also don't line up well with the bars on my rack, so it is all weird. What the heck is going on there? I was thinking about putting some sort of plastic buckle. Any ideas?
The velcro straps on mine are so weird and I completely do not understand them. But I just wrap it around the sides of my rack and have had no problem I went shopping again today and got even more heavy stuff and it was fine.
Where would you put a plastic buckle?
Geonz
06-07-2008, 07:22 PM
So much of what I do related to my bike is so routine now I don't even notice. Like locking & unlocking, takes me just seconds, and it's just part of the ride. But when I started, it seemed like it took forever!
I guess anything is like that. Even getting in & out of the car, I could take a long time doing stuff like buckling the kid in her carseat, stashing my bag and/or purse and/or whatever else somewhere--oops, not on the kid--finding my sunglasses, running back in for this that and the other that we forgot, turning around at the first stopsign to run back for something else forgotten.
She's almost a teen now and this isn't quite the ordeal it used to be...still, my point is we get used to these little things that were such a pain.
that is somethign I realized when I drove a car after cycling for weeks... I had to *think* about things that had been routine (like parking or finding my floggin' keys, because the physical routine is different). I realized that a lot of the excuses people have for why they "can't" use a bicycle more ... because "it's so inconvenient to......" ... simply totally stop being inconvenient because they are routine. However, if you'd told me taht, I don't know if I would have believed you.
shootingstar
06-07-2008, 07:45 PM
that is somethign I realized when I drove a car after cycling for weeks... I had to *think* about things that had been routine (like parking or finding my floggin' keys, because the physical routine is different). I realized that a lot of the excuses people have for why they "can't" use a bicycle more ... because "it's so inconvenient to......" ... simply totally stop being inconvenient because they are routine.
When I am in someone else's car for a lengthy period of time, which is not often..it does feel abit luxurious to me :p. But as soon as they spend time trying to find parking, that's when I realize ..for the shorter trips to the store, restaurant...it must be a big pain in the butt ..just dealing with the parking..particularily in a big populated city. I think to myself: I could have parked my bike 15 min. ago (for free) instead of this circle game to find parking...
TJ_Relic
06-08-2008, 11:26 AM
The velcro straps on mine are so weird and I completely do not understand them. But I just wrap it around the sides of my rack and have had no problem I went shopping again today and got even more heavy stuff and it was fine.
Where would you put a plastic buckle?
My problem is the velcro is too short to reach or the bars on the rack are too far forward or something. But it goes through this plastic slot thing, and I thought I would buy a slightly longer skinny strap with a buckle to use instead.
I went grocery shopping today!
Haven't done that before, but have been plotting "errand commuting" all season, and slowly putting the old bike into riding condition.
So, today, I put the "kid trailer" on the back of my 25 year old Trek antelope 820, and headed down toward town to
COSTCO!
Costco is about two miles from my house, down hill all the way. You know what that says about my ride home with two gallons of milk, five pounds of peanuts and 9 pounds of assorted cheeses. There was more, what the heck was it? I added it all up, and figured about 35 pounds of groceries. I have not weighed the trailer, nor have I weighed the little chromoly bike.
DH and I figure that I trailed all the weight I've lost in the last year. I trailed it in the granny ring, and total granny gear on the biggest slopes.
BUT, the most exciting part is that I made it! The trailer is probably in need of grease in the wheel hubs, and who knows what else, since it was a garage sale find that we picked up to trail our grandkids around. I should slime its tires, since we have all kinds of things that could help flat them -- I carried a tire pump too.
Figuring out how to put the trailer onto the back of the bike was quite a process -- the gizmo that went on the bike wasn't with the trailer, but elsewhere in the shed.
The tires on the bike are OLD -- original equipment, and they look a bit scary. I think I'd like to get smooth ones, but will start with putting the tires that were on my "comfort beast" when I got it on this one for a while first. I'm trying to avoid making a really big financial investment before I know for sure I'm going to keep up with this "errand commuting" thing. The front brake needs some adjustment. I have to figure out how to do that.
I'm pretty sure DH thought this was a less than stellar idea. I called him this morning and asked when he was heading home from work. Suggested I could meet him somewhere along the way, but we need to do some grocery shopping, so how about I bring the trailer down so we could try a Costco run. He had been talking with a friend about doing that "one of these days" last night. I told him that HE would probably have to bring it back up the hill, and he seemed glad when I later called and asked how the heck do I get this thing attached to the bike? He suggested I give it a few more minutes, then bring the car instead.
I was already at Costco, bike locked up, a bottle of water downed, when he called me from another part of the parking lot to say, don't bring the trailer, bring the car, the wind is nasty. He didn't sound pleased to hear that I was already there, locked to the bike rack, wondering where he is.
After we loaded the trailer, I said I'd give it a try. That I'd probably be pretty slow, but I'd give it a try. I might decide he could tow it up the bigger of the two hills, but I'd give it a try at least up the first. There was a church parking lot where we could have safely swapped.
I was really slow up hills, even for me, but I made it. I thought about stopping part way up the second hill, but realized I'd never get that load going again if I did, and would have to walk the rest of the way (I had told DH that if I had to stop, I would be able to, unlike him, since he has the guy-thing going, and wouldn't stop if it killed him) so I am pretty pleased to be able to say I made it!
I wanted to take the dog for a ride when we got home, to see how he would do, but DH wouldn't hear of that. Apparently, it's just plain stupid to carry dogs along on a walk, or take them for a bike ride in a trailer. We'll sneak out sometime when he's not around. I'd like to be able to take him to his grooming appointments in the trailer rather than in the car. He's not a quiet car passenger, so the trailer might not be an option -- he could turn out to be just too squirrelly!
Oh, and: I'd forgotten what a nice little bike my Trek is! Now I'll REALLY never ride the comfort-beast again...
Karen in Boise
Melalvai
06-22-2008, 05:21 AM
Karen, that sounds fun! I remember my first grocery trips, and then the first grocery trips in the rain, and the grocery trips on icy roads...those are some true adventures.
I'm the stronger rider, so I pull the trailer, but when I was new to getting groceries by bike trailer, my husband liked to follow me on his bike. He did that for several weeks before he was comfortable letting me do this by myself. Too bad! He's not a keen cyclist so doesn't ride with me often otherwise.
beccaB
06-22-2008, 12:37 PM
Those adult tricycles that some older people use-they could haul a lot of cargo. I bet we might start seeing some more of those. Also, there is some sort of weird looking bicycle on the website for Project Rwanda, and the Wooden Bike Coffee company. It's a fairly expensive bike ,at least it would be for me.
This reminds me of back in the 70's we had moved from Florida to Virginia. My Mom wasn't used to driving in the snow, and had a car accident. We had to hike to the grocery store with our mammoth sized Kelty backpacks on, to carry the groceries home, because she was afraid to drive for a while. I guess my Mom was probably a revolutionary of her time.
madscot13
06-22-2008, 03:12 PM
Well, if you thought the panniers were hard you should try the milk crate sometime!! There's a thread somewhere on this site involving me having an *interesting* ride home with a load of groceries that was heavy and didn't fit into the crate very well. Getting groceries on the bike is definitely satisfying--seems I'm not the only one who's discovered that.
biking with groceries is the easiest part (I've only lost one egg in the history of my bike commute- and the whole carton flipped out); it is the loading them into the panniers that always gets me.
madscot13
06-22-2008, 03:13 PM
Well, if you thought the panniers were hard you should try the milk crate sometime!! There's a thread somewhere on this site involving me having an *interesting* ride home with a load of groceries that was heavy and didn't fit into the crate very well. Getting groceries on the bike is definitely satisfying--seems I'm not the only one who's discovered that.
biking with groceries is the easiest part (I've only lost one egg in the history of my bike commute- and the whole carton flipped out); it is the loading them into the panniers that always gets me!
I've got an addition to the story about Friday's Costco trip.
Yesterday, I had to meet the kids down there. Daughter and SIL wanted to get a card. Since referring someone to be a member nets a couple of their pizzas, a $20 value, it was worth going down to Costco.
It was mighty hot out, and I was feeling exceptionally lazy, so I took the car. DH said, get more milk, please, cuz we should have gotten two boxes (four gallons) but, he went on, "I thought I was going to have to tow the trailer, so I just got one box."
TODAY, we biked into town to meet one of his friends at a coffee shop where we got some coupons a few weeks ago. Been drinking free coffee for a while now! Anyway, DH was telling Mark about how we'd done the Costco thing with the bikes and trailer. Mark asked him how was pulling the trailer up the hill.
DH grinned at him and said it was easy as pie!
He DID fess up that he didn't do it.
I'm wondering if the wheel hubs need some attention -- we did pick it up dirt cheap at a garage sale a couple of summers ago, and it's probably a Walmart version kid-trailer. Follows well, but maybe it should be more enthusiastic on the downhills?
Karen in Boise
Melalvai
06-22-2008, 05:33 PM
I'm wondering if the wheel hubs need some attention -- we did pick it up dirt cheap at a garage sale a couple of summers ago, and it's probably a Walmart version kid-trailer. Follows well, but maybe it should be more enthusiastic on the downhills?
Do you have pictures? Not that I'd be any help just because there's a picture...I just want to see it.
I made a flatbed trailer out of the axle, wheels and hitch of a walmart kid-trailer. Actually I don't know where it was purchased from. I got it off craigslist for $20.
Do you have pictures? Not that I'd be any help just because there's a picture...I just want to see it.
I made a flatbed trailer out of the axle, wheels and hitch of a walmart kid-trailer. Actually I don't know where it was purchased from. I got it off craigslist for $20.
Just for you, Mel!
DH went for an early morning ride one Saturday and spotted it at a garage sale. He paid $25.
Karen in Boise
Melalvai
06-23-2008, 10:18 AM
That is the best kind to get imo. Why pay $200 for a burley or bob when you can get a used kiddie trailer for so cheap?
My "plan" for this errand commuting package is to keep costs down, so yeah, this trailer is perfect! I can get an "SUV bike" someday when I know I'm going to keep this up, y'know? For now, garage sale finds are ideal -- except maybe for the tires that I'll put on my little Trek.
Dang, I'd forgotten how comfy that bike is!
Karen in Boise
fastdogs
06-23-2008, 05:41 PM
I got groceries once on my bike, and it was much more fun than regular grocery shopping! I ride during my lunch break at work sometimes, a little 5 mile hilly ride. Near the turnaround point, there's a road that goes to a grocery store. So one day I took my messenger bag with me, and rode to the store. My bike is a downtube folding bike, so I folded it up, put it in the shopping cart, and picked up a couple of sodas, some bags of salad, breakfast bars in boxes, and a few other things. The messenger bag was really loaded (and it's a large one) but it was comfortable for the trip back to work.
It just felt very satisfying, although I don't like attracting attention, and the hot pink bike in my cart got a lot of looks.
vickie
madscot13
06-23-2008, 07:47 PM
I went grocery shopping today with my bike but some friends found me! we made some plans for the evening and they offered to drop my groceries off at my house and take me to the meet up place. Instantly the items in my cart doubled!
TahoeDirtGirl
06-26-2008, 02:08 PM
I am going through an almost obsession with riding my bike everywhere! I thought you guys who grocery shop would enjoy this....I figured out a route where I hit 2 'honor system' farm stands and one Saturday farmers market. Total round trip is 35 miles on back country New England roads. I like doing this ride on Sat. morning as the market starts 8 a.m. LOVE IT!
I'm having problems with packing though. I bought a milk crate for the interim, I didn't like the Basil panniers and saw the slick wire pannier baskets on here and I think I will get them. The milk crate seems a bit...well...unstable! I would like to just have something open I can toss my backpack and other stuff into when I ride to work and then use it on the weekends. Sigh...I just can't make up my mind...
But last wknd I didn't have the milk crate so I just strapped a cardboard box to the back. I loved it because everyone at the farmers market had something to say about the box and was instructing me on how I should get panniers or had some story about carrying food on a bike! But alas...I was the only one with a bike there...
I think biking really makes you look at what is going on around you...if I didn't start riding the roads, I would never have found these farm stands because they are on back roads I wouldn't be taking...
The trailer looks like a good idea--if you took them into the store that would be a good deal. We have Stop and Shop here in Mass...do you have them where you are ? You can scan your groceries and bag them, then pay at the end. If you did, you could pack your trailer and would not have to unload it to pay again. That would be ideal!!!
My daughter thinks I need to buy bread -- baguettes -- when I'm riding my "grocery bike," whether I need/want any or not, because it will be great to have it sticking out the top of the pannier. I suppose that means I should be buying carrots with the greens still on too!
The kids are amused by this new "notion" of mine, and were amusingly upset the other day that we weren't going to have a car for one day because she was borrowing one and the other was in the shop for service. They couldn't figure out how we could POSSIBLY get around without the cars!
Karen in Boise
Melalvai
06-27-2008, 09:43 AM
I am going through an almost obsession with riding my bike everywhere!
That sounds familiar...
I'm having problems with packing though.
I'd say the key is probably variety. You have a trailer for groceries, big panniers and little panniers and a rack trunk, sometimes you just need bungies say if you're getting a case of water or something. I don't think one thing fits all needs for a single person who is dedicated to cycling for transportation.
The trailer looks like a good idea--if you took them into the store that would be a good deal. We have Stop and Shop here in Mass...do you have them where you are ? You can scan your groceries and bag them, then pay at the end. If you did, you could pack your trailer and would not have to unload it to pay again. That would be ideal!!!
I don't know of any trailers that would be easy to just bring into the store. The trailers tend to be low to the ground. I guess there are some that can convert between trailers and strollers, I suppose that would work pretty well for what you describe. Mine is a flatbed trailer with a big plastic tub on it. I load it up just like I would load the groceries into my car.
Melalvai
06-27-2008, 09:43 AM
My daughter thinks I need to buy bread -- baguettes -- when I'm riding my "grocery bike," whether I need/want any or not, because it will be great to have it sticking out the top of the pannier. I suppose that means I should be buying carrots with the greens still on too!
That is a great visual. Now I want to go load up on carrots & a long baguette just to get a good picture.
cyclingmama
06-27-2008, 11:23 AM
That is a great visual. Now I want to go load up on carrots & a long baguette just to get a good picture.
Of course, to complete the visual, you would need to be on a cruiser with a wicker basket. ;)
I'm thinking about grocery shopping but not sure where to start. I shop for a family of 4, but the trip to the grocery store is about 6 miles with a big hill in each direction (so a big climb then a big descent both ways). Not sure how I'd fare on the hills pulling a trailer. I'm thinking of getting grocery panniers and splitting up trips, and then perhaps moving up to a trailer later if it works out.
For those of you that have grocery panniers, what kind do you have and how much do they hold?
hawkeyerider
06-27-2008, 12:29 PM
For those of you that have grocery panniers, what kind do you have and how much do they hold?
I have grocery panniers and was told that they hold 50 lbs. (or maybe that was the rack that held 50 lbs; either way, I'm not going over 50). I'm not going on big grocery runs anymore and am instead going more frequently and getting few things but still, you can get quite a bit with 50 lbs. I love taking my bike to the grocery store (and Target too!). Here is a link to the bag I have. This says $60 but I think I got mine (I have two) for $40.
http://penncycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=6391
madscot13
06-27-2008, 07:33 PM
I've got the REI novara panniers. probably not the best but with $40 I spent and the REI guarantee I am satisfied. I'm on my second pair. I do tend to try and mash everything in there so that probably puts more wear and tear on them. You can put paper bags in there and have some room on the side for my lock or something else (cereal anyone?)
as a bonus, I'm not worried about leaving them on the bike: not too expensive and not a lot of bling factor. I do get an occasional "goodie" from time to time.
redrhodie
06-28-2008, 05:02 PM
Okay, I'm a total lightweight compared to the rest of you. Instead of panniers, I carry one of these http://nymag.com/shopping/bestbets/wednesday/29372/ which I keep in my handlebar bag. I take it into the store, fill it up, then when I get on the bike, I hook one strap over each shoulder and use it like a backpack. It doesn't hold that much, so if I need more stuff, I make another trip (I like the added miles ;)). I shop daily, so a second trip is pretty rare. Just a simple alternative to a fully loaded trip, and really fun, too.
TahoeDirtGirl
06-29-2008, 08:23 AM
I was sad this wknd, the humidity and a late night kept me from my usual farmers market/farm stand rounds on Sat a.m.
Well I feel better now that I will be swapping out things on my bike like a new Barbie doll's plastic shoes (I never had one! Barbie that is!). The wire baskets are on the way, and I am going to check out some different panniers just for long rides. I haven't ridden for a couple of days due to the humidity- but I didn't drive to the store :)
Tri Girl
06-29-2008, 10:11 AM
OK, so I've been grocery shopping for the last two months by bike (with panniers), but today I went big shopping with the new flatbed trailer I made from an Instep kiddie trailer (just took off the top part, built a reinforced sub floor with steel and plywood and added front and rear rails). It was a BLAST! I was able to get a whole weeks worth of food, so I don't have to go every couple days (woo hoo!). I even brought the freezer bag with me to keep the milk and meats cool in (that didn't work as well- need to work on fixing one of our coolers to the trailer to keep that stuff cold so I can get ice cream next time).
I got A LOT of freakish looks from people while going to and coming home (and while locking up my bike to a shopping cart corral), but I think they were just jealous that they didn't think of it themselves. I felt a little like the bag lady.
I think I'm going to try to find a rubbermaid container to attach to the trailer (one that I can remove and bring inside with me and set in the cart so when it's full I know I'm done shopping), so that my bags don't want to fall all over everywhere like they did today.
Anyway- just had to share with you all. DH thinks I'm a little nuts, but I know it's with love that he thinks that. After all, the grocery store is only a little over a mile away- it's just silly to drive my car for that little distance.
KnottedYet
06-29-2008, 10:37 AM
TriGirl, your trailer is BEAUTIFUL!!!
TahoeDirtGirl
06-29-2008, 01:22 PM
You're my hero! I don't think I can do the trailer thing- the store is 7 miles one way and there is no shoulder plus potholes. Not sure what would happen if I hit the pothole. This way I get my workout every day.
Yes the ice cream is a challenge. I am looking for an insulated bag (Trader Joes sells one but it might be too big) that would fit in one of the wire baskets. But still I don't think it will keep ice cream from melting
Melalvai
06-29-2008, 06:27 PM
Yes the ice cream is a challenge. I am looking for an insulated bag (Trader Joes sells one but it might be too big) that would fit in one of the wire baskets. But still I don't think it will keep ice cream from melting
My grocery store is 2.5 miles. I only have problems on very hot days, >90F, with stuff like ice cream and popsicles, and then I use one of those freezer bags, they aren't insulated but are supposed to keep the food hot or cold for 2 hrs? I'd guess a lunch box type of thing would do fine for your ice cream on your 7 mile trip.
Of course we could also forego the ice cream, which might be better anyway... nah, who am I kidding? ;)
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