I went grocery shopping!

[shootingstar]

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.

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.

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.

[OakLeaf]

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...

[obie]

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]

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.

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. 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

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 - It'll be a while, lol

[obie]

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!"

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]

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]

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]

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!"

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!

[TJ_Relic]

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]

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?

[TJ_Relic]

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.