I went grocery shopping!

[Melalvai]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

TriGirl, your trailer is BEAUTIFUL!!!

[TahoeDirtGirl]

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]

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?