Two beginner questions

[gingerale]

Love the bikes, Wildhawk.

[wackyjacky1]

Yeah, you just need to gain a little arm and upper body strength and you'll be tossing your bike around with ease in no time! Maybe you could check out the 100 Push Up thread in the non-cycling forum -- it's hard, but it's fun, too.

(Fortunately my work at the bakery has me lifting 50-pound bags of flour all day long, so toting my bike in and out of my apartment isn't too difficult for me. The push ups are another story, though... )

Ditto on the panniers -- I strap small loads on my rear rack, but need a set of panniers so I can get a little more ambitious at the grocery store. I don't think a trunk rack will hold enough. I don't have any panniers yet, but that's high on my list of purchases in the near future.

Wildhawk, it's so cool to see a pic of you and your bikes. Lookin' good!

[PamNY]

Thanks for the welcome and advice. Wildhawk, those pics are great and the handlebar bag looks like exactly what I need.

I'm definitely getting panniers. Thus far I've carried a dining canopy, barbecue gear, an electric sander, and three lamps. And I only got the bike last Thursday.

My first weekend was fun. I did ten miles on the level bike path with no problem, but the incline on the Brooklyn Bridge wiped me out. So I have my first goal to work on. Since I live close to the bridge that's easy.

I also did my first riding in traffic today. I'm a little scared, but I chose my route carefully and it went well. Unpredictable pedestrians were my biggest problem, but that's probably bad karma which I richly deserve.

I'm really enjoying reading this forum. Very inspiring and educational. Not sure I'm up for the 100 pushups, though....

Pam