Bike Friday loaded for post office!

[emily_in_nc]

Today my DH loaded a couple of large packages (Ebay sales) onto his Bike Friday and took them to the post office to mail for me while I was at work. I had no idea he'd actually be able to get them on his bike rather than driving his truck. Was very pleased that he was this determined to ride rather than drive!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

That's fabulous!
Every little trip helps our wallets, our health, and the planet!

[shootingstar]

Your DH sounds like my dearie. Except we don't have a truck nor any car.

Therefore, he tends to be super determined on piling on big boxes, lengthy things (ie. skis)..

Since we live downtown, it's nice to have off-road paved bike paths for transporting large awkwardly shaped boxes, etc. However, he still had to cycle most of the route homeward on the road when he transported 4 dining rm. chairs in boxes on the bike trailer...riding real slow.

[Irulan]

I make runs to the UPS store several times a week. In good weather I fill up the kid trailer with tyvek envelopes. A great way to get in a ride and do some work errands.

[Tri Girl]

Most excellent! I just ordered my BF and it's nice to see that it can be loaded up for a trip to the PO.
Good for your DH!

[sgtiger]

I was wondering why you would be sending off you BF, since I know you love it. Heehee! Glad I was way off.

I'm very impressed that your husband was able to fit all that on there. That's very cool.

Are those the Arkel panniers that he has?

[Crankin]

Wow, I don't think I would be able to ride with that load! Of course, I am a wimp. What did he say about the ride?
I once rode to the library with some very heavy and big books in my pannier. On the way home, when I went to get in the lane to make a left across a busy road, the heavy load really messed me up, causing me to almost crash! I almost couldn't get clipped out when I went to pull over and stop. I ended up getting off my bike and walking it across the street. I found that the heavy load, plus the fact that I was on my hybrid bike, which just feels different, totally threw me off in a spot that I maneuvered on my commute several times a week on my road bike.

[emily_in_nc]

Are those the Arkel panniers that he has?

Yes, they're great. We each splurged and bought a full set (front, back, handlebar bag, and Tailrider) back in '04 for a self-supported tour in NY state. The tour was a great success, but I had a serious cycling accident (described in arielmoon's thread about her own dog/bike accident) the following spring, and we haven't managed to tour since. But we do use the panniers for "errand rides" still and hope to tour again one of these days!

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, I don't think I would be able to ride with that load! Of course, I am a wimp. What did he say about the ride?

He rode three miles to the PO and then another 13 around the area taking the "long way" home. I asked him if the ride got a lot easier after he dropped off the packages, and he said "Hmmm...I really didn't notice the difference". I was surprised, although the two packages together weighed around 10 lbs, so not excruciatingly heavy, and the tall one was the lighter one, so he wasn't really off-balance.

[Jo-n-NY]

Emily....Very Cool!!!

~ JoAnn

[tulip]

What a great photo! When I was a bike commuter, I often carried only one pannier with my laptop in it (I kept clothes at the office). I had no problem with having more weight on one side than on the other when I was moving. When I stopped, however, I noticed the difference.

Wow, you are inspiring me to get back to my daily post-office commute, which is 7 miles round trip, and since I don't commute to work anymore, it's a good way to get in some regular miles. The do add up.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Most excellent! I just ordered my BF and it's nice to see that it can be loaded up for a trip to the PO.

When I read this, I was thinking that "BF" stood for "boyfriend", which gave a whole new meaning to your post!