first ride with pannier

[soprano]

I take up to 30 lbs on one side only all the time with no balance problems. A heavy, unbalanced load is noticeable, but as long as you're not exceeding the load limit on the rack it's not a hazard.

redrhodie, don't worry about what you're wearing. When I see people at the grocery store in athletic clothes, I assume that they've been out for a long ride or somesuch. If you want to wear street clothes, you can get a strap with velcro for your pants leg, to keep it out of your chainring. I also find a sports bra to be indispensable.

If you think you'll occasionally be picking up things like kitty litter that might not fit in your pannier, pick up a bungee cord or two at the hardware store for strapping stuff crosswise across the rack. I love hauling home weird stuff like garden hoses, just for the double-takes from motorists Welcome to the world of transportation cycling!

[Biciclista]

a cyclist I know broke his hip because his load was so unbalanced. Of course you can ride just fine with an unbalanced load but you are better off with balance in case something goes wrong.
A friend of mine had trouble clicking into her pedal with an unbalanced load. Her bike went down TOWARDS the load (and the cars) which scared her half to death.

[Crankin]

I only have one pannier on my hybrid; I don't think I've had 30 lbs. in it, though, but I just am careful and so far, have never felt unbalanced. I bought a bunch of presents for the holidays, some ceramic stuff and rode home very gingerly last year.
If I am just doing errands, or meeting someone for lunch, I do dress differently. Not regular clothes (well sometimes on the top they look like regular clothes, but are shirts with some lycra or a hoodie or Shak), but more casual, commuter cycling clothes. I wear my Jonesware wool hiking pants and the shorts underneath, with my right leg in a band for colder rides and look very chic . In the summer, I tend to wear skorts for errand rides.