Did errands on my bike!

[emily_in_nc]

I also just began running errands by bike. Our lease was up on our mini van and with the nicer weather I felt it was not necessary to replace it just yet. Having one vehicle is working out just fine, husband drives me to the train station in the morning, we lock up my bike to a light post in town for me to be ready to ride home. Hubby prefers to take me in the morning. If I need anything at the store it is by bike. I take the car on Sundays to do the bulk of my shopping. I am really liking this. Today is fog an mist as is expected for the week so my few miles riding home should be interesting. I put a plastic bag over my seat so it is dry when I am riding home and I am wearing a rain jacket.

I have a train friend that would be happy to drive me even part way home, but I really rather ride as I want to hold off on getting another car until the fall if possible because I am just not feeling that inconvenienced by us having one car.

Congratulations, JoAnn, that is very cool! My only worry would be about my bike being stolen being locked up that way -- I very rarely let mine out of my sight. But very good for you for doing the one-car thing. We've found that as long as we're flexible and open-minded, it works great for us. Helps that DH is retired (and an avid cyclist) and that I have access to a bus line to get to work, not every day but at least 2-3 times per week. And work at home one day a week. Our gas budget has gone way, way down, even with the increase in prices at the pump.

[TrekTheKaty]

"If I have _really_ big or heavy things to carry like potting soil, beer crates or furniture, I use a small trailer."

Potting soil or furniture? You rock!

[Velocivixen]

This post inspired me to do light grocery shopping by bike - first time in literally 25 years! Rode 3.5 miles to store, bought groceries & they all fit in my pannier. Bike was still there when I got out (used 2 locks, but Portland Metro is replete with bike thieves), and got home. Whoo hoo. It wasn't bad.

[emily_in_nc]

This post inspired me to do light grocery shopping by bike - first time in literally 25 years! Rode 3.5 miles to store, bought groceries & they all fit in my pannier. Bike was still there when I got out (used 2 locks, but Portland Metro is replete with bike thieves), and got home. Whoo hoo. It wasn't bad.

Good for you! Thumbs up!!!

[Jo-n-NY]

Congratulations, JoAnn, that is very cool! My only worry would be about my bike being stolen being locked up that way -- I very rarely let mine out of my sight. But very good for you for doing the one-car thing. We've found that as long as we're flexible and open-minded, it works great for us. Helps that DH is retired (and an avid cyclist) and that I have access to a bus line to get to work, not every day but at least 2-3 times per week. And work at home one day a week. Our gas budget has gone way, way down, even with the increase in prices at the pump.

Thanks Emily. I have been wanting to do this for the longest time. I chose to lock it on the street lamp post as it is on a town street in front of stores. We felt it was safer there than under the train tressle where there are bike racks but also where kids hang out with there skateboards. My mtn bike is not worth more than a few hundred and should anything happen it would be a loss but not as big of a loss than my road bike. That will also mark the end of my commuting. So hopefully this will work into the fall season.

[TrekTheKaty]

You guys are enablers. There's murmur of a new road bike for me in our house. I'll ask the LBS if I can trade in my bike on a carbon fiber frame and a grocery store bike. (i love embarrassing my husband in front of serious cyclists. It's a little hobby of mine).

[Geonz]

It comes down to perceiving obstacles as challenges to be overcome, instead of reasons not to try. A grocery run.... can't remember why the aerobed is included...

[luv2climb]

I am "car-lite". That means I only use my truck if I absolutely have to or I want to take my road bike up in the hills to do some climbing. I have three adult trikes that I use for all errands and grocery shopping. Here's one of them, parked appropriately considering the lack of a bike rack:



Here's my "Sherman Tank" Gomier 6-speed trike towing my new Worksman Port-O-Trike home from the LBS on a rainy day:


one adult trike towing another one by kittyz202, on Flickr

I also put my Trek 7000 hybrid in the back of my truck so I can go riding when I take it to a shop to have any work done.

[Koronin]

I keep wondering if I can even fit a bike rack on the back of my road bike. It's a 47cm men's Trek 2000 series with 650 tires/wheels. I'm just not sure I can squeeze one in. The seat has to be at the lowest possible spot for me also. The adult trike idea is one I did not know existed and I may want to check out in the future. Although grocery shopping or even picking up something I forgot isn't really an extra trip since I'm either working in or driving by a grocery store on a weekly basis for my jobs. But it would be nice to have the option if I would need it.

[TrekTheKaty]

OOOHHHHH! I want a trike really bad! I found on one the internet and DH "forbade" me to buy it. He should know better

PS. Love the parking sign in the pic

And towing a trike with a trike--that's hilarious!

[shootingstar]

Imagine, cycling for groceries..becoming chic.

No, actually I don't think about it as a different/ atypical activity /way of doing things. How can I? I've been cycling for /with groceries for past 18 yrs. on a regular basis. Again to me, it's like brushing my teeth or vacuuming, necessary for me and brainless solution. Every time I choose to live somewhere ...can I bike to the grocery store /walk? Not even taking the transit is any option for me anymore for grocery shopping or going to the bank...that is too inconvenient because I'm subject to someone else's schedule.

Just lock your bike before hopping into the store. So far..have been lucky after all these years.

[Koronin]

I wish the grocery stores here did the 5 cents credit for the resuable bags, but they don't. The closest one that I know of that does is about a 45 minute drive away. I do try to remember the reusable bags. Although it was easier before I moved (a year ago) and I had a place for everything. Hopefully now I'll be able to get everything a place again and it will be easier to remember those.

[TrekTheKaty]

DH just informed me I don't have to trade in my road bike on the new one--I could add a rack with those foldable baskets. I'd planned to do that to my hybrid, but came home to my BIL driving away with it on the back of his camper And it's a triple--Zoom, Zoom!

That reminds me--I need kleenex and sausage!

My grocery store doesn't give discounts for bringing your own bags--but I had to pay for the bags! However, Whole Foods give me 10 cents or donate to charity. I always donate and the cashiers are very knowledgeable about the current charity--this month is the Wild Bird Sanctuary in South County.