In my case, I'm a new, overweight, out-of-shape cyclist who isn't doing road trips yet or training for anything.

But I'd like to do my part for the environment (and my health) but making this 1/2-mile to 1-mile errands bike-able. That would mean having a basket large enough to carry mail or a small package in, and or a couple of grocery bags. You wouldn't believe how often I go to the supermarket and pick up small items. The supermarket is closer to me than a convenience store!

So what I like about those baskets is how easily they come off. I wouldn't use them all the time -- just on quick errands.

As for the larger bar bags, because my husband and I will be "Sunday cruisers" and aren't looking to compete, I'd assume they would be for cameras (mine is Digital SLR and my husband has several different ones to choose from, or to carry more than one), snacks, I don't know what. I do eventually foresee us picnicking from our bikes, though.