Mary9761- you've inspired me

[Tri Girl]

to make my own panniers from kitty litter buckets. I've been really wanting something better than my touring panniers to haul groceries, but decided that I didn't want regular grocery panniers (I wanted something more durable). You posted pics of your panniers on the Hilly Hundred, and the slideshow inspired me to build my own.
I had to first locate some buckets (www.freecycle.org got me in touch with people who donated about 10), and then it was the difficult task of finding rope hooks. Who knew they'd be so hard to find? Lowe's, Home Depot, and my local Ace Hardware didn't have them, and had no earthy idea what they were- even tho I had a picture. I finally found them at Tractor Supply Company. Go figure?
I love them!!!! They are not the prettiest thing (my DH teases me about my frankenbike), but they are utilitarian- which is exactly what my workhorse bike is supposed to be.

Just wanted to share my thanks with you for inspiring me to build my own for under $10 instead of buying something new for much, much more. And on the plus side, the paint is so toxic, that I get a contact high from just using them (that's not really a plus- just kidding). The toxic fumes are pretty bad- for both me and the environment.

I put the lock through the handles and locked it to the rack because the fumes are still a bit much to bring it into the grocery store with me. People are pretty nice around here and nobody will mess with it (I left my phone on my handlebar last week at the store and nobody touched it- whew!)