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my first time using the trailer for groceries

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Road Cycling
Published
4 May 2004
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13 May 2004
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Max
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  1. This is not earthshaking. It's not even all that
    impressive, but ...

    Today i hooked up my thrift store Burley trailer and headed
    off to my grocer, not far, maybe two or three miles. I've
    always used a backpack for trips before.

    Wow, but those Burley trailers carry a big load! Not
    counting the 10# sack of potatoes, i needed three trips to
    carry everything into the kitchen. :-)

    The ride was quite pleasant, partly because I wasn't in hammer-
    commute mode. Plus, it was a nice day, here in the region of
    the greater suburban chicagoland metropolitan area.

    Thus another class of car trip is rendered unnecessary.

    .max

    --
    the part of <[email hidden]> was played by maxwell
    monningh 8-p

  2. "Max" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    This is not earthshaking. It's not even all that
    impressive, but ...

    Today i hooked up my thrift store Burley trailer and
    headed off to my grocer, not far, maybe two or three
    miles. I've always used a backpack for trips before.


    [...]

    Quoted message said:

    Thus another class of car trip is rendered unnecessary.

    Congrats. How do you lock up the trailer when you are
    shopping?

    --
    'An environmentally concerned ex-CIA agent is willing to bl-
    ow things up in Alaska to save Mother Earth.'
    - blurb for a Steven Seagal
    movie

  3. loki said:

    "Max" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

    Quoted message said:

    Today i hooked up my thrift store Burley trailer and
    headed off to my grocer, not far, maybe two or three
    miles. I've always used a backpack for trips before.


    [...]

    Quoted message said:

    Thus another class of car trip is rendered unnecessary.

    Congrats. How do you lock up the trailer when you are
    shopping?

    i picked up a longish length of lightweight chain at the
    hardware store, it's more of a reminder not to steal than a
    preventative.

    .max

    --
    the part of <[email hidden]> was played by maxwell
    monningh 8-p

  4. I use mine mostly to transport my Doberman to somewhere
    we're going; though it's been replaced by a Tanjor trailer,
    which has less wind resistance and is much cuter.

    Unfortunately the Tanjor site seems to be gone so I can't
    link to a picture of the trailer, which resembled a B-29
    fuselage with a tandem cockpit.

    Probably the Burley is better for general box shapes.

    Hauling 160 pounds of softener salt in either makes you
    aware that physics rules. The slightest upgrade slows you to
    a crawl. It's not a matter of drag but of hill
    magnification.

    The Tanjor in general let you run in a gear higher than the
    Burley, from reduced wind drag, in other cases. On downhills
    you notice hauling the loaded Tanjor that the bike goes a
    lot further at the bottom than the bike alone would have,
    being pushed by the mass of the load without much offsetting
    wind drag from it.
    --
    Ron Hardin [email hidden]

    On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

  5. In article <[email hidden]>,

    Ron Hardin said:

    Hauling 160 pounds of softener salt in either makes you
    aware that physics rules. The slightest upgrade slows you
    to a crawl. It's not a matter of drag but of hill
    magnification.

    In addition to the hill magnifier, which around here
    (illinois) doesn't mean all that much, i noticed some kind
    of long period impedance surging; the bike would become very
    noticeably more difficult to pedal for a few seconds and
    then much easier again.

    This phenomenom seemed more noticeable at higher speeds.
    I'm guessing that the trailer wasn't in perfect
    longitudinal tracking alignment, but i dunno. It definitely
    imporved my workout!

    .max

    --
    the part of <[email hidden]> was played by maxwell
    monningh 8-p

  6. Max said:

    In addition to the hill magnifier, which around here
    (illinois) doesn't mean all that much, i noticed some kind
    of long period impedance surging; the bike would become
    very noticeably more difficult to pedal for a few seconds
    and then much easier again.

    This phenomenom seemed more noticeable at higher speeds.
    I'm guessing that the trailer wasn't in perfect
    longitudinal tracking alignment, but i dunno. It
    definitely imporved my workout!

    It's the missing limb effect. You notice some resistance
    that's odd, say after the hitch spring expands to accomodate
    a pedal thrush instead of remaining rigid. Your sensors
    detect additional drag from its contracting again a tiny bit
    later, and you infer the presence of an extra load. That
    inference lingers long after the load is gone.

    --
    Ron Hardin [email hidden]

    On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

  7. Quoted post said:

    Originally posted by Max
    This is not earthshaking. It's not even all that
    impressive, but ...

    Today i hooked up my thrift store Burley trailer and headed
    off to my grocer, not far, maybe two or three miles. I've
    always used a backpack for trips before.

    Not only impressive but exceedingly cool as well. I made my firest foray to ghe gorcers last week. I haven't a bike trailer so I loaded up the old steed with ever form of cargo carrying device i owned and we set off at brisk pace.

    The great thing about groceries and bike transport is that you really think about what you are buying, do you really need it and is it worth the space in the panniers to bring home. I found myself making decisions on nutritional value for the volume.

    Nevertheless, I managed to bring home 55 lbs which amazed me when I stacked it all on the scales at home. Like you said, another car trip now nullified. I can do the groceries on the bike thing for most occasions.

    I'm thinking about getting a trailer this fall or getting one of those cargo bike attachments.

    in any event, congrats on the experiment.

  8. In article <[email hidden]>,

    Brunswick_kate said:


    The great thing about groceries and bike transport is
    that you really think about what you are buying, do you
    really need it and is it worth the space in the panniers
    to bring home.

    And if you still need more groceries, it's an excuse to get
    some more riding done. I can easily get in 30 Km or more
    just by doing multiple grocery runs, and cherry-picking
    which stores around town I ride to. I won't hesitate to ride
    20 Km just to go to the specialty cheese shop[*] that I
    recently discovered (while just riding around.)

    While riding out-&-back or loop routes just for the sake of
    riding is fine and wonderful, there's a certain satisfaction
    to having a practical purpose and destinaton. Then there's
    the convenience of making pit-stops en route, for a cinnamon
    roll or ice cream, or just to look at the window display of
    a new shop. No hassles of looking for a parking spot or
    feeding a parking meter.

    Shopping by bike is a pleasure.

    Quoted message said:

    in any event, congrats on the experiment.

    Seconded.

    cheers, Tom

    [*] It's in Jericho Village Shopping Mall, Vancouver, BC.
    Possibly the most hidden-away mall in the world.

    --
    -- Powered by FreeBSD Above address is just a spam midden.
    I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

  9. "Tom Keats" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    In article <[email hidden]>,

    Brunswick_kate said:


    The great thing about groceries and bike transport is
    that you really think about what you are buying, do you
    really need it and is it worth the space in the panniers
    to bring home.

    And if you still need more groceries, it's an excuse to
    get some more riding done. I can easily get in 30 Km or
    more just by doing multiple grocery runs, and cherry-
    picking which stores around town I ride to.

    I've got two choices of supermarket. One is literally
    across the street the other a 10 minute cycle. The closer
    market I like less becasue of price/quality. But I must
    admit I usually go to the one across the street. Being able
    to bring the shopping cart to my door is a big plus.

    Maybe with a trailer though....

    --
    'Keep on riding north and west Then circle south and east
    Show me beauty but there is no peace.' -rush

  10. I routine do grocery shopping by bike. It's one of the
    reasons I bought a touring bike -- it's pretty heavy duty
    and its easy to attach a rack, panniers and fenders.

    Typically I fill a couple of panniers and a backpack, and
    put stuff like paper towels on the rack with a bungee cord.
    I can carry quite a bit. Also, the grocery gives me 5 cents
    off for each bag I bring -- a total of 15 cents for the bags
    -- not to mention saving gas, wear and tear on the car, gym
    fees, etc.

    It works for me (in most weather, most of the time).

  11. [email hidden] (Tom Keats) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    In article <[email hidden]>,

    Brunswick_kate said:


    The great thing about groceries and bike transport is
    that you really think about what you are buying, do you
    really need it and is it worth the space in the panniers
    to bring home.

    And if you still need more groceries, it's an excuse to
    get some more riding done. I can easily get in 30 Km or
    more just by doing multiple grocery runs, and cherry-
    picking which stores around town I ride to. I won't
    hesitate to ride 20 Km just to go to the specialty cheese
    shop[*] that I recently discovered (while just riding
    around.)

    While riding out-&-back or loop routes just for the sake
    of riding is fine and wonderful, there's a certain
    satisfaction to having a practical purpose and destinaton.
    Then there's the convenience of making pit-stops en route,
    for a cinnamon roll or ice cream, or just to look at the
    window display of a new shop. No hassles of looking for a
    parking spot or feeding a parking meter.

    Shopping by bike is a pleasure.

    The thing I don't like about shopping by bike with multiple
    stops and panniers is having to unload and carry the
    panniers any time I go into a new shop, so that the stuff
    doesn't get stolen off the bike. Shopping by bike without
    having to carry anything heavy and just picking up some
    cheese here, or a baguette there and putting all into a
    backpack is nice though 🙂

  12. In article <[email hidden]>,

    (Tanya) said:

    The thing I don't like about shopping by bike with
    multiple stops and panniers is having to unload and carry
    the panniers any time I go into a new shop, so that the
    stuff doesn't get stolen off the bike.

    Well, I'm one of those milk crate people. My bike is my
    pickup truck. Actually, the milk crate has a remarkable
    capacity. And when it's full, it's often possible to hang
    stuff off it. The trade-off is the height of it on the bike.

    Quoted message said:

    Shopping by bike without having to carry anything heavy
    and just picking up some cheese here, or a baguette there
    and putting all into a backpack is nice though 🙂

    I'll frequently drop stuff off at home, and then go get
    another load. I used to succumb to route-planning and
    applying the mathematical 'Traveling Salesman Problem', but
    now I just enjoy having places to ride to, and things to do
    when I get there. And escaping from the house ;-)

    A couple of days ago while locking up at a bike rack, I met
    a fellow with a detachable, folding, wire handlebar basket
    on his flat MTB handlebar. It seemed to be based on those
    ones that hang on rear racks a la panniers. It looked quite
    handy for smaller loads.

    cheers, Tom

    --
    -- Powered by FreeBSD Above address is just a spam midden.
    I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

  13. Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    The thing I don't like about shopping by bike with
    multiple stops and panniers is having to unload and carry
    the panniers any time I go into a new shop, so that the
    stuff doesn't get stolen off the bike.

    My solution has been to live in an area, that despite being
    a year-round transportational cyclist- I have never had
    anything stolen from inside panniers or a trailer in 8
    years. One time had a flag stolen and another time a
    decoration on top of a bike bag- but not bad for about
    5000km/year.

  14. Jay said:

    My solution has been to live in an area, that despite
    being a year-round transportational cyclist- I have never
    had anything stolen from inside panniers or a trailer in
    8 years.

    that's not a solution, jay. it's a gamble.
    --
    david reuteler [email hidden]

  15. Serious? Big, tough, sinewy dog like that? I'd be in the trailer with my faithful companion pedaling.....

    Quoted post said:

    Originally posted by Ron Hardin
    I use mine mostly to transport my Doberman to somewhere
    we're going

  16. [email hidden] (Tom Keats) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    In article
    <[email hidden]>,

    (Tanya) said:

    The thing I don't like about shopping by bike with
    multiple stops and panniers is having to unload and
    carry the panniers any time I go into a new shop, so
    that the stuff doesn't get stolen off the bike.

    Well, I'm one of those milk crate people. My bike is my
    pickup truck. Actually, the milk crate has a remarkable
    capacity. And when it's full, it's often possible to
    hang stuff off it. The trade-off is the height of it on
    the bike.

    How do you prevent stuff from getting stolen out of your
    milk crate when you are at the next stop? Or do you take it
    all with you... Or live somewhere where people will just
    leave it alone?

    I used a milk crate bungied to my bike before to transport
    a flat of pansies. Only 9 of them would fit flat in the
    milk crate and so I had to balance the other 3 containers
    on top of the bungee cord (those 4-cell packs have the
    slits in the middle) so none would get squished. And then
    ride carefully 🙂

  17. Tanya said:

    [email hidden] (Tom Keats) wrote in message
    news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    In article <[email hidden]>,

    Brunswick_kate said:

    The great thing about groceries and bike transport is
    that you really think about what you are buying, do you
    really need it and is it worth the space in the panniers
    to bring home.

    And if you still need more groceries, it's an excuse to
    get some more riding done. I can easily get in 30 Km or
    more just by doing multiple grocery runs, and cherry-
    picking which stores around town I ride to. I won't
    hesitate to ride 20 Km just to go to the specialty cheese
    shop[*] that I recently discovered (while just riding
    around.)

    While riding out-&-back or loop routes just for the sake
    of riding is fine and wonderful, there's a certain
    satisfaction to having a practical purpose and destinaton.
    Then there's the convenience of making pit-stops en route,
    for a cinnamon roll or ice cream, or just to look at the
    window display of a new shop. No hassles of looking for a
    parking spot or feeding a parking meter.

    Shopping by bike is a pleasure.

    The thing I don't like about shopping by bike with
    multiple stops and panniers is having to unload and carry
    the panniers any time I go into a new shop, so that the
    stuff doesn't get stolen off the bike. Shopping by bike
    without having to carry anything heavy and just picking up
    some cheese here, or a baguette there and putting all into
    a backpack is nice though 🙂

    I've been using a BOB Coz trailer with a hardshell lockable
    body for years and it never has been touched. The BOB Coz
    trailer isn't made any more but there are other lockable
    bike trailers around.

    Lorenzo L. Love home.thegrid.net~lllove

    "Americans are broad-minded people. They'll accept the fact
    that a person can be an alcoholic, a dope fiend, a wife
    beater, and even a newspaperman, but if a man doesn't drive
    there's something wrong with him." Art Buchwald

  18. In article <[email hidden]>,

    (Tanya) said:

    How do you prevent stuff from getting stolen out of your
    milk crate when you are at the next stop? Or do you take
    it all with you... Or live somewhere where people will
    just leave it alone?

    If there's a particularly big load in my itinerary, I'll do
    that first, drop it off at home, then head out again.
    Otherwise, yes, I just take it all with me into the shops.
    I have a reusable muslin shopping bag that I bought at a
    re-tox centre many years ago; I just toss it in the milk
    crate when I set out, and use it for carrying small-item
    purchases as well as various cycling odds-'n-sods, like
    glasses & gloves.

    I don't drive a car, and if I had to take the bus I'd regard
    shopping as something to get over with as quickly as
    possible. But doing it by bike completely removes all that
    drudgery and tedium, so I actually enjoy making extra trips.
    It's a true paradigm shift.

    Quoted message said:

    I used a milk crate bungied to my bike before to transport
    a flat of pansies. Only 9 of them would fit flat in the
    milk crate and so I had to balance the other 3 containers
    on top of the bungee cord (those 4-cell packs have the
    slits in the middle) so none would get squished. And then
    ride carefully 🙂

    Ah, yes. I too have learned how problematic the logistics of
    packing flats of bedding-plants can be. Maybe there's a way
    to fashion some sort of removable shelf to go in a milk
    crate, to make it a 2-tier affair. As long as the plants
    aren't too tall. And maybe the empty flat itself could be
    bungied upsided down over the whole works to keep stuff from
    falling out.

    Speaking of plant containers, last winter I tried making toe
    clip covers out of some black plastic single-packs. They
    worked pretty good for awhile, but they eventually became
    bashed, crunched, split, and ratty looking. Maybe if they
    could be coated with something to firm them up ...

    cheers, Tom

    --
    -- Powered by FreeBSD Above address is just a spam midden.
    I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

  19. Quoted post said:

    Originally posted by David Reuteler

    BJay said:

    My solution has been to live in an area, that despite
    being a year-round transportational cyclist- I have never
    had anything stolen from inside panniers or a trailer in
    8 years.

    that's not a solution, jay. it's a gamble.
    --
    david reuteler [email hidden] [/B]

    A gamble perhaps but frequently a worthwhile gamble to live in a part of the world where the likelihood of having something stolen from bike packs and panniers is a low occurrence event. I've never had anything stolen out of my stuff and have never heard of anyone else losing stuff out of their packs. It seems our local thieving population concentrates on motor vehicles. Bless. They've hit mine twice.

    Mind, the bike is usually naked when it's out overnight. When it would be sitting in a vulnerable state to be ransacked, it's usually in a high traffic area during business hours.

  20. I've been doing the same thing with my BikeBurro for years.
    It has one more useful function, when I get to the market, I
    unhook it and it becomes my shopping buggy.

    - -

    "May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear
    for the hills!"

    Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

    Chris'Z Corner geocities.comczcorner

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