MobileGroceryStore

[LoneBiker]

Had to drive the box truck home from work Friday, leaving me either a mobile billboard(8mpg) or the Jeep (15mpg) for groceries and errands. So i threw the panniers on the Trek and rode 6 miles to the grocery store, where I proceeded to buy way too much food, including 3 3-litre sodas and a giant garlic Boxed food went in one pannier, produce in the water bottle holder, frozen food in the other pannier, the 3 3 liters and garlic bread were strapped on top of the rack/panniers, leaving me 2 bags hanging from my handlebars, all for the long wobbly ride home, taking a safer, slower way.
I have never had so many people laugh at me on my bike before, but im sure it got them thinking. I saved 4 bucks in gas, had a good ride, and enjoyed a humid 90degree day.

[fudgedit]

Many moons ago when I was living in Michigan I attempted to ride home from the grocery with two full paper bags, one in the backpack and one in my left arm and a case of beer precariously balanced on the handlebars. I made it all the way to the entrance of my apartment building before I wiped out, but I saved the BEER! I learned from that experience. I now just go to the store more often and shop for just several days instead of trying to do a whole week or two in one trip. I probably end up spending more, but I buy less crap food. You have got to be careful with those plastic bags dangling from the handlebars. I have seen those dump everything when they rub the tires. Don't worry about the those who are laughing. Just think where they will be when cars are outlawed and only outlaws will drive cars.

[tryandgetme]

also don't let those plastic bags on the handlebars swing onto your brake levers. the left one makes things get interesting fast. Duffel bags with wide shoulder straps are great, one on each shoulder crossing over your neck.

[robcycle]

I have had a similar experience. Something to do with several bottles of wine, several big bottles of beer, and about $45 of groceries. One of the straps on the backpack actually started to rip when I tried to pick it up! I ended up lifting the bag onto the saddle to put it on. So I'm riding home with the 45lbs. pack and a few plastic bags on the handle bars, and making pretty good speed (read under 10mph). I got through a neighborhood where I normally try to keep the speed up and not stop when I start to wonder if, by going slow, I'm going to have a problem. Well, it turns out they just thought I was a bum and ignored me :p Wasn't the first time :o

-Rob.

[mimbresman]

I gonna wait and see what happens next in the country before committing to anything...but I sold our little SUV a couple of months ago, so now we are down to one car. My wife drives it mostly, so I have my bikes, but both are high dollar titanium frames. I want to buy a utility bike as a grocery getter/short haul commuter. A friend just gave me a bunch of parts, so I could build up a utility bike fairly cheaply from a cheap mtb frame, or buy a Chinese made low gravity bike locally cheap. The LG bikes are old school with 28" rear wheels, full fenders, and rod brakes. I saw a dad hauling his 3 kids to school on one of these the other day. Just want a bike I can leave parked outside without too many worries. Right now with my Ti bikes, I use my large Timbuk 2 bag, to haul stuff (including my Kryptonite cable lock), but the downside to that bread and cereal boxes usually get smashed and squashed between fruit, and cartons of OJ.
What I'd like to get...

[davkatreb]

M.b.w, T.B.M.K. can load an ungodly amount of groceries into her Honda minivan. Plus, the air conditioning is FROSTY.:cool:

[hairygrump]

I had adjusted pretty well to buying groceries that could fit in a backpack/messenger bag (no cart, no basket... I can fit roughly 2600 cu. in. worth of groceries in my arms) until I bought an Xtracycle. Being able to get 6 bags of groceries home and knowing that you get to hit the little piece of singletrack between the store and here makes shopping way more rewarding than just adding peanut butter to the house again.