Or is it a squash?
I find it very hard to say no to a freebie. That’s pretty normal I think. When I was offered a cabbage and a pumpkin on the same day, I didn’t have to think twice. But I did start to think of the logistics involved. Would I be able to get them home on my bike? I knew I could do it but it would take a bit of forward planning. They were both fairly over-sized so I decided to take them home, one day at a time. The cabbage on Monday. The pumpkin on Tuesday. It all went without a hitch.
There is a high degree of satisfaction in the knowledge that I can transport myself and my luggage on my bike. Freedom.
I have a trailer that I can rely on for the heavy duty stuff, but that is not very often. Mostly, everything gets loaded into the panniers or onto the carrier. It’s amazing what can be carried on a bike. Before panniers I used to use a back pack but I found it to be far from the best option unless it was for a short trip. I am most impressed with my panniers. I bought them over 10 years ago from Bruce at Adventure Cycles. They just keep going and going. Some years ago, I prematurely replaced them with some new panniers I found that were on sale. But these new ones have remained…unused.
Talk about Grandpa’s old slippers.
cycling/freedom
Cycle Action Auckland – a voice for cyclists
Panniers are the best! I used them in Montreal when I was living there and they were fantastic, so have carried on using them here. Won't ever go back to backpacks.
Recently I started dressing up my panniers with fluro which means I don't have to personally wear fluro. A more stylish option.
I'd say I carry my pumpkins between my legs if it didn't get taken the wrong way. But having no panniers, probably the easiest for me would be the front basket, if I knew I was shopping in advance.
I saw a chap on a bike the other day with a flax kite hanging from the handlebars. Looked very cool and effective. Might try it myself.
I have set of four black canvas panniers I found in a second hand store 25 years ago. A few repairs here and there and they're still going strong, for touring, commuting and shopping trips. They're a brand that isn't made now but many will remember, Tika.