Utility Cycling - Any one else do this when they first got their longtail?

I finally got my xtra-cycle built up this am and after work went for a ride and found a pile of rocks and loaded down the free-loader bags with what later measured out to 80lbs just because I could and pedaled it up to my apartment which has about a 1/2 mile long climb where for the last 100-200 yards which has to be 10%.

It really impressed me how well the bike handled with the load and it also impressed me how the climb was no harder than on my cyclocross bike, just much much slower spinning 22-36 gear up the hill but none the less I made it and was no more winded than I would be any other day coming home.

I can't wait till the weekend to go to the grocery and any other errands I can fit in.

These things are great and any one who wants to carry a lot of gear should try one out for sure.

Congrats! I am sure you are really going to love hauling serious amounts of groceries.

When I got my Yuba, I got out a pillow for a seat and towed my Mom (who was visiting) and her luggage to my Girlfriend's house. People who saw me on that ride still ask me about how she is doing....



(She's fine.)

That's so funny. I haven't added gratuitous cargo, but I can imagine myself doing that. I certainly have cycled on errands where it was easier to drive my car.

Well, I'm going to be picking my Dummy up this month. ( with a bit of luck ) I'm already looking out for an excuse to take a delivery downtown on the way home!

hahaha, um not exactly, but I did go out of my way to find stuff I could (usefully) haul! seeing what will fit on has become something of a hobby...

welcome to the fray, you won't look back (except to check your load is still loaded....)

Glad to see I am not alone, I especially love the story about hauling your mom. We are going on vacation this weekend and I am taking the xtra-cycle and my pregnant girlfriend actually likes the idea of me hauling us around the beach on the xtra-cycle...gotta put a ring on her finger before she gets away, haha.

We are also going to visit my grandma while down there and there is a good chance I can get them both on the back at once since they are both pretty small.

When I first got mine I started thinking about anything and everything I could put on the handlebars and frame. Extra lights, front rack, I HAD to find a way to utlilize all four water bottle cages, etc. I've dialed back a bit since then but once in awhile I still get the urge.

Rocks. I am busting up. I took my bike to the nursery and brought home a lot of greens then hauled away a bunch of unwanted chicken wire, bags of bark and plumbing supplies to some friends who live 5 miles away.

hahaha, um not exactly, but I did go out of my way to find stuff I could (usefully) haul! seeing what will fit on has become something of a hobby...

welcome to the fray, you won't look back (except to check your load is still loaded....)

Exactly!

i did the same thing only instead of rocks i went to the market and brought home as much beer as i could stuff in it.

Welcome to the world of cargo bikes

I am pretty sure I bought a watermelon just so I could haul it on my BD. It is amazing how much wieght you can put on these cargo bikes and not really notice it.

I've had my XC about four days now. The second day I had it, I hauled another bike find home, and stopped by the bike coop on the way to pick up an old threadless stem and shim for stoker bars. Definitely filled it with groceries--went to Trader Joes and didn't think twice about picking up multiple bottles of mineral water and multiple cans of tomatos. I took a 1 block trip over to school but I hooked up the Burley Bee and in it I put a 12" kids bike, a round sports tote with gloves, frisbees and soccer ball, a 10lb toolbox, my new fenders and my handlebar bag. I let the kids roll around on their bikes while I put my new yellow fenders on. Looking forward to the stoker bars.