Touring - Whiskey, Oil and Hockey Sticks - Using touring set-up for errands

I was dreading running more errands in car, my wife suggested taking the bike. It was so much more pleasant. Picked up a 5th of Whiskey (Gift - not fuel for the ride:lol:), 9 quarts of oil, an oil filter (in front panniers) and a I bought a couple of hockey sticks from a yard sale on the way home.

Later I went to a party and took the bike. Riding home in the dark by headlight was interesting. Felt good to leave the car behind. 25.8 miles W/O car :thumb:today.204777

:thumb:

I've been using my touring bike for running errands too; library, hardware store, farmers market. It's a nice stress free way to get around town.

I've been using my touring bike for running errands too; library, hardware store, farmers market. It's a nice stress free way to get around town.

You are so right, I was so stressed in the morning trying to get though traffic, crazy drivers, traffic jams, etc. I was so wound up. When I took the bike it was like I had taken some sot of stress reducing pill. To bad to get almost anything from my house is a 15 mile rd-trip.

Do it all the time. I actually have several different bikes that can be used for specific hauls...

Aaron :)

http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/1658/2826631600066886751S600x600Q85.jpg

I use an old Schwinn hybrid with solid forks to haul a trailer. I take the recycle to the containers and on to the grocery store. I can't make myself use the Trek 520 with the trailer as the hitch scratches the paint. Mr. Brooks doesn't like that.

transporterjr, Because of urban sprawl I have more and more places popping up around me so that now I can use the bike more often for errands. It's also nice that new road construction is often including bicycle lanes, either using wider RH lanes with a dedicated bike's lane or a double wide sidewalk.

It is emotionally soothing at some level to use the bike, even in near 100F heat. I still have anxiety going to the supermarket and leaving the bike in the rack even tho' it's locked, but I'm getting better. ;)

Brad

Isn't it a great feeling!?!? I have been using my bike almost exclusively on my days off for several years, now. Downtown is 1.5 miles, McD's is 3 miles, grocery store is 1 mile so can do almost all my errands by bike. I have an old mtb for my around town running, but occasionally will use the touring bike. I just feel better about leaving a 1989 GT mtb sitting out front versus a newer touring bike. I must admit I do not do this that much in the middle of a WI winter!