Getting closer to what I had in mind for a utility bike. It began with a good used Globe Carmel I snagged off craigslist a couple of weeks ago. My first ride in 30+ years so it's taking awhile to get back into shape, even for short rides.

The stem is tall enough and there's enough knee room that I might not need a conventional front basket or handlebar bag. I've just tied an ordinary insulated bag to the inside of the frame. Good enough for ice cream, yoghurt, whatever.

I bolted a on Bontrager BackRack S, which fit easily with no trimming. For now I'm just using bungee cords to fasten an insulated rolling bag atop the rack. It flopped a bit to port during the maiden shopping voyage home, but not enough to upset the balance. Some re-rigging should fix the balance.

I may add some Wald folding baskets. Save some time over having to re-bag everything into the red insulated rolling bag, at least for short jaunts home - usually less than a mile.

Added a Mirrycle mirror to the left bar end. Can't turn my neck anymore to look over my shoulder, due to a car wreck umpteen years ago. Much more confidence inspiring.

I had no idea what to do about lights so I grabbed the cheapest flashing LED doodad off the rack at the LBS, a Blackburn 2'FER, which turned out to be very bright and easy to fasten anywhere. Eventually I may move it to the rear and add a real front light, but I don't plan on much night riding. It's mostly just an attention getter.

But after loading up the bike for the maiden shopping voyage, I can already see the advantages to a step-through frame. Just tilting the Globe Carmel enough to hoist a stiff-hipped leg over the sorta-mixte bar proved more difficult than I'd expected. I nearly dumped the bike. So if I get serious about this I may get a step-through frame for shopping and errands, and just use the Globe Carmel for unladen fun rides.