Well today was the first day loaded with my rack and one pannier. Stuffed with 5 days worth of rice and beans, as well as a half ton of tools (bike tools mostly, I'm a dork) and a pair of jeans for work, it felt like it weighed another 25lbs. It was slow going but I rode in to work and had a great ride, arrived fully awake and relaxed. Yes, I had to work labor day but its time and a half so I don't care