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SpeedGracer 03-25-08 02:12 PM

Transporting Balloons
 
So I commute to a friend's house on Tuesdays. It's about 5.5 miles and takes me a good 30 minutes. It was her birthday yesterday so I bought a bunch of helium balloons. I guess I wasn't really thinking how I'd actually get them there!

What is the best way to transport them? I'm thinking of stuffing them into a black garbage back, tying the ribbons to my bike rack and then tying the ends of the garbage bag to the panniers. I'm already lugging an extra 50 lbs (side car, kid) so I'm trying to minimize drag.

I've been wrestling with other strategies including just taking the car- but I got a "failure to stop" ticket this morning that has completely turned me off to driving :(

I appreciate any imput!

Thanks!

Grace

ItsJustMe 03-25-08 02:28 PM

The garbage bag thing was exactly what I was going to suggest.

BarracksSi 03-25-08 03:09 PM

You've got a car? Use it, if just this once. Remember to stop at every stop sign this time. ;)

ken cummings 03-25-08 03:39 PM

? Helium tank and empty balloons?

noisebeam 03-25-08 03:47 PM

Or empty balloons and a 16g He cart - these are the special ones the weight weenies use.

markhr 03-25-08 03:56 PM

I was going to say...

put balloons in pocket, inhale the He, hold breathe, cycle like a mad thing until arrival at destination, exhale into balloons, call ambulance

...but I won't :D

Artkansas 03-25-08 04:43 PM


Originally Posted by SpeedGracer (Post 6402487)
So I commute to a friend's house on Tuesdays. It's about 5.5 miles and takes me a good 30 minutes. It was her birthday yesterday so I bought a bunch of helium balloons. I guess I wasn't really thinking how I'd actually get them there!

What is the best way to transport them? I'm thinking of stuffing them into a black garbage back, tying the ribbons to my bike rack and then tying the ends of the garbage bag to the panniers. I'm already lugging an extra 50 lbs (side car, kid) so I'm trying to minimize drag.

I've been wrestling with other strategies including just taking the car- but I got a "failure to stop" ticket this morning that has completely turned me off to driving :(

I appreciate any imput!

Thanks!

Grace

http://www.pointhappy.com/gcf/GordonOnStiletto.jpg
Here's me with balloons. The drag probably won't be noticeable, and the balloons will actually make your load lighter.

The biggest thing that I noticed with my balloons was that they don't necessarily follow you. They blow around. Depending on wind direction they can go in any direction, even in front of you.

Intheloonybin 03-26-08 12:02 PM


Originally Posted by markhr (Post 6403187)
I was going to say...

put balloons in pocket, inhale the He, hold breathe, cycle like a mad thing until arrival at destination, exhale into balloons, call ambulance

...but I won't :D


I was going to say breathe in the helium and bike there and blow up the balloons after. No breath holding though.

MT balloons and a small he tank is what I would do. Or drive.

ericthered 03-26-08 12:28 PM

BOX
The box would provide protection from the wind and could be attached to the rack.
Eric

SpeedGracer 03-26-08 02:55 PM

:p

Originally Posted by Artkansas (Post 6403458)
http://www.pointhappy.com/gcf/GordonOnStiletto.jpg
Here's me with balloons. The drag probably won't be noticeable, and the balloons will actually make your load lighter.

The biggest thing that I noticed with my balloons was that they don't necessarily follow you. They blow around. Depending on wind direction they can go in any direction, even in front of you.

I love the matching bells! How festive!


Originally Posted by ericthered (Post 6408487)
BOX
The box would provide protection from the wind and could be attached to the rack.
Eric

This *would* have been a good idea. I went with the garbage bag and got halfway around the block when things began to shift too much. I think I would have been ok, but with the balloons, the trailer, etc. I was just too paranoid and returned home. I took BarracksSi's advice and arrived in the car, with the balloons between my legs. :p I'm just not hardcore enough ;)

atbman 03-26-08 05:49 PM

Start directly upwind of target address and puncture ballons as required when overhead of address.

zonatandem 03-26-08 05:56 PM

Have th birthday party at your place . . . problem solved!!

ban guzzi 03-26-08 08:54 PM

tie 'em to your handlebars and think 'light and happy' thoughts..
At the least, the people around you will get some enjoyment from seeing it.

Rode a motorcycle (bmwr11s) from a buddies wedding to the reception with ballons and tie flapping in the wind. Got alot of thumbs up and smiles...


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