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

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

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

? Helium tank and empty balloons?

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

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

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 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.

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

I love the matching bells! How festive!

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. I'm just not hardcore enough

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

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

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...