NewbieIATandem

Been thinking of buying a Yak for the occasional trip with the kids for a picnic at the end. (At this time touring is just not in the cards.) Looks like it has curved sides... Approximately how big of a cooler could I fit on one of those trailers seeing as coolers are by and large rectangular.

zonatandem

Why go through the expense + the heavy weight of a cooler on a trailer?
There are insulated trunk bags you can use mounted on a rear carrier. No need to bring a whole 'refrigerator' for picnic supplies. Teach the kids what 'roughing it' is about (No tv, no ipod, no half gallon of ice cream). Load a six-pac of cold juices/pop in insulated trunk bag and carry other picnic stuff in a set of rear panniers.
Less fuss, less muss and le$$ co$t.

NewbieIATandem

Hmmm, who is saying that it is the kids that need to learn how to rough it?

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm glad I posted the question, it opened my mind to some other ideas. I'll have to consider your suggestion and brainstorm some more.

Old Hammer Boy

We have an insulated Topeak trunk bag that slides on to the Topeak quick release seat post rack. It holds up to 9, 12-oz cans or an equal amount of other calories...OHB

P.S. It can also hold jackets, vests, arm warmers, pumps, maps, batteries, etc. Very handy and quick to attach or remove.

zonatandem

Newbie . . .
. . . and if you want to, you can also bring some real looking plastic ants!
Seriously, we are glad you posted your question; you'll get some more different answers, we're sure!
A tandem is not an SUV that you can haul everything in . . . but it's pretty close!
Our idea of roughing it on a tandem tour: credit card, 22 lbs of gear . . . and a bottle of wine!
Have fun TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

mrfish

I think it would be very funny to roll up on a bike, then unload a pic nic table, 4 chairs and a butane powered fridge full of drinks, proper glassware, plates etc. I can see that it would be less funny riding back up the hill afterwards though.

The credit card approach to buying lunch has a lot of merit, as long as the restaurant dress code allows lycra and cleated shoes.

ElRey

If I ever haul a canned beverage on a bike, it won't be soda. Put some gatorade or whatever in the water bottles!!

zonatandem

Mr. Fish

Amazingly, living out in Arizona's wild west, dress code is usually called "Tucson casual".
We have one restaurant in town that demands a necktie, but we have another one in town that if you wear a necktie they send over a couple blokes and actually cut off your tie! They've got hundreds of neckties (all cut) hanging from the walls and ceiling.
Having not been to London in a couple decades, don't know what your current dress code is, but we could always put a bandana around our neck and maybe it could as an American-style ascot?
They've always accepted our credit card/cash regardless of our attire.

Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

mrfish

I was joking about thr dress code. Few restaurants in London demand any, it's more that your bike or at least a wheel won't be there when you get back if you don't use a hefty lock. Cafes in the UK are normally fine with taking cyclists, though some are more friendly than others. The friendlier ones normally do good business on Sundays from 10am selling tea and large portions of cake to cyclists. Still good to keep the bike in sight at all times.

I've never been to a properly posh restaurant in bike clothes, apart from in France where we were just regarded as strange English people who like to dress like real cyclists.

NewbieIATandem

The credit card method sounds good, except...

I just took a $33,000US pay cut to change careers and have more time with the family, so dining out is evil incarnate . Will certainly look into all the options mentioned. Love this forum, lots of helpful people.

zonatandem

You cannot put a $-value on family (nor on a good stoker!).

NewbieIATandem

Amen to that.