Bike trailer: why didn't I do this earlier??!!!

[SavingMon(k)ey]

Well, I did it. I got over my fear of not being strong enough to pull a trailer full of groceries.

This last summer, a month or so before I even found you MMM folk, I decided to try to convert an old kiddie trailer I got off CL into a cargo trailer for groceries and such. I got busy with buying a house, and then I had this lingering fear that while riding back, my legs would go on strike and I wouldn't make it home, I would spill all the groceries, and the world was gonna end. Blah-blah-blah. So I never converted it because I didn't want to put all the work into it and then not be able to use it.

Today I decided to just use it as is, with a really ugly old canvas cover, the top missing and all, just to see if I could pull it. And it was easy. The way home is even mostly downhill!

I will now try to rescue the good lookin' frame and make this thing into a nice cargo trailer (ideas welcome, but I did already find quite a few on instructable's and other forum).

I now know for sure my bike can be a mean, green, haulin' machine!

PS: Since the top is missing, I did have to watch for the toilet paper package not to jump out the back. Have toilet paper=Will bike again. :)

[Gerard]

Bungee cords!

[avonlea]

Wow, way to go! Did you have to go up any hills with the groceries? We live on a killer and it's my complainypants reason for not having tried this awesome endeavor...ever. :(

[SavingMon(k)ey]

Wow, way to go! Did you have to go up any hills with the groceries? We live on a killer and it's my complainypants reason for not having tried this awesome endeavor...ever. :(

Nope, I'm super lucky that there are no uphills on the way back! Then again, I chose this grocery store over another that is just slightly closer because of the terrain. The other one would be uphill on the way back. Ugh! I say push the bike up part of the way if you have to. Your legs will get stronger and stronger if you train them a little bit more every time.

[SavingMon(k)ey]

Bungee cords!

Yup, I thought of that too, but too late. Lol!

[avonlea]

I say push the bike up part of the way if you have to. Your legs will get stronger and stronger if you train them a little bit more every time.

Hmmm....that's true.  When I first started biking, I didn't think I'd ever be able to get up the hill without walking (while hauling just myself).  Now I can.  So I *guess* I can give this a go.  OR...hubby used to haul the kids. Maybe he'd be up for it. lol

Seriously, though, great job!

[SavingMon(k)ey]

Thanks, avonlea! Next challenge is bike to Target... Now THAT's some serious hill climbing both ways! And many more miles. Though, come to think of it... There's another Target I ride by about every other week... It's waaay further, but maybe I can just bring the trailer along on those days? Hmmmm...

EDIT to add that I forgot to mention that the best part about taking the trailer was that I didn't have to play Tetris with the groceries in the panniers, and I was able to get EVERYTHING on the list and there was still room left in the trailer.