Running errands

Published on by The Small Hall

At The Small Hall we subscribe to the popular cyclists’ theory that the correct number of bicycles to own, is current number +1. For me that equals one and three-quarters plus one, Although I have a summer bike and a winter bike, they don’t quite equate to 2 bikes, as each has to borrow pedals and a wheel from the other.

I’ve not really fathomed how many bikes the Mechanic has, he has devious stealth tactics, that are designed to make me believe that he only has three, but I suspect his number is really 5+1

The +1, is the next bike on the wish list, that is wanted/needed. There is a very fine line between wanted and needed, if you want something enough, you can usually convince yourself how much you need it. I need a bicycle to run errands, one that I can nip to the shops with, to pick up a few things.

My fantasy addition to the bike fleet, will have the facility to transport shopping. Traditionally delivery bicycles such as Butcher’s bikes carried goods upfront, I favour this method. I’m not looking for panniers or a rear bike rack,  I like the idea of re-purposing, possibly shopping baskets, crates or wine boxes.

It will be my winter project, here’s my research so far. I particularly like the idea of matching handlebar and pet, although I do not have a pet. Any ‘re-purposed’ suggestions welcome.

7 thoughts on “Running errands”

  1. I currently have two bikes, one to ride distances and to transport things and another to use in conjunction with buses. (We don’t have trains here for some reason.) Space for those is very tight, and I’m looking to replace them rather than add to them. The bus bike is a thrift-shop BMX with a long seat post. It does the job for now but has needs and I want to replace it with a folder. I’ve had those before, and the right one does that job and nearby light errands excellently. The other bike is more of a daydream for now. I have had a couple of recumbents, and I’d love to get another. I can ride them any distance without soreness anywhere, and they are aerodynamic. Here in Ohio, USA, the constant wind makes that shape a major advantage.

    My current small-hauling arrangement is a soda-pop crate on my rear rack. This is similar in material and construction to a milk crate, but not as tall and longer fore-and-aft. I don’t like weight on the front because it affects my steering and because the cables are pushed around by any method of mounting up front short of a front rack. I do my more serious cargo carrying with a trailer, and I’m very happy with that. It has a 100 pound weight limit and is easy to load and to tow.

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    1. Years ago, I used to do a daily commute with a handlebar bag, I agree it takes some time to get used to, and certainly effects the steering. I’m impressed by the trailer idea, but living in a small flat in London, I wouldn’t be able to accommodate one, and also very unlikely to be filling it! Good luck with the next bike choice:

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  3. Love this post. My wife is happy with her bright pink bike. She was somewhat shocked when I added a Trek Mountain Bike to the Electra I’d bought just a few weeks earlier. Now I’m hankering after a massively discounted Trek 2016 road bike. I’m not sure if this an “N” bike or an “N-1” bike, but I may find out soon.

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