Bicycling with a Backpack

[[email protected]]

I need to bicycle 4 miles one way to a grocery store and carry back
about 50 lbs.. I think it can all fit into a backpack I see online but
I'm not sure if I will be able to ride ok. Does anyone have any kind of
experience with short distance bicycle with a heavy ooaded backpack?

 

[Matt O'Toole]

On Mon, 14 Nov 2005 18:30:36 -0800, rk73737 wrote:

> I need to bicycle 4 miles one way to a grocery store and carry back
> about 50 lbs.. I think it can all fit into a backpack I see online but
> I'm not sure if I will be able to ride ok. Does anyone have any kind of
> experience with short distance bicycle with a heavy loaded backpack?

I do it a couple of times every week, when I go grocery shopping. I doubt
I've ever carried 50lb though. It's probably half that, or less. Anyway,
no handling problems.

If it's really that big a load and you're worried about it, make two
trips. 4 miles isn't so far. If you don't want to check-out twice, I'm
sure the manager would hold your stuff for you.

Matt O.

 

[mark]

<[email protected]> wrote ...
>I need to bicycle 4 miles one way to a grocery store and carry back
> about 50 lbs.. I think it can all fit into a backpack I see online but
> I'm not sure if I will be able to ride ok. Does anyone have any kind of
> experience with short distance bicycle with a heavy ooaded backpack?
>

I've covered similar distances witha large day pack full of books, and
groceries on a few occasions. Doable, but not fun. Hard to maneuver in
traffic, hard to look back over my shoulder to check for cars before making
left turns, etc. I did a face plant on College Avenue (Oakland, CA) after
hitting the front brake too hard that I'm not sure would have happened
without the backpack full of books.
--
mark

 

[lowkey]

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I need to bicycle 4 miles one way to a grocery store and carry back
> about 50 lbs.. I think it can all fit into a backpack I see online but
> I'm not sure if I will be able to ride ok. Does anyone have any kind of
> experience with short distance bicycle with a heavy ooaded backpack?

Oh ya. Big time. If you can handle the weight on your back, doing so on a
bike shouldn't be an issue.

There are pros and cons to carrying it on your back or in panniers and such
on the bike.

I'm a backpack man myself - mostly just because I find disgorging at the
end of the trek easier with a backpack. I find the bike handles more
sluggishly when you load up the bike compared to the back. the rear of a
bike naturally flexes when you pedal and you [or at least I could] feel the
difference in how the rear does flex with each stroke.

OTOH carrying a heavy load on back makes standing on the pedals to climb a
hill fer instance more of a work out. You might also find your agility
affect vis a vis turning to check behind you can shift the weight
uncomfortably - even to the point of losing control if you are not used to
the weight.

 

[Mike Kruger]

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I need to bicycle 4 miles one way to a grocery store and carry back
> about 50 lbs.. I think it can all fit into a backpack I see online but
> I'm not sure if I will be able to ride ok. Does anyone have any kind of
> experience with short distance bicycle with a heavy ooaded backpack?

I've occasionally carried a 35 lb backpack to the station, which is just
over a mile. I didn't like this at all, and I'm not a lightweight (205 lb or
so). Too topheavy and too uncomfortable on the bike. You will have better
luck with this if you put a heavy milk crate firmly attached to a strong
back rack and put the backpack in that. The weight will be a little lower
(although still high) and your back will thank you.

Better would be panniers -- maybe the ones made out of plastic cat litter
buckets would fit your needs. You could probably put 25 lb on each side.

 

[[email protected]]

Is there a much greater chance of falling with the backpack full and
heavy? I mean would it be a fast fall with no waring or is it a
balancing game?

 

[Leo Lichtman]

Any chance of dividing the load between your back pack and, say, panniers or
a rack pack? I think Mark's experience doing a faceplant should serve as a
warning. Fifty pounds way up high like that in an emergency stop could be
MORE than a handful.

 

[gentlegreen]

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I need to bicycle 4 miles one way to a grocery store and carry back
> about 50 lbs.. I think it can all fit into a backpack I see online but
> I'm not sure if I will be able to ride ok. Does anyone have any kind of
> experience with short distance bicycle with a heavy ooaded backpack?
>

I've never attempted to carry that much on my bike. I have also never
thought a backpack was a good idea. I have a rack and a small basket into
which I drop and "bungee" a small backpack.
If I was to routinely carry a large load I would organise some serious bike
mods to get the weight spread low and evenly....or come up with a home-made
trailer. (In reality I would use my car and do a bigger shop less often). I
used to bring the harvest back from my allotment in multiple journeys.

I suppose as a one-off I would be forced to use a backpack ....

..

 

[Brian Huntley]

Mike Kruger wrote:
> Better would be panniers -- maybe the ones made out of plastic cat litter
> buckets would fit your needs. You could probably put 25 lb on each side.

I'm a big fan of bucket panniers, and yes, you can put 25 lbs per side
(but that's a twitchy ride on my bike.) My first pair cost me about $2
each, not counting the buckets, which came free with kitty litter. I've
since upgraded to "rope cleat" hooks instead of cup-hooks, and usually
add some high quality refective material, but they still cost less than
$6 each. $12 if you include the litter.

 

[wafflycat]

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I need to bicycle 4 miles one way to a grocery store and carry back
> about 50 lbs.. I think it can all fit into a backpack I see online but
> I'm not sure if I will be able to ride ok. Does anyone have any kind of
> experience with short distance bicycle with a heavy ooaded backpack?


Much easier to fit panniers to a rear rack and put your shopping in
panniers. Much more stable and you don't get a sweaty back.

Cheers, helen s

 

[Matt O'Toole]

On Mon, 14 Nov 2005 20:17:13 -0800, rk73737 wrote:

> Is there a much greater chance of falling with the backpack full and
> heavy?

Not if you ride carefully.

> I mean would it be a fast fall with no waring or is it a
> balancing game?

The backpack definately limits your ability to recover from mishaps. Just
be careful.

Matt O.

 

[Matt O'Toole]

On Tue, 15 Nov 2005 07:25:26 +0000, wafflycat wrote:

> Much easier to fit panniers to a rear rack and put your shopping in
> panniers. Much more stable and you don't get a sweaty back.

Panniers are definately better, but if you already have a backpack why not
use it?

I've lived (mostly) car-free for almost 4 years now, and I still can't
justify the acquisition of more "stuff," just to ride to the store a
couple of times a week. If I had further to go I'd probably consider it
more seriously.

I do prefer my MTB to my road bike for the big loads though. Also, a less
athletic person might find this more difficult. If you don't feel
comfortable with it, don't do it. Give it a trial run. Fill your
backpack with phone books, canned goods, gallon containers of liquid,
etc., and try pedaling around a bit.

Matt O.

 

[wafflycat]

"Matt O'Toole" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> On Tue, 15 Nov 2005 07:25:26 +0000, wafflycat wrote:
>
>> Much easier to fit panniers to a rear rack and put your shopping in
>> panniers. Much more stable and you don't get a sweaty back.
>
> Panniers are definately better, but if you already have a backpack why not
> use it?
>

Hugely sweaty back... comfort (lack of when it comes to backpack &
cycling)...


> I've lived (mostly) car-free for almost 4 years now, and I still can't
> justify the acquisition of more "stuff," just to ride to the store a
> couple of times a week. If I had further to go I'd probably consider it
> more seriously.
>

Each to their own. But I'm seriously glad I've got a choice.

Cheers, helen s



> I do prefer my MTB to my road bike for the big loads though. Also, a less
> athletic person might find this more difficult. If you don't feel
> comfortable with it, don't do it. Give it a trial run. Fill your
> backpack with phone books, canned goods, gallon containers of liquid,
> etc., and try pedaling around a bit.
>
> Matt O.
>
>

 

[POHB]

> "Matt O'Toole" <[email protected]> wrote
>> I've lived (mostly) car-free for almost 4 years now, and I still can't
>> justify the acquisition of more "stuff," just to ride to the store a
>> couple of times a week.

Yes but the OP was saying "I think it can all fit into a backpack I see
online".
If they are thinking of spending on a backpack I'd say spend the money on a
rack instead.
Depending on budget then anything from panniers to cardboard boxes tied on
with string becomes possible.
Let the frame take the strain.

 

[gentlegreen]

"POHB" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> > "Matt O'Toole" <[email protected]> wrote
> >> I've lived (mostly) car-free for almost 4 years now, and I still can't
> >> justify the acquisition of more "stuff," just to ride to the store a
> >> couple of times a week.

<...>

> Depending on budget then anything from panniers

> to cardboard boxes tied on
> with string becomes possible.

That's how I started out - it was fine apart from a couple of occaisions
when I was hit by a cloudburst and I felt a bit like Cinderella ;-)

 

[Joe Canuck]

[email protected] wrote:

> I need to bicycle 4 miles one way to a grocery store and carry back
> about 50 lbs.. I think it can all fit into a backpack I see online but
> I'm not sure if I will be able to ride ok. Does anyone have any kind of
> experience with short distance bicycle with a heavy ooaded backpack?
>

Yes, been there done that... for a much longer distance.

4 miles isn't too bad particularly if it is mostly flat and not busy
with traffic, so you should be able to manage it. It does make you less
nimble on the bike.

I regularly use a lightly loaded backback because I don't like removing
'packs' attached to the bike each time I go in someplace to keep things
secure. Also, a load on the bike severely affects handling as well in a
different way than a heavy backpack.

 

[rwwff]

On Tue, 15 Nov 2005 07:25:26 +0000, wafflycat wrote:
> <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>I need to bicycle 4 miles one way to a grocery store and carry back
>> about 50 lbs.. I think it can all fit into a backpack I see online but
>> I'm not sure if I will be able to ride ok. Does anyone have any kind of
>> experience with short distance bicycle with a heavy ooaded backpack?
>
> Much easier to fit panniers to a rear rack and put your shopping in
> panniers. Much more stable and you don't get a sweaty back.

I have to agree. If you are planning on purchasing a backpack, look and
see if you can get a set of panniers instead; or heck, even just a large
rear basket (paperboy style). Though, if you do basket instead of
panniers, go larger than what your eye makes you think... Having done all
three for years in exactly this role, panniers are the most flexible,
comfortable, and stable of all the options, by far.

 

[Eric Babula]

"Brian Huntley" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>
> Mike Kruger wrote:
>> Better would be panniers -- maybe the ones made out of plastic cat
>> litter buckets would fit your needs. You could probably put 25 lb
>> on each side.
>
> I'm a big fan of bucket panniers, and yes, you can put 25 lbs per
> side (but that's a twitchy ride on my bike.) My first pair cost me
> about $2 each, not counting the buckets, which came free with kitty
> litter. I've since upgraded to "rope cleat" hooks instead of
> cup-hooks, and usually add some high quality refective material,
> but they still cost less than $6 each. $12 if you include the
> litter.
>

Got any pictures and how-to instructions? Or, do you know of a link to
such?

My nylon panniers might be getting to the end of their useful life.

Thanks!

--
Eric Babula
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Beauty is internal. Looks mean nothing.

 

[Will]

[email protected] wrote:
> I need to bicycle 4 miles one way to a grocery store and carry back
> about 50 lbs.. I think it can all fit into a backpack I see online but
> I'm not sure if I will be able to ride ok. Does anyone have any kind of
> experience with short distance bicycle with a heavy ooaded backpack?

I tote stuff around (groceries, gardening supplies) pretty frequently.
That backpack will get old. I think a trailer would be best. There are
a lot of bike trailers in the world now that towing infants has become
fashionable. You should be able to come up with an inexpensive used one
if you look through the usual sources: your local newspaper, the free
postings board at the grocery. Ask around.

Will

 

[Claire Petersky]

"Eric Babula" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Brian Huntley" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
>>
>> Mike Kruger wrote:
>>> Better would be panniers -- maybe the ones made out of plastic cat
>>> litter buckets would fit your needs. You could probably put 25 lb
>>> on each side.
>>
>> I'm a big fan of bucket panniers, and yes, you can put 25 lbs per
>> side (but that's a twitchy ride on my bike.) My first pair cost me
>> about $2 each, not counting the buckets, which came free with kitty
>> litter. I've since upgraded to "rope cleat" hooks instead of
>> cup-hooks, and usually add some high quality refective material,
>> but they still cost less than $6 each. $12 if you include the
>> litter.
>>
>
> Got any pictures and how-to instructions? Or, do you know of a link to
> such?


http://ca.geocities.com/[email protected]/BikeBucket.html

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
Personal page: http://www.geocities.com/cpetersky/
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky