Are Panniers Old School? Well, Yes and No.

Office wire baskets: lightweight, strong, and cheap.
Toss anything inside and secure with a bungee.

As more and more people take to the roads on two wheels, hauling groceries and/or work items is a necessary component. And not everyone can afford high-end panniers. Ingenuity is key, especially in a college environment where second hand bicycles provide inexpensive transportation. Almost anything goes for containers.

Crates come in many colors and sizes. They are highly visible to road users.

Backpacks and messenger bags aside, riders are becoming creative, using any type of metal or plastic container. I've seen front wicker baskets strapped to rear rack. Plastic crates are everywhere; they can be stylish, available in various colors and sizes, and are a sturdy as they come. Opaque storage containers with lids are handy when it rains. Commonly, office-type coated metal baskets are being re-purposed, zip tied to racks. They are a lightweight alternative to a crate. I grabbed two white ones from a lawn giveaway pile. I like their versatility: use on front or rear rack.

I love tulips, especially adorning panniers.

What panniers I see are often cheap and practical, reminding me of Dutch-style bags. They are basic, have one compartment, and come with straps that link both panniers, which renders hooks and springs unnecessary.  A simple Velcro strap secures bags to rack. When a rider needs to haul a myriad of items, enclosed and out of sight, this type of bag is a perfect compliment to any bicycle.

Panniers with volume - perfect for groceries.

While durable panniers may be old school or unaffordable to the masses, they're still the right choice for touring. Nothing beats compact storage, multiple pockets, snug and secure rack fit, and the ability to remove bags, separately, keeping gear and clothing organized.

What ingenious baggage solutions have you seen in your cycling community?

Dorset Street Bike Path - A Grass Roots Effort

I'd passed the sign for two weeks - I'm the last to arrive home for dinner so best mash the pedals and make good time. With an hour commute each way I'm reluctant to tack on mileage in either direction, with the exception of picking up groceries or pet food, which alters my route a mere quarter mile. Yesterday, curiosity go the better of me and I stopped. In hindsight, had I noticed the tiny description "Extend the bike path down Dorset Street?" I would've pulled over the first time I zipped past the sign.

I took a slip of paper inside the plastic bag dangling from the cardboard. Residents are distributing an online survey, gauging users interest in a path extension. I dutifully gave my feedback. Yes, of course I'd love a longer path, or at the very least connecting two sections whose gap is a stone's throw. As it is now, I bypass the path heading south, opting to pedal on-road, because of that issue - crossing traffic both ways would needlessly put me in danger. That short connection alone would benefit myself and others.

Anyone else encountering grass roots efforts to jump-start a bike path in your community?

Warm Showers Guests - Michiganders

The Kona duo.

Kate and Jakob are regular bike commuters in Kalamazoo, Michigan but are new to bicycle touring. They set off for a two week Vermont sojourn, exploring Burlington, Craftsbury, and around lake Champlain.

Enjoy the ride Kate and Jakob. Come back and visit us again.

A Chalk Drawing for Bicycle Fans

There is something about the rich colors of chalk drawings that appeals to me. From coffee shop menus to street art, the fact that each lovely creation is temporary, makes my enjoyment all the sweeter. I love this latest sandwich board display, especially because it captures riding on our waterfront path with our own fabled lake monster, Champ, lurking somewhere on the horizon.

Mutimodal Commuting - Park Your Bike and Ride the Tram

Valet bike parking at the base of the Portland Aerial Tram.

No one would dispute that Portland, Oregon, is forward thinking when it comes to fueling the bike transportation boom. While visiting on vacation this month, it came as a delightful surprise to discover a full bike parking facility at the base of an aerial tram. Bike parking is free and open to all, though used primarily by OHSU workers employed at the upper campus. A cyclist can take advantage of the bike valet service then hop on the tram for a 4 minute ride, saving a 500 foot uphill slog.

Go By Bike operates the valet service.

As a family we didn't have easy access to bikes. Instead, we experienced multimodalism on our own terms: drove to ride lightrail (with a bus link because of construction on rail tracks), walked as far as our teens could handle, then hopped on a street car, arriving at the base of the Portland Aerial Tram. I had little time to photograph the new found valet parking before I was whisked aboard the next tram car. And what spectacular views of the city! It was there that I became intrigued with the Tilikum Bridge.

Read more about the OHSU Bike Program.

Go By Bike has a nifty 2 minute video that includes parking and tram ride. If you look closely you can see the streetcar. Also, many folks board the tram with bicycles. Check it out.