Bikes as SUVs

I loaded Bianca up this weekend with who-knows-how-many pounds of stuff.  I dislike having a bag against my back, so I added the rear rack (and later, the awesomely reflective crate) to her before she even came home with me. 

In the crate:
4 heavy books
2 paperbacks
lots of thrifted clothes for a patchwork quilt I am making
1 reflective waterproof rain jacket (which, after an unfortunate incident involving a white shirt, rain, and me on a bike, stays folded in the crate at all times)
2 extra bungee cords
1 8" x 8" artwork
1 thrifted wood basket that may or may not turn into a front bike basket
1 backpack full of various items (brush, wallet, newspaper, camera, phone, yadda yadda yadda)
1 large roll of paper (to recycle into books), attached by rubber bands through the holes in the crate
...and a partridge in a pear tree.

All this without even having a front basket yet.  Who says you need a car for a shopping trip?

This is nothing, really.  There's a moving co-ops in Portland where people will help you move across town by bicycle.  Search "move by bike" at Flickr to see some seriously loaded-up bikes.

What's the biggest thing you've managed to get home on a bike?

Melissa Esposito is the Car-Sharing and Bike-Sharing Program Coordinator for Arlington County and a Metro/bike commuter.

Comments

[Melissa Esposito]

Thanks for the link, Jim. I feel like I've seen this guy before!

If I ever have kids, I'm gonna grab the xtracycle frame extension; I've seen people build two seats onto the extra length for children to sit up on, like this guy did, but more comfy-looking. I love it!

[Jim Stone]

What a coincidence -- Salon.com has an article today titled "Sport utility bike" about the Xtracycle frame extension. Sounds like there isn't much you can't carry with that thing. http://www.salon.com/mwt/good_life/2008/07/24/sports_utility_bicycle/

[ara]

The xtracycle, or sport utility bicycle, can carry an enormous load (www.xtracycle.com). I've seen photos of people carrying surfboards and furniture on an xtracycle.