Grocery Shopping with RackPack...not worth it?

[annedonnelly]

I use panniers for the weekly shop, though generally no tins or bottles. When putting stuff from the trolley onto the conveyor belt plan how it's going into the panniers - heavy stuff first then split between the two as you pack. Can't manage a full length baguette - as it would have to stick out of the top

 

[ufkacbln]

M

I can walk the mile to my local Aldi ... with a shopping trolley but for heavy loads on the bike nothing beats a trailer.
Mine is a medium dog trailer, was cheaper than a proper cargo trailer.
Take my cat to the vet in it too, put him in his basket first, of course.

I remember a few years ago taking the cat to the vet in a cardboard cat box

Half way through the journey this head popped out to the amusement of bystandres

 

[Sara_H]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/B-Tourist-Shopping-Trolley-Bicycle-Trailer/dp/B00OMBFV2K

 

[moo]

I clip one pannier to each side of the trolley and pack at the till. If the trolley doesn't fall over it's an even load

 

[MichaelW2]

The only items for rack-top carry are 12-packs of bog-roll. Everything heavier goes into panniers.
You need a packing system to protect the bag fro sharp edges, keep the weight low and avoid damage to squishy and crushable stuff.
Trailers are really useful. On my last Aldi trip with a trailer, I saw a special offer on double-duvet sets. No problem, just pile them on top of the trailers.
I always carry a few metres of chord for lashing oversized stuff, thicker than parachord.

 

[ufkacbln]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/B-Tourist-Shopping-Trolley-Bicycle-Trailer/dp/B00OMBFV2K

Amongst my trailer stable I have an original BikeHod

They are superb supermarket trollers and excellent as an empty frame for difficult items

However they are prone to tipping if you clip one of the wheels on a kerb or obstacle due to the high CoG and fixing point

 

[ufkacbln]

We moved house by bike

Apart from the 2 beds freezer and the 3 piece suite that were moved by van, everything else was moved by bike and trailer

 

[Jayaly]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/B-Tourist-Shopping-Trolley-Bicycle-Trailer/dp/B00OMBFV2K

Oooh, I like that. Couldn't really justify it with the Burley hanging around in the garage, but nice.

 

[Sara_H]

Oooh, I like that. Couldn't really justify it with the Burley hanging around in the garage, but nice.

I know, I'd really like one too, but don't know if I can justify the cost.
What I'd really like is a Burley Travoy but I definitely can't justify the cost of one of those!!
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-accessories/child-bike-trailer/burley-travoy-trailer

 

[Amanda P]

We often do ours by bike. If the two of us go together, that's 8 panniers, which is usually enough. If we're going by car, we make sure to stock up on heavy stuff like OJ and washing powder so we don't have to lug too much of that kind of thing by bike another time.

Sometimes we do it with the tandem, and sometimes our trailer comes into play. There's always a way to do it with the right kit.

 

[andrew_s]

don't use a trolley, just a basket
that way you can't buy more than is transportable in a pair of panniers.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I remember when Cannondale didn't make bicycles, they had back packs, boots, mountain gear, sleeping bags, and..

I've got the later version. It's so nice.

 

[simongt]

Never have any issues with my GT Bravado ex MTB frame / now tourer; two Carradice Super 'C' rear panniers and a 25ltr rucksac. But that looked like a VERY large shop by my standards; how often do you shop - ?

 

[Racing roadkill]

I'm a 'little and often' backpack grocery shopper. I only get in what I need for the next couple of days, and I've got very good at judging when I've got too much stuff to get, to be able to do it on the bike, over the years.