The Sport Utility Bike

In Holland I saw thousands of "work bikes" which were used for hauling babies, groceries, furniture even trash. The riders seemed quite comfortable no matter how large the load. I've been missing these gentle giants...and then (thanks to Steve Fox) I discovered a piece in Salon on an American version of the Dutch work bike. An S.U.B. (Sport Utility Bike) completely replaced Mark Benjamin's car.

By the time I reached the checkout lane, all seemed lost. No way this was going to fit on my bike.

Surprisingly, finding room wasn't a problem. Xtracycle says the FreeRadical is designed to haul 200 pounds of cargo. I was well over that but decided to go for it. I fit four full bags into the expandable vinyl sacks. I figured out how to cinch the straps around the backs to prevent my food from becoming roadkill. But I could feel the weight just lifting those bags onto the bike. Damn liquids.

When I hit the road, pedaling wasn't a problem. Most mountain bikes have a "granny gear" for this kind of work. Under the extreme weight, the bike frame felt wobbly, causing me to weave a bit. Luckily my route was almost completely on a bike path, rather than the street. I took it slow and easy and soon found myself cruising up my own sidewalk.

Want to do everything on your bike? You may need an extracycle />

Now, take that same bike you used to go to the store and ride it into the hills. Or ride to Moscow. Bring a picnic. Bring your kids Bring a duffel bag full of food and camping gear. Bring a guitar. Bring a cooler. Bring a date. Go where car campers can’t with the stuff we all used to think you needed a car to carry.


Bring a date? I am trying to wrap my mind around that concept...