The joy of running errands on an ebike

[ebikemom]

So, today, had a bunch of errands to do. A few involved daughter (age 14), so we rode our bikes together. We went to...

1) Sporting goods store (helmet for daughter)
2) LBS (cycling gloves for daughter)
3) Shopping mall (lunch with daughter)
4) Musical instrument store (pick up daughter's repaired musical instrument)
5) Fabric store (pick up some stuff for ME)
6) Grandparents' house (for a visit)

We left home around 11, got home around 3:30. A lovely day, much of it spent riding side-by-side and chatting! Much more fun than doing all of these things by car, for sure!

 

[JRA]

I needed to get my shellfish license because they just opened up the beach by my house after having been closed all winter. I had driven up to finish work on a trail I am opening up north of my house



and stopped at the usual place on the way back and they didn't have any so I went home, parked and continued by bike.

1) Rode down onto the beach to the tide line to check out if anyone was getting any razors, yup
2) 2.5 miles down the beach to the cove to check the surf, not today but lots of clam diggers
3) Went to the market for a few things
4) Went to Trucke's for my license but they couldn't make it happen either
5) Rode the long way home
6) Got my license straightened out online......razor clams for dinner tomorrow!

Edit Update, tomorrow:

Limited out, 15 clams, in about an hr. taking my time because it was a not a cloud in the sky sun in my eyes good time and no need to rush. My digging buddy also limited but had family over so I gave him 11 and kept enough for my dinner to complete my hillbilly surf, turf and barnyard dinner platter consisting of Clams, Liver and Onions and Bacon.



The reason the beaches were closed to clamming all winter was because the clams were deemed to small. The size of the ones I got today were all what I would consider smalls so they must have been really small! In fact I did dig up one that was about the size of a finger nail but I put it back. Digging them doesn't kill them and in fact I have put them on a plate like above with them still moving....

Ok, back to bikes.....

Other than if I am carrying my work tools or going for a major shop all my errands are run via bike here. No traffic, no parking, no problems.

 

[ebikemom]

Yippeeee! Enjoy the clams!!

 

[tomjasz]

As soon as we see the streets again and most of the snow melts, I’ll do errands smiling again.
The first winter in years I can’t ride. Well could but studded tires kinda stink... ($75 to decorate shop wall)

 

[Cowlitz]

That's what I use my Radmini for. Mind you, we still have icy spots on the main streets and snowy spots on the not so main. Thursday, we had a snowstorm so I dropped my pickup off for its appointment and walked home. By the afternoon, the snow had mostly melted, so I rode my mini to pick up the pickup. Got a couple of guys to help load it cuz I hadn't thrown in my ramp. Then another came out and we had a question and answer minute or two about the bike. That's the problem with using it. I get bogged down by questioners. Bike erranding has begun for this year--unseasonably cold weather be dammed! I will admit I am very tired of having to bundle up.

 

[Dionigi]

My wife and I spend the winter months in Santa Cruz with our ebikes being the only form of transportation. It great, the barbershop, grocery stores (a variety for different treats), visiting family, going Downtown for the movies, it makes life much more interactive.

 

[ebikemom]

My wife and I spend the winter months in Santa Cruz with our ebikes being the only form of transportation. It great, the barbershop, grocery stores (a variety for different treats), visiting family, going Downtown for the movies, it makes life much more interactive.

More interactive... YES! Interaction between the natural world, people ... it's such a sensory experience with wind on the face, moving through space ... great stuff!

 

[Cowlitz]

I wouldn't call it an errand, but I have a hyper medium sized dog that needs running till her heart bursts once in a while. Yesterday was a good day. We can't go up to the roads in the woods right now, but some of the county roads are lightly used by cars so she can get a workout. There was snow for a dog to cool off in and even the leftovers of a carcass of some critter to roll on. It don't get much better from the viewpoint of a dog.

That's one of the things I use my bike for.

 

[ebikemom]

Awesome! How many mph is appropriate for her to have a good run?

 

[Cowlitz]

Awesome! How many mph is appropriate for her to have a good run?

It varies. Yesterday, she was overloaded with energy so I was zooming at 15mph to try to keep up. I would think the average is 11 mph. We have to HEEL at a couple of intersections. The last quarter mile was at a dog trot. We did 5.5 miles. In the summer, we've gone as far as 13 miles with no bad results. The dog is a leggy little running/endurance critter. Her breed? She's a Mongrolian. I'm thinking various bird/hunting breeds with some terrier. High energy for sure.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

It varies. Yesterday, she was overloaded with energy so I was zooming at 15mph to try to keep up. I would think the average is 11 mph. We have to HEEL at a couple of intersections. The last quarter mile was at a dog trot. We did 5.5 miles. In the summer, we've gone as far as 13 miles with no bad results. The dog is a leggy little running/endurance critter. Her breed? She's a Mongrolian. I'm thinking various bird/hunting breeds with some terrier. High energy for sure.

Have you heard of this amazing story? So good. Your dog reminds me of her.

 

[Cowlitz]

https://flic.kr/p/L7gGSS

This is the dog that has aliases of Demon Dog, Boing Boing, #@$%dog, stinky la pew, Bike Dog, etc. The dog is built for speed and although I suspectthere is some Lab in her, she has no undercoat. She handles heat very well, cold not so much.

https://flic.kr/p/28scQr2

 

[TForan]

I really enjoy doing mundane shopping when I can use my bike. Just pop the baskets on and I'm ready to go. It can easily hold two heavy grocery bags.

 

[MikeDD]

My wife and I spend the winter months in Santa Cruz with our ebikes being the only form of transportation. It great, the barbershop, grocery stores (a variety for different treats), visiting family, going Downtown for the movies, it makes life much more interactive.

We are planning on heading south, maybe Santa Cruz. Can you recommend a place to stay close to a bike path? Ocean view would be nice. My wife rides a trike and is not comfortable on streets.

 

[Marci jo]

https://flic.kr/p/L7gGSS

This is the dog that has aliases of Demon Dog, Boing Boing, #@$%dog, stinky la pew, Bike Dog, etc. The dog is built for speed and although I suspectthere is some Lab in her, she has no undercoat. She handles heat very well, cold not so much.

https://flic.kr/p/28scQr2

Lucky dog! And owner!

 

[Dionigi]

We are planning on heading south, maybe Santa Cruz. Can you recommend a place to stay close to a bike path? Ocean view would be nice. My wife rides a trike and is not comfortable on streets.

Hi Mike, unfortunately Santa Cruz does not have any dedicated paved bike trails. Hopefully this will change in the future with a rails to trails path between Davenport and Watsonville. However I can recommend the Monterey Bay Coasta Recreation trail. It is absolutely fantastic winding through the sand dunes with views of Monterey Bay. There are a few hotels along the path but you would have to do a search to find them.
Coastal trail link.
The trail is about 18 miles long very wide and well paved.

 

[Dionigi]

Grocery shopping today, both the front and rear baskets easily come off and into the shopping cart. The rear basket handles the heavier items.(Link Removed - Attachment No Longer Exists)

 

[ebikemom]

What fun! Trip to grocery store becomes a much more enjoyable endeavor, doesn't it!

 

[Marci jo]

What fun! Trip to grocery store becomes a much more enjoyable endeavor, doesn't it!

Great looking bike!

 

[Bobsiii]

Been using my me-bike for errand running for a few years now (haven't driven in several more), can't wait for my e-bike in 2 months. It's not errand running (Neighborhood Nosiness?) but I love slow riding, just sliding, thru the neighborhoods around here especially in summer, I love checking out what everyone is growing and doing outside. My knees and hip make walking painful, biking makes it a breeze even when I have to supply all the power.