Grocery shopping at its finest! The check out lady asked me if I was homeless after she found out I was cycling home with my groceries. It amused me in the moment, but in reality, its a pretty darn sad fact that so few people cycle here in the States, so incredibly few that everyone else assumes that you do it simply because you have no other options. I am proud to commute by bike; not because I’m desperate, but because I can.
I do not currently live in a bike friendly town like where I grew up in Eugene, or Oregon’s most famous cycling city, Portland. Here in Astoria, there are no bike racks outside of stores, and it rains pretty much everyday for eight months of the year. Never the less, I choose everyday to ride instead of drive for economic, health, and environmental reasons, never mind the fact that it simply makes me happier. There are many benefits to commuting by bike, and I hope that someday our country starts to catch on, but until then, I’ll proudly be the “homeless” person at the grocery store buying a weeks worth of groceries and a whole bag of toilet paper.
The Wandering Nomads 
That is funny – but yes, also sad – that she thought you were homeless just because you weren’t driving a car. It’s a striking example of the narrowness of some people’s perceptions about how we should live. And why the environment is being trashed beyond repair.
Bike shopping is great. We’ve been doing all our Christmas shopping errands by bike, and thus not having to deal with the gridlocked traffic and aggressive parking-hunters. We just roll those bikes up to the front door, chain ‘em up to a signpost (or rack if there is one), easy-peasy.
Cheers and Merry Christmas to you
Michael
Hello To Both of you We are the french family Who had a very Nice Christmas evening last year with you in Pergame and a very good meal. I am happy to read regularly your new experiments and adventures. We wish you a happy américan Christmas for this year ! Laurence
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Hello! Nice to hear from you guys! Joueux Noel a tous!
Stay who you are, maybe some people rethink when they see you healthy and happy girl!
I like to ride in rain, as long as you can change to dry cloths and have a hot shower afterwards it can be truely alot of fun and enjoyment! Put on a rainpants and life is good 😉
I love to go shopping with a bike, no parking problems and in busy hours you are much faster than with a car. Keeps you healthy and fit just as a wonderful side effect.
Cheers and take care!