Imran Nazar ~ عمران نزرSo my first attempt at the #BikeTooter #CarryShitOlympics was a terrible misjudgement. I needed a 10-litre tub of paint, I have an MTB with front motor conversion and a rear rack, how hard could it be?
1/5
The nearest (equivalent to) Home Depot is 5 miles away, up a big hill and down the other side. Got there no worries, threw the tub on the rear rack...
First bump I hit in the road, and the mounts for the rack shear clean off. Guess it's not rated for 20kg. But now I'm committed, it's not like I could go give the paint back.
(I easily could have, the place was still within sight.)
2/
Now I'm precariously balancing this tub on the crossbar with one hand while it digs into the brake cable, feathering the throttle with the other...
[As an aside, my conversion kit didn't come with pedal-assist sensors for my particular crank, so the motor's only available on a throttle.]
Until halfway back up the Big Hill, when the fact I haven't charged the battery all week comes back to bite me, and the motor gives out.
3/
There's a reason I converted this bike: I didn't want to slog up hills, so I'm out of practice. I end up walking the rest of the way up, tub of paint taking pride of place on the saddle.
At least one person walking down mentioned that I was using the bike wrong as they passed.
4/
Coming down was somehow even worse. If you ever want a rollercoaster without having to pay for it, I can recommend rolling downhill with one hand trying desperately to balance a load with a flat bottom on a round tube directly in front of your seat, as the other frantically grabs for the brake before you fly through the next junction.
5/
I did make it home, but I can't feel my arms; if I don't get out of bed tomorrow, don't be surprised.
Next time I get an idea like that in my head, remind me that I have a car.
6/5
Richard K 