[Myra]

Hi Mikel,

The trailer is not as difficult as many people think it is. It isn't any more work than cycling without it, since I simply shift down to compensate for the extra load. So I end up going slower and thus my journeys take more time, so I guess I end up getting more exercise one way or another.

Congrats to you for getting rid of your car completely. My in-laws are retired, and yet they still have 2 cars. They have thought about having just one, but I get the impression that they find that occasionally having 2 cars is useful, and they have the money to maintain 2 cars, so why not have them both?

We do know some families with no car, and they manage. But although we don't use the car for our day-to-day journeys, it's great for getting out and about on the weekends, and for visiting the in-laws. So we will keep our one car, at least for now.

I highly recommend a trailer for carrying groceries. Occasionally I treat myself to a shopping trip in town. I take the kiddie trailer, and I tell you, you can get a lot of stuff in a 2-child trailer! I also have a Bob (1-wheel) trailer, but this is nowhere as good for hauling loads in town. Since it has just the one wheel, it relies on your bike to keep it upright, and it waggles the back end of your bike around something rotten.

You can buy 2-wheel cargo trailers, but if you're on a budget the best thing would be to find a used kiddie trailer.