No more glass in the backpack.
03-19-10, 04:04 PM
#1
Tawp Dawg
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No more glass in the backpack.
I love beer. And I love living within riding distance of several breweries that will refill/swap growlers (64 oz glass jugs) full of delicious, locally produced beer. In addition to supporting local brewing, this allows me to reduce the amount of 12 oz bottles that I would otherwise have to dispose of and support the manufacture of. Want to bring home some delectable, mouthwateringly fresh beer and reduce your carbon footprint? Buy a growler!
Every once in a while, as I'm pedaling around with a growler in my backpack, it occurs to me just how unpleasant it could be to crash with this big old glass jug on my back. The last two gnarly wrecks I had both left my flat on my back, and just thinking about adding some giant glass shards to that situation makes me shiver. So I tell myself that I really should use a pannier to transport beer, even if that's all I'm pedaling with and it fits easily into the pack. But I never remember this, at least not until I'm already halfway to the brewery or on the way back.
On the way back from a beer and grocery run last night, the bike went over on its side as I approached a stop sign. I'd one hand off of the bars signaling my stop, was braking with the other, and I'd let the front wheel meander into a two inch tall false curb where the ice from the parking lane meets the dry pavement. My knee was a little scraped and the handlebars were twisted out of alignment, but everything else looked cool, so I just wrenched the bars back and rode the rest of the way home.
Because it was a grocery run, I'd brought the panniers. If it'd just been just a beer run, I most likely wouldn't have. Then it's possible that the 2 inch hole in the pannier from the shattered growler would've been in my backpack, maybe all the way into my back. Instead of just needing hot water and duct tape to clean up the mess, I might've needed stitches. And I really can't afford a punctured kidney, I use those guys to safely filter all of that delicious beer through my system. So, no more glass in the backpack. I'd say no more crashing the bike, but I've broken that resolution so many times that I don't bother anymore.
Every once in a while, as I'm pedaling around with a growler in my backpack, it occurs to me just how unpleasant it could be to crash with this big old glass jug on my back. The last two gnarly wrecks I had both left my flat on my back, and just thinking about adding some giant glass shards to that situation makes me shiver. So I tell myself that I really should use a pannier to transport beer, even if that's all I'm pedaling with and it fits easily into the pack. But I never remember this, at least not until I'm already halfway to the brewery or on the way back.
On the way back from a beer and grocery run last night, the bike went over on its side as I approached a stop sign. I'd one hand off of the bars signaling my stop, was braking with the other, and I'd let the front wheel meander into a two inch tall false curb where the ice from the parking lane meets the dry pavement. My knee was a little scraped and the handlebars were twisted out of alignment, but everything else looked cool, so I just wrenched the bars back and rode the rest of the way home.
Because it was a grocery run, I'd brought the panniers. If it'd just been just a beer run, I most likely wouldn't have. Then it's possible that the 2 inch hole in the pannier from the shattered growler would've been in my backpack, maybe all the way into my back. Instead of just needing hot water and duct tape to clean up the mess, I might've needed stitches. And I really can't afford a punctured kidney, I use those guys to safely filter all of that delicious beer through my system. So, no more glass in the backpack. I'd say no more crashing the bike, but I've broken that resolution so many times that I don't bother anymore.
03-19-10, 07:10 PM
#2
aka Timi
03-19-10, 09:03 PM
#3
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speaking from my former job working for a local craft brewery, I have to agree about the awesomeness of growlers. however, I would never ever ever carry them on my back for the exact reason you just said. Furthermore, having gotten growlers for free (yeah free beer I know right) I have drank enough of them to know how easily they can break. The thinnest part of the glass is right where the wall of the growler and the bottom of the growler meet. If you have ever had a growler explode (and I have multiple times), that will be the point where it breaks every time. So what does this have to do with carrying it in your backpack? Two things, one that spot will get a decent amount of rubbing and bumping as you ride, especially if you get out of the saddle. Secondly, if you pedal with any sort of real force (especially out of the saddle), you will be shaking that sucker up. Since beer is full of C02 and most companies use cheap caps, the chances for the cap being on too tight and the C02 having nowhere to go is pretty high. I wouldnt wanna shake up a can of soda and open it up, let alone a 64oz glass bottle.
Good call on the keeping it in the panniers idea.
Good call on the keeping it in the panniers idea.
03-19-10, 09:37 PM
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I always transport my growlers in the panniers... also you must be sure to purchase two(growlers and panniers that is) - in order to balance out the bicycle. 
I also put a bit of foam at the bottom of the pannier - probably overkill.
I also put a bit of foam at the bottom of the pannier - probably overkill.
03-19-10, 10:34 PM
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A folding grocery pannier is an essential when going to get a growler from the brewpub, because you can fit two growlers in there with a little cardboard or a sweater between 'em. Yes, having your life's blood drained from your body by a jagged jug-neck through the spleen would be tough luck, sure, but running out of beer? Now that's a tragedy too terrifying to risk! Stay safe, use a pannier. Sobriety is no laughing matter.
03-19-10, 10:39 PM
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Time to kick it up a notch!
03-19-10, 11:07 PM
#7
Tawp Dawg
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^^^ Hell yeah! Except that the constant trips back and forth from the brewery help to counter the growing beer belly. Maybe once I hit 50 and cease to give a funk.
03-20-10, 12:12 AM
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I just drank one of these guys' 22s and remembered the bike to have for when you go pro:
03-20-10, 12:12 AM
#11
Senior Member
I'm thinking it should be bungied directly to the rack. Point the neck to the rear and see if it doesn't help discourage tailgaters.
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03-21-10, 06:12 PM
#13
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I think that riding with a Camelback full of beer would just ensure that I crash more often. And even if I didn't, the beer wouldn't make it home nearly as often, which would piss off the Lady G'Cakes.
03-22-10, 07:51 PM
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03-23-10, 09:35 AM
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I actually took a fall almost two weeks ago with a growler in my messenger bag. I ride my bike to New Belgium Brewery once or twice a week. I was on my way home and took a right hand corner at speed just like I normally do. The problem was I didn't see how much dust was on the road left over from gravel that had been laid down all winter. As I leaned into the corner my bike lost all traction and went out from underneath me. I was fine, but shaken up enough that I forgot about the beer. I walked a block to a place I was going to pick up dinner and locked my bike up. As I bent over to lock my bike I heard something pour out of my bag. I look down and notice a nice puddle of beer on the ground...
. Fortunately, the glass was intact, but the seal on the cap had broken and about half my growler had emptied into my bag (waterproof means liquid cant get out very easier either 
) I keep a towel in my bag to make carrying the bottle a little more comfortable, which may have been enough to keep the bottle from breaking, and it soaked up the beer that was in my bag.
Honestly, I will continue to carry my growler in my bag. Even if it were to break, I couldn't see the glass puncturing the bag..it's pretty tough. I would be afraid that a growler in a pannier would get super shaken up since it will see a lot more road vibration than if it were in a bag on my back.
. Fortunately, the glass was intact, but the seal on the cap had broken and about half my growler had emptied into my bag (waterproof means liquid cant get out very easier either ) I keep a towel in my bag to make carrying the bottle a little more comfortable, which may have been enough to keep the bottle from breaking, and it soaked up the beer that was in my bag.Honestly, I will continue to carry my growler in my bag. Even if it were to break, I couldn't see the glass puncturing the bag..it's pretty tough. I would be afraid that a growler in a pannier would get super shaken up since it will see a lot more road vibration than if it were in a bag on my back.
Last edited by andymi86; 03-23-10 at 09:39 AM.
03-23-10, 10:44 AM
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[QUOTE=andymi86;10565345
Honestly, I will continue to carry my growler in my bag. Even if it were to break, I couldn't see the glass puncturing the bag..it's pretty tough. I would be afraid that a growler in a pannier would get super shaken up since it will see a lot more road vibration than if it were in a bag on my back.[/QUOTE]
I'd consider using my messenger bag to carry a growler, largely because I don't have a rack+panniers. However, broken glass is damn sharp--don't be fooling yourself about the glass not puncturing the bag. Damage might be mitigated by the fact that the glass would be more slicing than puncturing, and that you might not be grinding your back into it (and you do have one more layer as you mentioned). But you'd probably get hurt more.
Besides, we have empirical evidence above that the glass will poke through a pannier.
Honestly, I will continue to carry my growler in my bag. Even if it were to break, I couldn't see the glass puncturing the bag..it's pretty tough. I would be afraid that a growler in a pannier would get super shaken up since it will see a lot more road vibration than if it were in a bag on my back.[/QUOTE]
I'd consider using my messenger bag to carry a growler, largely because I don't have a rack+panniers. However, broken glass is damn sharp--don't be fooling yourself about the glass not puncturing the bag. Damage might be mitigated by the fact that the glass would be more slicing than puncturing, and that you might not be grinding your back into it (and you do have one more layer as you mentioned). But you'd probably get hurt more.
Besides, we have empirical evidence above that the glass will poke through a pannier.
03-23-10, 11:28 AM
#21
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64 ounce refillable jug. You can buy one from your local microbrew, have it filled and take it home. Then, when it's empty, you take it back and do it again! It's awesome because fresh beer is awesome, and it cuts down on the amount of non-reusable bottles in the trash can.
03-23-10, 05:04 PM
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How about an insert for the backpack when you're going to be carrying glass? A large cutting board, a piece of thrift-store leather jacket, a thin piece of wood or fake tile?
03-23-10, 06:04 PM
#23
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I love beer. And I love living within riding distance of several breweries that will refill/swap growlers (64 oz glass jugs) full of delicious, locally produced beer. In addition to supporting local brewing, this allows me to reduce the amount of 12 oz bottles that I would otherwise have to dispose of and support the manufacture of. Want to bring home some delectable, mouthwateringly fresh beer and reduce your carbon footprint? Buy a growler!
Every once in a while, as I'm pedaling around with a growler in my backpack, it occurs to me just how unpleasant it could be to crash with this big old glass jug on my back. The last two gnarly wrecks I had both left my flat on my back, and just thinking about adding some giant glass shards to that situation makes me shiver. So I tell myself that I really should use a pannier to transport beer, even if that's all I'm pedaling with and it fits easily into the pack. But I never remember this, at least not until I'm already halfway to the brewery or on the way back.
On the way back from a beer and grocery run last night, the bike went over on its side as I approached a stop sign. I'd one hand off of the bars signaling my stop, was braking with the other, and I'd let the front wheel meander into a two inch tall false curb where the ice from the parking lane meets the dry pavement. My knee was a little scraped and the handlebars were twisted out of alignment, but everything else looked cool, so I just wrenched the bars back and rode the rest of the way home.
Because it was a grocery run, I'd brought the panniers. If it'd just been just a beer run, I most likely wouldn't have. Then it's possible that the 2 inch hole in the pannier from the shattered growler would've been in my backpack, maybe all the way into my back. Instead of just needing hot water and duct tape to clean up the mess, I might've needed stitches. And I really can't afford a punctured kidney, I use those guys to safely filter all of that delicious beer through my system. So, no more glass in the backpack. I'd say no more crashing the bike, but I've broken that resolution so many times that I don't bother anymore.
Every once in a while, as I'm pedaling around with a growler in my backpack, it occurs to me just how unpleasant it could be to crash with this big old glass jug on my back. The last two gnarly wrecks I had both left my flat on my back, and just thinking about adding some giant glass shards to that situation makes me shiver. So I tell myself that I really should use a pannier to transport beer, even if that's all I'm pedaling with and it fits easily into the pack. But I never remember this, at least not until I'm already halfway to the brewery or on the way back.
On the way back from a beer and grocery run last night, the bike went over on its side as I approached a stop sign. I'd one hand off of the bars signaling my stop, was braking with the other, and I'd let the front wheel meander into a two inch tall false curb where the ice from the parking lane meets the dry pavement. My knee was a little scraped and the handlebars were twisted out of alignment, but everything else looked cool, so I just wrenched the bars back and rode the rest of the way home.
Because it was a grocery run, I'd brought the panniers. If it'd just been just a beer run, I most likely wouldn't have. Then it's possible that the 2 inch hole in the pannier from the shattered growler would've been in my backpack, maybe all the way into my back. Instead of just needing hot water and duct tape to clean up the mess, I might've needed stitches. And I really can't afford a punctured kidney, I use those guys to safely filter all of that delicious beer through my system. So, no more glass in the backpack. I'd say no more crashing the bike, but I've broken that resolution so many times that I don't bother anymore.
I still have to let the beer settle when I get home anyway.
03-23-10, 06:29 PM
#24
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I have not tried carrying a growler yet but have not shaken up cases of beer carried in the Freeloaders on my Big Dummy. The long wheelbase of a longtail cargo bike gives a considerably smoother ride than a normal bike though no problems noted with shaken up beer from carrying in normal grocery panniers either.
I definitely feel carrying glass containers in a backpack or messenger bag is a poor idea.
I definitely feel carrying glass containers in a backpack or messenger bag is a poor idea.
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