I don't know if this is appropriate here, but...

I just wanted to recognize what a high quality group of people post here. Life handed me a big steaming pile a while back, and then it put some in a paper bag and lit it on my front porch. I won't go into details because it is irrelevant other than to set up the next bit. I was not able to spend much time on the internet for quite a while (that hurt more than I thought it would) when I started spending more time on line I was still limited and mainly checked Bladeforums because I jones when I can't keep up with new knife stuff. Bladeforums attracts a few trolls because of its size, but if you avoid certain sections it is a pretty decent place.

Recently things are getting back to normal, relatively speaking and I have been spending more time online. Checking out old haunts and a few new ones has made me realize how great this forum is. I am amazed at how many forums are full of keyboard tough guys, emotionally stunted people, and just plain jerks. I would call most of these people trolls but in some cases they are people that have been on these other forums for ages.

This forum moderates itself for the most part. People generally respect differing opinions and there is usually someone trying to help. I think a lot of it is because of the example Doug sets, much is due to the moderate moderators, but a lot of it has to do with the average "citizens" here. It took being gone for a long time, and then being exposed to a couple of new online forums for this to really sink in.

Sorry for getting sappy on everyone, but it had to be written.

Just to keep this survival related, I have been thinking about keeping a BOB that would work as well with a bicycle as a car or truck. I know it has been discussed here before but if you are in an area being evacuated for weather or some other emergency a bicycle or motorcycle may be the only way to keep moving.

Yeah, what he said.

Welcome back.

Welcome back. For bicycles and motorcycles just go with the gear that transfered over from the horse- soft saddlebags or hard shell panniers.

what is a hard shell pannier?

They look like rigid saddlebags that go over the back wheel in pairs. They're bolted on, and usually have hinged tops so you can stuff stuff into them.

In addition to panniers, you could wear a backpack. And don't forget the covered sidecar for the dog (who should have his own BOB!). <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Sue

I've got some panniers, but need bigger ones. I have been looking at these

http://www.cobbworks.com/

I should actually say I have been looking at those with the idea of making my own with some changes. $80 is a bit much for a couple of food service buckets and hardware. What I really need to do is come up with a list of needed items. I have a touring list but need to make sure I am as self sufficient as possible. This is all on the back burner actually, but good mental exercise.

Thanks for the welcome back. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have a few backpacks that can be pressed into service. My current (and somewhat inadequate) BOB is a backpack. While I would never use one normally on a bike it would be fine in an emergency situation.

My dog is such an energetic beast that he would never sit still in a sidecar. If I could figure out a way to harness him to the bike then I may be on to something. As he gets older though a trailer or something might work. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Actually there is a great line of trailers sold under the BOB name. Maybe they are trying to tell me something.

Dog-bike attachment that's safe for dogs that pull: http://www.springerusa.com/

It says it fits 95% of bikes, but it doesn't fit my mountain bike. Probably needs a standard road bike frame.

Last time I tried to buy panniers for my push-bike, the shop recommended a backpack instead. I use a smallish one quite a lot. My BOB is a rucksack but somewhat heavier; I've not tried cycling with it yet.

A backpack would make life easier if you had to abandon the bike and proceed on foot.

Years ago .....
the only one time I tried to ride my bicycle with a heavy backpack strapped to my own back, I got the the fright of my life. I was then going quite fast down a slope and the high center of gravity greatly amplified a vibration in the steering. I hopefully succeeded to stop, removed the backpack and strapped it onto the bike's rear rack : with a lower center of gravity, everything went fine, then.