sistawendy | things I've discovered about bike panniers

I've learned to pack a tissue in one of the side pockets. Cold weather and hay fever are things.
It's a good idea to take my pannier off the bike before I push it up my front stairs, lest I run the risk of messing up my shoulder again. My pannier can hold 20 lbs. and my rack can hold 20 kg, for if I ever go hog wild (improbable) and get another pannier.
Getting the bag on and off the rack gracefully is going to take practice, but I'm going to get that practice because sooner or later, I have to get groceries.
Epic groceries in a pannier don't make me struggle up Phinney Ridge any more than less epic groceries in my messenger bag did. In fact, I think it's easier because there's nothing trying to cut off the circulation to my left arm.
Miss Indigo Bike doesn't handle noticeably worse with the extra weight on the back.
I will probably never again have a sweet young thing say to me, "Nice bag!" as she passes me wearing a similar one. Panniers are just too nerdy. I think I can live with that.