I don't like carrying any more weight than necessary and the trunk bag and content plus the rack itself add several pounds. Even more, I hate not being prepared. A number of years ago when I began riding and riding quite a few more miles, finding myself 30 miles from home I thought it wiser to carry enough stuff to fix likely problems such as flat tires, bad tubes or destroyed tires and a few spare chain links. For the tire, I have a well worn folding tire, still with a few miles remaining on it, weighing maybe 8 ounces or so. I also put together a small pouch with a few spare odds and ends.

This time of year, as temperatures get cool, I may leave the house in the morning wearing extra layers but as the days warms, I need a place to put those things.