Originally Posted by dalmore
Try to "containerize" things. Then instead of say 15 items going into your bag, maybe you have now only 4 containers. Then try to find ways to keep those containers packed.
Like have a single lunch bag, box or whatever. Then prepare the lunch the night before and put the container in the fridge. In the morning, just pop the container in your lumbar/backpack/pannier/messengar bag.
For the clothes try these little folding things from
Eagle Creek - they really work for me when I travel but I have the luxury of not having to carry clothes to work on my bike. I think you'll be able to fold your clothes the night before in one of those and pack it up all ready to go.
I have a set of keys for the office and the house that I ring clipped in my lumbar bag. They are dedicated to the bag which I commute with everyday.
What dalmore said. All excellent advice. I'd use one of those Eagle Creek things myself (have 'em for travel) if they fit in my fancy bike riding backpack. Anyhow I find the single best bit of planning is in laying-out bike clothes the night before heading out. I mean all of it, down to the socks, shoes, gloves, etc. Also, having a water bottle ready to go shaves time. There are other little things storing your bike in a way that takes minimal time to hit the road the next day (important in NYC apartments, heh).