Perhaps to be in keeping with a particular Seinfield episode (the Man-Bra concept by Kramer and George's father), I'm also wondering how to carry layered clothing that gets peeled as you heat up. Another possibility to compete with a fanny pack could be a handlebar bag. While foregoing the mandatory macho-persona that we guys must maintain ... I did read on a women's biking forum that the ladies liked the purse-like qualities that handlebar bags can offer.

Two drawbacks I suppose to a handlebar bag: (1) You may tend to carry too much stuff and add weight. (2) I suppose it could add to wind-drag, and reduce road efficiency (?) ... if others could expand on whether handlebar bags effectively reduces road efficiency because of wind-drag, it would be interesting to know.

One good thing about a handlebar bag, if it has external loops or rings ... you can mount stuff onto the handlebar bag. If you ride solo in new urban areas, I found a great thing from REI to put a folded map in ... the "Omniseal Wallet Holder". Transparent, waterproof, big enough to carry a pocket notebook with riding directions written on it ... and a hole to lanyard onto either your handlebars or your handlebar bag: < http://www.rei.com/product/492963 >