What do you pack
11-02-08, 09:35 AM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,118
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
If I need two panniers, it's usually to carry lots of extra winter clothing so I can change into something dry when necessary, change my layers to adapt to conditions, and/or avoid going hypothermic if I have a breakdown. Hauling home a week's worth of dirty laundry could also fill two panniers. In the winter, one item I always carry is a rolled-up super-duty contractor-sized garbage bag to serve as an impromptu winter shelter, if it comes to that.
On long winter rides, I also like to take a full Thermos of piping-hot coffee... it's amusing to stop in a snowstorm in the dark on a smaller 2-lane highway, sit down on a guardrail, and bust out your coffee and sandwich. The cars slow down... maybe he needs help... looking... looking... OMG HE'S SIPPING HOT COFFEE AND EATING A SANDWICH!
*car accelerates away from crazy bike dude*
I like my commutes challenging!
At the moment, I'm managing with one pannier and a mid-sized trunk bag, however. No snow here yet.
I'll second that, especially on front lowrider racks. In snow, it seems like they stabilize the front wheel against getting kicked around by ruts, etc.
On long winter rides, I also like to take a full Thermos of piping-hot coffee... it's amusing to stop in a snowstorm in the dark on a smaller 2-lane highway, sit down on a guardrail, and bust out your coffee and sandwich. The cars slow down... maybe he needs help... looking... looking... OMG HE'S SIPPING HOT COFFEE AND EATING A SANDWICH!
*car accelerates away from crazy bike dude* I like my commutes challenging!
At the moment, I'm managing with one pannier and a mid-sized trunk bag, however. No snow here yet.
I'll second that, especially on front lowrider racks. In snow, it seems like they stabilize the front wheel against getting kicked around by ruts, etc.
Oh! and the bit with the coffee? You have a warped and twisted sense of humor. Love it!
11-03-08, 02:27 PM
#27
Two Wheeled Maniac
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 69
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What I carry varies on the season (such as we have them here in Northern California) and what I need at work, but typically:
Trunk Bag (random REI bag from years ago)
Panniers (old Performance brand)
Typically I get by with just one pannier, and put the other one on if I need to haul a bunch of stuff. For clothing, I will drive once and a while and drop off a bunch of dress shirts and pants. I leave shoes, a belt and shower stuff at the office. I stuff a couple t-shirts and socks in the panniers and schlep them back and forth.
I am also a big fan of putting some coffee on the bike -- I have a small thermos bottle that I'll put a double espresso in. If you've not seen it, there's a whole page on the web about thermos bottles and other coffee-related bike accessories; it's https://www.bicyclecoffeesystems.com/.
Trunk Bag (random REI bag from years ago)
- mini pump
- spare tube
- mini toolkit (tire levers, allen wrenches)
- flat repair kit
- work badge
- energy bars
- pants leg cuff band
- pocketknife
- personal stuff (wallet, phone, headset, chapstick, handkerchief, pen, paper, iPod)
- cable lock for the occasional errand
- gloves
- bungee cord
- emergency cash
- lunch
Panniers (old Performance brand)
- laptop
- train pass (I ride the whole way one direction, bike-train-bike the other)
- jacket/fleece/rain pants as needed
- clothes for work
- book
Typically I get by with just one pannier, and put the other one on if I need to haul a bunch of stuff. For clothing, I will drive once and a while and drop off a bunch of dress shirts and pants. I leave shoes, a belt and shower stuff at the office. I stuff a couple t-shirts and socks in the panniers and schlep them back and forth.
I am also a big fan of putting some coffee on the bike -- I have a small thermos bottle that I'll put a double espresso in. If you've not seen it, there's a whole page on the web about thermos bottles and other coffee-related bike accessories; it's https://www.bicyclecoffeesystems.com/.
11-04-08, 08:32 AM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 249
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
In my Axiom Magellan trunk bag (site says it holds 7 liters):
pants
shirt
sometimes socks
belt
cologne
deodorant
cell phone, wallet, and shoe insoles (for my work shoes, gotta bring them home for whatever I wear in the evening) in side pockets
rain cover in front mesh pocket
spare tube, tools, patch kids in the rear pocket
If I bring food, I usually can wedge it in the side pockets and main compartment.
I really want one pannier, my trunk bag is usually packed solid. If I have to carry my shoes, I have to strap them to the top, making it very top-heavy, and makes the bike handle weird.
pants
shirt
sometimes socks
belt
cologne
deodorant
cell phone, wallet, and shoe insoles (for my work shoes, gotta bring them home for whatever I wear in the evening) in side pockets
rain cover in front mesh pocket
spare tube, tools, patch kids in the rear pocket
If I bring food, I usually can wedge it in the side pockets and main compartment.
I really want one pannier, my trunk bag is usually packed solid. If I have to carry my shoes, I have to strap them to the top, making it very top-heavy, and makes the bike handle weird.
