Ever have an 'A-ha!' moment?
 

I just had one. I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out the best way to carry my stuff. I've worn backpacks, mess bag, panniers, strapped backpack to rack... only thing I haven't tried is a big seat bag like Carradice. Or a trunk bag...

Anyway, the little light bulb went off- just use the current backpack for essential items, but put the clothes/layers in a stuff sack and put that on the rack. Distributes the load better, takes a bunch of bulk out of the backpack, leaves room in the pack for any items to be picked up on the way home...

What was your 'A-Ha!' moment?

The day I tried strapping a backpack to the rack. I had been fussing with different racks and panniers and trying to dial in an easy, lighter system. When I got about half a mile to my destination, it nearly fell off, so I decided to just throw it on my back for the remaining bit and worry about it later. It only took that short half mile jaunt to realize racks were SO not for me.

Alternatively, I did buy a medium sized saddle bag to keep on my nice bike so I can stash a jacket, tools, u-lock, etc. for longish rides with friends where I need more than I want to stuff in my jersey pockets. That works great as well.

EDIT: I do think I'd like to get one of those larger saddle bags you see the bikepacking folks using. I'd definitely like to try it out on a lightweight tour.

The day I figured out it was a lot easier carrying a spare tube for quick replacement, and patching tubes at home, rather than repairing flats tubes on the streets.

The better "A-Ha!" moment was the day I discovered that using Marathon tires rather than cheap Pep Boy specials was the real deal cure for weekly flat tires.

Why, just yesterday when I realized the one should never, ever try to disassemble a 105 STI shifter...

Wait. That was an 'Oh-s***' moment.

Recently I realized I could zip-tie my flexy legged mini tripod for my camera to my front reflector.

I haven't tested it yet but, I also thought I could try wrapping rubber bands around where I will zip the ties for stability and shock absorption.

When I finally stopped buying really inexpensive bicycle components, shelled out some serious cash, and bought much more durable components for the bike. No more having to constantly make micro management adjustments from sloppy, fast wearing parts.

Times when my LBS fell short of options, and I get the answer in this forum.

Here
 

http://oi52.tinypic.com/wqu36f.jpg

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i just tested this, shot 3 seperate 9min 41sec HD videos of a short ride to a nearby park.

the shaking isnt too horrible for the most part, but the howling of the wind in the mic is intense....

I realized a while ago...that once the bike is up to speed on flats, I can kick the gears up a bit and go even faster like nitrous oxide or something, as long as it's already rolling pretty good. I also realized more recently that went stuck in a higher gear at a stop sign, I could stand in my pedals to get an initial kick start. Don't judge me, I'm still under a year as a commuter. =]

After reading Curious George Rides A Bike at age 5 1/2, I realized that if a monkey could ride a bike, so could I. I went to a girl I knew and got permission to use her bike (no top tube to hurt myself on, easier to get off of in an emergency). In two hours, in her driveway I had taught myself to ride.

I just moved back to Seoul after a long tour and the new apartment is over 20 minutes walk from my house. That sucks, because traffic is insane and it adds 40 minutes round trip to every place you ever go, even if its just one stop away.

I ride a pretty new LHT and was not interested it locking it up at the subway station for hours/days on end because I live near a huge university and think it would get stolen pretty quickly.

My AHA! moment was when I realized that I should buy a second, beater bike that can live outside and ride the very short 3-4 minutes to the subway and leave a decent U lock there! Why didn't I think of this a month ago?

Discovering SPD sandals for warm rainy days.

Studded tires really work. They plow the Minuteman bike path in Arlington after every storm. It usually leaves a 1/2" of ice and hardpack on the trail. All the peds and Ipod zombies are sliding all over the trail. I'm the only biker on the trail, 10 mph down the middle, bell a ringing.

That's pretty awesome.

That I could ride to work and back instead of getting up early and riding for exercise.

Curious George can eat a lot of cake, and later got forgiven. I discovered the same things about myself.

The day I dsicovered Surly Junk Straps for holding my backpack to my rear rack.

If I want ripe bananas for a long ride, I can't buy them the night before.

My "A ha" moment occured when I realised I was looking at the spoke nipple from the wong side. I was actually loosening the spoke tension while I wanted to tighten them. By the time I caught what was going on, my wheel was way out of True and my so call "A ha" experience became an "Oh well" crisis :lol:

Building a bicycle.

When I realized that I didn't have to spend a small fortune to have a quality bike.

I found this while waiting on line at a store a few weeks ago, and I had a eureka moment for sure. I did not want to ride with ANY headphones on at all ever, and this seemed to be the trick.

This isnt really loud (though loud enough to be heard over almost everything except traffic on the bridges), or particularly good quality sound BUT, it was 10$ and had a nice strong rotating clip that hooks securely to the top handle of my backpack. It takes AA batteries and I have plenty of rechargeables. :)

http://oi53.tinypic.com/2dcdgg1.jpg

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^^^there is a spandex mesh pocket on the side without the battery compartment, but the pic is too dark to see it
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When I strapped panniers to this Blackburn Rack I had the bags would collapse into the tires. The rack could not hold them in place. So I zip tied two pieces of wood to the rack preventing the panniers from collapsing into the rear tire.