The Things They Carried...

Harrybelafonte

Looked around on commute today and noticed many differences in how/what people bring with them. So what do you carry? Throw up a photo if you want

Me:

"Courier" bag - Crumpler Dhardly

Lock
Puncture kit
Spare tube
Multi tool
pump
Glasses in case
iPod
iPhone
diary
baby wipes
toothbrush and toothpaste
runners
jeans + bits
Shirt
vest
Hoody
light rain jacket
keys
Camera
Lunch
Sometimes a towel

Boring enough list, but am always surprised at how little others carry.

mloc123

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

iPod
iPhone

does not compute

blorg

mloc123 wrote: »

does not compute

Could be something like a Shuffle and an iPhone?

Chips Lovell

Baby wipes?

seamus

Just a single school-size backpack:

Raingear (I leave this at home from May - October)
Washbag
Shirt
Tie
Pants
Unmentionables
Towel
Pens (which have been there since year dot)
Lights + Spare batteries (from October - April)

I also have a saddle bag with tubes and crap.

The clothes really jam the bag up. I know other people bring in a full weeks' clothes once a week so they don't have to carry anything, but that just can't happen with me for a variety of reasons.

Harrybelafonte

Jesus, I thought this would be something interesting to start, obviously I've just opened a whole inspection into my own bag.

An iPod Classic becasue I carry all my music with me. I get to listen to iPod all day in work. I am not sociable. iPhone I have for 3 weeks. i don't fancy swapping the music around.

Everyone should carry baby wipes, at all times. They'll clean anything. The all the more important if you have to drag your child behind you on the bike.

This was a lot more interesting on the other forums.

Harrybelafonte

[QUOTE=seamus;64641704
Shirt
[/QUOTE]

A biatch to keep from crumpling in bag. any particular folding routine?

Lumen

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Jesus, I thought this would be something interesting to start, obviously I've just opened a whole inspection into my own bag.

The contents of your bag are interesting.

I'm intrigued about whether "Glasses in case" means "Glasses in a case" or "Glasses in case my contacts fall out".

seamus

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

A biatch to keep from crumpling in bag. any particular folding routine?

Heh. I manage to get it into a square about 8 inches per side, collar pointing up, and it more-or-less sits comfortably at the top of the bag.

But I don't work in client-facing roles, so sometimes I'm not even arsed ironing the thing at all. Just get easy-iron or non-iron shirts.

abcdggs

Chrome metropolis,
-keys
-loose change
-usb memory
-pens
-3x tyre levers
-15mm spanner
-tube
-pump
-multi tool
-carmex
-light
-chemical engineering notes
-calculator
-laptop
-hoodie
-condoms
-batteries
-shoes
-lock
-inhalers
-miscellaneous reciepts
-several contact lenses

This is a regular day going to college.
if i was going to a party this could be stocked with up to (current maximum):
24x bottles (330ml)
12x cans (500ml)
3x bottles of wine (750 ml)
1x bottle of gin (1ltr)

Harrybelafonte

Lumen wrote: »

The contents of your bag are interesting.

I'm intrigued about whether "Glasses in case" means "Glasses in a case" or "Glasses in case my contacts fall out".

Sorry yeah, glasses case. I feel just mentioning the case doesn't necessitate the presence of glasses. Only need glasses for reading and computer hence no wearing on bike.

seamus wrote: »

Heh. I manage to get it into a square about 8 inches per side, collar pointing up, and it more-or-less sits comfortably at the top of the bag.

Collar pointing up makes sense. I'll try that.

Lumen

abcdggs wrote: »

-chemical engineering notes
-condoms

The former suggests that the latter is unnecessary.

cdaly_

abcdggs wrote: »

-condoms

Ah, have times changed so much?






Or is this just wishful thinking like it was in my college days?...

Harrybelafonte

abcdggs wrote: »

-carmex

Misread that for a sec:

ROK ON

Suits and shoes and towels/toiletries in work.
Saddlebag on bike with multitool tubes speedlever and tyre lever.
Small bag for shirt socks and jocks but sometimes being a few into work on monday so then no need for bag on Tues or Wed.
Small pump on bike. Bidon if training after work.
Breakfast usually in small bag or jersey pockets. Lights on the bike. Spare batteries in ziplock in jersey pocket.
Cash cards phone in jersey pockets.

ednwireland

well when i do cycle into work
trousers
underwear
over trousers
backup tapes
external hardrive
memory sticks
random paperwork
multi tool
tyre levers
tape measure
network cable
swiss army knife
2 4gb memory sticks
other networking c**p

at least i got rid of the cable strippers and network cable crimps - they were heavy

baby wipes - i dont want to smell like a baby (and its downhill all the way into work (av about 50 kmh an hour in)

Beasty

Keys, work pass, phone, Blackberry, cash, credit card, 3 tubes, 3 tyre levers, puncture repair kit, cable ties, multi-tool, mini-pump, emergency contact details

abcdggs

i would have suggested the necessity to carry an inhaler and calculator... but i suppose eng notes is the same

kona

abcdggs wrote: »

Chrome metropolis,
-keys
-loose change
-usb memory
-pens
-3x tyre levers
-15mm spanner
-tube
-pump
-multi tool
-carmex
-light
-chemical engineering notes
-calculator
-laptop
-hoodie
-condoms
-batteries
-shoes
-lock
-inhalers
-miscellaneous reciepts
-several contact lenses

This is a regular day going to college.
if i was going to a party this could be stocked with up to (current maximum):
24x bottles (330ml)
12x cans (500ml)
3x bottles of wine (750 ml)
1x bottle of gin (1ltr)

What litre is that bag? Sounds very useful and far superior to mine. Mine struggles with a Lock, clothes Ipod and a folder.

briano

I have a chrome soyuz: a purchase which I constantly regret but has served me well

in it there is:

Laptop, Power Supply
zippy A4 Folder
Jeans, T-shirt, Boxers & Jumper (shoes live in work)
Small Towel, Random assortment of small bottles of shower gel, Deoderant
Spare Tube, Puncture repair kit, multi-tool, mini-pump, Tyre levers
Keys, Phone, Wallet
Kryptonite cable for the front wheel
about a hundred euros in small change that I am too lazy to sort out.

Have to add AA batteries to the list actually, that could be a use for some of the spare change

LDB

what Raam's carries to work... a very essential item

blorg

LDB wrote: »

what Raam's carries to work... a very essential item

Yes, I believe he wrapped that around himself all last year for the Swords training spins, until the hillclimb came up, bubble wrap came off and well we all know what happened.

Lumen

LDB, you need to read this.

Raam

I've never won a Swords hill climb :P

DirkVoodoo

He looks like a smurf.

LDB

Lumen wrote: »

LDB, you need to read this.

Ha!! He eats like a horse!

jaqian

In a regular sized back pack I have...

Nokia N95, which I use as mp3 player
Pump
Allen Keys
USB Stick
dSLR Camera (incase I see anything worth shooting)
rain gear
spare socks
fresh t-shirt (to chnage into)
deoderant
book (sometimes)

At work I have a battery charger and screwdriver for opening bicycle light.

bcmf

LDB wrote: »

what Raam's carries to work... a very essential item

shoulda just worn a crash hat its a lot easier to carry.

Beasty

LDB wrote: »

what Raam's carries to work... a very essential item

Bubble wrap - I knew I was short of something:)

abcdggs

kona wrote: »

What litre is that bag? Sounds very useful and far superior to mine. Mine struggles with a Lock, clothes Ipod and a folder.

30 something i think...
haven't a bad word to say about it, it was definitely an investment though, they're quite expensive

uberpixie

abcdggs wrote: »

30 something i think...
haven't a bad word to say about it, it was definitely an investment though, they're quite expensive

Got the step down in size: Chrome Citizen 20litre or so

Carries:

towel
shirt
trousers
spare sock, jocks and tee shirts
Leatherman skeletool with spare bitdriver set
Ulock
Full Lowe Alpine waterproof leggings (in the front divider pocket)
Bodywash,deodorant, hair gel
whatever I am having for lunch + snacks

Moved from using panniers and find a courier bag very comfy and a lot easier to fit clothes in with out getting them totally creased Vs Panniers. A lot handier for fitting in "stuff" in general due to the shape of the bag and the extra pockets over the panniers I was using and I have a bit of room to spare for anything random I might need.

The Chrome stuff is VERY expensive (€130 or so on CRC for the citizen) but it is very well made and should hopefully last a few years judging by online reviews.

The Da picked himself one up as well recently after having to retire a trek hybrid and moved to a Specialized Sectuer for his commute, no rack on the back meant he had the ditch his panniers and he isn't missing them and really likes the bag.

So a +2 for good courier bags.

IM0

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Looked around on commute today and noticed many differences in how/what people bring with them. So what do you carry? Throw up a photo if you want

Me:

"Courier" bag - Crumpler Dhardly

Lock
Puncture kit
Spare tube
Multi tool
pump
Glasses in case
iPod
iPhone
diary
baby wipes
toothbrush and toothpaste
runners
jeans + bits
Shirt
vest
Hoody
light rain jacket
keys
Camera
Lunch
Sometimes a towel

Boring enough list, but am always surprised at how little others carry.

I just take the kitchen sink instead

LastGasp

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

A biatch to keep from crumpling in bag. any particular folding routine?

Discovered recently that putting it in a fairly strong paper shopping bag first (one of those that folds flat at the sides), and then put that in the rucksack does the trick.

sexpot

The biggest problem I have with backpacks is the sweaty back symdrome. It's horrible when I arrive into college, so for now I use panniers.

No one have this problem with messenger bags even?

LastGasp

I cheat. Drive to work on Monday either having left fixie in work for weekend, or bring it or other bike in the boot. Bring a couple of shirts, socks jocks etc in too. Then cycle in/out for the week, leaving car in work in case needed. Drive home Friday. If I need a car at night during the week I can usually borrow the OH's. Just carry rain jacket, small saddlebag with tube, levers, and repair kit, wallet, phone, keys.

LastGasp

sexpot wrote: »

The biggest problem I have with backpacks is the sweaty back symdrome. It's horrible when I arrive into college, so for now I use panniers.

No one have this problem with messenger bags even?

Do you change clothes ? I assume you dont, which could make it difficult all right. I had been taking it fairly easy going in, to avoid working up a sweat, but now I'm trying to use the commute as training so that doesn't work. I change out of my cycling clothes, and give myself a quick rinse at the sink in the jacks. Shower when I get home.

abcdggs

Is a bit of an issue if i hammer it in, but i'd usually take it fairly easy on the way in then hammerfest home.

cdaly_

Hammerfest both ways, shower at work too.

I use a 10l carrier bag for the permanently on the bike stuff and a clip-on panier for the work-clothes and lunch.

carrier bag has:

lock
tools (allen keys, cone spanners (4 sizes in 1), multi-tip screwdriver and chain tool)
levers, tube, patches
Spare gear / brake cables
spare lenses for glasses
reading glasses
pen
small first-aid kit
Choccy

kona

LastGasp wrote: »

I cheat. Drive to work on Monday either having left fixie in work for weekend, or bring it or other bike in the boot. Bring a couple of shirts, socks jocks etc in too. Then cycle in/out for the week, leaving car in work in case needed. Drive home Friday. If I need a car at night during the week I can usually borrow the OH's. Just carry rain jacket, small saddlebag with tube, levers, and repair kit, wallet, phone, keys.

You going to get rid of the car? Expensive bike transporter

I just have a car for fun, couldnt deal with traffic, I only drive late when there are no people around, motorists annoy the hell out of me, either on 2 or in 4 wheels!

Harrybelafonte

+ 1 for courier bags, much prefer to backpacks for a couple of reasons, sweaty back is one, still happens but not as badly.

I think I said it somewhere else before if you're looking for such a bag, keep an eye on TK Maxx got my Crumpler there for about 80, cost over 140 new AFAIK. Only problem is the under arm strap is missing, but I may look for some one to replace it.

Only negative with courier bags is if you're carrying a lot of weight for a good while it does tend to leave shoulder aching

Malari

My trip is so short I'm wearing most of what I need! So in my rucksack I have:

Shoes
Handbag (ok, so this contains wallet, phone, keys, etc!)

I can't wait for the days when I don't have to haul on waterproofs, thermal jacket, hat, gloves, reflector, etc. Sigh.

Jawgap

Clothes etc live in work and are replenished when I drive in.

Bag under the saddle has spare tube, multi-tool, tyre leavers and a €20 note wrapped in clingfilm!!

Light waterproof jacket & pump go in cycling jacket pockets - mobile phone, wallet & work pass go in jersey pockets.

When I do have occasion to carry more it goes in one of three back packs - if it's sports stuff it goes in the Speedo pro-back pack.
- if it's the laptop it goes in some work supplied yoke
- if it's wet out it goes in the waterproof Overboard Carbon Backpack

dave.obrien

Jawgap wrote: »

...and a €20 note wrapped in clingfilm!!

Genius...

For me, I've an Animal messenger bag, about the 20l mark, carries:
allen keys,
tyre levers,
tubes,
puncture repair kit,
pump,
spare t-shirt and socks,
laptop,
sketchbooks and notes,
2 x locks,
miscellaneous crap depending on where I'm going...

alfalad

LDB wrote: »

Ha!! He eats like a horse!

You should really give him a knife and fork.

Does he eat just carrots, oats, sugar lumps and grass??

oflahero

LDB wrote: »

what Raam's carries to work... a very essential item

Tremendous, this is documentary evidence of an 11-point score for 'shifting a huge load' on the 'real cyclist' scale:

http://www.bikereader.com/contributors/Ainsley/realcyclist.html