Bikes and bags (suite)

      
Then one day, I somehow clicked on one of these random links which took me to the Po Campo website. Honestly, and I don't receive any money from them, it is the best thing that has even happened in my "cycling career" (whatever that means).
Those bags are just awesome. Take a look at those pictures from last summer.

Crazy no? Stylish, fresh, summery, roomy etc. You name it!
Yet not perfect...
When you add the 3rd bottle of wine coming back from the store, the bag gets all tipsy...

Sadly collapsing on one side....

Well, you get it, right.
This is NOT a grocery bag. It is a lady's hand bag. So packing it too much with the wrong stuff does NOT work. Especially if said bag does not sit directly on the rack but on an uneven pair of locks, LOL!!!
But it also means that the whole yoga mat thing won't fly either. This is NOT a gym/yoga/whatever bag: it is a hand bag!
Just my opinion of course, but based on quite some experience....

This Po Campo Logan Tote is the old model. It has been totally redesigned (not sure what was wrong with the previous design). The new one seems shorter at the base (which is good as this one is longer than my rack) which makes it possible to attach it to the rack at the front and at the back. It also looks taller and roomier. The base looks floppy instead of sturdy so the bottom of the bag droops. It's "vegan", whatever that means (couldn't care less about that one!).
 The new collection is totally diaper oriented which is cool. As an new auntie, there may be one gift or two in the pipe...

Since last summer, I have bought two additional bags:

1. The Loop Pannier, i.e. the professional/computer bag (that can  NOT hold any of my computers) that I use the most. Folks, this is the ultimate bike bag.

2. And, ahem, a second Logan Tote, brown just like the Loop Pannier above, so I have one for the summer and one for the winter. No comment.

Compare this:

Versus this!

 And it is not just a fine urban companion,

It does handle quite well in a country setting!

They are very sturdy. I have already thrown the yellow Logan in the washing machine more than once and it fared pretty well. The pictures above are post-wash.

UPDATE: Went to Dumoulin Bicyclettes today. By the way (and I am not getting paid here either), they are the best urban cycle shop or rather boutique in Montreal!! They have everything from foldies, to cargo Babboes, to Levi's commuter pants, to Batavus/Linus/Gazelle/Opus, to a complete selection of Brooks saddles, grips, bags, tools etc., to... well, yeah... Po Campo bags!! Starting this Spring they are stocking this brand with the latest collection. And they managed it so it is cheaper for me to buy directly from them rather than ordering on the Po Campo website. Good for all of us.
So I could not resist and bought yet another one, this time for my sister, as a gift.

Check it out! It is exactly as I described above.

Lovely! I hope she likes it.

Anyhow, these bags have solved (almost) all of my carrying problems.
"Almost" because there are issues only a basket can solve. Soon, when I find some free time (I am desperately busy these days!!) I shall write about the freaking Nantucket basket that died on me in less than a year!

Bikes and bags

      
Oh boy! This is a VERY old post, something I wrote some time last summer and forgot at the bottom of the pile. Well here it is...

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Finding a way to elegantly carry our stuff around is every urban's cyclist worst nightmare.
Once past the initial fumbling with the bicycle's setup and options, one soon realises that some sort of device is needed to carry our loads. Regular lady's purses are fine when small, but past a certain size, they flap around or keep sliding to the front, threatening your balance on top of being plain annoying.

Yet, a quick look at what bike shops feature will have fast convinced anyone that such accessories are really for dorks (and yes, these are all mine!):

- Ugly panniers (Voyager)

Hideous trunk bags (Louis Garneau)

Yuck.
Ok, honestly, they're not that bad, proof is, I purchased them. Just not appropriate for urban cycling. Once you're off the bike, they do not have any elegant contraption allowing you to carry them around that is not uncomfortable or awkward.

Fast forward a few years and I come across this one (Axiom):

Its base is sturdy, made of some sort of rubber, and it does have a strap so you can carry it on your shoulder. However, it's kind of heavy, it attaches with a hooking system that's pretty basic, it will hang sadly at your bike's side and will flap once you pick up speed or hit a curve. Perfect for going to the market, doing the groceries and running errands.
Nicer, but still not "it".

Finally, on day,  in a fit of rebellion over the lack of choice, I decided to embark on a Graal quest for an appropriate bicycle bag.

To be continued...

Cargo options

Who needs panniers anyways, when you can haul authentic suitcases, all of that on a tiny (check those wheels) tandem (foldable?), s'il vous plaît?

Seriously, cyclists in this city are incredible. These were not from here actually, they were tourists as they were asking for directions to the guy in front of them... Which also explains the high visibility gear...

Crappy video, I know, it was made with a cheap hand camera. I almost fell off my bike trying to film them, one hand on the handlebar!

I guess I am no better than that other gal after all...