The things she carried.

After having several flat tires last week (darn you invisible piece of glass!) I was grateful for my over-prepared streak. When I bike I usually always bring at least one pannier with me. In that one pannier I have several handy gadgets.

First off, I always carry equipment to fix a flat:
tire levers
mini pump
spare tube
patch kit
tire pressure gauge

Then I also have a little bike multi-tool:
several hex keys
a chain tool
3 sizes of spoke keys
Screw drivers
other stuff that I don't know how to use yet.

I also have a regular handy tool:
pliers
knife
fish scaler????
Other handy stuff that I'm sure will come in handy

And the following general stuff:
hand sanitizer
Mini-first aid kit
map
ID
Bus pass
credit card
a little bit of cash
cell phone

Most of the following goes into a separate zippered pocket of my pannier.

Ain't nothing going to faze me!

Apology to the Bicycling gods

Okay...okay, okay, I'm sorry! Please be kind to me now. I know that I shouldn't do the cheating 5 -point cross at 6 way intersections. I KNOW that you hate that....I know it's illegal, but I was in a hurry. I just did it once!

Did you really need to banish my pedal cover from my pedal? Did you really need to lose the screw from my other pedal? Did you really, really, NEED to give me a flat tire?

I'm sorry bicycling Gods...I'll try not to offend again.

(at least you gave me an excuse for being late too work...at least you're not all bad.)

Load up!!

I was recently talking to a friend about how to carry stuff on a bike. My favorite way is definitely with my panniers...though panniers may not be for everyone.

These are my panniers:


They really aren't very fancy and they cost more than I would have liked, but they really are an investment.

I usually take one pannier with me to work...in there i can fit a change of clothes, lunch, random stuff and various tools in case I have to make a repair.

If I want to go shopping by bike, with two panniers I really don't have to worry about how I'm going to transport it. If I pack smart I can fit lots and lots and lots of stuff in in two bags and then for bulky items, I still have the top of my rack. I just remember to always have my bungie cords with me wherever I go.

If you're just getting using your bike for errands or commuting, the classic milk crate works, though it can get in the way of pedaling. Back when I was using the crate I kind of trimmed it a bit so that my legs wouldn't hit it. Mike crates are ugly but they definitely do the job.

Fall Weather

I'm so happy that fall is here. It truly is my favorite time of the year and it makes biking so much more enjoyable.

Summer is nice and all that but the Chicago humidity really takes a number on cyclists. Fall...now that's a great season. The air is crisp, the trees are changing colors and road construction starts to wind down.

Biking in cool weather really is a treat. I find that my body produces so much heat when cycling that a long sleeve shirt is more than enough until it reaches 45 degrees.

I recently purchased this jacket from REI:

It's been pretty effective in the few times that I've used it. Now I just need the weather to cool down so that I can wear it a little more.

Do you hear that fall? Cool down already!!