How do you carry the basics? Lock, purse etc

[hebe]

I am blaming my late start to cycling for this. I've only just realised that rather than trying to squidge everything into the basket with my groceries on my Marin, I can use the bungee straps that have been sitting unloved in my garage to strap my jacket and lock on the back rack. Or the lock (coiled cable) could just be coiled around the seatpost. I do have a set of panniers but they're on the bench at the moment until I replace a missing velcro strap.

Inspire me please. What do you carry on your bike, and how do you carry it?

thank you!

[Owlie]

I don't carry much, though it might change if I decide to get a commuter/errand bike. Wallet/key and cell phone go in pockets.

If I had to carry groceries or other large items/commuted to school and I had a rack, I'd just bungee cord my backpack (with the lock in it) to the rack...and look into a smaller, lighter computer!

[Bike Writer]

I'm a pack rat and tend to take more stuff than I need. I find this trunk bag holds everything I want to take. Small tools, CO2 cartridges, vinly glove to keep my hand clean if I drop a chain, extra tube, flat kit, small vial of hand sanitizer, maps, pepper spray (for safety), a snack bar, small zippered wallet w/insurance card, id, money and I carry a couple of small bungees also to strap on bigger items or a rolled up jacket or vest.

If I'm shopping I'll carry panniers or if it's around town I'll carry my basket or both if I have a lot to get. But the trunk bag is for items I feel I can't do without.

http://www.rei.com/product/780460/novara-basic-rack-trunk

Oh, and these must have alongs; blackberry and usually a small camera

[Koronin]

So far I'm only riding around the neighborhood and typically with my husband so I just have a water bottle. Hubby has a house key and tools for bike adjustments. That's basically it. If I were to go a store, I'd need a rack with a back in which I could put anything I bought and would probably put a wallet in my jersey pocket, or just wear jeans and put my wallet in my jeans pocket where it typically goes anyway. (I do not carry a purse anyway, just a wallet).

[soprano]

I use a bungee to strap my locks to one side of my rack. Pannier goes on the other side. Flat kit in a small saddle bag, frame pump mounted on the frame (this sounds obvious but I see lots of people carrying them elsewhere).

Wallet, keys and cell phone all go in the pannier. If I'm without a pannier, I cram my ID, phone and $20 into my saddlebag with my flat kit.

[AppleTree]

I am with Bike Writer, I like to carry my "stuff" on even short rides. First aid kit, snacks, small suncreen, house key, mini-tool, kleenex (lots o kleenex!), lip balm, etc...

I have a small trunk bag with expandable pannier type bags on each side that unfold if I need them. I love this set up! This way I have more space to stash an extra light-weight jacket or spare gloves or if I stop to pick up a few items at the store. It also has a zippered expansion panel so it will hold more volume. I used this when I commuted to work this summer with a small mesh back pack and it was all I needed.

If I remember right, I got it at REI earlier this summer. It's a Topeak brand bag.

[jyyanks]

I have a small backpack where i carry a bottle of water, keys, cellphone and tissues. I'm not sure if I should ride with a backpack but I don't ride long distances anyway.

[laura*]

On a mountain bike I locked two U-locks around the top and down tubes right behind the head tube. The U portions went around the bottom of the down tube, and locks' crossbars went on top of the top bar.

These days on my folding commute bike, I intertwine one U lock with the rear rack.

[hebe]

These are brilliant, thank you so much. I needed inspiration for the new bike, which will have a rack but no basket. The plan is for my Marin to be the main grocery getter but I know that the Vita will get used too on occasion.

I normally have water bottle and pump attached to the frame on both bikes. There is a small saddle bag on my mountain bike that takes mini-toolset, phone, garmin, tissue or babywipe, emergency tenner, asthma inhaler and door keys. On the Marin, everything tends to go in the basket, though now I can use the rack more smartly - love the idea of weaving the lock through the rack and of bungee-ing a backpack to the rack. Of course, if I'm pulling the trailer I run out of power before I run out of space.

[Vanilla]

I usually have at least a basket or one pannier on my bike and tend to overpack every single time I leave the house. I'm never without my phone, keys, travelcard, small pump, tissues, baby wipes and water bottle. If I have my boyfriend in tow, he asks to carry my pannier to free up some weight on my stupidly heavy bike and I let him because I'm nice like that :p

[shootingstar]

I carry all that in a pannier. Since I'm car-free, I have to allow myself carrying capacity for anything I see worth buying along my bike rides around the city.

[BC2COCyclist]

Panniers attached to rear rack and/or Cycling backpack...

[Sky King]

As someone who sells bike bags for a living... I have a great little front rack bag by Zimbale that carries my tools, tube, phone, wallet and I can even stuff my jacket in. For round town I have a metal basket Zipped Tied to my rear rack :) love it, I have one of those cool spider bungee nets - they are pretty inexpensive. I simply remove the basket when I go on a trip that I need my panniers - I like the Racktime's
I have two friends who use the topeak system on their commuters, one has the rear rack with the trunk bag and the other has the same rack but with the snap on basket and the same bungee net I use. Both have been super happy with them.
Of course, when we have a big shopping trip planned we cheat and take the bob trailer but most of the time I can get by with my basket and top rack bag.

[hebe]

I've loved reading about how you all move your stuff on your bikes, thank you so much for replying. And how generous of Vanilla to let Mr Vanilla help!

I have ordered a Basil basket pannier that will clip onto the rear rack, which should mean that I can use the rack itself with a bungee for lock, handbag etc. I feel a lot more confident about shifting stuff now, thank you.

[sookiesue]

I use my camelbak to carry not just my water but my spare tube, ID, keys, phone, extra chamois cream and sunscreen, and in the outer cords I tuck an ancient bike pump that doubles as my dog deterrent. I've never needed it, but it makes me feel better having a small baton-like instrument close at hand if I needed it.

I used to mtn bike so wearing the camelbak doesn't bother me even on long rides. I'm not coordinated enough to use a water bottle/cage while riding, so this way I can drink without stopping, and carry my stuff!

[Biciclista]

i use panniers i also have a couple little bags attached to my bike. there are lots of options. I tried many before i found the ones i like.

[featuretile]

I have 2 water bottle cages and a pump on my frame. I have a small seat bag that carries spare tube and tools and a small bike chain lock. In the front I have a small handlebar bag that carries snacks and lunch and sunscreen and route sheet or map and cell phone. I keep a small wallet (with health insurance card) and car keys in my jersey pockets so if they are needed they are on me. Mostly I am riding with a club or friends for several hours.

I don't shop with my bike or do errands on my bike because I live out of town. So, it's quite a different set of things that you need depending on what kind of ride you are doing. Long rides need water and fuel. It's not fun to run out.