Your purse in bike pannier

[shootingstar]

..well if you have/have to carry one, what does it look like?

I've had to do this several times, not often. And usually it is work-related thing.

I have a small black handbag, quite small purse. It is the lightest and neatest thing that I can cycle with inside my pannier with my dressy change of clothing ....but unfortunately it does look almost too cutesy, almost outdated.

AFter all, isn't the fashion to carry a large, carpetbag looking purse with huge buckles, etc.?

[sgtiger]

I personally don't do those carpet bag style purses. The purse I use most often is one I purchased a couple of years ago at Pike Place Market created by a local craftswoman. It's a fabric purse that has various strips of Asian print fabrics quilted on the front. A couple of the strips of fabric, I was told, are from antique kimonos. Since my purse is soft I can fold it over and stuff it in my handlebar bag with my wallet, checkbook and keys still in it.

I'll post some pictures for you later.

[Becky]

I'm so unfashionable that it's not even funny, so take this with a grain of salt.

I made a small drawstring bag that slips easily inside my pannier with all my purse junk in it. Most days, this is sufficient since I'm only leaving the building for site visits (informal, get dirty sort of affairs). I've considered leaving a more fashionable purse at the office, just in case I need to go off-site for a meeting or whatever.

[Triskeliongirl]

I carry a very tiny purse, its just big enough to hold my cell phone, keys, ID and pocket money. I cycle with my cell phone and keys in my jersey or jacket pockets, so the purse lies very flat in my carradice bag (i tuck it in the pocket on the outside of my jannd computer padded case), and then wear it at work strung over my shoulder to hip so I have my keys, ID, and cell phone handy at all times.

I have a larger purse at home, but usually I just use this when travelling. Its a great LLbean mini-messenger bag I got at their last sale. Great for holding that extra bit of stuff you need when travelling.

I have no clue what 'fashion' dictates, I like making my own fashion.

[KnottedYet]

I don't have a purse.

My stuff is generally in my pockets. I do have some packpacks and bookbags, and one of them will fit in my huge Ortlieb pannier if I wanted to do that.

[Trek420]

No purse. I carry a wallet, keys, cell phone. Timbuctoo (sp?) backpack or bike bag has all that 'cept the wallet. Leaves room for a sketchbook, whatever book I'm reading now, and when riding it has my spare tube and mini pump.

[Grog]

I have purses because I like bags, but I really just use them when I go out for a nice dinner wearing dressier clothes.

Otherwise I'm with Knot in the "purseless" club.

ETA: with the current wave of purse snatching in Vancouver, I don't regret my decision!

[shootingstar]

When we bike tour where in the evening after day's ride, we go out to eat, I do carry a wallet if I have to but prefer not to. But am wearing clothing that doesn't fit a wallet well. This is when it's just not worth cycling 2 kms. to a restaurant.

So I've been hunting around over past few months for a small casual purse that is secure but small, not heavy in pannier. And of course has to be crushable inside pannier.

Yes, cycling can transform one into fashion-practical.

When I wasn't cycling, I've had several incidents of accidentally leaving behind my purse or wallet ..but getting it back. Yea, some incredible stories you wouldn't believe.

[shootingstar]

One thing for certain, I haven't carried a cosmetic bag in years. I just put my lotions,etc. in a plastic bag. It's often not even Ziplock. Just fold down the top and stick in my pannier ..or suitcase.

[Sgritn]

Pannier in future, not just yet. Never biked to work but while doing my weekend and rare early morning rides before work I use a strap across my chest FOSSIL army green bag. I carry ID, cell phone and my keys. Never bothers or obstructs. I have a rear wheel carrier but have not strapped anything to it yet...too afraid some jackass will try to snatch it and cause me injury. Eventually I'll get one of those velcro bags which attach to the bike some how.

[shootingstar]

I have a rear wheel carrier but have not strapped anything to it yet...too afraid some jackass will try to snatch it and cause me injury. Eventually I'll get one of those velcro bags which attach to the bike some how.

Do you really believe someone would grab/unhook the carrier bag while you were on bike ,ie temporarily stopping for a light or what?

I've cycled in some "questionable" areas often since both Toronto and Vancouver have some areas which may make a woman on foot, feel uncomfortable, particularily at night.

In fact, I lived in an area in Toronto for over 14 yrs. where there was the drug dealing, some shoot-outs, etc. And when I was on bike often, I certainly felt no one was going to rob me, even if I stopped for a light. I always felt safer on bike.. if there was fear of theft, etc.

I tend to worry more about any maniac driving their car. The car itself in the most negative sense under wrong circumstances, is the weapon.

[Blueberry]

I use a Timbuk2 Metro. Love it! Most of my clothes don't have pockets. I usually wear it cross body - to at least discourage purse snatching. It's a messenger-style bag, so I just carry it on the bike.

CA

[KnottedYet]

That Timbuk2 Metro is pretty cute... http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/messenger/metro/

So is the Pork Chop http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/...inal-pork-chop

And this has to be the coolest thing since sliced bread: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodTK_1402.html

[wannaduacentury]

small purse here. My purse was actually a travel bag hubby used going to Italy a few years back for security reasons. Now I use it all the time b/c I haul a bookbag around and don't need a purse complicating all of that. I sling it crossways over my shoulder, out of the way. When I flew earlier this month to Texas, a friend lent me her big purse where I could stash my small purse, a camera, a book, and whatever else would go to act as my purse. then had my carry on luggage, worked like a charm and very easy. The same could work for your panniers, except stuff small purse in pannier. I also use one of those small, easy id,keychain fold things to keep dl in, cc etc. then I can hook my keys to it and wear around my neck. keeping me as hand free as possible. Jenn

p.s. I am making one of those cute Amy Butler pattern Frenchy purses w/ leftover fabric, so I would have my own, big bag purse when I do need it

[shootingstar]

Love your avatar, wannacent! Not sure I could carry my keys around my neck. I'm the sort of person that dislikes things bobbing around on my chest or in view of me when I'm moving around alot.

And Knotted, that white reflective mini-messenger bag looks cool. But orange Pork Chop is great too.

I never really thought about the dressy purse thing when I'm biking with my panniers, until I got into situations where I had to carry a purse with a dressier work outfit. If I'm not biking, I tend to carry simply a leather portfolio which doubles as my case for papers, hairbrush, etc. Then I don't need the hassle of a purse, or 2nd bag to worry about.