I have a rack with a really BIG bag for commuting. And yes I have ridden up Diablo with this big bag on my bike. I find just the rack covenient to have on my road bike. If I'm not carrying a large enough bag for a jacket, I strap the jackets (usually mine and Thom's) to the rack with an old toe strap. When riding on my own where there are no stores, I have strapped extra water bottles to the rack. Yes, it adds weight to the bike, but it certainly helps my piece of mind.




Thom uses an Arkel handlebar bag on both his single and the tandem. He got it originally for carrying his camera. The thing is the place to be if you're in an earthquake (and really small!) It's amazingly sturdy. He says it changes the handling a bit, but you get used to it.

V.