Hi....I haven't been around for a long time

[Crankin]

There are spaces for the straps, it's just that I am not intuitive about this kind of stuff. I would have to do it many times to remember. I still have to stop and think about how to do the velcro straps for my headlight battery. If I am going out early in the AM, or will need it to ride home from work, I strap it on the night before, not in the morning, because I have to give myself some extra time.
I like the Trail Rider for rides that are long, I have snacks, lunch, and clothing, or I might stop and buy something small. When we went to the San Juan Islands, we used them, but on the days we rode places and then hiked, we had to bring the panniers, too, as we could not fit our hiking shoes in there, with the other stuff. Most of the time I throw my stuff in DH's Arkel, because I am so lazy.