riding through May....National Bike Month!!!

[north woods gal]

That's great, Crankin. When I had my 8 mile commute, I could always get home faster during rush hour on the bike, even in good weather. In bad weather, MUCH faster. Always waved at my fellow workers stuck in their cars, going nowhere, as I passed them.

I used a large messenger bag (goes over your back) for my clothes and it worked pretty well. You might also look at a frame bag. Those didn't hit the scene until after I was done commuting, but that might be a good option, too. I liked the messenger bag because I could take it with me, right into a store if I had errands to run. Leaving things in a pack on the bike while you go into a store was just not an option in my area.

[Crankin]

I cannot do a messenger bag. Tried, and I am just too short, for the size I needed. My balance is weird with things like that, in that once I get used to riding on a specific bike a certain way, I don't do well with anything that changes the feel. I am going to make myself ride the Guru tomorrow, despite the fact I don't like the way it feels to get on the bike (like I have to really push myself up onto the saddle). I can't let a custom titanium bike sit. It feels like a dream once I am riding, but the geometry on my Silque is just so perfect, now the custom doesn't feel right.

[north woods gal]

Gotcha. Oh, yeah, it's amazing how we adapt to certain bikes or may it's the bikes adapting to us. Switching bikes, often, like I do, it's always a bit of a jolt going to the next one when I've been riding another one for awhile.

I added a frame bag to my fat bike and like it because it doesn't change the balance of the bike. That may be a good option for you, but you'll probably want to take your bike into a shop that carries frame bags to make sure you get one with the proper fit. Best of luck. Hope you find something.

[Crankin]

I am not sure what you mean by a frame bag. I know panniers and trunk bags and front bags.
Went on a little 14 mile ride late this afternoon with DH. Great weather, but the pollen is flying.