How do you carry gear after weather changes from cool to warm?

[chris c]

I have been riding to work (43 miles round trip) the past few days. In the
morning I have a lot more gear on than I need at night. It gets warm (30's
to 50's and even close to 60s). This is a big difference. In the morning I
have my base layer, a long sleeve jersey , and my barrier jacket. I am
skinny and get cold easy. I also have a balaclava and toaster booties on.
Then later on the ride home. I don't use the bal. , booties, or jacket. I
usually carry a waist pack with stuff already in it, but it is nylon so it
leaves extra sweat. What do you guys do when you need to carry stuff? I am
trying to carry as little as possible ( gram counting ).
I defenitely don't want to put a rack on a performance bike. And there is no
way I will use a camelbak or anything else on my back especially in the
summer). Thanks . You guys are great!

 

[Brian Huntley]

Seat pack. It's not what I do, but it's the only thing that doesn't
violate any of your rules. And they're fairly aero (the small ones) and
even good looking.

But I got a nice lightweight rear rack - nothing structural, but it'll
hole a bungee and something easily.

43 miles? Whoo. Do you do that year round? My office is moving 20 km
(12 miles) further away, and I'm dreading - at city speed's that's an
extra hour each way. Longer in winter, I'm sure.

 

[Ron Wallenfang]

"chris c" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have been riding to work (43 miles round trip) the past few days. In the
> morning I have a lot more gear on than I need at night. It gets warm (30's
> to 50's and even close to 60s). This is a big difference. In the morning I
> have my base layer, a long sleeve jersey , and my barrier jacket. I am
> skinny and get cold easy. I also have a balaclava and toaster booties on.
> Then later on the ride home. I don't use the bal. , booties, or jacket. I
> usually carry a waist pack with stuff already in it, but it is nylon so it
> leaves extra sweat. What do you guys do when you need to carry stuff? I
> am
> trying to carry as little as possible ( gram counting ).
> I defenitely don't want to put a rack on a performance bike. And there is
> no
> way I will use a camelbak or anything else on my back especially in the
> summer). Thanks . You guys are great!
>
>

I'm violaing your rule, but since I have a comparable commute, I'll tell you
what I carry and why I need a rear carrier, with a bag on it, including side
extensions:

2 extra tubes
Tire irons, a pump, 3 or 4 CO2 cartridges, and a set of Allyn wrenches
Yellow Plastic raincoat
Lock
Rear light
Cell phone

In between season gear that may include full-fingered gloves and a heavy
flannel lined shirt

Work needs - misc papers, change of T-shirt, change of socks, changes of
other clothing on a less frequent basis

 

[Sorni]

Pockets.

 

[Ken]

"chris c" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> I have been riding to work (43 miles round trip) the past few days. In
> the morning I have a lot more gear on than I need at night. It gets warm
> (30's to 50's and even close to 60s).

Plan your layers so you can take off the outer layer and stuff it in your
jersey pocket. Plan your middle layers so you can partially unzip and vent
heat without having to take it completely off. A thick thermal base layer is
nice for giving you a lot of warmth with minimal bulk, then you should need
just a minimal outer layer for your temperature range.

 

[oilfreeandhappy]

Brian Huntley wrote:
>43 miles? Whoo. Do you do that year round? >My office is moving 20 km (12 miles) further >away, and I'm dreading - at city speed's >that's an extra hour each way. Longer in >winter, I'm sure.

Wow, that's too bad. Is there any Mass Transit that heads in that
direction? In my area, I've been told that they're connecting rail to
Fort Collins, from Denver. I want to get a folding bicycle, and bring
it right on the train. Currently, I avoid Denver a lot, just because I
don't want to drive.
Jim Gagnepain
http://home.comcast.net/~oil_free_and_happy/

 

[Earl Bollinger]

"chris c" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have been riding to work (43 miles round trip) the past few days. In the
> morning I have a lot more gear on than I need at night. It gets warm (30's
> to 50's and even close to 60s). This is a big difference. In the morning I
> have my base layer, a long sleeve jersey , and my barrier jacket. I am
> skinny and get cold easy. I also have a balaclava and toaster booties on.
> Then later on the ride home. I don't use the bal. , booties, or jacket. I
> usually carry a waist pack with stuff already in it, but it is nylon so it
> leaves extra sweat. What do you guys do when you need to carry stuff? I
> am
> trying to carry as little as possible ( gram counting ).
> I defenitely don't want to put a rack on a performance bike. And there is
> no
> way I will use a camelbak or anything else on my back especially in the
> summer). Thanks . You guys are great!
>
>
Well my commutes are 46 miles round trip, sometimes longer on Fridays to and
from work.
My commuter bike has a rear rack and I used to use panniers all the time.
But over a period of time, I have been leaving the panniers home and just
bungie my lunch to the rack.
On the way home I bungie the arm and leg warmers to the rack too. Those
panniers have a noticeable amount of drag, especially when it is very windy
outside.
If it is a really nice day, I take my road bike to work and home too. I just
stuff the arm warmers and leg warmers in a jersey pocket. I could sort of,
tie them around the handlebar light bar assembly on the road bike too.
It looks like today is one of those days where I can ride light and not need
cold weather stuff.

 

[Pat Lamb]

chris c wrote:
> I have been riding to work (43 miles round trip) the past few days. In the
> morning I have a lot more gear on than I need at night. It gets warm (30's
> to 50's and even close to 60s). This is a big difference. In the morning I
> have my base layer, a long sleeve jersey , and my barrier jacket. I am
> skinny and get cold easy. I also have a balaclava and toaster booties on.
> Then later on the ride home. I don't use the bal. , booties, or jacket. I
> usually carry a waist pack with stuff already in it, but it is nylon so it
> leaves extra sweat. What do you guys do when you need to carry stuff? I am
> trying to carry as little as possible ( gram counting ).
> I defenitely don't want to put a rack on a performance bike.

You just ruled out the way _I_ do it.

> And there is no
> way I will use a camelbak or anything else on my back especially in the
> summer). Thanks . You guys are great!

So, you don't want to use a rack, pack, or backpack. FedEx, maybe?

Pat

 

[Werehatrack]

On Wed, 12 Apr 2006 03:25:56 GMT, "chris c"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I have been riding to work (43 miles round trip) the past few days. In the
>morning I have a lot more gear on than I need at night. It gets warm (30's
>to 50's and even close to 60s). This is a big difference. In the morning I
>have my base layer, a long sleeve jersey , and my barrier jacket. I am
>skinny and get cold easy. I also have a balaclava and toaster booties on.
>Then later on the ride home. I don't use the bal. , booties, or jacket. I
>usually carry a waist pack with stuff already in it, but it is nylon so it
>leaves extra sweat. What do you guys do when you need to carry stuff? I am
>trying to carry as little as possible ( gram counting ).
>I defenitely don't want to put a rack on a performance bike. And there is no
>way I will use a camelbak or anything else on my back especially in the
>summer).

Handlebar bag, or seat bag. Both go on with either velcro or clip
straps, and varieties exist that should be able to carry that stuff.

--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

 

[chris c]

Sorry, I didn't mention I already have the seat pack (full with tools ,
spare tube, gauge, etc.). Besides, they don't really fit clothing except for
a light windbreaker maybe. I used to do 20 miles round trip last couple
years to work, but we moved this past fall and it's twice as far. I trained
for it all winter and so far I am not having a problem. I did it two days in
a row so far only cause the weather was nice. I am in crappy upstate NY! I
will do it 5 days a week if weather allows.

"Brian Huntley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Seat pack. It's not what I do, but it's the only thing that doesn't
> violate any of your rules. And they're fairly aero (the small ones) and
> even good looking.
>
> But I got a nice lightweight rear rack - nothing structural, but it'll
> hole a bungee and something easily.
>
> 43 miles? Whoo. Do you do that year round? My office is moving 20 km
> (12 miles) further away, and I'm dreading - at city speed's that's an
> extra hour each way. Longer in winter, I'm sure.
>

 

[chris c]

Yeah, that is the hard part around here (planning the layers).

"Ken" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "chris c" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
> > I have been riding to work (43 miles round trip) the past few days. In
> > the morning I have a lot more gear on than I need at night. It gets warm
> > (30's to 50's and even close to 60s).
>
> Plan your layers so you can take off the outer layer and stuff it in your
> jersey pocket. Plan your middle layers so you can partially unzip and
vent
> heat without having to take it completely off. A thick thermal base layer
is
> nice for giving you a lot of warmth with minimal bulk, then you should
need
> just a minimal outer layer for your temperature range.

 

[chris c]

Either that or UPS.

"Pat Lamb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> chris c wrote:
> > I have been riding to work (43 miles round trip) the past few days. In
the
> > morning I have a lot more gear on than I need at night. It gets warm
(30's
> > to 50's and even close to 60s). This is a big difference. In the morning
I
> > have my base layer, a long sleeve jersey , and my barrier jacket. I am
> > skinny and get cold easy. I also have a balaclava and toaster booties
on.
> > Then later on the ride home. I don't use the bal. , booties, or jacket.
I
> > usually carry a waist pack with stuff already in it, but it is nylon so
it
> > leaves extra sweat. What do you guys do when you need to carry stuff? I
am
> > trying to carry as little as possible ( gram counting
).
> > I defenitely don't want to put a rack on a performance bike.
>
> You just ruled out the way _I_ do it.
>
> > And there is no
> > way I will use a camelbak or anything else on my back especially in the
> > summer). Thanks . You guys are great!
>
> So, you don't want to use a rack, pack, or backpack. FedEx, maybe?
>
> Pat

 

[Bill Baka]

chris c wrote:
> Sorry, I didn't mention I already have the seat pack (full with tools ,
> spare tube, gauge, etc.). Besides, they don't really fit clothing except for
> a light windbreaker maybe. I used to do 20 miles round trip last couple
> years to work, but we moved this past fall and it's twice as far. I trained
> for it all winter and so far I am not having a problem. I did it two days in
> a row so far only cause the weather was nice. I am in crappy upstate NY! I
> will do it 5 days a week if weather allows.
>
> "Brian Huntley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>Seat pack. It's not what I do, but it's the only thing that doesn't
>>violate any of your rules. And they're fairly aero (the small ones) and
>>even good looking.
>>
>>But I got a nice lightweight rear rack - nothing structural, but it'll
>>hole a bungee and something easily.
>>
>>43 miles? Whoo. Do you do that year round? My office is moving 20 km
>>(12 miles) further away, and I'm dreading - at city speed's that's an
>>extra hour each way. Longer in winter, I'm sure.
>>
>
>
>
If you are dead set against a backpack or rack on your bike there is
always the '***** pack', which looks a bit funny and doesn't carry much.
Trailer?
Your options ARE limited on a bike.
Last thing I can think of is a 'messenger' bag, slung sideways over the
shoulder but probably not practical for a road ride.
Good luck with that.
Bill

 

[Dane Buson]

chris c <[email protected]> wrote:
> I defenitely don't want to put a rack on a performance bike. And there is no
> way I will use a camelbak or anything else on my back especially in the
> summer). Thanks . You guys are great!

Get one of the smaller carradice bags. They go under your seat, so
they're in your wind shadow. They stay dry, can replace your current
seat bag, and are very very sturdy. If you want to be able to pop it on
and off extremely quickly get one of the SQR versions.

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/bags/carradice.html

This avoids getting a rack and they're nice for being able to swap
between bikes easily.

--
Dane Buson - [email protected]
"Yacc" owes much to a most stimulating collection of users, who have goaded me
beyond my inclination, and frequently beyond my ability in their endless search
for "one more feature." Their irritating unwillingness to learn how to do
things my way has usually led to my doing things their way; most of the time,
they have been right. -- S. C. Johnson, "Yacc guide acknowledgements"

 

[Bill Baka]

Dane Buson wrote:
> chris c <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>I defenitely don't want to put a rack on a performance bike. And there is no
>>way I will use a camelbak or anything else on my back especially in the
>>summer). Thanks . You guys are great!
>
>
> Get one of the smaller carradice bags. They go under your seat, so
> they're in your wind shadow. They stay dry, can replace your current
> seat bag, and are very very sturdy. If you want to be able to pop it on
> and off extremely quickly get one of the SQR versions.
>
> http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/bags/carradice.html
>
> This avoids getting a rack and they're nice for being able to swap
> between bikes easily.
>
Nice bags but there is still a limit on how much you can hang on a seat
post. The largest one shown 'might' do it.
Bill Baka

 

[Booker C. Bense]

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In article <[email protected]>,
chris c <[email protected]> wrote:
>I have been riding to work (43 miles round trip) the past few days. In the
>morning I have a lot more gear on than I need at night. It gets warm (30's
>to 50's and even close to 60s). This is a big difference. In the morning I
>have my base layer, a long sleeve jersey , and my barrier jacket. I am
>skinny and get cold easy. I also have a balaclava and toaster booties on.
>Then later on the ride home. I don't use the bal. , booties, or jacket. I
>usually carry a waist pack with stuff already in it, but it is nylon so it
>leaves extra sweat. What do you guys do when you need to carry stuff? I am
>trying to carry as little as possible ( gram counting ).
>I defenitely don't want to put a rack on a performance bike. And there is no
>way I will use a camelbak or anything else on my back especially in the
>summer). Thanks . You guys are great!
>

_ Detours makes a cross between a seat bag and seatpost rack that
works nicely for this kind of stuff.

http://www.detours.us/

rei.com sells their stuff if you need a place to order it.

BTW, I wouldn't recommend using this with anything but a
relatively sturdy aluminum seatpost.

_ Booker C. Bense


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[recycled-one]

"chris c" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> What do you guys do when you need to carry stuff? I am
> trying to carry as little as possible ( gram counting ).
> I defenitely don't want to put a rack on a performance bike. And there is
> no
> way I will use a camelbak or anything else on my back especially in the
> summer). Thanks . You guys are great!

I don't think you can get there from here. Seriously: If you don't want to
carry it on your back or your bike then you are pretty much out of options.

You can get a light-wieght rear rack that only attaches at the seat post or
a small pouch that attaches to the front handle-bars.

 

[Josh Hassol]

chris c wrote:
> I have been riding to work (43 miles round trip) the past few days. In the
> morning I have a lot more gear on than I need at night. It gets warm (30's
> to 50's and even close to 60s). This is a big difference. In the morning I
> have my base layer, a long sleeve jersey , and my barrier jacket. I am
> skinny and get cold easy. I also have a balaclava and toaster booties on.
> Then later on the ride home. I don't use the bal. , booties, or jacket. I
> usually carry a waist pack with stuff already in it, but it is nylon so it
> leaves extra sweat. What do you guys do when you need to carry stuff? I am
> trying to carry as little as possible ( gram counting ).
> I defenitely don't want to put a rack on a performance bike. And there is no
> way I will use a camelbak or anything else on my back especially in the
> summer). Thanks . You guys are great!

How about a bigger waist pack? I have a long-ish commute (15-16 miles
each way) and I use a large lumbar pack. Plenty of room for work
clothes, lunch, etc and space to stow outer layers as I peel them off.
It doesn't sit on the back, so it doesn't get sweaty.

Cheers,

Josh

 

[Dane Buson]

Bill Baka <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> Get one of the smaller carradice bags. They go under your seat, so
>> they're in your wind shadow. They stay dry, can replace your current
>> seat bag, and are very very sturdy. If you want to be able to pop it on
>> and off extremely quickly get one of the SQR versions.
>>
>> http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/bags/carradice.html
>>
>> This avoids getting a rack and they're nice for being able to swap
>> between bikes easily.
>>
> Nice bags but there is still a limit on how much you can hang on a seat
> post. The largest one shown 'might' do it.

They carry 25 lbs which is really quite a bit of stuff. That's my
toolbag, tubes, wallet, cell, keys, badge, lunch, work clothes, shell
jacket, booties, lock, 15-20 things from the library and various
miscellany. The slim is an excellent shape for carrying a laptop
notebook as well. Trust me, the carradice SQR bags carry a *lot* more
than you think.

--
Dane Buson - [email protected]
"Corporation......An ingenious device for obtaining individual
profit without individual responsibility." -Ambrose Bierce

 

[dgk]

On Wed, 12 Apr 2006 03:25:56 GMT, "chris c"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I have been riding to work (43 miles round trip) the past few days. In the
>morning I have a lot more gear on than I need at night. It gets warm (30's
>to 50's and even close to 60s). This is a big difference. In the morning I
>have my base layer, a long sleeve jersey , and my barrier jacket. I am
>skinny and get cold easy. I also have a balaclava and toaster booties on.
>Then later on the ride home. I don't use the bal. , booties, or jacket. I
>usually carry a waist pack with stuff already in it, but it is nylon so it
>leaves extra sweat. What do you guys do when you need to carry stuff? I am
>trying to carry as little as possible ( gram counting ).
>I defenitely don't want to put a rack on a performance bike. And there is no
>way I will use a camelbak or anything else on my back especially in the
>summer). Thanks . You guys are great!
>

My commute is 30 miles round trip, but I use a hybrid with a bag on
the back rack. I try to minimize what I need to bring but I always
have a tool kit, spare tube, patch kit, pump, CO2, etc. The bag always
has a red blinky on the back, as does my helmet. It's just getting to
the point where those are not needed at all.

But the bag holds a magazine and whatever clothes get discarded for
the ride home. At this point that's gloves and the mid layer. I wear a
base shirt of some cheap wicking material, a light or medium middle
layer depending on the weather, and a light windbreaker.

I keep dress shirts in a drawer at work and recycle the supply once a
week or so, whenever I come in by train.

I couldn't use a performance bike even if I wanted to. I park the bike
outside chained to a lamppost in lower Manhattan. I'm willing to do
that with a $300 hybrid, not anything much more expensive.