Everywhere in the Bikey Internets it’s “garvel” this and “mountain bikeen” that and roadies all critical of their little shorty-shorts and folks appearing like heroes as a result of they went on some bikepacking trip referred to as the “Tour Divide.”
Yeah, no matter. Sufficient of all that mamby-pamby play-acting. Most of those so-called “influencers” dwell in a fantasyland. Everyone knows what actual biking is and it’s commuting: making your manner by means of the imply streets of an intensely gentrified metropolis day in and day trip (or, for those who’re me, twice every week), dodging drivers, battling warmth and the weather, staring demise within the face as some bro-hole on an e-something comes barreling at you head-on… Now that takes fortitude. No marvel all of the gravelistas begin sobbing as quickly as their plastic toys get a little bit soiled within the mucky-muck.
All that is by means of updating you on my Two Wheel Gear pannier backpack, which I’ve been utilizing since April:
General I’ve been very happy with it:
Nevertheless, I’ll admit that I virtually by no means use its major function:
Which is that it turns right into a backpack:
At first I did. In truth I’d dutifully rework it into backpack mode each time I took it off the bike. It takes like forty-five seconds and it’s extra handy to stroll round with a backpack along with your palms free to flip individuals off or defend your self in opposition to individuals you’ve simply flipped off than it’s to hold one thing with one hand like a briefcase.
On the similar time, forty-five seconds is forty-five seconds, and by the point I’m completed Pee-wee Herman-ing my bike I’m fairly burned out on fastening issues to different issues, so I simply don’t hassle anymore:
After all it might be totally different if I used to be strolling round lots after locking the bike, through which case the backpack mode could be indispensable, and I’m actually glad the choice is there, since I do know I can at all times simply say “Fuck it,” stick out a thumb, and go away the workaday (or work-every-couple-a-days) life behind:
As for trade-offs, the again of the bag does appear to be carrying a bit:
Presumably a harder-wearing materials could be extra uncomfortable in opposition to your again, however my cheapo Nashbar rear rack might be additionally an element, because it’s adjustable and has a whole lot of doubtlessly abraisive stuff occurring across the decrease attachment pernts:
I stole that image off eBay, the place you should purchase a classic Nashbar rear rack for your self to match your classic Nashbar t-shirt:
For some, “normcore” is an accident. For me, it’s a way of life.
Talking of commuting, I proceed to take action on the Homer, and it’s been unbelievable in that regard:
At first I used to be reluctant to ship it out into the imply streets, however since roughly half my using now consists of commuting it appears foolish to not do it on a motorcycle you like.
As for different commuting accoutrements, I haven’t been utilizing the Arclight Professional pedals on this bike (I simply can’t put light-up pedals on a Rivendell, it’s a superficial motive however I’m a superficial individual), however I do use the mount that got here with them as my taillight:
And whereas a triple chainring, drop bars, and all the remainder of it might appear a bit a lot for an city commute, be mindful I reside within the hilly northern precincts of the town, and might incorporate some “wilderness” into my journey if I so select:
For instance, choosing the Henry Hudson Bridge takes me up some steep climbs by means of the forests of Inwood that require my lowest gears:
The bridge itself isn’t probably the most inviting to cyclists, and in reality truly using over it’s technically prohibited:
However I merely snicker that off:
And as an alternative bask within the glory of the gateway to the Hudson Valley, in any other case generally known as “The Bronx:”
It actually beats the subway.
Nicely, aside from the air-con.
And the truth that the subway could be sooner.
