Bags Bags Bags!

So, say you've just purchased your first bike and you're amped to ride. Or you just got a new bike and you're amped to ride. Or the sun's finally come out for summer and you're amped to... well, you get the picture...

You have grandiose dreams of riding to work everyday and getting your own groceries on your shiny new bike. Maybe you'll even hit up the Farmer's Market on Saturdays at Trout Lake AND Sundays in Kits. You're definitely hitting up the beach with a few beers and snacks and a towel and sunscreen... The problem is where are you going to put all these things? Where are you going to stash those carrots? What's the best way to carry a laptop? How are you going to get beer and snacks and a towel and your sunscreen to the beach?

Well, there are a few ways to carry your schtuff. You can a) tow a trailer, b) get a basket for the front of your bike (preferably wicker for authenticity and also to match your handlebar streamers), c) hire a sherpa to jog beside you, or d) get a bag.

While with some sweet computer skills you might get a lead on a guy in Tibet, I tend to find it's easier to go with option D for the versatility factor.

Bags allow you the freedom to be prepared for anything at any time, on or off the bike. They ride on the bike with you, they come into stores with you, they carry heavy loads for you. It's important to pick the right bag or you might end up breaking it trying to jam in too much stuff or break yourself trying to carry too much stuff the wrong way.

There are two bag options: bags that go on your bike and bags that go on your person.

Bags that go on your bike are typically panniers, trunk bags or handlebar bags. They allow you to cart things by putting the weight on the bike. By taking the bag off your back, they eliminate back pain and that pesky Sweaty Back Syndrome. The biggest issue I find with bags on the bike is that, generally, there aren't many that have a comfy carrying strap. They tend to be a little more awkward and a little more boxy looking. Our sister store Mighty Riders carries pannier bags such as Ortlieb, Axiom or Detour.

Axiom pannier bags in action.

Bags that go on your person tend to be a little more stylish and (hopefully) a little more comfy. They can be one-shoulder strapped or backpack style. They also tend to be more versatile and walkabout-friendly.

One-shoulder bags - or courier bags - are useful because they're built for riding. They sit on the flat tabletop that your back becomes when riding. They are also easier access by swinging the bag down and across the chest or simply undoing the buckle at the front if there's a lot in your bag. The only downside is that some people find that having only one shoulder taking all the weight is uncomfortable and sometimes even painful.

Mission Workshop bags have partially solved this problem by having a bag with the ability to swap the strap from dominantly right to dominantly left. That way you can swap the weight day to day.

Pac bags have taken this a step further with their x-strap system, which gives support from a shoulder strap from the opposite side of your dominant side.

Cycling-specific backpacks bear the gear load evenly across the shoulders while still allowing for cycling-specific functions such as full waterproofing, a light clip and a lock pocket.

Mission's new backpack, the Sanction, is a versatile city bag that carries your laptop and gear in the city. At 16L, it's a bit mini but carries the essentials. If that's too small, snag a Rambler or Vandal which are similar but more roomy.

The Sanction backpack, new from Mission Workshop.

Chrome also does a series of backpacks, from the laptop-carrying Yalta to the 47L Ivan.

Most of these bags come in all sorts of colours and sizes to suit your personality and needs, especially the Chrome line.

No matter what, at the end of the day, if you're riding with a huge backpack, a mini satchel with the bare essentials, or loaded down with panniers that make you look like you're touring 24/7, who cares because you're the one carrying the stuff and you want to be comfy.