Bike Chick Lit

[CommuRider]

Excuse if anyone finds the subject title offensive, just thought to write something cool ala Bridget Jones "chick lit" to "bike chick lit." Oh well, nevermind.

Thought to post this as I was doing my Amazon browsing on bike books (the Bikes for Dummies is v. tempting).

Amazon has a women cyclists book section:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_srsubj_e ... 20cyclists

And this book is receiving good reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Every-Womans-Guid ... 757&sr=1-1

but what I like most is her bike and how toned she is. If buying this book makes me aspire to purchase a bike like hers and look like her, then it's won me over.

[geekgirl]

Hi

I've not read much lately, but I have in the past read the odd Josie Dew. You inspired me to go out and find her latest releases. http://www.amazon.com/Sun-My-Eyes-Two-W ... t_ep_dpi_1 I've definitely read 'Travels in a Strange State' and 'The Wind in my Wheels'.

Although just following your links you're after more serious stuff! oops!

Geekgirl

[CommuRider]

Although just following your links you're after more serious stuff! oops!

LOL not at all. It's just I feel I need to keep things very serious and extensively bike-related on this forum (full of experienced cyclists and fixers and all that) or it might be deemed frippery.

I confess the only travel/adventure books I've read are those that relate to "our trips around Tuscany" or "around France in 80 days" - the Peter Mayle genre so your link is very worthy of the bike chick lit genre. And I like Josie Dew's front handle bar bag as it might inspire me to look for one (I like bike accessories)

[geekgirl]

Ah then you need to check out the detour bags. You can find them on their site or at TE http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodDT_1440.html I'm lusting after one of these at the moment I just need to go home and check something before I place my order!!! They come in a range of sizes including handlebar bags. On the detour website there's a a complete range including other fabrics. There's also the Basil brand but they're a tad too girly in design for my taste. Detour are streaks ahead in terms of design of my Karrimoors which have gone thousands of kilometers and which I love dearly, but they're strictly touring design rather than that quick trip to work, cafe etc.

And just because we're women doesn't mean we can't be serious riders - and love bike accessories!

as I'm a newbie here - forgive my detour (and pardon the pun) into the frippery of panniers.

Geekgirl

[CommuRider]

There's also the Basil brand but they're a tad too girly in design for my taste. Detour are streaks ahead in terms of design of my Karrimoors which have gone thousands of kilometers and which I love dearly, but they're strictly touring design rather than that quick trip to work, cafe etc.

And just because we're women doesn't mean we can't be serious riders - and love bike accessories!

as I'm a newbie here - forgive my detour (and pardon the pun) into the frippery of panniers.

Geekgirl

I feel the same. There's something about panniers that perhaps we tend to gawk over more?

I was looking at Basil too. I was tossing between this one

http://www.amazon.com/Basil-Kavan-Rear- ... 502&sr=8-4

and this other one (but will get dirtly quickly)

http://www.amazon.com/Basil-Blossom-Dou ... 502&sr=8-5

But with panniers it's really hard to find the combo of form, function and accessibility

I've gone for the classical pannier but I still don't feel it's "perfect"

http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewt ... ne#p484578

And if I keep on buying panniers I'll run out of space!

Is this our version of handbag dilemma?!!!

[geekgirl]

Yes. I suspect it is. Spurred on by reading your review and comments, I've wasted a couple of hours searching for a new pannier. I can't find my old ones in the garage, and really they need updating for a daily commute. I'd forgotten how some days I needed a double but then Karrimoors were sold as pairs then. No such thing as a single pannier. I'm wondering if I could manage with a Basil single like the Jada Shopper XL, and my top rack pack. I'm not sure about Basil doubles. Look beautiful but the flap seems to leave a gap down the sides (at least in the photos). Will have to check them out properly in a shop! Your Brooks look very stylish and the rollups very practical. I'm kind of fond of external pockets to stuff things in though, especially as I like to stop of at the shop on the way home. My Karrimoors had a side pocket which were very useful. Fell in love with these but they're for recumbents! http://speedpedal.com.au/2010/07/04/ark ... s/#more-24

GG

[CommuRider]

I'm kind of fond of external pockets to stuff things in though, especially as I like to stop of at the shop on the way home. My Karrimoors had a side pocket which were very useful. Fell in love with these but they're for recumbents! http://speedpedal.com.au/2010/07/04/ark ... s/#more-24

Yes external pockets are something I like about today's panniers. It makes things so much easier.

The Arkel looks it could just sit on top of your rear rack though - so I don't think they're exclusively for recumbents. I don't mind the styles of bags on rear racks - some of them are quite nice, and have a hard case. It's just getting them out of the rear rack easily that is proving a challenge for me. It seems you have to buy their bag AND rack.

Here's a trunk bag:

http://www.velogear.com.au/products/11L ... 852-0.html

but it only has an 11L capacity as opposed to the Arkel's 40L. Have you ever thought about getting a recumbent? LOL

[emc]

On the topic of panniers.....I love them! I can't function without them. You never know what you might have to lug home when out on a ride. Having recently upgraded bikes and having to get a new rack I had to change panniers as I was using a topeak rack top bag with the side panniers. I am now using deuter uni panniers and they are great. They fit alot in. They are cheap. And they have handy pockets. I do love the look of the Brooks panniers though and they would look lovely on my bike....but alas the credit card says nooooo. I have seen a few people out and about with the Basil blossom panniers. They are very pretty although not very expandable I dont think. I think I will probably get a set though for my daughter.

Back on topic. I have read a few of Josie Dews books. I think the first cycling/travel book I read was Anne Mustoe "A bike ride" . Definitely more of a travel book then specifically a cycling book but a really good read as I recall and makes cycle touring sound reasonably feasible for us mere mortals

Kazz

[geekgirl]

Will check the brand when I get home but I have a 'rack pack' which isn't unlike the one you linked to. Not as large though, but it attaches with velcro that slides underneath and through the rack bars. It fits on any rack. Can remember the logo but not the brand.

For communiting - I'm back to looking at Ortliebs. They have always been a favoured brand. Wiggle has them at a good price so I'm close to ordering. No external pockets,but the waterproofness is superb! I have a pair of fronts for touring. The old heavy duty ones. Mine are around 15 years old Can vouch for goods surviving dry in many an overseas storm. Not as pretty as the Basil or Detour goodies, but I know they work and are large enough!

GG

P.S. Yes, I was tempted by a recumbent but thought it was a bit much to get a new bike JUST so I could have the 'dream' pannier!
P.P.S. Welcome to the discussion Kazz!

[CommuRider]

I do love the look of the Brooks panniers though and they would look lovely on my bike....but alas the credit card says nooooo. I have seen a few people out and about with the Basil blossom panniers. They are very pretty although not very expandable I dont think. I think I will probably get a set though for my daughter.

Actually, I wonder if we can claim our panniers for work-related expense as I commute to work - but so far have not brought the Brooks to meetings or conferences yet but I might have the opportunity this week!

http://www.ato.gov.au/corporate/content ... /34657.htm

The ATO defines a briefcase as a rectangular shape and I do wonder if any of the rectangular-shaped panniers can be claimed as a briefcase like the Ortliebs. The briefcase expense may apply for the following occupations:

Managers/ Supervisors
You can claim the cost of items such as calculators, batteries, briefcases, technical or professional publications, work related seminar and conference fees and work related travel expenses, providing these expenses have not been reimbursed by your employer or any other person.

Administrative and Clerical Workers
You can claim the cost of stationery, organisers, briefcases and the cost of items such as calculators and batteries to the extent they are used in your work and your employer has not reimbursed you.

I might give the ATO a ring later this week and see if my search for the perfect pannier may just fit into that category...

[geekgirl]

Actually, I wonder if we can claim our panniers for work-related expense as I commute to work - but so far have not brought the Brooks to meetings or conferences yet but I might have the opportunity this week!

I might give the ATO a ring later this week and see if my search for the perfect pannier may just fit into that category...

I think that's a great idea! I've also got these Crumplers as they fold down flat perfect for travelling to conferences and work meetings. Like many crumplers are waterproof, come with a zip across the top and handy pockets on the inside. The baby one fits neatly inside the others http://www.crumpler.com/AU/Casual-and-M ... KU=HD0122A. I'm planning on simply putting the small one into a rear pannier so that I don't have the whole bag change thing happening!

[geekgirl]

Back on topic. I have read a few of Josie Dews books. I think the first cycling/travel book I read was Anne Mustoe "A bike ride" . Definitely more of a travel book then specifically a cycling book but a really good read as I recall and makes cycle touring sound reasonably feasible for us mere mortals

Kazz

I think I saw that book on Amazon last night...will see if I can hunt it down to read. Josie seems to have been busy since I picked up her first two...so I've got some catching up to do! Inspired by the posts I started to reread "The Wind in my Wheels' last night. I don't think I have the second book anymore.

[CommuRider]

Ok still off-topic but...

I've just come across Vaude's range of bike bags

http://www.vaude.com/epages/Vaude-de.sf ... ageSize=99

*drools*

and this French bloke called Gilles Berthoud makes a lot of other nice accessories...

http://www.gillesberthoud.fr/anglais/ac ... /index.php

[emc]

P.P.S. Welcome to the discussion Kazz!

Couldn't let you two have all the fun!!

Here's some nice panniers and made locally http://www.rondswan.com/
I particularly like the vintage orange one. It would look nice on my ginger beer coloured bike!

[geekgirl]

Here's some nice panniers and made locally http://www.rondswan.com/
I particularly like the vintage orange one. It would look nice on my ginger beer coloured bike!

Wow!!!! They are gorgeous...just out of my budget I also like that bright vintage orange. Maybe one day I've bookmarked the site.

Ok still off-topic but...

I've just come across Vaude's range of bike bags

http://www.vaude.com/epages/Vaude-de.sf ... ageSize=99

*drools*

and this French bloke called Gilles Berthoud makes a lot of other nice accessories...

http://www.gillesberthoud.fr/anglais/ac ... /index.php

These were amazing too! Such gorgeous panniers around.

I've gone with the Ortliebs - essentially very practical, affordable, and they will colour coordinate with my bike, and other accessories!

I've just finished scrubbing down my old cycling shoes and my rack bag ready for my first commute day! Lets keep fingers crossed that I get beyond the end of the street

[CommuRider]

Here's some nice panniers and made locally http://www.rondswan.com/
I particularly like the vintage orange one. It would look nice on my ginger beer coloured bike!

Wow!!!! They are gorgeous...just out of my budget I also like that bright vintage orange. Maybe one day I've bookmarked the site.

GMTA! I was looking at that site too and it's nice that a local is responsive to design-conscious pannier users . The pair is a bit expensive ($340) though I wonder if they do custom made bike panniers....

Edit: Yes, they customise http://www.rondswan.com/index.php?pg=custom

I've just finished scrubbing down my old cycling shoes and my rack bag ready for my first commute day! Lets keep fingers crossed that I get beyond the end of the street

Oooh, how exciting! Hopefully you'll love it like my first commute - feeling the wind through your hair, the scenery, cycling past the slow-plodding pedestrians Enjoy your commute geekgirl and hope you have fun.

[CommuRider]

Just read an overtly flowery review of The Bicycle Book by Bella Bathurst. Added to the reading list but seems to be a travelogue type of book.

http://www.guardianbookshop.co.uk/Berte ... 0007305889

There is an element of protesting too much about Bathurst's disavowals: she is enough of a geek to have made her own bicycle frame. In the first chapter she enrols as a student of the Lincolnshire bike-builder Dave Yates, leaving five days later with her own blood-red, hand-welded racer which is pictured leaned decorously against a tree in Richmond Park.

But for the organisation of her book, she takes a studiously amateur approach, in keeping with what she sees as the cycling world's own organisational principle: there isn't one. Chapters on social history are interspersed with Q&A-style interviews with subjects ranging from a family of downhill racing champions to a flat-full of Edinburgh cycle messengers.

If there is a message from this book it is that the world of cycling is as diverse and unpredictable as the world itself. In Delhi, she meets a rickshaw entrepreneur and offers herself for hire, risking life and limb in the city's terrifying traffic only to forget to ask her passenger for the fare.

In Holland, the subject of one of her most satisfying chapters, she marvels at a cycling landscape that could have been reclaimed from the sea with the bicycle in mind, and discovers that, far from taking to two wheels like ducks to water, doughty Dutch velocipedists of the mid-19th century were bombarded with stones and coal by locals who accused them of traumatising the livestock. Modern Dutch cyclists have taken the land into their own hands. She examines a road system where, thanks partly to a parallel cycle network and partly to the "bizarre" notion that cyclists have a legal and moral right to exist, the accident rate per 100km cycled is 0.8 a tenth of that in the UK. "Here," she writes, "people cycle because they're interested in reaching their destinations. Everyone spins along at roughly the same pace . . . everyone rides as upright as if they were sitting at the kitchen table back at home . . . no one shows off or rides anything flashy or bangs the bonnets of transgressing vans. It is all very strange."