Options for carrying a change of clothes on a road bike

[Mike Alexander]

I'm riding the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride (GYBR) in a few weeks time (Wetherby to Filey; around 72 miles). A few of us are then staying over (in Scarborough) and riding back to Wetherby the following day. As a result, I need something that I can carry a change of clothes, normal shoes, etc. I could use a backpack, but I tend to get rather warm when cycling (even on relatively cold days), so would prefer to keep by back uncovered. I could fit panniers to my bike, but I think this would be OTT for what I need (I intend to travel very light). Does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[musa]

A compact type of Pannier like this

http://m.evanscycles.com/products/topeak/mtx-trunk-bag-exp-with-side-panniers-ec005994

 

[PpPete]

More or less similar requirements to a longer Audax ride, for which a lot of folks find these a good solution:

If the whole Carradice "trad" image doesnt appeal, have a look at Rixen & Kaul "Contour" bags which cantilever off the seat post (possibily not a good idea if you have a carbon seatpost)

 

[Mike Alexander]

A compact type of Pannier like this

http://m.evanscycles.com/products/topeak/mtx-trunk-bag-exp-with-side-panniers-ec005994

Thanks. Quite expensive though (£76) by the time you've bought the frame and bag. It would certainly do the job though.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

saddlebag? courier bag? (which I find doesn't make my back sweat like a rucksack/backpack does). seatpost mount rack and racktop bag? ventilated frame backpack?

 

[musa]

Thanks. Quite expensive though (£76) by the time you've bought the frame and bag. It would certainly do the job though.

The price is putting me off too i want to get one as well. if you can find another brand or a cheaper one even s/h which I've seen for about 30/35 quid

 

[Mike Alexander]

The price is putting me off too i want to get one as well. if you can find another brand or a cheaper one even s/h which I've seen for about 30/35 quid

What's "s/h"?

 

[400bhp]

Post your clothes to Scarborough.

 

[400bhp]

What's "s/h"?

second hand

 

[Mike Alexander]

Post your clothes to Scarborough.

Ha! I'd still have to carry my outbound clothes on the ride back from Scarborough. I suppose I could post them as well, but I'm not sure the Post Office would take kindly to a sweaty parcel!

 

[Scoosh]

Borrow something for the week-end from some kind soul on here or one of your other cycling friends ?

This would give you a way to 'try before you buy' and, if it turns out to be a one-off, you've saved yourself some dosh and heartache.

 

[400bhp]

Ha! I'd still have to carry my outbound clothes on the ride back from Scarborough. I suppose I could post them as well, but I'm not sure the Post Office would take kindly to a sweaty parcel!

They wouldn't know, plus put them inside a plastic bag or box and what's the issue. Are you staying in a hotel? Ask them if ther could post itback for you and have clothing delivered to them. I have done this on a couple of occasions with no bother whatsoever.

 

[Mike Alexander]

I don't do many overnight stays on the bike (this is the first and may well be the last!), so I'm thinking I might go for something like the Deuter Race X Backpack, which appears to have good ventilation, plus I can use it more often when not on the bike.

 

[fimm]

I have a Carradice Junior saddlebag, which I can get a change of clothes (except shoes, which live in the office) and my lunch and purse etc into for a 16 mile commute. It isn't totally perfect, not helped by the fact that I don't have a huge amount of space between saddle and wheel - I have a couple of bungee cords to haul it up a bit. It cost £35 and then I had to spend about £10 for some gizmos to put on the saddle to attach the bag to. Carradice do a thing that attaches to the seatpost and would lift the bag up more, which I intend to invest in at some point, as my boyfriend and I do the odd bit of credit-card touring.

 

[Mike Alexander]

They wouldn't know, plus put them inside a plastic bag or box and what's the issue. Are you staying in a hotel? Ask them if ther could post itback for you and have clothing delivered to them. I have done this on a couple of occasions with no bother whatsoever.

In an effort to keep things to an absolute minimum, I'm actually considering washing my cycling gear in the hotel and hoping it dries sufficiently overnight so I can wear it again for the return journey. That would mean I only have to carry the normal clothes I'd wear on the evening before the return ride.