Possible first day trip.

[Cringles]

Hey folks,

My brother, & I are thinking about doing a day trip to Scotland for a bit of a cycle. This might sound silly, but I was wondering for those that do day trips, do you bring a backpack or another pair of shoes with you?
We would be getting the boat from Belfast, & I was just thinking, it would be a bit of a pain walking around with cleats clip clopping on deck, or on lunch breaks in Scotland.

I have a Felt Z85, so seems I could only fit a big back fitted to the seat post.

 

[snorri]

I wouldn't go on an overseas trip without four panniers and a bar bag.
There really is no simple answer to your quandary, if your bike cannot carry much luggage you will just have to compromise and hope things work out.

 

[annedonnelly]

Is there a left luggage facility at the ferry terminal? You could leave a bag with your shoes there while riding in Scotland.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Wearing SPD mountain bike shoes all day long is no problem. Road shoes would be a different matter and not too good for walking any distance in. I'd pack a pair of trainers in that case. If you have a pannier rack you'll get a day's kit and a pair of trainers into a single bag. Quite a few cyclists who don't or can't use a rack use a saddle bag instead. Others use rucksacks without difficulty.

This photo is of a bunch of cyclists doing a day trip to Boulogne for the TdF finish last week. It looks like roadies eschewed racks on their racing machines and used rucksacks instead.

 

[sidevalve]

Only time I ever used a backpack it was a pain in the bum [well back actually]. Many seem OK with them though so try it out before you go. I did find that it seemed better if the pack was a bit lower on the back than when walking [quick strap adjustment]. I'd still stick a pair of cheapo lightweight trainers in though. Even if you are only going for a day, if it sheets it down at least you've got something dry to put the old feet in on the ferry home.

 

[Cringles]

Thanks for the advice guys. I would love to have a pannier rack, but my bike doesn't have the eyelets, so I may have to look into a large seat post bag, or a rack that fits to the seat post itself. Last time I used a backpack, I had a river of sweat flowing down my back!


Starting to think a Topeak beam Rack & a trunk bag is the way to go.