I’ve been riding to work for a few weeks now and I’m loving it. I’ve had to catch the bus a couple of times for various reasons and it takes longer and is a lot less fun. I’ve worked out a route (using Bike-it Sydney (which I mentioned previously) and I’m used to the traffic now.

A sure fire sign that I’m hooked: it was raining on Friday morning and I still chose to ride rather than catch the bus. But I digress…

One of the things that I worked out I needed to do fairly early on was to get a rack and bag for the bike. My backpack was too small to carry a change of clothes plus lunch and other stuff. Plus it wasn’t waterproof and because it’s on my back makes it just a little bit hotter than if I’m not wearing it (i.e. I get more sweaty).

Anyway - to cut the story short, I went into Cheeky Transport to see what options were available. They had a few different styles ranging in price and utility. I ended up grabbing a Ron D Swan pannier like this one (mine’s blue which handily matches my bike colour).

I liked it ‘coz it was simple, waterproof and big enough for all the stuff I need to take to work. But it was the fact it’s made from reclaimed materials - that is using materials that would otherwise end up in being chucked out as waste - that won me over.

From the blurb that came with the pack (more on Ron’s site):

The canvas and PVC are salvaged offcuts from awning and banner factories (new PVC is out of the question as it is toxic to make). The smaller hooks are hand bent out of stainless steel bike spokes from dead wheels. Webbing and corflute backing board are new polypropylene for which, although being a plastic of lesser evil, Ron is researching alternatives.

Very cool. The bags are manufactured in Melbourne by Cathy (apart from some parts which are outsourced locally) - meaning lower transport emissions - and apparently they’re sweatshop free. I used the bag on my rainy ride on Friday and it worked a treat - I definitely recommend them.

I also picked up a leg band for when I need to do a quick ride and I can’t change out of my work pants.