How to store your clothes in your bike bag?
It is important to be organised when packing your clothes in your bike bag. There is no right or wrong way to do this, but there are some techniques that will help you travel better. Your bike needs to be balanced and not too heavy so that it doesn't get in the way. Here are some tips on how to store your clothes in your bike bag.
Photo by Damien DUFOUR Photography on Unsplash
Choosing the right pannier
When cycling, you usually use several panniers, placed in different places. Some panniers are placed on the handlebars, on the rear wheel or on the frame. It is important that you fill your panniers in such a way that the weight is evenly distributed and does not throw you off balance.
The choice of your bike panniers is important, as some have advantages. Waterproof panniers such as the ORTILIEB Back Roller ensure that you don't end up with wet clothes or belongings. Other bags have an additional pocket to store small items that need to be easily accessible.
Assign a function to each pannier
If you want to find your way around easily, assigning a function to each of your panniers is a good way. You can have one specially dedicated to storing your clothes, one for your bedroom (with your tent, your duvet or your mattress), one for the kitchen (stove, food...) or another for your personal belongings (papers, camera...).
As for their placement, prefer heavy equipment to the frame of the bike. This allows you to keep your centre of gravity relatively low and to have more balance. You can store your clothes, camping gear and other items on the back. These panniers are usually larger and therefore allow you to store anything bulky. Finally, it's best to carry light equipment that needs to be within easy reach on the handlebars (sunglasses, sunscreen, wallet, etc.).
Tips for storing clothes in their panniers
To save space when packing your clothes in their panniers, you can roll them up. This is a popular method for backpackers to save space in your bag or satchel.
If your bag is not waterproof, you can also put the clothes in waterproof bags specifically designed for this purpose. Alternatively, freezer bags will also do the job, but are more fragile.
Finally, place any clothing you may need such as a rain jacket or windbreaker on top of your pannier. This allows you to put them on quickly in case of bad weather.
To avoid problems on your journey, make sure that you do not exceed the maximum weight limit. To do this, add your weight to the weight of your panniers. You can find this information in your user manual or on the internet. Make sure you wear light clothing so that you don't overload yourself and enjoy your cycling trip.