1806.21 HOW DO YOU CARRY YOURS?

Most people who commute by bike have to carry some sort of luggage with them. Be it a change of clothes, a uniform, sandwiches or even tools and equipment there's always 'stuff' that needs to come with you.

I believe (from observation) that the rucksack is the UK's preferred method of carrying said stuff to and from the workplace. I don't live/ride in London which I think maybe is 50/50 between the rucksack and the messenger bag. On the continent I'm lead to believe that the pannier is the preferred method of carriage, and this is becoming more popular over here too.

Messenger bags are great if you aren't travelling far and just need the basics. I don't think I'd like a bag loose around my person though, besides, where I live it's very hilly so I don't think it would be practical (you rarely see them around here). I used to ride with a rucksack for many years. If I'm honest I was ignorant to the alternative. They are fine if you don't overload them but can be sweaty and uncomfortable. The main benefit to a body worn bag is that when you reach your destination you can just take the bag straight with you.

A few years ago I broke my collarbone on the bike (I wrote a blogpost about it) which later meant I started to suffer discomfort when I carried too much weight on my back. I put up with it for a while because my bike at that time didn't support a rack but now I'm a convert. I'm lucky in that I have secure and dry storage for my bike at work so I can simply put a bag inside the pannier and take it out at my destination. This really comes into its own when I have to go to training or work from a  different site. I can carry a maximum of over 2 large rucksacks with ease.

My bike is able to carry loads of cargo

If you've ever considered commuting by bike but been put off by not being able to carry what you need then think again. There's always a way, at the end of the day it's about personal choice. As I've said before the commute is a wonderful way of using up time you would probably be wasting by using the time for valuable exercise. And if you have stuff to move then don't discount the bike as a means of carriage.

See this bike locally all the time,
now that's a bike made for cargo!