Life In The Saddle

A rack-top waterproof trunk bag is the ideal place to stash ride essentials when bicycle touring or on a cycle commute. The Altura Dryline 2 Rackpack 7L is a superb example and offers a safe and watertight carry. Whether you a commuting, brevet event riding, or on a trans-continental bike tour; a rack top trunk bag is a great luggage solution.  Hopefully, you have read my post ' What Is in Your Gravel Adventure Bar Bag? '—well, on my touring bike that has a pannier rack permanently fitted, I opt to carry the same selection of products (plus a lightweight windproof jacket), but in the Altura Dryline Rackpack instead of a handlebar bag. The Altura Dryline 2.0 Rackpack is designed to be a simple but sturdy, and highly functional rack-top pannier pack. Mounting the Altura Dryline Rackpack is easy. A base plate attaches to the pannier rack using two strong Velcro straps. The rack bag then attaches to a base plate using Velcro strips and three quick-release buckles; to allow f...

For the past six years, I have worn an OneLife ID identification wristband day-in-day-out. I originally reviewed the simple but potentially lifesaving ICE wristbands on the blog in 2013, and noted then that they are an essential 'Every Ride Carry'. I continue to advocate their use, with great support. Being able to be easily identified in the event of an emergency is a huge benefit to paramedics and hospital staff, and anyone else attending the accident scene. Detailing known allergies and past medical history on your ICE medical ID bracelet could be life-saving in the event of hospitalisation and treatment. OneLifeID is a UK business that produces a range of ICE bracelets and tags; the above pictured recycled tyre Stealth wristband is my current everyday wear. The products are subtle, stylish, and super durable; but they achieve their aim with great success; you can detail a surprisingly amount on the wrist band itself, and then add further information to an online profi...

Some products are faultless. You use them every day, and every time you think about their great functionality they make you smile. The range of wallets and phone pouches from Australian brand Bellroy, fit firmly into that 'impeccable' category. I use my Bellroy All-Conditions Phone Pocket Wallet  every day. If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter , you will have likely seen it placed in kit layouts, on café tables, and in jersey pockets. It is a fantastic little case, which is perfect for holding ride essentials, safely and securely. The Bellroy All-Conditions Wallet is a new addition to my 'Every Ride Carry'. It holds many of the great attributes of the All-Conditions Phone Pocket, but in miniature size. Small enough to clasp in your hand, the All-Conditions Wallet will hold your cash, cards, keys and coins, in a weather-resistant pouch. The wallet is made from Bellroy's water resistant leather, and uses a YKK water resistant zip. It certainly provides ...

Your ' Every Ride Carry ' - what you carry with you, when you head out on the road or trails, is an incredibly personal choice. It could suggest you're a daring personality; adopting a stripped-back approach, but chancing a mechanical. It could suggest you're adventurous; taking enough supplies for an epic ride. It could suggest you're super organised; when there is a place for everything, and everything in its place. Adopting a Bellroy wallet as part of your 'Every Ride Carry', suggests minimalism, adventure, organisation, and class. The Bellroy products that I've previously reviewed on the blog quickly won me over, and many of them now feature in my kit layouts for every ride. The new Bellroy All-Conditions Phone Pocket is one of the most recent additions to the extensive Bellroy wallets range. It is a smart weatherproof pouch; designed to hold phone, cash and cards; all in a protective package. The wallet is made from waterproof leather, and...

My review of the Eleven Vélo Ride Pouch was the start of a great relationship; the smart leather ride wallet is now securely part of my ' Every Ride Carry ', and it comes in my jersey pocket on almost every outing. It is a great way to keep all your small ride essentials and valuables together; safe and protected. The Ride Pouch was a joint project; between Australian cycle clothing brand Eleven Vélo, and San Francisco based bag makers, WaterField Designs. It seems I wasn't the only rider to become a fan of the product either, as WaterField Designs have produced a huge number to date; all made by hand in their San Fran workshop. With so many riders using their product, WaterField Designs started getting some great feedback from out on the road; then, as great brands do, they took on-board those constructive criticisms, and have developed their new Club Cycling Pouch. The Club Cycling Pouch isn't a replacement for the original Ride Pouch; rather it is designed t...

Over the past year, I've written a number of posts on my ' Every Ride Carry(s) '; both for a typical road ride , and for XC mountain biking . One thing that I think I failed to mention in both of them though, is that I always carry some form of ID in my ride wallet; normally in the form of a OneLife iD card. ​ The latest range of OneLife iD wristbands and tags, makes carrying some form of identification even easier; whilst also being more easily found by a potential Good Samaritan. First, there's the Stealth Squadra iD wristband. This uses a watch like clasp, and a wide rubber strap, to provide a secure and smart looking wristband. You can choose up to six lines of information to display; and one of those is the URL for your online profile, where you can house even more relevant detail for medical services. The smaller brother of the Stealth Squadra iD, comes in the form of the Freestyle iD Black. This is my favourite from the new collection, as it's super...

Last year, I wrote a post on Cross Country Ride: 'My Every Ride Carry' ; featuring all the kit that comes with me on a weekend trail outing. In this post, I turn to the tarmac, and what I would take with me on a weekend endurance road ride, or middle-distance event. Wearable kit: Kask Infinity Helmet POC Do Blade AVIP Sunglasses GripGrab Cycling Cap GripGrab Windster Gloves GripGrab HiVis HeadGlove GripGrab HiVis Thermo Overshoes These products have fast become my favourite kit accessories for autumn/springtime rides. The Kask Infinity helmet does a fantastic job of providing an enhanced shield from the cold. The POC Do Blade AVIP sunglasses, are perfect for giving added wind protection for your eyes, whilst their lenses are suitable for bright sunshine and dull days (Review of the POC Do Blade AVIP Glasses ). Then, the GripGrab Windster Gloves, Hammerhead Overshoes , HiVis HeadGlove and GripGrab Cycling Cap , are ideal for shielding your vulnerable extremit...

Everyone likes kit comparisons. Whether it is what you take on a mammoth assault on the Himalayas, or what you carry in your everyday life (your EDC); it is interesting to compare personal preference and choice. In this post, I focus my attention on my off-road carry, and what comes with me on a cross-country weekend ride. Saddle bag or hydration pack? Hydration pack or saddle bag? For a long time, I've tossed up the pros and cons of riding with these luggage options on a mountain bike. There are significant benefits and disadvantages of both, but at the moment I've pared back my riding kit a bit, and I'm opting for the freedom of a saddle bag and jersey pockets. This is my XC Every Ride Carry (ERC)…  The Saddle Bag: Scicon Hippo 550 Saddle Bag The Hippo 550 is one of Scicon's biggest saddle bags. Yet, it is still compact enough that it doesn't swing about under your saddle and create irritating thigh rub. It uses Scicon's patented and highly effe...