Life In The Saddle

The Restrap Rando Bag is designed to be a go-anywhere do-anything front rack pannier bag; with a semi-rigid construction to make it easy to load, and extra stable. I have used Restrap's panniers, handlebar bag, and frame bags for numerous long distance tours, and they are faultless. While I have not taken the new Restrap Rando Bag on any global adventures, yet; it has been fitted to my run-around Quella Varsity single-speed bike, and it is performing very well. The concept behind the Rando bag is that it would be ideal for a long distance randonneur (a.k.a. Audax'er) with a front rack, equally though it is superb as a daily run-around. It connects to the rack using two magnetic fasteners on the bottom front of the bag, and a tie-back strap on the rear of the bag; securely holding it in place but making it easy to remove. [N.B: you do need to use the magnetic buckle tie-back strap if you do not want to see your milk go flying down the road on the next downhill!] The Rando ...

The #RoadsFromRome will be my third trans-European bike tour. It is interesting to compare my set-up from the #CoastsandCols and #7Countries7Passes  rides; things have evolved, developed, and been refined over the last three years. Kit selection for a bicycle touring / bikepacking trip like this is a very personal choice, so here is a run down of the apparel, accessories and gadgets that are coming along for this year's 2500 kilometre ride... Luggage and Camping Kit My luggage and camping kit largely come from two brands: Thule and Vaude. The lightweight one-man tent, summer weight down sleeping bag, and casual shorts and tee all come from Vaude. The small pannier set and handlebar bag provide a well-made fully waterproof luggage solution from Thule.   Thule Shield Rear Panniers Thule Shield Handlebar Bag Restrap Frame Bag Small  [ reviewed here ] Vaude Lizard GUP 1P Tent Vaude Rotstein 200 Down Sleeping Bag Vaude Sleeping Pad Vaude Thermal Seat C...

When Restrap launched their new Saddle Pack it was to test the possibility of designing and producing a product in the space of 24 hours. The key lay in simplicity, tried and tested fabrics, and a great knowledge of bikepacking and bicycle touring. The Restrap Saddlepack is larger than most. It is designed to hold a lot more than just a spare tube and tools; but rather to have the capacity to hold clothing and supplies that might be required for an audax or long distance ride. It has a 4-litre volume, which is about four times that of most saddlebags. It places it somewhere in between a seat pack (like the Restrap 14 litre Bikepacking Seat Pack ), and a small saddle caddy like the Lezyne Large Caddy Saddlebag . The size is perfect for gravel adventures. It is big enough for two 29er tubes, tools and spares, and a jacket and emergency food supplies; the kind of things that become essentials on the road less travelled. The pack mounts up without any tools or fiddly buckles. There...

Made in Yorkshire, the Restrap bags collection has fast become a favourite of mine. The new Commute Rucksack is the latest addition to the range, and another superb piece of craftsmanship. The Restrap frame bag, handlebar bag and seat pack, have been my touring luggage of choice for long distance self-supported trips like the 'Coasts and Cols'  and the #7Countries7Passes . Their durable, robust and faultlessly engineered designs allow you to travel far, in confidence that your kit will go the distance. For daily use, when things are a little less 'epic', Restrap have released their new 'Utility' range; which includes this beautifully made roll-top waterproof rucksack. Built with purpose Roll-top rucksacks don't need to be extravagant, they need to work. They need to keep your kit dry on your daily commutes, and allow you to ride in comfort and safety. The Restrap Commute Rucksack focusses on the essentials, with the aim of delivering faultlessly...

There are easier ways to visit friends and family dotted across the European continent, than riding a fully loaded touring bike over some of the highest mountain passes. Those alternative options though, would provide little challenge… On a rainy day last November, I dreamed up the #7Countries7Passes tour. A 3000 kilometre self-supported ride across Europe; with 42,000 metres of vertical elevation gain, on a bike weighing 27 kilograms. Reflections on Life In The Saddle's biggest adventure to date… Joining The Dots The route for the tour started from the Danish capital of Copenhagen. I had been enticed by an offer to ride a gravel road race, sponsored by an ice cream company. Seeing as the Nordics are a part of the world that I haven't really explored to date, it seemed like a great opportunity to start an adventure. From Denmark, I headed south to the ferry to Germany, before beginning a long series of back-to-back days to get me to the town of Villingen, near t...