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rebeccmeisterI want to write more about the Stuff and Things Preparation for this rendition. First, for some reason, it seemed like I needed to be able to carry more Stuff this time around compared to 2015. I'm not entirely sure why. It could be that my new handlebar bag has less volume than the previous double-bag combination did. In any case, after getting to the Huttopia, I got nervous that my existing cargo setup wasn't quite voluminous enough to accommodate all of the stuff I wanted to carry along, most especially all those spare warm woolens that I barely wound up using.
While shopping at the Carrefour, I found a 3-Euro rectangular black makeup bag that seemed like the perfect size and shape to modify into a mini-pannier. I had brought along a set of spare reflective ankle straps, and figured maybe I could use them as a way to attach the makeup bag to my rear rack:
If I needed to deploy them later as straps, I could cannibalize the bag, I figured.
I also brought along a small sewing kit for the trip, something I learned from 2015 when I had to run out and buy some impromptu sewing supplies for that year's last-minute projects. I didn't carry the sewing kit for the ride itself but it was great to have along in general. Seriously, make yourself a small travel sewing kit and haul it along when you travel. You won't regret it. If all else fails, you can use it to come up with some good practical jokes.
The makeshift pannier looks so professional when installed!
Ultimately I determined that the velcro of the ankle straps was inadequate in its strength, but my stitching efforts held up and I was able to use the velcro straps from the rack bag to hold the makeup pannier in place.
The extra cargo capacity wound up being helpful, overall. The makeup bag wasn't nearly as sturdy as a purpose-built object would have been, but it held up just fine, ensured that things were convenient to grab and put away, and the price was right!
The second thing that I made right before the ride is one of my favorite things ever: I added a custom pocket onto the front of the standard-issue reflective gilet vest given to every rider at registration:
Well prior to departure for France, I'd been thinking about modifying my 2015 vest to add a pocket, based on remembering what a hassle it can be to cart various things around at controls (money, phone, brevet card, reflective ducks, etc). But then at that time I wasn't really sure about exactly how to go about adding a pocket, especially because a zippered pocket would be the most useful, really. I wanted something kind of like the zippered pocket on the reflective vest I'd been wearing for commuting, although that particular kangaroo pocket is full of treachery and likes to dump out my phone if I forget to keep it zipped up.
Casting about, at some point I realized that I had some other really random reflective vest in my reflective vest collection, that came in a zippered pouch! Hmm, a zippered pouch sure looks like a pocket, doesn't it?
I stitched the pouch in place, and the neon yellow color of the pouch matches the vest so well that many people react with surprise when I point out it's a custom modification.
That pocket wound up being so incredibly handy. Seriously, one of the very best decisions I made for the entire ride. I could stick my phone in it, then pull the phone out to take photos at a moment's notice. Note that it's on the left side of the vest, and I am left-handed. I eventually realized it was also the best dumping ground for all of the euro coins I accumulated as change after buying food at shops and at the controls. Easy in, easy out. I kept the little patch tin full of reflective ducks in that pocket as well. Because of where the pocket was positioned, that meant that with every pedal stroke, I made a tiny jangling noise as my thigh came up and bonked into the tin and the coins. I actually liked the tiny jangling noise, because it meant I never snuck up on other riders in a way that would startle them and cause them to do any extra erratic and dangerous maneuvers (there were still plenty of erratic and dangerous maneuvers as it was!). And the jangle wasn't so obnoxiously loud that I got tired of it at any point.
With only a little trouble, I could also shove my brevet card inside, freeing up my hands to carry things like my helmet and water bottle when I arrived at controls.
There's a part of me that actually wants to write in and suggest the front pocket as a feature for the vests. But I suspect the suggestion would get turned down by people who are extremely concerned about aerodynamics. So in the meantime, I'll just enjoy my little inventions and be pleased with myself for them.
While shopping at the Carrefour, I found a 3-Euro rectangular black makeup bag that seemed like the perfect size and shape to modify into a mini-pannier. I had brought along a set of spare reflective ankle straps, and figured maybe I could use them as a way to attach the makeup bag to my rear rack:
If I needed to deploy them later as straps, I could cannibalize the bag, I figured.
I also brought along a small sewing kit for the trip, something I learned from 2015 when I had to run out and buy some impromptu sewing supplies for that year's last-minute projects. I didn't carry the sewing kit for the ride itself but it was great to have along in general. Seriously, make yourself a small travel sewing kit and haul it along when you travel. You won't regret it. If all else fails, you can use it to come up with some good practical jokes.
The makeshift pannier looks so professional when installed!
Ultimately I determined that the velcro of the ankle straps was inadequate in its strength, but my stitching efforts held up and I was able to use the velcro straps from the rack bag to hold the makeup pannier in place.
The extra cargo capacity wound up being helpful, overall. The makeup bag wasn't nearly as sturdy as a purpose-built object would have been, but it held up just fine, ensured that things were convenient to grab and put away, and the price was right!
The second thing that I made right before the ride is one of my favorite things ever: I added a custom pocket onto the front of the standard-issue reflective gilet vest given to every rider at registration:
Well prior to departure for France, I'd been thinking about modifying my 2015 vest to add a pocket, based on remembering what a hassle it can be to cart various things around at controls (money, phone, brevet card, reflective ducks, etc). But then at that time I wasn't really sure about exactly how to go about adding a pocket, especially because a zippered pocket would be the most useful, really. I wanted something kind of like the zippered pocket on the reflective vest I'd been wearing for commuting, although that particular kangaroo pocket is full of treachery and likes to dump out my phone if I forget to keep it zipped up.
Casting about, at some point I realized that I had some other really random reflective vest in my reflective vest collection, that came in a zippered pouch! Hmm, a zippered pouch sure looks like a pocket, doesn't it?
I stitched the pouch in place, and the neon yellow color of the pouch matches the vest so well that many people react with surprise when I point out it's a custom modification.
That pocket wound up being so incredibly handy. Seriously, one of the very best decisions I made for the entire ride. I could stick my phone in it, then pull the phone out to take photos at a moment's notice. Note that it's on the left side of the vest, and I am left-handed. I eventually realized it was also the best dumping ground for all of the euro coins I accumulated as change after buying food at shops and at the controls. Easy in, easy out. I kept the little patch tin full of reflective ducks in that pocket as well. Because of where the pocket was positioned, that meant that with every pedal stroke, I made a tiny jangling noise as my thigh came up and bonked into the tin and the coins. I actually liked the tiny jangling noise, because it meant I never snuck up on other riders in a way that would startle them and cause them to do any extra erratic and dangerous maneuvers (there were still plenty of erratic and dangerous maneuvers as it was!). And the jangle wasn't so obnoxiously loud that I got tired of it at any point.
With only a little trouble, I could also shove my brevet card inside, freeing up my hands to carry things like my helmet and water bottle when I arrived at controls.
There's a part of me that actually wants to write in and suggest the front pocket as a feature for the vests. But I suspect the suggestion would get turned down by people who are extremely concerned about aerodynamics. So in the meantime, I'll just enjoy my little inventions and be pleased with myself for them.
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Date: 2023-09-23 09:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-09-25 08:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-09-25 10:15 pm (UTC)