Global Sports: Everything You Need To Know About Panniers To Have That Smooth Bicycle Trip

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Everything You Need To Know About Panniers To Have That Smooth Bicycle Trip

By Morrison Ludwig


Ensuring a smooth sailing journey can be fun and frustrating. One needs to carefully plan everything to make sure that every detail is covered. Traveling using bicycles is one journey commonly done by friends and families which involves preparation of necessary supplies needed throughout the journey. Panniers are common items seen during this type of trip which can make or break the journey.

A pannier is a basket or bag attached to the side of a bicycle. The term pannier is derived from the Latin word "panarium" which means a basket of bread. It is originally used for animal transport and was mostly made of canvas, leather or wicker materials. It is slung over the back of a beast burden and is loaded in a way that the weight is evenly distributed on either side of the animal. These days, it is more popularly known as bicycle pannier and is designed to hold supplies, files and folders as well as lunches for office workers.

Deciding on the type of pannier that will be used is quite easy. One of the first things that should be carefully looked at is the material wherein the basket is made. The material needs to be heavy, durable or waterproof depending on the type of journey or where the biking trip will take place. Attachments need to be carefully studied as many different types are installed every now and then. Make sure that the attachments are easy to use and can be quickly removed form the bicycle. Organization is also very important. This mainly refers to the number of compartments or pockets of the pannier where the supplies that will be needed be placed. Some people prefer lots of pockets as they feel more organized with all supplies having their designated area. However, there are also those who prefer the one pocket fits in order to put all supplies in only one area. Finally, do not forget to consider the weight of the basket as this will affect the smoothness of the ride especially if it is too heavy.

Packing the pannier can be a bit confusing with all the things one wants to put in order to ensure that every possible incident be covered appropriately. However, as we go along, we also realized that packing requires careful and wise decision making in order to include the least number of items but with all the essentials present. Organization and categorization are two things that will help in doing this. Make sure that all related items such as food and cooking items are all placed in one bag in order to be able to find them easily when needed. Placing them in colored zip locks will also help as this will avoid opening all bags just to make sure which one is which. Balance the weight both from side to side and from front to back to avoid a lopsided bike which can cause accidents.

The most important items should always be on top of the pannier. By doing this, one can easily reach for them when necessary which is always. Sensitive items which can spill on other items need to be carefully packed on strong containers to avoid damage on supplies. Keeping an extra space inside the bag will also help as one will definitely have something to add in the bag every now and then.

Properly packed panniers are important for a smooth journey and will definitely go a long way in ensuring a successful trip.




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