Reviews Of Cycling Panniers

Top 5 Reasons to Bike the Twin Cities

The Twin Cities are rich in cycling infrastructure like paths, bridges, and tunnels. Cyclists of every age and ability can ride car-free and care-free for miles to almost every destination. In this article I highlight the top five features that make our Twin Cities a pleasure to ride.

5. The Sandra Marker Trail

As my feet spin effortless circles I glance up and examine Mt. Tam. The view from the Sandra Marker Trail is my favorite perspective of the mountain. It's so scenic I almost forget that the groceries in my panniers are my reason for the ride. As I continue to gaze in all directions the vistas alone seem a suitable reason to be on my bike.

In Larkspur the Sandra Marker Trail is the main east-west thoroughfare. Despite being only a mile in length it connects to an astounding number of useful locations. The west end of the path elegantly combines with the north-south Corte Madera-Larkspur path and as you head east popular off-ramps include:

If you follow the Sandra Marker Trail to its end you are rewarded with ongoing paths to Cost Plus Plaza and the Corte Madera Marshes (Patch: March '11) , The Village at Corte Madera, and access to Paradise Dr.

4. Cal Park Hill Tunnel

The recently opened Cal Park Hill Tunnel makes riding from Larkspur Landing to San Rafael a breeze. This modern tunnel for non-motorized traffic includes all the bells and whistles such as video cameras and ventilation to make you feel safe and comfortable. Before the Cal Park Hill Tunnel cyclists faced a daunting hill climb on busy roads. Now the route is much flatter and infinitely more relaxing.

Adventure Cycling Association: Timbuk2 Shift Pannier Bag

The panniers are styled almost identically to their popular Classic Messenger bag, with the addition of aluminum pannier clips that attach to just about any rack, and will tuck out of the way when the bag transitions from your bike to your back. For carrying the bag off the bike, you'll find a removable shoulder strap to make things easier. The material is a tough ballistic nylon that resists tearing very well; inside, you'll find a waterproof liner that helps keep your belongings dry on rainy days. The bag is also pretty good for those particular about organizing their belongings, with a 15-inch pocket for a laptop or books, in addition to three pockets that zip up for smaller items, such as toiletries, a phone, or other miscellaneous items you want to keep easily within reach. For sizing, this bag is only available in medium, measuring about 14 inches wide, 10 inches tall, and 5 inches deep. It's a pretty good size for maintaining a proper heel clearance when pedaling. Unfortunately, there is not currently an option to customize the color scheme on these bags; for now, your choice is black or a red/gunmetal option.

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