bikepacking – myarseiskilling.me

DIY bonanza continues, and again I recreated (almost) Alpkit bags. This time I made Mk2 of the frame bag I’ve got already. The bag is proven to be probably the most useful piece of kit, mostly for storing hardware like tent poles/pegs, pump, puncture kit, battery pack etc. The only change I’ve done this time is additional hole for cable on the side. Construction is simple not to say primitive. Two side panels on the left hole for cable
(corresponding with same hole in top tube bag) on the left (always dismounting on the left side) is zipper, and there’s no point to split the bag so it’s one large compartment. Polyester webbing around and stitched in places (Alpkit idea) to create attachment points for Velcro straps.
Top bag is a similar construction: two side panels, zipper in the middle, cable hole on the right. On front and bottom is piece of webbing sewn same way as on frame bag, to provide “loops” for velcro straps.
Both bags are made of Cordura type fabric which is quite stiff and thick, and probably better choice will be some kind of reinforced polyester or something. The problem with Cordura is when you sewing thick material like that it is real pain to make all tight corners nicely, but I wanted to make it on cheap from the stuff I already got. Anyway bags came out as expected, and despite the fact I’m not happy with quality of my stitching they should do the job. Below short story in pictures.

hole cover (made of ripstop nylon) sewn to right panel roughly just to keep the fabric in place

I had normal zipper (quite long) so I had to shorten it to the right lenghth

thick cordura is a bit awkward so plenty safety pins used (I still didn’t manage to sew it straight)

ending of the zipper covered with double layer of ripstop nylon (less thick than cordura easier to manouver)

finished left pannel, at that point I just simply cut off mirrored panel from right one

I roughly measured circumference of the pannel and cut much longer strip of fabric, so at the end I can join it together and cut off what’s left

left pannel hand stiched to “center belt”

everything sewn together. I haven’t got picture, but essentially I had to add poliester webbing (for attaching Velcros) before sewing right pannel. I simply fliped everything on the “right” side and sewn every ~7cm as velcros are 5cm wide

cable hole cut undeneath, hand stitching still there and on the insde looks pretty ugly

top of the bag a piece of webbing stiched to the bag

nothing really to say about the small one same construction

I need to figure out better velcros positioning

both top and frame bag have cable holes on the same side so I’ll be able to transfer some “juce” if needed

when they’re empty looks a bit weird but one they filled with stuff I’m pretty sure will look better

mule01 — Remember to keep your mule hydrated.

First time we went as a whole family, for a bike trip to France for 5 days. Despite keeping fingers crossed, weather was mixed, so we really had a chance to experience everything. Sat – dense fog, Sun,Mon – a bit windy but sunny mostly (we done two “stages”), Tue – bloody windy! plus heavy rain, Wed – relatively calm but low clouds with a bit of drizzle. Because of that, we tested all gear we had. Boys and my better half made absolutely brilliant, riding on Monday (fully loaded) 72km. Nice people met, 3 museums visited, couple of bottles emptied. Memories on SD cards, and more importantly, inside us.

Stay tuned for more pics and keep them rolling.

Tag: bikepacking

2016 TdF

DIY bonanza again

Keep your mule well hydrated