The wanderer returns, and rather likes my new rackpack!

Manx Cat · Post by **Manx Cat** » 20 Apr 2008, 6:20pm

Albert turned up today, like most cats he was completely unaware of the distress and upset he had caused, and if he knew of this, he frankly didnt care anyway.

Rosie and I had searched all morning and then as the wind had subsided we sorted the bikes out for a wee run around the northern plain.

As we sorted out the bikes, out of no where sauntered Albert, looking for a cuddle and some scoff as usual.

Oh, my new rackpack has arrived from Carradice. I must admit I didnt like it much when it came. It was black of course (I hate black), and canvas and within a hour of arrival covered in cat hair. But now Ive used it for a week I am very impressed with it.

I also have a rather nifty set of rear panniers (Ortlieb ones), but I cannot fit them to the bike rack without some serious adjustment, and currently have no tools to do it with. Pics next week all being well.

Anyway... Here is the wanderer....

'OK, Im here for my food and loving now....'

Bike with new Carradice Super C bike rackpack

Rear view of same.

Albert checks out the quality....

He seems to approve, and neatly sheds a pile of cream and tabby hairs all over it... They dont shift by the way and are still all over it!

Albert ready to ride

Nice view over there, the rabbits have no chance now....

Hope you like them.

Mary

DaveP · Post by **DaveP** » 20 Apr 2008, 6:26pm

I hope you have a helmet for him too!

mhara · Post by **mhara** » 20 Apr 2008, 6:33pm

What a lovely cat.

I'm pleased he's back with you.

Jeckyll_n_Snyde · Post by **Jeckyll_n_Snyde** » 20 Apr 2008, 6:36pm

Glad he's back

p.s. Is that a Cateye on the rear :?:

.... o.k. i'll get me coat :oops:

Asdace · Post by **Asdace** » 20 Apr 2008, 6:48pm

Talk about in the Cat in the Hat!

Manx Cat · Post by **Manx Cat** » 20 Apr 2008, 6:49pm

s that a Cateye on the rear .... o.k. i'll get me coat

Yes, and he is a Super C cat too!

Mary

reohn2 · Post by **reohn2** » 20 Apr 2008, 7:03pm

Knew he'd return,nice looking fella isn't he?

Post by **Mick F** » 20 Apr 2008, 7:30pm

See, it's just like JohnW said, the IOM isn't too big!

Well done Albert!

yoyo · Post by **yoyo** » 20 Apr 2008, 7:52pm

So glad he is safe and sound.

melw1 · Post by **melw1** » 20 Apr 2008, 8:13pm

Really pleased he's back! LIke the rackpack too...thinking of one myself.... How waterproof is it??

Manx Cat · Post by **Manx Cat** » 20 Apr 2008, 10:14pm

According to Carradice, they are very waterproof. They are made of strong canvas fabric that has a waterproofing wax impregnated into the cotton fibers. I spoke to a member of staff before buying this, and the wax proofer is similar to what you use on a barbour coat.

You apply it with a cloth and use a hairdryer to 'soften and melt' the wax which on cooling gives very good weather proof protection. The original coating of wax on buying should protect for up to 5 years under 'normal' use (whatever normal use is), but still a while before proofing is required.

I only put my bike rack on the bike on Tuesday last week, and thankfully we have had no rain since.

The inside of the bag looks very well made and sealed inside. I bought a 'liner' just in case, more to store already wet cloths to stop the inside fo the carrier getting damp and horrible, but it was a bit over priced in my opinion as a good ol' Tesco bag would be just as good.

Bag is bigger than I thought it would be with ample rooom for my huge packed handbag and all my weather proof clothes as well. AND I do like the outside pocket big enough for purse, mobile and camera.

Just wish it was in another colour, but Im getting used to it.... I cannot see in black things very well..

Mary

thirdcrank · Post by **thirdcrank** » 20 Apr 2008, 10:27pm

I think he may be saying 'If she plonks me on here once more, I'm off for good.' :wink:

Incidentally, a safety tip: LED lights are very directional - unless they are pointing exactly towards the observer, a lot of their light is lost. IMO attaching rear lamps by the tabs provided by luggage manufacturers is not always a good idea. Yours is pointing at the floor. If you don't believe me, turn on that back light in the dark and stand 50 yards up the road behind your bike. Then get somebody to point the light directly at you. You will be amazed at the difference.

Asdace · Post by **Asdace** » 20 Apr 2008, 10:50pm

I have the Carradice Camper Longflap, which is cottonduck and Black and I've had it now for a few years. In that time, I've never reproofed it, always like it to be original as possible. It is getting really scuffed a bit, using for work and shops, in that time, it never leaked.

I do like the Super C Rackpack.

JohnW · Post by **JohnW** » 20 Apr 2008, 11:35pm

I'm glad Albert is home Manxie - I shall sleep tonight. Does he realise that he's had cyclists the length and breadth of the country rooting for him?

I have three Carradice saddlebags, one (a Nelson) is at least thirty years old and still going, if not strong, at least going. I have a two year old Nelson, a ten year old Super C and a grey Prima (one of the earlier ones) that is now very well worn and highly dirty.

I also have a set of Super C Panniers.

I have always had good service and long life from Carradice tackle - I still have an old Nelson in the shed which is forty years old if it's a day, and absolutely worn out, but somehow it's part of the family and I can't part with it. I've never had a problem with them taking water, except of course if i've not strapped them down properly. In the old days, in our section, we used to spruce them up with neatsfoot oil!!! Not any more though - but it did no harm and my 40 years old specimen was still waterproof a couple of years ago - i.e when last used.

I'm about to get a new Prima - it will have to be black, because that's the only colour available now.

The thing is Manxie (I hope you don't mind me using that abbreviation - tell me if you do and I'll apologise), they last so long that if they aren't black they get to look so dirty and shabby. I've tried to clean my old Prima up, but it just won't have it.

I think that you and your rackpack will have a long and happy life together.

Just be careful it's not full of cat before you set off on tour.

Why not announce the Wanderer's return on your previous "Albert" thread - there may be some interested parties still worrying, but not thinking to look on another (this) thread. This has been a bigger issue than Gordon Brown's 10% base rate.

thirdcrank · Post by **thirdcrank** » 21 Apr 2008, 9:01am

As I understand it cotton duck is watertight because as it gets wet, so the fibres expand and become tighter together. I should have thought that applying some sort of wax type waterproofer would interfere with that process. I think the biiest enemy of duck is abrasion; this is particularly the case with a traditional Camper Longflap type sadlebag. Leaning your bike against a wall etc., quickly wears holes in the side pockets.