It may seem premature to be writing about bike bags, but here on the East Coast, when the thermometer hits 35 degrees Fahrenheit, it feels like a warm-up. Just last weekend, on a super cold New York Sunday, I bought a new bike (Surly Cross-Check) from Bicycle Habitat. I had been visiting this particular bike for a few months, talking over the pros and cons with Bicycle Habitat employee and filmmaker, Aaron Stewart-Ahn. Once I decided that I was going to train for the Montauk Century (Whooo-hoooo!), it was time to get something a little more serious. My old bike has a huge basket, which I relied on to carry everything from Salvation Army donations to post-office boxes. I’m not quite ready to be a two-bike person, so I began looking for ways to haul more things on my bike. When I mentioned my concerns to Aaron, he said two words: Acorn Bags.
Image above: Roll bag, $63
Note: Even in writing this post, many bags have sold out. You have to be patient and watch for new stock! I’ll be watching along with you!
Acorn Bags are handmade in Southern California by a husband-and-wife team. Because it’s just the two of them, you have to be ready to jump when the new bags are announced online. They restock every three to four weeks, and some bags sell out as in as little as 30 seconds. Once made, each bag is delivered to the post office by bicycle. — Amy Azzarito
Images above, from top: Handlebar Bag, $97 and Large Saddlebag, $129
Image above: Boxy Rando Bag, $197
