Full Circle

First, there was some planning...



Then there was waiting...



Next came the sewing...well, this one shows my mom fixing a tire rub hole on a 'hand me down' Epic Designs seatbag for my brother, but she sewed my partial frame bag as well.



and now I'm back to planning...



Mom and I made a deal, I'd build her coat rack if she would sew me a frame bag for TransIowa. I've been scheming about this bag for some time and I'll be asking Eric at Epic Designs to make me a bikepacking version once I've tested my kit and figured a couple of things out and he's gotten through the Winter Packing workload. Ultimately, I'd like this partial bag to be compatible with a handful of bikes in my collection. This one is designed specifically for the TransIowa experience. Allowing me to carry all the water and kit to get me through the ride with minimal stops while keeping the weight off my back.

The construction of this bag is lighter duty, yet plenty wear resistant. I just wouldn't want to be pushing it through some bushwack and slide it down a short rock face, like conditions encountered on Richmond Peak during this past summer's Divide. The material is a 2.2oz. Ripstop Nylon ordered from Quest Outdoor Fabrics, sewn double wall for load carrying capacity. Mom finished it with a 'French Seam', which ends up with a double stitch and a nicely finished seam inside and out. The straps, velcro and nylon cams, were sewn into the seam and reinforced. They are configured to allow use of my Epic Designs Gas Tank. The front of the bag holds my 3L water bladder, while the back 4", seperated by a thin wall, holds tubes, pump, tools, patch kit, chamois cream, etc...

As could be expected Mom, and I, learned a great deal sewing this first bag. She is already putting this knowledge to use on a second version for Mike and his touring 'habit'. Look out for photos of his finished bag soon.

Next will be ample testing, some refinement, and ultimately...a bit of touring this spring, summer, and fall.