One of the most important items you take on a bicycle tour are your panniers — your luggage — which you attach to a rack on your bike.
My panniers are made by Ortlieb, a German company. In addition to carrying my stuff, my Ortlieb panniers have an excellent mounting system (they don’t fall off), are water-proof and durable. I’m taking mine on their third tour today and I’ve never had a problem with them. They’re the best and I won’t use anything else.
When I ride in Europe, I check to see what kind of gear others on the road are using, and I always see Ortlieb’s distinctive reflective patch on their panniers.
I also use a handlebar bag (great for carrying a camera) made by Ortlieb. It can only be removed from the bike by unlocking the mounting mechanism.
This year I’m adding an Ortlieb rack bag — to carry my camping gear — which sits on top of the bike rack and is secured by bungee cords.
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