I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ann Sch 9.3 on July 9, 2013 at 8:58am

I'm not so worried about the laptop getting wet - I'm a Ziploc fanatic -

I'm worried about the "C-word" - me and the bike not staying upright on the wheels (who's superstitious???) Although I guess if that happens, I have to replace more expensive equipment on ME than the laptop...

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Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on July 9, 2013 at 9:11am

Oh, I've wiped out with my MacBook Pro in my backpack. That was several years ago. It's still humming along (a couple batteries later), despite a slight tweak to the case.

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Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on July 9, 2013 at 9:17am

Maybe get a laptop sleeve for extra protection?

Ann Sch 9.3 said:

I'm not so worried about the laptop getting wet - I'm a Ziploc fanatic -

I'm worried about the "C-word" - me and the bike not staying upright on the wheels (who's superstitious???) Although I guess if that happens, I have to replace more expensive equipment on ME than the laptop...

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Permalink Reply by Ann Sch 9.3 on July 9, 2013 at 9:33am

Got a neoprene sleeve, mostly for TSA protection ;-). I have also thrown bubble wrap around it when I have some handy (for biking, not TSA).

Skip, sorry about your tumble but happy to hear the computer survived relatively unharmed (and you)

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Permalink Reply by Bez on July 9, 2013 at 9:51am

Sounds like you should be fine, unless you land directly on it in a fall. Honestly, with the protection you describe, you should be fine sticking it in the pannier. I carry my tablet pretty much every day in my Chrome bag, and just stick it in among my clothes for padding. When I used to use panniers, I would just make sure that it wasn't at the back, against the plate. I had a pretty nice watch get broken due to resting wrong and learned my lesson. I didn't have a watch box with me and just stuck it in the pocket of my jeans. Which I then folded and didn't notice that the pocket with the watch was on the outside, so it ended up against the plate with just a thin layer of denim protecting it. When it bounced, the crystal got cracked and the guts got a bit scrambled.

Ann Sch 9.3 said:

Got a neoprene sleeve, mostly for TSA protection ;-). I have also thrown bubble wrap around it when I have some handy (for biking, not TSA).

Skip, sorry about your tumble but happy to hear the computer survived relatively unharmed (and you)

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Permalink Reply by JimmyD on July 9, 2013 at 10:00am

I went the opposite direction. I have REMOVED the rack from my bike in favor of a backpack (despite the increased sweat). My (commuter) bike handles much better without racks and panniers since it's a folding bike (Riese & Müller, Birdy BD-1).

T.K. 6.5 mi said:

You guys need to free yourselves! Bring water bottles, heck, bring two. Also, upgrade to a rear/front basket or panniers. It helps keep you cool, as the backpack only traps in heat and causes insane amounts of sweat.

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Permalink Reply by JimmyD on July 9, 2013 at 10:02am

I calm my nerves in knowing that:

1) ...our company has our equipment insured

2) ...all of my work (and play) data is hosted/synched on Dropbox.com

3) ...if I bail and the laptop gets trashed, it means I'll get a new laptop. ;-)

Ann Sch 9.3 said:

How do those of you who ride with a laptop calm your fears about ruining the boss's $2000 investment?

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Permalink Reply by JimmyD on July 9, 2013 at 10:07am

I learned about Mission Workshop backpacks from some of your previous posts and now I dream of the day I'll own one!

I currently have a Cocoon Central Park Sport backpack which has a feature I love and will not live without in future backpack purchases... it has a connected rain cover that is stowed in the bottom of the bag. When it starts to rain, I simply unzip the bottom of the bag and pull the cover around the whole bag for instant, full, water-proof coverage!

(See the middle pic below of the Coccoon backpack with the rain cover deployed)

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

I put my laptop in my Mission Workshop Vandal backpack and it has stayed completely dry, even in the worst downpours.

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Permalink Reply by Ann Sch 9.3 on July 9, 2013 at 10:09am

Dann.....thanks for the confidence (and info). JimmyD- our equipment isn't insured (I think we are too small to effectively take advantage of that), I am pretty much backed up to a network, but wouldn't mind a new laptop with a true number pad on the keyboard !!! (of course that would make the damn thing wider)

I do feel better about it now, sigh.