Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
A quote from a 19th-century French writer is perhaps an unusual way to kick off this entry on the Carradice blog. And yet, the aphorism (don’t worry, your author had to look that one up, too!), “The more things change, the more they remain the same”, seemed to me at least, a neat way of summing up this topsy-turvy, crickey, ooo deary me, feeling of the last 12 months.
Yes, of course, many things have changed, but life - much of it, in fact - does carry on as normal.
Indeed, during 2025, Audaxers continued to do Audax things, bikepackers did bikepacking things, and we continued to uphold our bargain as a partner in cycling adventures.
We launched the new Adventure Range, two new Brompton bags and an updated version of the Overlander pannier from yesteryear.
Anyhow, after a successful debut in 2024, we’re back for a look-see at some of your bike riding adventures from the last 12 months.
As we tap on our keyboard and some peaceful piano wafts from the speaker in the corner, let's kick off with Timothy Davies and his brilliant burgundy Singular…
Timothy Davies - Barley Saddlebag
Image: Timothy Davies
Plonked amongst the rapidly growing grass and on the verge, and neatly leaning against a signpost is Timothy’s classic steel, Singular Peregrine - complete with, what we can only guess, is a classic Barley Saddlebag - once from yesteryear, perhaps.
Judging by the hawthorn (or is it blackthorn blossom?) spewing from the nearby hedge, Timothy’s image takes us back to early Spring. Is late April to early May the best time to ride a bike in the UK? A light, fresh breeze, the sun has his hat on, and everything seems right in the world.
The signpost for National Cycle Network 41 - a route which links Bristol to the Midlands- looks like a doozy. Your author can certainly recommend the section around Bredon Hill in Worcestershire, through the delightful village of Ashton-under-Hill.
Jim Churton - Super C Saddlebag
Image: Jim Churton
Speeding over the channel for this entry and Jim’s Super C saddlebag - a precursor to the current Super C Audax saddlebag.
Whilst the Col d’Iseran sign and the polished stainless steel Columbus fork against the light blue of his Tomassini immediately grabbed our attention, it was the caption which Jim attached to his photo that piqued our interest.
“On September 3rd at 1535hrs l arrived in Hendaye and thus completed my final and 20th Relais; Bagnerre du Luchon to Hendaye. Throughout this odyssey, l used my Carradice Super C saddlebag. It's been a major asset and owes me nothing.”
In 2025, Jim hadn’t just summited the Col d’Iseran, he’d actually completed the marathon Relais de France - a network that links the 20 coastal or border towns of the "Flèches de France.”
Jim continued, “My final 4 Relais' constituted 82,000ft of ascent and comprised the length of The Jura, half the length of The French Alps and the entire length of The Pyrenees.” A mammoth feat, a lifetime of riding.
Chapeau, Jim!
Bicisumadonna - Camper Longflap Saddlebag
Image: Bicisumadonna
Hopping over the Alps now. Bicisumadonna snapped this shot and popped it on Instagram this July. A simple, no-thrills long-distance riding setup. Large saddlebag out back, handlebar bag up front and a small frame bag in the middle.
Beyond some cycling-specific phrases, such as "Gregario," our Italian isn’t the strongest (read: non-existent), so off we toddled to an online translation service to learn about the inscription beyond the purple Surly.
“e il verbo si e fatto carne” is “and the word became flesh” a verse from John 1:14, which explores the concept that Jesus Christ is the divine "Word" of God who took on a human body and lived among people.
Peter Riley - Super C Panniers
Image: Peter Riley
Another bike against a road sign, but this time - something that blends old with new. Peter’s Super C Panniers - made from cotton duck - have developed that lovely patina that only our traditional bike bags can.
Peter and his Cube electric bike were out riding on the far west coast of Anglesey. By the looks of things, somewhere with an aversion to vowels, but alongside a few images from his ride around the Welsh island, Peter also added a photo of the grave of one, Frederick Lowes.
“Red Fred” as he was known, thanks to his shock of Ginger hair, was a world-renowned unicyclist who performed incredible stunts to gobsmacked crowds. According to this note, Fred even rode around the lip of a steamship's funnel during WWII, much to the delight of the crew onboard.
Granville Haigh - Barley Saddlebag
Image: Granville Haigh
Contributing this shot of god’s own country, the Yorkshire Dales, was Granville Haigh. In the background, the white, pillowy clouds are the perfect contrast to the rolling green hills, farms dotted here and there.
In the foreground, Granville’s Specialized rests calmly on a dry stone wall. A moment in time - perhaps during a slow adventure - that captures the euphoria of going places by bike.
Tim Tan - Super C Panniers & Camper Longflap
Image: Tim Tan
Nearly 9000 miles away, on the Japanese coast, we find Tim and his touring bike setup. A set of Super C panniers on either side of his front wheel and the gargantuan 24L, animal-friendly Camper Longflap attached to his saddle.
The Japanese macaque, behind Tim’s bike, is a reference to the island of Kōjima. The uninhabited island is famous for its importance as a site for primate research. Since 1947, scientists have documented how monkeys in the same group learned different skills, including, quite incredibly, the practice of washing sweet potatoes in water!
Olly Hargreaves - Carradry Panniers
Image: Olly Hargeaves
By cycling from Manchester to Thailand, Olly is living his dream - one he’s dreamt about since his younger days and one which, we’d wager, many cyclists hold.
A ride of epic proportions that crosses countries, opens your eyes and creates enough memories to last a lifetime.
Olly’s classic bike touring setup (if three bottle cages isn’t the sign of someone going the distance - what is?) features are now retired Carradry panniers.
Mick Murphy - Super C Panniers Front & Rear
Image: Mick Murphy
A Mercian in Mercier by Mick Murphy. A posse of M’s for the ninth image from 2025.
Mick’s caption of his journey around the French/Swiss border couldn’t have summed it up any better: “The Carradice Fully Monty”.
Dicky Boyd - Super C Saddlebag & Zipped Originals
Image: Dicky Boyd
Dicky’s penchant for burgundy shines through in this shot from high summer - the bags providing a lovely contrast to his sky blue Kinesis. We’ll give Dicky an extra ten Carradice points for matching the colour of his frame to the colour of the sky for this shot!
Drawing our eyes away from the bike for one moment, the track heading off to the right of the shot is one of those routes that spurs the imagination. What’s down there? Where does that go? Does it connect up with that bit?
Louise Glysen - Barley Saddlebag
Image: Louise Glysen
Old meets new on the Bryan Chapman Audax in our penultimate entry. Daintily fixed on the curb with the pedal, Louise’s bright yellow and blue Ribble is the perfect antidote to some grey Welsh clouds, which are trying their best to envelope the hills beyond.
Eirin Bike Shop - Super C Panniers Front
Image: Eirin Bike Shop
We couldn’t finish this list without a nod to one of the most recent images to come across our desk.
The Eirin Bike Shop in Kyoto, Japan, is a melting pot of bike cultures. From dogs in cargo bikes to small-wheeled city bikes and classic steel road bikes - this is what cycling should be - for everyone.
And that’s that - another journey around the sun completed. If this kind of thing is your bag, please do join the Carradice Fans Facebook group or search #Carradice on Instagram.
Same time next year?
