As Christmas Peaceful Piano rolls out of our speakers and the winter darkness feels like its descending faster than Tadej Pogačar down Mount Ventoux, we’ve spent a thoroughly enjoyable hour looking back at some of our favourite Carradice setups we spotted during 2024.
As we (virtually) globetrotted from Scotland to Singapore, a thought crossed our mind. You might also like to see some of these Carradice bag setups too! Here it is then, a selection of our favourite images from this year. Whether this becomes a yearly tradition like trees or turkey, only time will tell!
Of course, whilst it’s always fantastic to see Carradice bags in use in a variety of ways, it’s the rides, the stories and the people that grabbed our attention when tapping away at our keyboard and mouse.
Enough waffling, let’s crack on with Danny and his Originals Pendle…
Danny Branston - Originals Pendle Saddlebag
Image: Danny Branston
Whilst Danny’s simple, neat bikepacking setup, featuring the Originals Pendle Saddlebag, was our first port of call, we couldn’t help noticing the ‘BOTHY CLOSED ASBESTOS’ sign daubed on the building in the picture. Some internet sleuthing that this simple mountain refuge, the Culra Bothy, has been closed for almost 10 years, thanks to the presence of carcinogenic material, asbestos.
Although this sad demise of a once popular camping spot for riders (and walkers) may seem unfortunate there are still over 100 bothies in Scotland. This article on the Mountain Bothies Website (which incidentally includes a wonderful piece of art of two cyclists approaching a similar dwelling to the Culra) documents a brief history of the Bothy.
Danny’s image couldn’t be more Scottish and perhaps neither could it be more perfect! Bothy nestled below the peaks, the bike’s lurid orange frame drawing your eye away from the earthy tones of the landscape behind. Chapeau!
Kevin Hurley - Originals Zipped Roll Saddlebag
Image: Kevin Hurley
The inviting waters of Lough Hyne in County Cork, Ireland are the backdrop to our second entry from Kevin Hurley. As Kevin mentions in his comment, the Zipped Roll offers that little extra space that a regular roadie saddlebag doesn’t afford, meaning extra snacks and drinks can be easily stored away.
Did you know that Lough Hyne was Ireland’s first Marine Nature Reserve? It was granted that status back in 1981.
Jonathan Ray - Cambrian Lightweight Saddlebag
Image: Jonathan Ray
Much like Kevin’s image of his Cannondale road bike was taken in high summer, we’d wager that by the length of the grass in Jonathan Ray’s image, this too was taken on a warm weather bikepacking trip.
We like Jonathan’s simple, rigid, off-road, bikepacking setup. One bag (with an extra nose bag) up front and one out back. By forgoing a frame bag, he’s got plenty of space for water bottles. Fitting the Cambrian Lightweight Saddlebag to a Bagman Support makes for an ideal off-road bikepacking setup too - The support and structure prevent your gear from bouncing about when the speed goes up or the terrain goes up a notch too!
Ian Hallett - Super C Panniers
Image: Ian Hallett
On a summer tour in North Macedonia, Ian Hallett set off with a complete Super C lineup of bags including the 54-litre rear panniers. With the country seeing just 45mm of rain in the month of July, we’d wager Ian didn’t make much use of the pannier's waterproof duck cotton material. Not to worry though, back in England, our monthly rainfall during July was almost double that!
That Thorn touring bike too, eh? What a lovely thing - complete with Gates Belt Drive too - cracking.
Michel Figeat - Kendal Panniers
Image: Michel Figeat
Zooming across the Atlantic now to Michel’s British duo amongst a litter of falling Autumnal leaves. If there’s a more classic, timeless setup in Canada or back here in England too for that matter, then we’re yet to see it! Michel’s Pashley Roadster Classic is teamed with a host of Carradice bags, including the Kendal Panniers, an ideal duo for getting about town, by bike and carrying things as you go!
Ian Gilbert - Super C Panniers
Image: Ian Gilbert
There’s plenty to love about Ian’s complete Super C set of bags mounted to his Surly Long Haul Trucker. The hillocks and humps of the Lake District, or is it the Yorkshire Dales. The solid double cross farm gate - the ideal spot for a picture, or simply the colour-matched Brooks saddle and bar grips.
But what drew our eye was the two eggs stored in the handlebar bag. Were these two hard-boiled eggs that Ian was going to munch on Day 14 of the Lejog, or were they going to find themselves sizzling in a frying pan at day’s end? Either way, we applaud Ian’s egg-carrying capabilities!
Giovanni Calcagno - Camper Longflap Saddlebag
Image: Giovanni Calcagno
Winging our way across the Channel from Carradice HQ, across France to the Italian border now and Giovanni Calcagno in the Ligurian Alps. On what looks like a road straight from gravel riding heaven, Giovanni is aboard a Salsa bike adorned with a Camper Longflap Saddlebag (we think).
For some reason, Giovanni’s image prompted us to look up author Tom Isitt on X. Tom’s book Riding in the Zone Rouge: The Tour of the Battlefields 1919, which is a wonderfully poignant read, but on his X page, you’ll find an array of images and videos documenting WW1 mountain battlements.
Xavi Gomez - Kendal Panniers & Camper Longflap Saddlebag
Image: Xavi Gomez
Xavi Gomez’s wonderful image from Goredale Scar in Yorkshire is the penultimate Carradice setup for 2024. Whilst the matching bags take us back to Carradice marketing photoshoots of yesteryear, Xavi’s demonstration of the Kendal Pannier's additional pocket really got us ticking. They’re the perfect place to store a water bottle - a must for summer bicycle touring.
Saroj Dum Kapasit - Stockport Brompton Folder
Image: Saroj Dum Kapasit
Last but most definitely not least on our list, is Saroj’s Brompton from Singapore, complete with the Stockport folder. Whilst it’s certainly not been the greatest year for cycling in the UK, Saroj’s image (and Michel’s which we featured above) has given us renewed hope for UK-made products as we head into 2025!
And with that, that’s some of our favourite Carradice bag setups we spotted during the year. For more fantastic photography (and video) from Carradice fans across the globe, visit (and please do post) the Carradice Fans Facebook group or #Carradice on Instagram.
