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Written by Commuter Files
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Monday, 16 February 2009 |
I originally purchased my first Patagonia Critical Mass bag in 1999. A lively
bright blue beauty with one large main compartment, one inner
compartment and a smaller outside compartment.
I originally purchased my first Patagonia Critical Mass bag in 1999. A lively
bright blue beauty with one large main compartment, one inner
compartment and a smaller outside compartment. At the time, I thought I
could get into bike commuting in Boston (perhaps riding a couple of
times a week to save on my lengthy walk from the commuter boat to my
office), so I needed a sturdy bag to haul my clothes, dress shoes and
showering items.
I slowly began to bike more and more--every day in fact--and became a
full-time-in-any-weather-core-bike-commuter. I've depended on my
Critical Mass bag nearly every day for 10 years and not once has it
failed me (or been washed, geh). Recently I noticed that the main
shoulder strap was coming un-stitched and I began to think nostalgically
about my blue beauty--here's what I came up with:
Roughly 39,000 commuter miles
5 different jobs
One honeymoon to Hawaii
7 foreign countries
Hundreds of overnights to in-laws (ok more wear on me)
4 Massachusetts winters (salt, salt salt)
6 Maine winters (sand, sand, sand)
5 Commuter bikes
One commuter bag
I thought inaguration day would be a fitting day (and a 30%
sale at the Freeport outlet was pretty convincing) to retire the old
bag, clean it up and give it a rest until my next vacation. So, I bought
one of the newer Critical Mass bags and I must say the improvements are
astounding in functionality and comfort. I hope to write you in another
ten years to say how much I've enjoyed this bag. One minor improvement
for the next incarnation--a lanyard on the keyring to make it easier
to get the keys out when the bag is shouldered.
As always I will continue to enjoy all of my clothes and gear from
Patagonia, if I can only wear them out. Unfortunately, Bikeman doesn't sell
Patagonia products, but I thought I should at least mention how well this
product held up for me. |
