cole’s brother jeff had (and probably still has) an ortlieb messenger bag way back before i had a real need for a messenger bag, just years ago. you know, i still haven’t found a reason for a messenger bag. i’m not a messenger.
  i went through the motions of becoming a messenger a while back. i got as far as a sit-down with the dispatcher and things were looking pretty swell, but then some other wise-guy walked in with something called “experience”. damn.
  in hindsight i’m kinda glad that the experienced stranger walked in and got the job. i love riding my bike and i wouldn’t want something i love to get ruined by becoming a job.                                          
  back when i was coming up as a young skateboarder i was never really into trying to get sponsored like everyone else was. i just had a feeling, even at that younger (dumber) age that i wouldn’t want to trade something i love for a paycheck, “get out there and ride that skateboard or you’re off the team” or “get out there and ride that bike or you won’t make rent this month!” junk like that would just make me resent my bike or skateboard. you know? 
anyway, we got this ortlieb waterproof messenger bag to try out. fortunately it’s a backpack and not one of those other one-strap-pain-in-the-ass kinda things, so that’s a bonus. when you fill those other bags too full it feels like somebody really big (andre the giant maybe) is putting you in a half nelson. wrestling moves shouldn’t have a thing in common with riding bikes. ever.
  ortlieb’s design kinda makes the backpack look like a rocket pack, so there’s that. if you think rocket packs look rad, this is a big thumb’s up. if you think that rocket packs are lame then i would suggest something else, i guess.  i’ve gotten many compliments at the grocery store bike rack though.
  “waterproof as hell” should appear in fine print somewhere on the bag. these things most definitely keep all water out. this thing did such a rad job of keeping water out that i’m playing with the idea of filling it with water and riding around to see if it keeps water in it as well as it keeps it out. i’m lazy though, so this part might take a while.
  apparently there’s a fancier model with all kinds of pockets and what-not, but the version i have is basically just a big open space for groceries. yeah, it’s my grocery getter. it gets groceries well, plenty of room for everything i need. and when it gets full the sternum strap is a big bonus, keeping things snug up front. 
  for all you safety nerds there’s a hint of reflective junk on it, so everyone knows where you’re at. just to make sure you might want to get a big orange flag for your bike. maybe fly some american flags off your helmet. get some lights for you and your bike while you’re at it too. you can never be too safe. adjust that helmet strap!
  just lookin’ out for ya. if I don’t, and tupac don’t, who will?

xoxo  - derek