Okay, so although I’ve only played bike polo once before, it has become a rather frequent topic around recently. I look forward to playing many rounds this summer and decided today that I should fabricate a mallet. As explained on Hardcourt Bike Polo’s site ( http://www.hardcourtbikepolo.com/?page_id=6 ) these is a very practical method of constructing a mallet with an old ski pole and some piping. This seems to be a pretty solid method.

However, I thought it would be nice to sport an all wooden mallet….for kicks.

So here it is.

2 hours later…..I named it Zarathustra. And if you get it (besides that it’s a novel character), then…well I want to make love on your face.

LARGE VERSION - link

I’ve been trying to draw up a pattern for a while now based on my most recent findings. This isn’t necessarily the best version, but it includes the features I’m looking for in my next run. It looks like a big project.

Maybe the pattern can help out any other would-be bag makers as well.

Love, peace, and pizza.

The Casper bag has proven it’s worth so far. However it needed a proper weight and load test.

Experiment:
Test the load capabilities of Casper bag and impress girlfriend with a harvest of Trader Joe’s goods.

Results:

• Purchase goods and load bag.
• Bike to girlfriends domicile with loaded bag.
  
  
• Present loaded bag to girlfriend. Endure ridicule.
  
• Watch gleeful surprise of girlfriend as she discovers goods.
  
• Total goods count: 3 bags of rice cakes (plain), 1 package of Chicken & Cheese Tamales (2ct), 2 packages of Cheese Enchiladas (awesome), 1 loaf of whole wheat sourdough, 1 8×10 sketch book, 1 sharpie, 1 Foray gel pen, 1 box of Marlboros, 1 Marconi lighter, 1 crescent wrench mutli-tool, 1 bike tool, 1 roll of quarters, 1 Kryptonite U-lock
  
• Sexy Results!
  

Thanks to: Trader Joe’s & The Amazing Genevieve

Piece(s):

Notes:
This “Casper” bag is the product of some hard research and a bit of practicing making other bags. Although this bag is truly featureless (no pcokets or anything like that), it is a real sign of progress and hope for me.

“Casper” is a turning point in my bag design and production. Even if I did break my sewing machine finishing it. (Not to self: get machine fixed.)

Thing that make this bag special:

• Recycled Military Rubber-ish liner (with printed description of what it held previously)
• Metallic silver padded shoulder (material from an old food delivery bag)
• Main strap buckle (for quick release)
• Sternum strap (for stabilizing)
• Overstrap on should pad (for clipping phone, bottle, walkies, etc.)

Things to take into consideration for “Casper’s” soon-to-be born brother:

• Pocketing
• Strap attachment at begging of main stitching
• Velcro attachment before main stitching
• Trimming during main stitching
• Designed dimensions

Until then I am a super happy camper.

This is Carmen. She is a singlespeed, coaster brake equipped wonder. And tomorrow she will leave me for another. I love her so, but it must be.

Goodbye Carmen.

Now I really CAN go faster.

Bag Beta….SUCCESS!
This bag was a huge step for me. But first, things first. Photo dump….then see detail below.

-bag itself-

-bag on hot model-

As I said, the production of this big was a big step for me. I did it in about the same time as the first bag, but with planning and being less rusty on my machine, I made a superior product.

As you can see I added the following features:
• Padded shoulder strap (words were a nice touch too)
• Shorter top-flap
• Inside pocket (has proved very useful)
• Sternum strap (for stabilizing when riding)
• Much taller

With all of these additions and a big growth in the pattern, I feel I am on the road to building the best bag. The bag rides pretty well, but the strap could use improvement in placement. As you will also notice, there were two beers missing from the six-pack in my demonstration, so I’m off to rest now and think more about the pattern.

Goals for the next bag version:
• Better top-flap
• More pockets and/or large pocket on outside, under top-flap
• Fabric trim to take off the sharp edges
• Better strap placement

That’s about all for now. Tune in later.