They are designed how I want them to be, and that matters. My small bike lock is in the outside pocket on the left, easily accessible when I want to pop into a supermarket for more supplies or stop for a coffee too enjoy a magnificent view. The two sides of the main compartment are clipped together by a small internally mounted buckle that means the bag retains it shape and the contents don’t sag to the bottom. My top tube bags have zips that open from the end to the middle which makes for much easier access of stuff on the move. And the bags surf that line between being light enough to avoid adding unnecessary weight in themselves whilst strong enough to cope with the abuse.

I’ve battled deep mud, survived torrential rain and basked in glorious hot sunshine, but no matter the conditions, the bags keep doing their thing.

These have not been my first bike bags. Other options from other companies I tested were ok, but did not quite fit my frame, or had inadequate straps to keep everything in place, or worse, in one case the zip failed leaving me with a gaping, sagging hole useless for anything.

In contrast, being able to specify to Bike-BAG.co.uk the size and shape, number of pockets and which way the zips ran combined with a very well made robust manufacturing process has resulted in a solution that’s just right for me. The Great Divide Bike Route beckons and at least I know my bags are up to the job, the question is will I be? Time for some more training trips..