New Gear for my Bike: Pannier, Waterproof Pannier Cover, and Rearview Mirror for Glasse

So excited that I found inexpensive waterproof pannier covers for the new panniers I ordered from Ebay last week.

Pannier cover

 Hopefully they won't be so cheap that they'll rip right away.  If they are, at least buying them will give me a chance to figure out the pattern so I can make my own set.  It basically looks like big pieces of waterpoof material with elastic, or maybe a pull tie.  I ordered them from this seller on ebay.

Panniers I bought on ebay.

 I plan to use them to cover the panniers I purchased, as seen in the photo above.  Both items are coming from China so will not get here for a month. It's August 25th now, so they should be in by the end of September.  The people who sold the pannier cover sent me an email saying they were shipped yesterday, and if they don't arrive by the 29th of September to contact them.

Take a Look Mirror

 I also ordered the Take a Look Mirror from Ebay.
It was located in the USA and arrived very quickly, within days of ordering.  I tried the mirror out for the first time on Bike Ride 14, a few days ago, and it works very well but takes some getting used to.  I wondered if people would react to it when they saw me wearing it, but the only people who gave me a hard time about them were my parents.  I don't care how they look to others; I only care about road safety.  Now I have a better view of what's coming up behind me, and that means a lot to me.  I think these are brilliant; so much better than the rear view mirror on my bike, which just gives me a view of myself, lol.

Hilda

I found this Hilda cartoon online and cracked up, as that could be me and Benji and my bike...except I wouldn't be caught dead in a bikini, lol.  Also, my hair does have red highlights, but is more brown than red, lol.

I'm not feeling great today.  I feel achy all over and have been wheezing all night and morning, despite my ventolin. Normally when I feel like this, it means I'm coming down with the flu.  I sure hope not.  I had hoped to go for  another bike ride today but I'm not sure I'll be able to. I'll see how I feel later.  I can always try to ride, just in the neighborhood, and if I don't feel well, just turn around and come home.  I had planned on going to Fort Creek but my Dad says it's very hilly and there's no way I could walk hills today, let alone bike them.

I Bought Panniers!

I'm so excited!  I bought some inexpensive panniers from Ebay last night and they've already been shipped.

The photo below is from Ebay.

Bike Panniers from Ebay

They are water resistant but not waterproof, but I have no intention of riding in the rain, so that should be OK.  I can always spray them with a waterproofing spray, or cover them with something if I get caught in rain accidentally.  I'd also pack things inside plastic bags before placing them inside if I was worried about them getting wet.
I don't know for how long this link will work, as it's dependent on how many items the seller has, but these are the panniers I bought: 
Roswheel Bike Panniers on Ebay

I found a  few cool Youtube video reviews of the panniers.  The guy who did the reviews bought a lighter color, but I went with black in hopes they wouldn't show the dirt as much.

 

Yesterday I found Nashbar rear panniers for only $14.99 US, but I didn't order them because I figured they must be really cheap.  Today I thought, shoot, for under 15 dollars, I should order them anyway and maybe can use them on the front of the bike.  Even though I'd saved them in my cart, the price had changed and they were now $69.00!  Bummer; I should have bought them. I'll check for them again periodically and if they ever go on sale like that again, I'll snap them up.
Nashbar panniers

I am so excited, lol!  I am one step closer to being able to go on tour. It will take about a month for the panniers to come in, so I won't be able to go until late fall, or next year, even, but it's something to look forward to, and to dream about.  Even if I just do an overnight tour, it will be something new, something fun, something to look forward to.  Now if only I could find someone to go with me, lol.  None of my friends ride bikes, and making new cycling friends wouldn't work because I would not be able to keep up with them.  If I go by myself, I'll definitely have to buy a cellphone so I can make an emergency phone call if need be.

I'm very excited, lol.