Rant: Got my backpack caught in my own spokes at 7th and Main

I was biking to work downtown last Tuesday, cruising down 7th street near Main, and my loose backpack strap got sucked right into my rear spokes. It was like 8 AM and traffic was picking up. The bike jerked to a stop so hard I almost flew over the handlebars. I had to pull over on the curb and cut the strap with my multitool to free it. Took me 15 minutes to untangle the mess and my brand new backpack is ruined. Now I always tie my straps up short or use a bungee net over my rack. Has anyone else dealt with a backpack eating your wheel mid commute?

2 comments

2 Comments

grayjohnson9d ago

Same thing happened to me last year on my way to the grocery store. Dangling strap snagged my rear spokes and I ended up with a bent wheel and a completely shredded backpack. Now I tuck the straps into my waistband before I even start pedaling. Learned that one the hard way.

davis.ivan9d ago

Man I feel your pain. Now I just stuff those straps under my belt loops before I even swing a leg over the bike.