Traffic Cone Blog

Merry Christmas from Traffic Cone Bag mission control!

2011-12-14T05:17:00.000-08:00

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me ...

Ka-chingle bells ... stuck for a gift for the person who has everything-made-in-China? Consider this: a Made-in-New-York-City Traffic Cone Bag! This bag is starting to pop up in the strangest places around the planet.

For all Xmas 2011 orders I've been throwing in 2 starter sheets of Lightweights reflectors worth $10, handy for blinging up your bike, helmet, shoes ...

... NOT another Bed, Bath & Beyond voucher for stuff I already got!

Not one of those generic round tins of shortbread cookies everyone gives away ...

Not something made by underpaid elves working in sweatshop conditions ...

... but a Traffic Cone Bag in a pear tree!

It's a snap!

2011-11-09T07:32:00.000-08:00

UPDATE, Oct 2011:

New for Oct 2011: A black(ish) metal button snap.
This is now the default unless you specify otherwise.

BLACK SNAP (standard, if you don't specify).
The new, discreet snap closure. The fabric of the bag fills the centre of the snap.

This may well come back to bite me on the butt, but I'm allowing you to specify whether you want an orange, silver or black visible ring for your snap ON THE BLACK SIDE (on the orange side it will always be orange). The default is black. Let me know when you order.

Silver snap.

Orange snap.

"Small things amuse small minds," my father use to say.

Well forgive me for my gnat-sized cerebellum today, but I'm excited about the new snaps I've been putting on my bag - by hand.

The original TCB had a snapless front pocket, which worked fine - I typically used the pocket for a magazine with my jacket stuffed on top and my cellphone stuffed deep, and wear it against my back for security.

But the launch of the new, bigger Guyfromdownunder TCB with its bigger, New-York-Times-unrolled pocket begged a little closure to stop it yawning on the way to the coffee shop. One TCB owner had already sewn a piece of velcro to his bag, and discovered how awful velcro is for this particular svlete application. Who hasn't had their clothes ripped up by Velcro?

The first batch of Guy TCB's had a rather large, heavy duty snap, painstakingly handsewn by Caroline Fu. Like this:

The OLD, handsewn snap. I have a bag of these languishing in my bottom drawer if anyone wants them!

Since then, I've discovered a nifty little snap maker by SnapSource. It's basically a three-part plastic gizmo you sandwich the fabric and snap prongy parts with, then whack it with a hammer - here's the Snapsource how-to video. And here's the kit - a hammer, the snap setter, and the male/female snaps.

My friend Monika said she's had a kit like this for years - "from the time when it was fashionable to put press snaps on your jeans and shirts for decoration." Xanadu ... Xanadu woo-ooo ...

So, a couple of whacks later (plus a couple of tentative little ones to make sure), here's the result:

Using the rare silver snap. Most people want the black.

Great, except to be truly minimalist, these underparts should be BLACK. Especially for those who use my 3-1 TCB in the third "musette" mode, where you turn the black pocket inside out to make a smaller bag. Refresh your memory by watching the video. I asked SnapSource inventor Jeanine Twigg about this, and she got her Made in 'Merica factory (good one you Jeanine!) to rustle up some all-black prototypes. And here's the result ...

All-black vs silver 'undersides' of the snaps:

Snap Source now make (in 'mercia!) matte black snaps to make your TCB truly ruly stealth

All-black snaps installed on a couple of TCB's:

A couple of whacks (actually three plus one for good measure) and .... it's a snap!

Jeanine says she's worked hard with her factory to make sure the black won't rub off. Since I'm the prototyper I hope to hear from you folks about how they are wearing.

SO WHCH TO CHOOSE?

As I said above, BLACK SNAPS ARE BETTER FOR MUSETTE MODE: Does anyone use the TCB in that trippy third i.e. "dressy little shoulder bag" mode (see TCB demo video if you don't know what I'm talking about 'cos it's dang impossible to explain)? If so, snaps are best all black, inside out and outside in.

Below: And how does it look on the body? Here I am in Caroline Fu's studio ($20 retro paisley dress courtesy of Happening Fashions Wholesale, 209 W37th St NY):

So how does the orange side of the snap look? Very orange!

The orange side has an orange ring. Not a true match (navel vs valencia) but not bad.

This is on the non-pocket side of the bag, the side against your back when riding the bike (or walking) in orange mode. The small stud falls between your shoulders and should not be felt.

Yes, I know it should ideally be hidden INSIDE the bag, installed before the bag is all sewn up, but logistically, for this little 1-woman project, it's easier to do it on the finished product.

If you want to send your bag bag for me to retro-fit the snap, email me. I'll have to charge you a nominal amount to cover postage, snaps and time, otherwise you can always go to the SnapSource site at www.snapsource.com and become a happy snapper yourself. It's a little tricky to get right, be prepared for a couple of wasted snaps as you whack the wrong side, get it off center etc.

Thank you for your intense interest in the Galfromdownunder, made Upover Traffic Cone Bag.
Can you stand more of this? Go join the TCB Facebook Fan Page.

Q: How to you make a minimalist bag? A: Start with a piece of fabric and take away everything that's not bag

2011-02-06T15:40:00.000-08:00

Today a friend was pick-pocketed in the subway - her stylish, backpack-style purse was zipped opened and her wallet taken, "first time in 25 years living in NYC."

Stuff in zippered compartments on your back is asking to be robbed.

The Traffic Cone Bag, worn with the black pocket against your back and closed tight, is "lite" security by design - light fingers can't get at your stuff without slashing it with a knife.

Wearing the TCB the security-conscious way - drawn closed, the outside pocket against your body

It's all part of designing only what you have to, or "minimalist design."

I learned something about this from my advertising days at Saatchi:

Q: How do you carve an elephant from a block of wood?
A: Take a block of wood and remove everything that's not elephant.

Minimalist industrial design has always been my first love.

When designing this bag to be 'everything you need and nothing you don't', I found myself re-thinking the actual wearing process, and how that interaction with the body might influence the design.

For example, you need somewhere to put your cellphone. This would normally suggest a pocket with some kind of closure - a zip, button, that awful velcro stuff that rips into delicate fabric if you brush against it - to keep it secure.

In the above picture, Linda is wearing the bag with the large black pocket against her back rather than facing out.

Not only is the patch pocket deep enough to drop items into and have them stay there, wearing the bag in this way replaces the need for a zip.

What's wrong with a zip? Adds cost, bulk, and looks like, well, a zip. It's just not minimal, and the zip can catch and break.

I have though, conceded to adding a single snap closure you can eyeball on this post. That's to stop the lip from gaping somewhat when open.

Of course there's nothing wrong with these closures. But unless you're specifically designing a bling thing (and I like crazy bling too), re-thinking how an object is used in a holistic sense leads to no more - or less - than a perfect elephant.

TCB security at your favorite bar

Stayin' Alive, stayin' alive ... new Scotchlite strip is here

2010-11-10T22:01:00.000-08:00

Just in time for Christmas 2010: the latest incarnation of the TCB now sports a life-saving scotchlite strip for safe travels in low light (like, way past your bedtime).

The strip is actually centered on neon orange grosgrain ribbon, which blends nicely with the screaming neon orange polyester. Caroline insists that she needs to sew 4 rows of stitching to do it right, when I was pretty sure the two outer ones would suffice, but hey, never argue with an expert!

Pair it with your blinky light on the elastic loop, and you're hot to trot in the darkest night (with your dark knight).

Of course, you can add even more life-saving bling to your TCB with iron-on Lightweights. I sell a starter sheet. You can stick them on your helmet, bike and other bling-starved accoutrements. The second shot below shows them applied to my original prototype TCB circa 2007 in a whimsical flower pattern:

The reason I don't sell it like this - men may object. So iron 'em on in whatever pattern you want yourself, OK?


Lightweights added to helmet and an original TCB from way back (no pockets)


Lightweights starter set

I recently did a special commission for some New York Cycle Club folks. Special Scotchlite jobs like this are a little involved but can be done:

The price of the TCB with scotchlite strip will remain the same for 2010, as a special introductory offer. Buy a handy TCB, stay visible on the road, stylish at night (yes, it's reversible to black in case you missed that detail) and support the local economy.

Note: Remember that the TCB can also be used for walking and running. Runners can unclip the straps and cross them over the chest to make the bag sit closer and not flop around.

Buy your TCB here

Night Riding: New scotchlite strip for 2011

2010-10-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

UPDATE! New for 2011:

All TCB's now come with a 3M Scotchlite grosgrain strip down the center orange pocket, courtesy of my fabric supplier, Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics. Now you can combine it with your blinky light + optional Lightweights reflectors and you're ready for the darkest night ...

Caroline Fu and I prepare to execute another run of TCB's, this time with the new reflective strip.

The orange pockets have to be just a leeeeetle wider to accommodate the 3/4" scothchlite strip.


The view from Caroline's shared workroom, her trusty industrial Juki sewing machine close at hand +++ A little note from Clay and Rob in the tech dept at 3M: "Highway standard ANSI 107 requires a minium RA of 330 (level 2) for their safety garments. If you are using the reflective material as a safety item, I would recommend keep the brightness above that value." I asked them to geek on a bit more: We take a brightness reading per ASTM standards. Our silver (ie. what is seen on highway workers vests) has a typical brightness values of 500 ...

The stripe I use as an RA of 500.

The new bags will retail for $55 and $65, an increase of $5 to cover the cost of materials, Caroline's time and so forth. Yes, it's a little pricey to be making things in 'merica, but I thank you for supporting local talent, labor and materials. We'll get out of this mess yet!

+++

Some non-3M tape sold in the NYC Garment District. I've been experimenting with these too.

Up until now, I've been selling a starter sheet of the Lightweights reflectors that you can iron on yourself. They work nicely and last at least a few years, at which time you can put new ones over the old. Read about Lightweights here:
http://trafficconebag.blogspot.com/2010/07/stayin-alive-stayin-alive-lightweights.html

They also work great applied to your helmet, spokes etc:

Of course, as you can see above, you should hang a good blinky light off the provided elastic loop for even more visibility.
Thanks!

Fashion Week: Put it in reverse and let's ride, please!

2010-09-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

You can't tell a NYer how to look fashionable in Fashion Week - it's black and black.

It's Fashion Week (Sep 13-19) - everyone wants to be seen - so how come I couldn't convince Lynne to wear her TCB orange side out when biking?

"I like it black!" she says, jumping on her folding bike after coming to my Chelsea Rec yoga class then eating a killer pad thai at Cafe Zemi. Looks like you can't take the black out of the NYer ...

Fortunately, the little loop for the blinky light on the orange side is elastic and stretchy, and can be flipped over the lip of the bag to light up the black side, as she has done in the pic above. But the bag was meant for stayin' alive, and that's what both the orange color + elastic loop for your blinky light + the optional Lightweights reflectors are for. Read my TCB Night Visibility rant.

The Power of Two: I put all my stuff in an inner bag - a TCB in black mode - and pop it inside the larger TCB in orange mode. Then when you want it black you just whip out the inner bag and leave the larger one at home. When doubled up, you have extra cavities you can stuff things into. Of course this sounds like I'm trying to sell you two bags ... but all I can say is that's what *I* do and it works well. You have an an outer bag for the impromptu trip to Trader Joe's, which can be slung over handlbars or worn over the other on on your back - get my drift?

Speaking of Fashion Week, Benepe's Bike Blog featured a some cool cycle threads that would go great with my bag. It's written by journo and apparel designer Jennifer Benepe, who clearly knows what We Wheel Women Want - a decidedly un-matronly wardrobe for being seen in all the right places, please!

And for more bedtime surfing, take an Anna Wintour seat at my multimedia expose of the fascinating collaboration between Bike Friday and the NY designer Telfar Clemens in 2008.

Buy the TCB | TCB on Facebook

The TCB gets 4 stars in RoadBikeRider.com!

2010-08-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

The TCB reviewed by the legendary Jim Langley, bicycle aficionado and all-round nice guy: http://www.jimlangley.net

How much of a coup is this? Let me tell you - you're talking to a readership of 63,000 largely male, largely hardcore roadies, many of whom wouldn't carry so much as a spare tube let alone the air to fill it if they flatted mid-sprint. RBR's resident mirthman Scott Martin ("Scott's Spin") wrote about this breed some time ago in his hilarious In the Bag piece. Excerpt:

*Minimalist*. Seat bag contains: ---1 tube with valve cap and stem nut removed to save weight ---1 tire iron ---1 glueless patch ---1 CO2 cartridge (or mini-pump not exceeding 2.5 inches in length) Motto: "Don't you know how much a hex wrench weighs?"

*Leech*. Seat bag contains: ---Nothing. Doesn't use seat bag. Ruins bike's "pro" look. Motto: "Thanks for the tube. I'll pay you back on the next ride." Read the rest

To address the "Not!" about limited capacity - both small and large bags comfortably hold a helmet. But it's not supposed to carry a life support system - just an errand-support system. You can actually put one inside the other and create even more "pocket space".

Quite a few of Lon Haldeman's PACTOUR riders now sport a TCB at Desert Camp. "We can spot 'em from the support van a mile away."

But what about the times you're not in training, but simply heading out for a more leisurely spin or to get something? What if you commute? And what about the many RoadBikeRideHER readers? Yes, there are hardcore roadie women to, but we women have lives off the bike - and we like stuff that is useful, unobtrusive, multifunctional, and uh, a little bit sexy, please.

The RBR editors, faithful to their cause, were initially leery of my little bag. Indeed, there are smaller, lighter, cheaper or completely free backpacks out there, usually with some ugly graphic on it and cords that cut into your shoulders. Yes there are ones that are orange. Yes there are ones that are black. Yes there are ones that are completely waterproof, even though statistically most people avoid intentionally riding in the rain. But not many of them do most of the above things so simply and stylishly.

The TCB is a minimalist, versatile little bag that screams "Share the road/path" when you want it to, and reverses to a stealth black when you don't (board meetings, red carpet functions).

It's handmade made by Caroline Fu in her tiny workshop in the NY Garment District rabbit warren, thus stimulating the local economy.

Read about Caroline on my FastCompany.com post: New York, New York, If I can Make It There, I'll Not Make It Elsewhere

You can get Caroline to sew you a nice jacket like she did for Denzel Washington in An American Gangster, or a meticulously detailed dress like she did when she headed up Ralph Lauren's cutting room - before everything got outsourced to China and she and others lost their jobs. Call her on (917) 660-4673 (NYC).

Art Hellebusch isn't afraid to be seen in the TCB! Read about the amazing Art Hellebusch

Here's League of American Bicyclists Education Director Preston Tyree talking about his Traffic Cone "iBag":

And here's Ciclismo Classico founder Lauren Hefferon modeling it at 15 mph:

Remind yourself of how the TCB works by watching the original TrafficConeBag demo movie featuring bfold.com's David Lam.

As you can see, there's a loop at the top for your blinky light for night riding, but if you add a sprinkling of the optional Lightweights reflectors in whatever trippy pattern you want you're good to be seen on the darkest night:

Thank you to reviewer and former Bicycling Magazine senior editor, Jim Langley, who must have convinced RBR it's What Wheel Women Want. Who is Jim Langley? The legendary bicycle aficionado and all-round nice guy: http://www.jimlangley.net

VIDEO: Leverless Langley's Tire Removal trick

Buy a TCB here

Stayin' alive, stayin' alive: Lightweights Reflectors Starter Sheet

2010-07-18T22:11:00.000-07:00

UPDATE! As of Nov 2010 the Traffic Cone Bag comes standard with this 3M Scotchlite Strip. But you can still add these reflectors for even more bling. Read on ..

For those who ride at night and want more visibility than their blinky light attached to the convenient elastic loop, I carry a small supply of Lightweights Reflector 'starter sets'.

These are unpackaged single sheets of 16 ovals that you can arrange however you like.

Here, I've used the entire sheet to make this flower pattern. You rub each down through its paper backing oval with a fingernail. Finally you peel off the paper backing, then dry iron briefly through a sheet of baking paper.

The Lightweights starter sheet I sell for $5.
I'm feeling generous and will probably throw in 2 sheets until I run out.

Presto! Stayin' alive, stayin' alive ... Of course, you can attach them to the black side instead, but why would a minimalist metrosexual want to do that? They also go great on helmets, jackets and gloves.

You can sleuth for a special Gal discount code if you download the above instruction sheet.

Lightweights Corp donates a portion of the profits to charity, so you'll be supporting good causes all round, including your life!

Download Lightweights Instruction Sheet + Gal Discount Code

Buy 'em from me

TCB: Making the straps a leeeeetle bit longer

2010-06-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

A simple carabiner from any dollar store add length the straps. Buy a quality one from a camping store for extra strength.

In the spirit of K.I.S.S. I've tried to keep the straps of the TCB's One Size Fits Most. And indeed they do. When the bag is laid flat and the top is opened completely, the strap lengths are cut as follows:

Small TCB: 54" (or about 13" exposed length)
Large TCB: 56" (or about 14" exposed length)

It's better that they're a bit shorter than longer, because it's a real pain the the a to make them shorter (the join and strap anchoring stitches have to be in just the right place, ends cauterized with a flame and stitched etc).

But if you want to make them longer, it's simple. Buy an inexpensive, stylish black carabiner like the ones sold at the store I'm currently working at, EMS*. Or you can get a real el cheapo kind from $2 stores.

You simply insert the carabiner between the D-ring and snap hook at the bottom corner of each bag. Viola!

* Read about my part time gig at EMS

Have you seen the neat video of a TCB Customer Preston Tyree and his "Traffic Cone iBag"? Take a look - and join the TCB Facebook Fan Page just for the hill of it. http://www.facebook.com/trafficconebag

TCB: How small does it go?

2010-05-28T07:23:00.000-07:00

How small does the TCB roll up? Above, you can see the Gal (13") and Guy (15") versions rolled up next to a standard small Kleen Kanteen water bottle.

Not ultra small, but not so big either. Small, ultralight bags that squash into a matchbox do exist for race day and hardcore roadie rides, but the TCB is meant as a hybrid.

From League of American Bicyclists Education Director Preston Tyree:

The TCB is for hard core city riding. Highly visible getting to the City Council meeting with my camera, iPad and keyboard inside and then turns inside out for the presentation to the Council Members so I don’t look any dorkier than usual. I have a blinky on the hook that looks like a reflector but turns on to light up. Wide straps are good when I load it down with camera and iPad.

Preston, we love you stylish and dorky, but we think someone beat you to it!

Here's Ciclismo Classico grand dame Lauren Hefferon wearing it on a commute in Boston:

You know you want one!

TCB in Arizona

2010-03-12T22:36:00.000-08:00

Stayin' alive, staying alive ... The TCB is proving popular at Arizona Desert Camp - 7th great year.
I sold almost everything I brought on Day 1.
Check out the shots of the Traffic Cone Bag on the TCB Facebook Fan Page

Bill Donovan (above) and Bob Kenner (below) show this bag isn't just for da gals.

Stayin' alive in the Bahamas with the TCB

2010-01-20T21:47:00.000-08:00

Someone's gotta do it! The traffic is nutty so my TCB gave me a sense of security, false or otherwise.
See Bike Friday in the Bahamas for the scoop.

Below, the TCB married with a hippy dippy string top, circa when-I-was-twenty-something. That's the beauty of a simple, black bag - dress it up or down as you need. Here, I believe I have a Timbuktu cellphone holder velcroed around the straps. The most common customer comment? "I use it every day."

I was also fortunate to meet the CEO of John Hardy jewelry and hear the story of how his baubles really are made with the greater good in mind. His company is the biggest foreign employer in Bali, structures labor so that mother and grandmothers can work from home and not have to pay for childcare, and pays workers a decent living wage. The idea being, stimulate the local economy while making a beautiful thing.
Read about it on my Galfromdownunder Upover blog.

Traffic Cone Bag: Bigger, Guyfromdownunder Version

2009-11-25T09:17:00.000-08:00

NOTE! New for 2011, both TCB's now come with a vertical reflective strip.

There's a second TCB to choose from now.

Update April 2010: New shot on TCB Facebook Fan Page

The new, larger "Guyfromdownunder" (for want of a better term) version, pictured left:

15" wide x 18" deep
3/4" straps.
Orange pockets are deeper and wider to take larger water bottles (and rolled up issues of Carbon Fiber Enthusiast?)
Black pocket is 13" wide x 14" deep - holds an unfolded copy of the New York Times, or a large x-ray - like the one of my sprained ankle in Singapore.

The original, smaller "Galfromdownunder" pictured right:

13" wide by 17" deep
Slender, 1/2" straps
Orange pockets take regular water bottles
Black pocket is 11" wide x 13" deep - holds holds a manila folder or whatever trashy magazine takes your fancy.

Both feature a new ANSI orange polyester neon orange lining, which is more water resistant than the previous version. Both use the new, 2.2oz black Supplex fabric - slightly less bulk than the 4oz original, but still very sturdy, with a subtle sheen.

Both bags do not interfere with jersey pockets.

Here's how they compare in "city mode", on 5'0", 95 lb me - as you can see, the smaller one (first picture) suits a pipsqueak:

The larger one takes that x-ray and the New York Times unrolled:

Mind you, I've been carrying the small one inside the big one, in whatever orange/black combo is most logical. So, when I want to spend time on or off the bike, I just whip out the inner bag rather than empty the contents, reverse and re-pack.

Having one inside the other creates two extra sleeves to stuff things in. Handy for buying extra stuff on the way home - you can wear "one over the other". You can also, at a pinch, sling it over your handlebars like this, thanks to the quick-release snap hooks on the straps.

Steve Chang commented that the straps cinch nice and evenly. This is because each strap is secured in place by a few stitches at the top where they loop around. If you have an earlier TCB that keeps exposing the raggedy join in the straps, simply stretch open the neck of the bag wide, make sure the straps are even, and stitch the strap to the channel at those four points. The new straps are also cauterized with a flame to stop any fraying. You can do this with a lighter on your early TCB too.

SNAP CLOSURE: I've made a departure from my no-frills rule. As an experiment, the November 2009 Guyfromdownunder batch has a big, black, snap closure on the black pocket. Ideally it would be riveted on with a big, black, industrial machine, but since this is handmade, Caroline has handsewn it to start. You can remove it if you don't use it. But it does stop the pocket from gaping some when empty:

If you turn the bag inside out into musette mode you will of course see the "male" part of the snap on the outside lip of the pocket. I'm guessing that few guys do that, but I'm begging off putting it on the Gal version for now. Your thoughts? Post comments at TCB Reviews.

Update: I now use a more conventional snap. I'm offering people a choice of silver, orange or black, an offer that might well come back to haunt me, but let's see if anyone takes me up on it.

Read about and order the TCB here

Traffic Cone Bag (TM) in a New York state of mind

2009-09-26T20:26:00.000-07:00

So far, TCB customers have sent along plenty of shots of the bag in orange mode, but few in black mode. So I thought I'd fill the void. This shot was taken in the lobby of the Standard Hotel, Chelsea, Manhattan. The dress is a Wolford Fatal tube - the perfect travelin' gal's glamor gear - imagine the leg one very black stocking for one very corpulent person, cut with scissors at the thigh and ankle, and that's pretty much the Wolford Fatale. As you can see, the TCB in black mode blends right in. It could (should?) be teamed with this getup in the 'musette' or 'little shoulder bag' mode.

"I used the musette mode when I went to the opera" ventured Melanie (above), last seen with her TCB helping out at the Bike Friday booth for Escape New York, Sep 2009 - watch for Lindsay Lauder talking about this security feature at 1:10 min into the movie on that link.

A whole new version will appear 1 October 2009: an inch wider all round, 2" deeper black pocket, 2" deeper orange dual pocket, 3/4" straps (were 1/2"), and a new ANSI orange more waterproof fabric.

Stand by, order from my store

3-in-1 Reversible Traffic Cone Bag™ Customer Reviews

2009-09-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

SEE ALL REVIEWS

Write your review here!
If you're a customer and you like your TCB, please leave a comment on this post or on the TCB Facebook Fan Page.

TCB CUSTOMER PHOTO GALLERY
All about the Traffic Cone Bag

+++

September 10, 2009: Lynette,

The bag I won at your generous Weekday Cyclists raffle was so appreciated by Randy, when we recently biked from Lexington MA to (almost) Boston on their wonderful bike trails. She was so pleased with the design, workmanship, and usefulness. - Joseph

Lauren Hefferon, principal of multi-award-winning Friday Friendly bicycle tour company Cicilsmo Classico, says: Ciao Lynette. I have been loving your Galdown Under Napsack...whatever you call it. One of our backpacks was stolen and we needed another one to carry water and extra layers. Now I am using it to carry my laptop. I love the bright color!

April 14, 2009: Danny Chiang is a New York architect, Bike Friday owner and brevet aficionado - he likes the bag in "musette" mode. "It's a New York bag!" he declares. Shot in Chelsea's Senegalese-French cafe, Patisseries des Ambassades

TCB News for August 2009

2009-08-25T11:58:00.000-07:00

Yep, guys like it to - Doug Faunt shows off his all-matching TCB look. Best thing is, if he decided to ditch the orange jacket, he'd still be seen ...

Hi TCB folks,

Bicycle bags are de rigueur, clearly! Take a look at this article

1. One of my Bike Friday customers, Angelo Zinna, would love to see a picture of a dog wearing, or being carried in, a TCB for his site: http://www.pleasefeedthedog.com/
http://www.pleasefeedthedog.com/
I told him I'd ask the folks who actually bought the bag, so if you can get your schnauzer's snout artfully noosed in the drawstring neck or carrying your stuff, be my guest! cc me too.

2. I have a handful of the current design remaining before switching to a new, more waterproof, ANSI standard material I've finally managed to source, thanks to Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics in Idaho. It's more the color of fresh squeeze orange juice - um, irradiated to high heaven. Although waterproof sounds "better". you have to remember you're trading off breathability. For wear against the body, its better that it's not like a plastic bag. Which is why I didn't got buy Ortlieb impermeable orange material or something ballistic like that.

3. I recommend getting a second one (and no, I'm not going to retire in Belize because you bought another one) - because when using it daily it's handy to have your stuff in the orange one, and slip the black one over it for dress use without emptying the stuff out. (Of course, you can always put your stuff in an inner bag too). This action creates another set of compartments, and you can use it as a spare bag in case you blow out at WholePayCheck, sorry, WholeFoods. If you want a second one I will sell it to you at 20% off, that's $40 not $50, just to be nice and since you already drank the Kool Aid.

4. The new ones will be ready in September. I will try to offer them at the same price even though the new fabric is more expensive. Any feedback as to improvements - please send them along. As long as they don't cost an arm and a leg I'll see what I can do - but this is Made in 'Merica. My sewing lady Caroline had to move to a smaller studio space because she could not pay the rent on her current Garment District office - so you really are giving someone a livelihood.

5. Improvements: I'm going to beg Caroline to cauterize the ends of the straps before they're joined so they don't fray. She didn't think this was necessary but I do. And also, to secure them with a black stitch or two to the channel so the join doesn't swing around to the openings at the sides. This improvement was done in the last batch, and is easily done with a needle and thread yourself if that's happening to yours. Ask me if you need advice on that.

6. Please post any comments you have at http://www.galfromdownunder.com/tcb/comments or write to me.

Stand by! Oh, yeah, buy it here.

TCB Reviews: Grace Lichtenstein, Senior Cyclists

2009-07-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

Grace Lichtenstein - cyclist, blogger and former NYT journo recently reviewed the TCB on her blog:

http://www.cyclingforboomers.com/search?q=traffic+cone+bag

Thank you Grace! You summed it up to a T(CB).

One aspect she didn't mention was its Made-in-Americaness, for which I am very proud. Here's why (for Fastcompany.com)

I'm starting to receive emails from spambots telling me that someone in China will make similar bags for $1.28 per one hundred - about 20 times cheaper than I get them made. Tempting? Not at all.

I may never get rich but I'm glad to be stimulating the local economy.

Grace wows 'em at the Hudson Guild

All about the TCB

Traffic Cone Bag (TM) - "Happy Hour" Security feature

2009-07-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

Here's another cool feature of the minimalist TCB design: SECURITY.

MOVIE: Lindsay Lauder talks about the TCB security feature in the Escape New York Movie (at about 1:55 min in)

By unclipping one or both of the snaphooks, you can secure the bag to the leg or arm of your chair, so prevent swipe-and-grabs in bars or restaurants. Or, perhaps it enables you to keep the bag off the ground rather than swimming in spilled tequila and peanut shells (but at least it's washable). The same snaphooks are what enable you to sling it to the handlebars or elsewhere of your bike, stroller, wheelchair ...

Speaking of security, remember you can wear the bag with the black pocket against your back, thus protecting your stuff.

STRAPS TOO SHORT? The bag is designed to be minimal, one size fits most - with no unnecessary clips or adjustments. If you're big across the chest and you find the straps a bit short, you can add an extender like a carabiner or two between the snap hook an the D-ring. One size fits most, but easily modified by readily available fittings - is the key to simplicity.

Comment on your TCB please!

Order a TCB from me here.

Night visibility: New loop for blinky light

2009-07-01T11:12:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a Bike Friday speaking tour in Georgia, where a number of my TCB's were bought by local commuters.

From Sorella Cycling Club member Gwyneth Lodge, who hosted my Cuba talk:

I have loved the bag so far! I haven't actually used it on a bike yet, but have been carrying it around anyway as a cute casual bag. My city bike/bar bike is a fixed gear, and I just rode fixed for the first time last night at the velodrome. I'm confident I can handle fixed on the streets now, so I'll be back to my usual riding around town. That's what I really needed the bag for.

A new little feature for the June 2009 run: a little elastic loop to hold a blinky light. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but in this day and age of overfeaturing (like supersizing only in features, not calories), my aim is to keep things as minimal and as simple as possible. Everything you need, and nothing you don't.

The light I like to use with this bag is the one that's usually clipped onto the tool bag hanging off my bike seat. It's a Planet Bike SuperFlash, which has a brilliant strobe-like flash and is probably the most effective compact tail light on the market for the price (around $25). Clipped onto the loop, it lights up the whole bag like a sheet of orange. Of course if I really want to stay alive or when riding more serious distances at night, I use my DiNotte system that lights up the whole ROAD, but this is adequate for just getting about town - plus you can easily take the light with you.

Of course you can also use the optional Lightweights too - I have a small starter sets that you can buy with the bag. See the TCB page for more about that.

Minimalism is what I'm all about. I'm not a fan of bags with unnecessary bulk, zips, closures, patchwork, pockets you lose movie tickets in, unless I'm in the mood for bling then I'd probably go splurge on a Marc Jacobs beaded bowling ball bag. I don't particularly care that it's not made of recycled materials - I want a little bag that does the job I need - looks good with a suit or shorts, compressible, can tuck it under my arm, sling it over the bike, doesn't clash with anything. If a tool fits the purpose, you'll use it to death and save the environment anyway by not creating landfill because you won't be buying three different things that kind of do the one thing you want.

Thanks to Caroline Fu for pulling an overnighter to get these finished for my Georgia trip. "The bag is deceptive" she says. "it looks simple, but it takes a long time to sew because you have to finish it really nicely, and because it's a minimalist design, you can't hide bad stitching and alignment in patterns or folds." Read Caroline's story, and if you like her meticulous sewing on your TCB, give her a call and let her know. She's a lone rangerette, she'll be delighted: (212) 278-8830

Comment on your TCB please!
Order a TCB from me here.

Traffic Cone Bag: Made in the Garment District, New York

2009-03-04T15:28:00.000-08:00

After numerous false starts my Traffic Cone Bag has finally gotten a green light.

Traffic Cone Bag Central

Making it in NYC article on FastCompany.com

It's being made in the famous yet increasingly impoverished Garment District of New York City - at a non-sweatshop price.

"This use to be the fashion capital of America," said Caroline, who's made clothes for some big names in couture including Calvin Klein, Baby Phat and Tracey Reese.

Like many immigrants she worked her way up from scratch to supervising a large cutting room staff and knowing every computerized cutting machine in the business. Then she was laid off.

"The fashion companies shipped everything offshore, fired everyone - now look what's happened."

The "now look" she's referring to isn't the latest way to team a sarong with a business suit and get away with it.

Caroline (left) meets my mother (right) , a veteran of the clothing business herself, having worked in women's retail fashion since she was 17. Small wonder I find myself working a casual gig at EMS

It's the slump in the clothing sector – the very people who are meant to buy those clothes – the American public – haven't got the money. According to Caroline, it's because companies are sending labor offshore, and rents are become luxury-condofied.

In a small, unluxe room in a rabbit warren of a building on 37th St, she sits among the bolts and bobbins of her trade, showing me photos of a dress she constructed for a first appearance by Hilary Clinton.

"I came here with no English and $300 in my pocket," she said. She waves away my probing for more "story".

"Every immigrant has a story," she says.

Caroline's quote is higher than it would be if made in quantity offshore. In fact, a friend of mine showed me a highly constructed bag he got through his bike club, complete with club logo "for $6.50".

"I'm pretty sure they were made in New Jersey," he said. We all conceded that if they were, someone poor seamstress was being paid in coffee and bagels.

If sweatshops still abound in the city, Caroline isn't spending time dwelling there.

"I just do my own business, do it the best I can, be honest, be reliable."

She also waves away my questions about how much my bag would cost if made in China, her home country.

"The best thing you can do for this country is to do what Obama says – buy local, get things made local," says Caroline. "Then people will have jobs, they will have money to buy food, clothes, make this economy more stable."

That sounds pretty logical. Did she read that somewhere? Caroline stabs her temple with a finger.

"No, I've just thought about this!"

She tells me she's making no money on my project – she wants to keep her talented understudy occupied and she likes to support personal creative endeavours.

"Work on your own ideas, you own business. You get a high paid job, you can lose it overnight. When you have your own business, your own good ideas, you can make your way."

2009-01-01T09:46:00.000-08:00

ABOUT

Gal Traffic Cone Bag

Made in New York City's Garment District

ABOUT THE TRAFFIC CONE BAG™ Put in reverse and let's ride/party!
The Traffic Cone Bag™ is a simple, ultralight, squishable, 3-in-1 neon-orange reversing to stealth black bag for cyclists, walkers, travelin' gals & guys and minimalist multi-purpose freaks, designed and road tested by The Galfromdownunder. Proudly made by local talent in New York's Garment District, USA. Registered Design 2008.

TRAFFIC CONE BAG 101:

Stayin' alive, stayin' alive ... Several riders on Lon Haldeman's Desert Camp use the TCB to be spotted by the sag wagon from a mile away.

From saddle to the Sofitel and back with this multi-purpose, reversible, water resistent, compressible bag I designed for the minimalist touring woman cyclist - although guys seem to like it too. In my line of work cyclists have constantly asked me to sell them a copy of my bag, so I decided to get it loudly and proudly produced in the USA. It's based on a standard gym drawstring bag with extra thought re form and function for a traveling cyclist.

Here's the TCB skinny ...

* Orange Mode lets you be seen a mile away in the saddle or walking.
* Black ("stealth") Mode lets you be seen in all the right places at night
* Large black patch pocket holds a magazine, manila folder, or in the case of the Guy TCB, the New York Times unfolded - the way it lands on your doorstep
* Compressible - can be worn empty or folded into a jersey pocket to tote a loaf of artisan bread you might pick up on the way home from a ride

Right: Guys like it to. Art form Kentucky with a TCB on Desert Camp 2010http://www.bikefriday.com/desertcamp2010

* Two water-bottle-sized orange pockets for stowing keys, cellphone, glasses (and in Black Mode, for that annoying wet mini-umbrella you shake off and wonder where to stow it). These pockets hold two standard cycling water bottles snugly, but because the bag is lightweight, that's more of a secondary use. Some have also used the black patch pocket as a simple holder for a Camel Back bladder. Note: Guy TCB has deeper, wider pockets to hold bigger, longer waterbottles.

* Comfortable straps are doubled 1/2" webbing (3/4" for the Guy TCB), rather than the usual nylon rope - less likely to cut into your shoulders when overstuffing it like you shouldn't. One length fits most. Increase length easily by adding a couple of inexpensive, stylish black carabiners from an outdoor or dimestore between the D-ring and snaphooks.

* Helmet sized/manila folder sized main compartment - for those quick spins to your investor meets in your pin-striped suit. The larger Guy version holds an unfolded New York Times in the large black pocket for "flaneuring".

* Materials and construction: From November 2009, ANSI-standard neon orange coated polyester, DWR (durable water resistent) 2.2oz black Taslan. This is is not 100% waterproof or ballistic equipment, it's a simple, soft bag for general conditions. Half an hour riding in steady rain left the black internal cavity fairly dry. A black snap closure stops the black pocket from gaping.

* Expertly constructed for a fair labor price in New York's garment district, USA. Do read my FastCompany.com blog post about this.

* CARE INSTRUCTIONS: When new, I recommend you gently wash the bag in tepid water with several cold rinses, and hang to dry in the shower, to remove any possible overdye in the orange fabric. Thereafter, handwash in cold and hang to dry to prolong life of the coating.

Musette Mode - The third of the 3-in-1 shapes. By reversing the black pocket, it becomes a small, neat shoulder bag for holding keys, wallet and a book, as modeled at right.
Customer comment: I do a lot of bike commuting around Chicago. Have a little pannier that I put my off-the-bike riding clothes in. Now I can stuff my TCB into my pannier and then when I'm all professional looking after getting off the bike, I can use my TCB to carry my smartphone, work papers, billfold, etc. Thanks for a great invention - Susan Reed. More customer comments

Traffic Cone orange mode - showing an earlier model with Lightweights Scotchlite reflectors applied for extra night time safety. Buy a starter sheet from me, or go to Lightweights direct and get a special Galfromdownunder discount on these blingy thingys.

Yeah, I know we've all got excess baggage bursting from our closets, none quite doing the job, and that's the reason I designed this. I will confess that for even more convenience I often use two, one in Black Mode and one in Orange Mode, and just slip one inside the other as I bolt out the door. Am I getting lazy or what?

Bobbi Kamil clocks 45 mph (yikes!) on Bike Friday/PACTOUR Desert Camp 2009

MUCHAS GRACIAS TO ...

Lynn and the patient folk at Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics in Idaho, who have gone to great lengths to help me find the right fabrics for this project.

Caroline Fu, who has a lot sexier things to sew than this bag, but likes to support people get things made in America. "Make local, buy local, create a sustainable economy." Caroline Design Inc, 265 West 37 St, 10th Floor, Suite 10W, Phone (917) 660-4673. Read my story about her on FastCompany.com.

Apparel pro Chuck Krieger for some pithy NY garment district and construction advice!

Heirloom Labels, the only place I could find who let you order labels in small quantities, like around 50-100 or less

This bag was originally inspired by Bike Friday owner Terry de Campo, Denver, who is never seen on the bike without his little drawstring bag. When I sell one to him I'll know I've got a winner.

To "mountain man" Jeff Bryce, who makes his own clothes and helped me build the original prototype.

Galfromdownunder Recommended Road Warrior gear | Go to Galfromdownunder Store

THE TCB TIMELINE

February 2011

New 1" black with Scotchlite strip added to LARGE TCB
Label changed to: TRAFFIC CONE BAG by the Galfromdownunder
I swap a large TCB for a pair of mementos by famous Manhattan sculptor Tom Otterness (how many of his little bronze capitalists and socialists can he fit in a TCB?

November 2010

New 5/8" orange grosgrain Scotchlite Strip added to both models as standard

New York Cycle Club commissions an edition with a 3M Scotchlite NYCC logo

March 2010

Ten sold on Arizona Desert Camp 2010

Jan 2010

About 100 sold so far - maybe more? Via word of internet.
New Guy version now has 2 extra inches added to each strap, later reverted back - people aren't as big as I thought!

Dec 2009

Added Snap Source Snaps
Made black pockets 2" deeper to accommodate snap closure
Made Guyfromdownunder black pocket big enough for unrolled New York Times

Nov 2009

Launched 15" wide Guyfromdownunder version, 3/4" nylon webbing straps
Switched to lighter, 2.2 Oz Black Supplex material
Switched to more water resistant, fade-resistant ANSI orange neon polyester material
Reinforced orange pocket center seam with backing material
Hand-sew large back snap to black pocket on Guy bag
Increased orange pocket depth on both sizes

June 2009

Added stitch in channel to restrict straps from twisting
Cauterized strap ends with flame before sewing to eliminate fraying
Switched to yellow embroidered "Galfromdownunder But Made In America" label.
Increased orange pocket width, double center seam for added strength
Added elastic loop on orange side for blinky light

Jan 2009

Launched 13" wide Galfromdownunder version, 1/2" nylon webbing straps
4.4 oz Black Taslan
Neon Orange Nylon Packcloth
Sewn by Caroline Fu Design, 265 West 37 St, 10th Floor, Suite 10W, Phone (917) 660-4673

Jan 2007

Prototype, using triple layer XALT laminated orange/black from The Rain Shed, Corvallis. Like all good laminates they bubble and separate over time, therefore next prototype incorporates two separate layers sewn back to back.

Last updated: Feb 2010

The Traffic Cone Bag Mark II

2008-12-30T06:34:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU to everyone who has already requested one of my signature Traffic Cone Bags (ordering details are on that link).

I'd hoped the first batch would be ready for slipping down chimneys for Xmas 2008 (black side out of course), but on receiving the first sample I noticed a couple of things that could be improved, and I couldn't resist incorporating them. As many of you know am very particular about form flattering function.

Perhaps you can instead order them as "New Year's Resolution to Cycle Safely By Day and Look Drop Dead Stylish by Night" gifts. They should be ready early January now - when it's too cold for many of you to ride anyway unless you're headed for Australia, Hawaii or Texas. I hope to have some available for sale at Arizona Camp in March.

I raffled off a prototype at the 5 Borough Bike Club Christmas Party in NY. It was won by an official at Bike New York, Beth Katz. She called me the following morning and said she was off to a meeting so the bag was in 'black mode', nicely toting her manila folder - just as intended!

If the item works well - Bike Friday may sell it in their store as they do my DVD's and book.

Another reason for the delay is that my sewer Jean suddenly had to care for her gravely ill mother of 76 in hospital over this December period. Like many of us will experience, caring for our parents will fall heavily on some of us.

"It's hard, I always knew that it may fall on me, but you have to take care of your mom," she said, simply.

If we're fortunate, we'll have someone around to be there for us when our time comes. For single adventurous misfits like me, I'm hoping there'll be a readily available form of blissful euthanasia when my time comes and if things ever get that tough ...

My songwriter friend Greg Macainsh downunder sent me this get-a-lifing article, Happiness, unlike money, can't be banked so live a little by his former law professor Mirko Bagaric, an "authority on happiness". Greg, who founded one of Australia's greatest and most original pop groups, Skyhooks, then later went on to become an intellectual property lawyer, clearly wastes no time jogging on the spot of life. I can take credit for 0.5% of it - believe I inspired him to sell his old Merc coupe and buy a bicycle - which he still rides!

"Life is immediate and present, cycling tends to remind one of that at certain times!" he wrote. Amen.

The article begins, "HAPPINESS, unlike money, can't be banked so, if you want to live a more pleasurable life, stop over-playing the deferred happiness card. And there's no better time to start this than a new year" and proceeds to recount the popular image of overworked, security-seeking Americans - only with the word "Australia" substituted. Well, They Inc. have talked about Australia being "the 51st state of America."

I read the article out to a friend here in 'merica, who lifted his sleeve to expose his golden handcuffs and said, "He [the author] is a lawyer, he can afford to talk like that."

Aye, true, money can't buy happiness, but as my ex said, it can get you into a lot of places looking for it.

For my recessionary NY's Eve, I'm staying in. Here's what I sent to my friends in New York:

I'm 99% sure that unlike me, you've all got NY Eve invites galore, but in case you don't, read on ....

I thought I'd have a handful of friends over to David's pad on 19th St in Chelsea to just relax, shoot the breeze, eat some food, watch a new DVD that my South African friend and customer Leon van Zweel sent me called "Jerusalema" - all about "the push and pull that exists in my country", he says. Looks interesting. We may go to the Cuban Diner around the corner and eat a $2.50 tamal or $4 bowl of sopa de Pollo (chicken soup) or $9 Cuban roast chicken dinner while I optionally serenade you with a chapter from my book The Handsomest Man in Cuba. Riveting impromptu stuff like that. So for a relatively quiet but warm and friendly interlude feel free to drop by on the way to/from other NYEve's. My cell is 541-513-7711. Yammering about everything and nothing with friends is probably my favorite adventure of all.

Happy New Year!

Thanks so much for your interest in my Traffic Cone Bag, in looking after your mom/mum, in living life with an attitude of gratitude, and riding our bikes (if you're a customer).