Do you go off-road like that? Also I wonder if you get road splash coming up and hitting the bin lens? It's very wet where I live.
I've been trying it out a bit on a cyclo-cross bike without mudguards, so far not had that issue. Not sure yet whether its just the lenses are too small a target. If its any distance and still wet underneath I pop them back under the jacket.Hi,
In Germany, there are usually at least trails wherever you go - in fact, you're not supposed to leave trails in natural reserves. So depending on what you consider off-road, my answer could be either "yes" or "no"
I don't think I ever got road splash on my lenses, but all my bikes have mudguards. I imagine without mudguards, splash from the front wheel might be factor.
Regards,
Henning
) I sometimes put my binoculars in the rear pannier, but first in their own bag/case and with some soft thing at the bottom or so of the cycling bag (e.g.sweater or whatever at hands).. It is very quick to setup this way. Do you have some padding protecting your scope in the carrier, or are you only riding on very smooth roads?
I do pretty much the same as you. Binoculars around my neck with rainguard and objective covers in place, scope and tripod attached to a scopac. I only cycle about 5 miles so no need for panniers.Good question!
I’m often taking the bike for birding. I’m also curious about tips and experiences from others.
I keep my binoculars most often around my neck when cycling, with not only rainguards, but also objective covers.
Biking is the main (only real) reason I‘v got objective covers: against splashes, dust, etc., but also just in case of some other potential impact (fall, or e.g. some protruding element of the bike like the bell hitting it when suddenly pulling the breaks due to the binoculars just being hanging around my neck etc.). I have never had any such an impact on my binoculars, but nearly. You loose no more than 1 or 2 seconds opening the objective covers when used to.
If just cycling to/from some place crossing e.g.the city or too much in a hurry to get back (havingalready birded « too long »
My scope is on my back, on its tripod using a Scopac. I absorb any potential road bump
I‘m wondering on how to put the scope and tripod on the bike without fearing the bumps/shocks, because I would take it along more often I thing.
Do you have some padding protecting your scope in the carrier, or are you only riding on very smooth roads?
I’m not doing any cyclocross, MTB or so at all, but there are road sections with cobblestones or dips in the cycling roads you might not always be able to avoid.
Maybe I’m too cautious… But better safe than sorry ;-)
Mine are also Ortlieb textile rear carrier bags, probably the same type. I’m quite happy with them, but it is interesting to hear about your preference for the Vaude ones (I have never tried those, had them on my list when looking for some cycling bags, but didn’t know of any practical advantages.)
www.oregonpackworks.com
I haven't tried yet, but I think a 8x20 (usually double hinged) should. A 8x25 I don't think would be ideal,at least not a single-hinge one. But someone might have tried yet.
outershell.com
I never specifically went birding on a bike but regularly took binoculars with me when travelling by bike.
There are camera straps specifically for riding bikes which will keep the camera (or in this case binoculars) on your back. As I mentioned earlier I have this one: Iifeisaride camera strap (I like the magnetic buckle which can be opened and closed one handed to let you swing the binos to the front) but there are other similar options out there.Honestly, the biggest annoyance of biking + binoculars is managing a strap / carrying system for bins where the bins don't hit your knees/crotch/thighs/etc while pedaling, but are there and ready for birding. I frequently go birding with a small pair of bins on a simple, long strop, carried bandolier style, and I have to keep swinging them around to my back while pedaling to avoid eventually getting bruised thighs. I keep doing it, it's mildly annoying, but I've not found anything better. Harnesses are worse as you can't swing the bins to the rear, and anything short enough / compact enough to carry the bins high enough to not hit my legs is just generally uncomfortable for birding, so I keep swinging my small bins around to my back while cycling around my local reserve
Of course it would be safe enough. If you already own a camera backpack try if it works for you. Even a decent regular backpack will do, just pack the camera in a way it’s not constantly rolling around in the backpack. Your body will work as a suspension and absorb smaller shocks.
My solution: I am regularily using a chest gear (MARSUPIAL, see photo) for my bino when biking (sope and tripod in special panniers ["Koenig Photobags"]). By that the bino is not conflicting with my pedalling at all. With this setup I can even stop, put my feet on the ground and get the bino out for a quick glance and restore it fast and easily.I've never tried keeping a camera hanging from my body while cycling any real distance.
When I go birding by bike (frequently) with a scope (occasionally), the scope and tripod travel in the panniers (padded) until I get there, then I bike with one hand and the scope over a shoulder while at the birding area. When I do this, I have to take more care / use some tricks to keep the bins from swinging around as I need my one free hand to bike with. Frequently the bins get tucked inside a garment.
Honestly, the biggest annoyance of biking + binoculars is managing a strap / carrying system for bins where the bins don't hit your knees/crotch/thighs/etc while pedaling, but are there and ready for birding. I frequently go birding with a small pair of bins on a simple, long strop, carried bandolier style, and I have to keep swinging them around to my back while pedaling to avoid eventually getting bruised thighs. I keep doing it, it's mildly annoying, but I've not found anything better. Harnesses are worse as you can't swing the bins to the rear, and anything short enough / compact enough to carry the bins high enough to not hit my legs is just generally uncomfortable for birding, so I keep swinging my small bins around to my back while cycling around my local reserve
