French people have opinions on many things (everything) an American friend of a friend told me once.
She did not mean that as a compliment.
May 20 is the official Bike to Work Day 2011 and it was only natural that I would receive an e-mail advertising bike accessories.
Titled Panniers You Can't Resist the Timbuk2 pitch was for anything but what I consider a pannier (or panier).
A panier can be found on the front of a bicycle, be used to shop at the farmers market, carry a picnic or put together a gift basket. A pannier is a basket.
These so called American panniers to a French man (or woman) can only be called Sacoches.
Doing a bit of research, I found that Classic Sacoches of my youth (not the bike trail type) are still sold by companies like Sporfabric in Challans (Vendee).
The mailman, blue collar workers, my grandfather used this type of sacoche. It was utilitarian not flashy, sturdy too.
Word picking, Happy Bike to Work Day!
(* Photo of classic Sacoche by Sporfabric)