Originally posted by reeftool That might be a wiser choice as a backpack raises the center of gravity much higher and along with that the higher chance of a spill. Falling on the backpack may cushion you but its more likely to cause additional injury by creating a whiplash effect. My choice would be a well cushioned camera bag securely strapped to a luggage rack. Panniers are ok but the weight should be even on each side for stability and the camera would be vulnerable if you laid it down on that side.
Well, he already said he wouldn't be riding hard... It's kind of a drawback of riding with stuff on the actual bike frame, it gets every bump and jostle, uninsulated by your body, guaranteed, as well as, actually, meaning you can't *control* where the weight goes, should you have maneuvering trouble.
The OP hasn't said what he's proposing to be carrying, yet, anyway, but, biased as I am, I'd go with the familiar courier bag, add sensible insurance, and not take any extra risks about putting the bike down. You can always dismount. I've carried all kinds of crazy stuff among lots of impatient moving objects, roads, yes, but with the occasional sudden terrain hazard popping up at speed. and never mooshed a cargo, even when I *did* put the bike down. (Admittedly, that was when I passed out as a stoplight, and was about the point where I realized I wasn't well enough to be doing that job, but still.
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It could even be the *best* way to go, to wear your kit, if one can just avoid any mountain-biker instincts to take any chances. Obviously, as a *sport* the point of mountain biking isn't to play it safe, but as a means of conveyance, you can just slow down.
Nice thing about a courier bag is, you can even shoot out of it, even still across your shoulder on a shortened strap. Or, just put it off the shoulder like a conventional bag, when you get there.
As centers of gravity go, with a courier bag, you actually want it higher, where you can control it. It's a little counterintuitive, and I wouldn't want to assail steep slopes that way, but you can carry stuff.