Over the Easter break, Ahmet and I took some time out to slow down and soak in the natural beauty of Maria Island. Camping at Frenchs Farm brought the usual joys—quiet trails, curious wildlife, good times spent with friends—but also an unexpected surprise: both of our Ortlieb pannier bags came back with bite-sized souvenirs.
Despite no food being stored inside, the bags had attracted some attention from some determined wildlife. Each pannier now sported a neat little rodent-sized hole.
Back at home, Ahmet did a bit of digging and came across a recommendation from Ortlieb: GearAid Tenacious Tape. The fix was surprisingly straightforward:
- Cut the tape to size, rounding the corners to prevent peeling
- Peel off the backing
- Stick it over the hole
- Press down firmly to seal
No stitching, no fuss—and the repair held beautifully. The panniers are now back in action and ready for whatever comes next.
It’s a small story, but a nice reminder: when we take the time to repair instead of replace, we’re not just extending the life of our gear—we’re showing a little care for the world around us, too.
