The bike space available at my apartment is under an open stairway. Rain, leaves, and crud in general go down through the stairs onto my bike. Sometimes the bike looks as if it’s had a mud bath... which isn’t good for the gears, chain, brakes, or my mood when I want to go somewhere.

So this is a fast, cheap, super easy solution... with no flapping loose corners. And it’s unlikely to be stolen! The original lasted almost two years and was discarded only because I was too lazy to clean it and I needed to make a new one for this instructable.

Step 1: Materials and Time Needed

Materials:
1 garbage bag with drawstring
3 spring clothes pins
scissors

Time:
Less than 5 minutes

Step 2: Bag Detail

Note that the sides of the garbage bag are heat fused. The drawstring is anchored at both sides by this heat seal. You will need to cut BESIDE the heat seal, not through it.

Step 3: Cut One Layer of the Bag

Leaving the heat seal on both sides intact, Cut only the top layer of the bag . Cut both sides this way from the top to the bottom. DON’T CUT ACROSS THE BOTTOM!

Step 4: Unfold the Bag

Unfold the bag so it’s a long sheet with drawstrings at both ends...

Step 5: The One Slightly Tricky Step

On the cut end of the sheet, carefully push the bag back from the cut ends of the drawstring on both sides. If you pull hard the drawstring will just slide all the way out... (If your hands are big, it might help to use tweezers to get the drawstring out far enough to grasp.)

Step 6:

Now tie the two ends together,so the drawstring won’t slip back inside out of reach

Step 7: Pull the Still Heat Fused Drawstring at the Opposite End

On the end of the sheet with the heat fusing, pull the drawstring at the center. You should now have something vaguely resembling a floppy plastic canoe.

Step 8: Cover Your Handlebars

Put one end over your handlebars. Adjusts the drawstring to fit. Use two clothespins to secure it to the brake cables.

Step 9: Secure the Back End of the Tent

Pull the rest back over the seat to your back fender (or wheel). Tighten the drawstring to fit. Snug it down and use the third clothespin to clip the drawstring and end of the bag to your fender or spokes.

Step 10: Other Configurations

If you park your bike with the wheels at right angles, you may only need two clothespins. You'll need to clip the tent closed under the handlebar.

Step 11: Fold and Go

When you want to ride, unclip, remove, shake, and fold your tent up. I clip mine with the clothes pins to the inside my basket, so it’s there to use at the other end of the ride.