What's in your pack?

[LBTC]

Here's an interesting question:

What do you have in your cycling pack? More specifically, what do you carry that's unusual, and why?

My last addition to the stuff in my pack was zip-ties. Before a 40km race, I adjusted my saddle position, not remembering that I needed 2 tools to tighten it back up. Sometime during that race, I lost a bolt from one side of the seat clamp. Had I had a zip-tie I would have at least felt like I could put a little bit of weight on the saddle - as it was I was quite afraid of bending a ti rail, so did what I could to crouch the last 40 minutes of the race (or however long that was - seemed like forever!!)

What's your story?

Namaste,
~T~

[Irulan]

haha, the beginning or the end of the season.... scary what you pull out at the end of the season!!! Zip ties are a good idea.

The usual stuff includes first aid in a zip lock, assorted food ( gu, gorp), mini tool, spare derrailler hanger and cleat nuts, feminine supplies, digital camera and batteries, clothing varies by season, pencil stub, pump,...I'm sure there's more...

Irulan

[pedalfaster]

Spare disposable contact lens.
Lost one during a race once. Depth perception is a GOOD thing off road!
:eek:

[JanT]

Besides the usual emergency bike and body repair stuff, and always more water than I think I'll need, I carry a hand-held ham radio. I don't have a cell phone, so my husband and I monitor an agreed upon frequency in order to check in with each other periodically. Sometimes I carry a gps if I want to map a trail or mark a spot on the map. I've printed out maps of my usual routes, both on and off-road, so my husband knows where I'll be.

[Dogmama]

Among other things, I always carry two spare tubes. I put them in a sandwich bag and sprinkle cornstarch in the bag. Work it around the tube, seal it up nice & tight & cram in it the seatbag. When you need it, it will slip easily into the rim and doesn't get caught so easily between the rim and the tire.

[Dirt Girl]

Why? For the obvious reason. Though I've never had to use it on the trail yet. I just hate the thought of being out somewhere without it when something gets stuck in my teeth. Trail food often includes nuts and nuts are notorious for getting stuck between my teeth. How annoying.

Aren't you glad you asked?! :D

I am, however, convinced that at some point it will save the day for me or someone--somehow, somewhere. It's strong stuff and could come in handy during an emergency. A friend and I once considered using it as a makeshift dog leash to help convince a lost dog to follow us. Someone else in the group ended up having a piece of real rope though.

[spazzdog]

I have a little 'under the seat' pack. It has an Alien tool, a few individual quick patch kits, some of those ind. wrapped hand towels (like you get at a lobster dinner), my cell phone and a laminated copy of my emergency contact info plus $20.

On my Wing (behind the seat water carrier) I have my 2 H2O bottles and 2 tubes in the velcro Wing straps. Since I'm a roadie, I sometimes velcro my tevas onto the wing as well if "lazing about" is part of a ride.

I hate wearing a pack... so I've become a bit of a minimalist.

[MightyMitre]

I've also got a little under-the-saddle pack and keep an inner tube,quick patches, tyre levers and mini tool. I also keep a small bag of coins ( change is always handy ) and some of them usually get spent at a tea/ coffee stop, but they do tend to get a bit grubby if they're in there too long.

I also hate carrying stuff on my person. I've got a mini pump which is attached to my frame via my bottle cage and only usually have food and my mobile in my pockets. I always carry more food than I'll ever need, just in case I take a detour and ride longer than expected, or in case I come across another rider who looks like they could use a snack! :)

[annie]

Toothbrush, 'cause of the braces. They are a mess if you don't brush every time you eat anything.

Travel-size deodorant. Comes in handy so many times!

Lipstick. You never know.......... and it sure doesn't take up much room.

Duct tape. Never travel without it.

Pen and small pad of paper.

Plus the usual stuff - tools, tubes, CO2, money, cell phone, etc.

annie

[MightyMitre]

Hi Annie - sounds like you're ready for any eventuality including an overnight stay! ;)

On saying that, I'm just a scruff bag. Like the lipstick idea - very glam. :) :)

[CorsairMac]

Pack?....we don't need no stinkin packs! Actually - I keep reading this thread with guilt and prayers coz I'm trying to catch up on the wardrobe part right now - the pack is next. Its going to be Spring here soon and I don't own a single SS jersey and my shorts are over 10 yrs old. (can you say fashion plate?) But I would carry Slime and a spare tube due to the goathead thorns out here. Plus I'm looking to buy the cycleaire pump I saw in a thread here which would fit in my pack also.

[Dogmama]

Toothbrush, 'cause of the braces. They are a mess if you don't brush every time you eat anything. Travel-size deodorant. Comes in handy so many times! Lipstick. You never know.......... and it sure doesn't take up much room. Duct tape. Never travel without it. Pen and small pad of paper. Plus the usual stuff - tools, tubes, CO2, money, cell phone, etc.
annie

Good heavens! How big is your pack? Does it have its own set of wheels? :eek:

[annie]

Good heavens! How big is your pack? Does it have its own set of wheels? :eek:

LOL - VERY loud! :D :D :D
I have to confess, this is particularly funny to me right now because just yesterday, I attached a BOB trailer to my bike. So, yes, it DOES have it's own wheels. :rolleyes:
It's attached to my mountain bike which is what I've been riding, due to the snowy, icy, and sloppy conditions. I've never used a trailer before and am trying it out to see if I prefer it or panniers for loaded traveling. I don't intend to ride with it all the time! Cute tho' BOB might be, I like my solitude. ;)

Seriously, tho', when I ride my road bike, I do carry all that stuff I mentioned, and more. I have an under-the-seat bag on my bike and a fanny pak that I wear. I know lots of people who can't stand the fanny pak hanging on them, but somehow, it doesn't bother me at all. I just like to have my stuff when I want my stuff. Lots of time, I don't touch it. But when I do, I am glad to have it. I started out biking as a minimalist - the less, the better. Less weight, you know. As the years have gone by, I've found it doesn't matter all that much. Unless I am racing (and that is less and less) I carry what I want and the weight bedamned! Each to their own - I truly believe that.

annie

[pedalfaster]

LOL - VERY loud! :D :D :D
I started out biking as a minimalist - the less, the better. Less weight, you know. As the years have gone by, I've found it doesn't matter all that much. Unless I am racing (and that is less and less) I carry what I want and the weight bedamned! Each to their own - I truly believe that.

annie

Hmmmm very interesting. I started off as a mountain biker, joined the IMBA mountain bike patrol and carried everything-but-the-kitchen-sink for years. I find that the older I get and the longer I've been riding, the LESS I carry.

I'm also going through a de-cluttering phase in my personal (home) life. Less is...less. And I like it! :)

As you said: "each to their own"! :D

p.s. Can't fault you for the lipstick thing. One day I was riding home from work and caught a glimpse of myself in a store window, with my "work face" (powder and lipstick), and thought "damn I look good!" :cool:

[Veronica]

I often wear lipstick on a ride - especially if I'm mountain biking. I find it amusing to be a girly girl riding a gnarly trail covered in mud.

V.

[MightyMitre]

I often wear lipstick on a ride - especially if I'm mountain biking. I find it amusing to be a girly girl riding a gnarly trail covered in mud.

V.

I once painted my nails bright red for a time trial - just for a laugh. :)

What about jewellry? Do people ride adorned in all their bling? I sometimes wear small earings but don't want to loose them so don't always bother, plus they can catch on my helmet strap. I also got engaged in April and have only just got used to wearing my engagement ring while riding as I don't want to loose it or damage it. If I'm going off-road I leave it behind.

[Veronica]

I usually wear a pair of Honu (turtle) earrings we got on our first trip to Hawaii when we circled the island on our tandem. My goal of the trip was to see a turtle while we were snorkeling. Turtles are good luck symbols. This is the one we saw.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/hawaii/images/turtle.jpg

I wear my engagement ring. We were very young when we got married and it's very small. :D Thom's offered to get me a replacement - my standard reply is I'd rather have a custom tandem.


V.

[MightyMitre]

I'd rather have a custom tandem.
V. LOL! :p

My ring isn't especially big, although it is the most expensive piece of jewelry I have, and I'd be devestated to loose it. We chose it together and I purposely chose one that has a very firm setting and doesn't really stick up very much as I didn't want it snagging on things or getting full of mud! ;)

Superb turtle pic - I'd love to see a turtle in the flesh, they look so groovy just bobbing around in the ocean.

[LBTC]

lipstick! what fun!

since I almost NEVER wear lipstick, maybe I'll start wearing it just for mountain bike rides. that would be a kick!!

I carry a big pack too, except when I race, and when I ride my road bike. Still have the undersaddle bag on the RB, but it's minimal. mountain biking I've always got lots of stuff: tools, food, handi-wipes, etc. I figure it just makes me a stronger rider if my usual pack has loads of stuff in it! oh, and if I ride to work, add a few more pounds for the lunch and change of clothes! :)

so, what colour lipstick do you pack? bright? earthy? glimmering? hmmmmm decisions, decisions...


namaste,
~Teresa~

[Trek420]

Veronica says "Thom's offered to get me a replacement - my standard reply is I'd rather have a custom tandem." and his standard answer is???? ;-)

my pack has: nifty co2 cartridge shaped container that holds patch kit and tire thingies, also carry a Torelli mini pump, 2 spare tubes, mini first aid kit where I put my keys.

In my rear pocket another mini wallet thing with id, cash and medical card and my cell phone. I wear road ID now that tells whoever finds the carcass that my id's in my pocket and who to call to take care of my dog. That's about it.

[Veronica]

He says sure and I say someday. Custom ones are wicked expensive.

V.

[cyclingnewbie]

I started out with just some water and a cell phone for rides through the neighborhood. Then I needed a small bag for keys, id, etc. Then I needed a little bigger bag for repair stuff (until then I was happily ignorant about the possibility of a breakdown!). Now I have a much bigger trunk bag on a rack, which I think looks kinda silly. But for a long time it seemed like every time I needed something, I didn't have it with me. So I have the usual repair stuff (I'm a new tube girl, not a patch-it girl), snacks, more water than I need, keys, id, money, phone, extra gloves (I hate it when my gloves get wet from sweat!), a jacket or something if the weather is questionable, Tylenol, chap stick (no lipstick), and always a hat for when I take off my helmet and my sweaty, wet hair is stuck to my head! :p

[pedalfaster]

and custom tandems...Oh my!

I used to paint my nails before races...to match my bike. Luckily my bike at the time was blue. I like those funky colors.

I have 4 solitaire diamond studs. Solitary solitaires to be precise. None of them match. I finally gave up wearing earrings at a very muddy, verry cold 24 hour race. My earlobes were freezing so I stopped to to remove my studs. I lost one in ~2ft of mud and said "the heck with that!".

Custom tandems...oh yeah! I'd take a custom tandem over a useless ring any day!. I'd have a hard time choosing between a custom Calfee or the Seven Ti tho'....

[nuthatch]

A ratty old tea towel (I have to blow my nose alot) and homemade peanut butter balls! Hmm, lipstick, huh?

[Veronica]

I usually wear a bright color lipstick. What's the point otherwise? :p My current color is Berry. I usually only have one color in my cabinet at a time and I don't bring it with me on the bike, but do have Chapstick or such.

I used to think I wanted a Calfee, but we're not a super light team and not likely to ever be so. Now I think I'd like a Mercian.

V.

[LBTC]

Nuthatch!! Please, can you share the recipe for your peanut butter balls? They sound fabulous!!

and Veronica....a custom tandem over a ring? fabulous! I hope Thom knows how LUCKY he is!!

namaste,
~T~

[SadieKate]

I used to think I wanted a Calfee, but we're not a super light team and not likely to ever be so. Now I think I'd like a Mercian.
V.
Veronica, we have got to meet! I've given up on the lipstick because it won't stay on, but I did get a custom tandem instead of an engagement ring. Actually, no engagement ring, an inexpensive wedding ring, a tiny wedding and the right help from our friends and family at our wedding meant a custom tandem. Back in 1988 there weren't many choices and a custom tandem was the best of 3 options: 1) expensive Italian, 2) lightweight flexy fliers, or 3) custom. I can still remember testing riding a flexy flier and getting seasick and scared on the back because it swayed so much side to side! I got off and walked back to the shop.

Plus! I have a 1981 King of Mercia -- my precious vintage ride. That was the frame hubby hid in the attic at Xmas and gave me a giant box inside of which was buried a tiny box with a Campy seatpost bolt. Mercian just sent me their brochure. I'm just drooling over it. Miss Mercia is crying out to me. Don't know what I'd do with her, but she's just wonderful.

[jobob]

I'm the one people borrow stuff from when they forget or can't fit it in their teeny little under-saddle bag :D

- Jo "you name it, I probably have it" bob

[nuthatch]

These peanutbutter balls are no big deal, LBTC! Just my feeble attempt to avoid the high cost of energy bars. I take about a cup of chunky organic peanutbutter, a few scoops of vanilla soy powder and maybe a half cup of honey and mix it all up (with a sprinkle of "lite" salt because it has the potassium chloride as well as sodium chloride in it). You can adjust the portions if it seems to gooey but the goal is to get a roll-able ball out of it. Just pop them in a ziplock and refrigerate or freeze them. They get drier and easier to handle as they sit so they aren't sticky when you eat them. Now, grandma's recipe is much naughtier with a chocolate coating!

[Veronica]

I wear Revlon Colorstay. It stays on through most of the work day.

I think we're going to ride Briones with you guys this weekend.

V.

[SadieKate]

Great news on both items. Got to go pick up some Loreal tonight - Brazilian Bronze :) -- so I'll see what they have in Revlon lipstick.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Saturday. You can check out what is in my hubby's pack but bring rubber gloves. He once pulled out a ClifBar that was about 3 yrs beyond the expiration date. I don't go near his pack.

[MomOnBike]

Hmmm, lipstick. It never occured to me. I might just start, especially on those "bike dates" with my husband. ;)

Right now, though, I have high SPF lip balm in my bag. My doc recommened it after she did a biopsy on my lip recently. Now I just have to remember to use the stuff.

I actually have two bags. One is a hip bag I wear in front. It works nicely on the recumbent, on the upright it goes over my right hip. It has the afore mentioned lip balm, wallet, the cell phone (when my daughter lets me have it), clip-on shades for my glasses, and a bit of change. This bag also carries the garage door opener. It gets used on every ride.

The big messenger-sized bag goes on the back of the recumbent seat and has my cable, lock, & tubes. It also carries library books, mail, and 'most anything I pick up on the ride.

[bentforlife]

that rides on the back of my recumbent seat. This is what I currently carry with room to spare. Tire pump, 2 water bladders, several types of snacks, blood sugar meter, cell phone, spare house key, spare tubes(like the hint about cornstarch), 8 ft cable, lock, medical information and emergency contact information, sunglasses, sun block,tire tools, other tools, some money. I'm thinking of adding handi wipes and a small first aid kit. I have room to spare even with all that. I have one water bottle holder on the side of the seat for power aid or the like. Recumbents do have advantages. :)

Donna

[MomOnBike]

Sometimes I wonder about the advantages of the big bag on my 'bent when I'm tired and grinding up that last hill to my house. :p

Still, I like the ability to haul around just about anything.

I've been known to leave the big bag off sometimes when I'm feeling lazy. It all depends...

[Dogmama]

Lipstick and earrings? I have to wear all that stuff during the week. On the bike, it's big-time SPF sunscreen, period. You ladies crack me up! Don't you leave lipstick rings on your water bottles? :p

[Veronica]

No - this is the lipstick that doesn't come off until you wash it off.

V.

[Trek420]

Veronica says "Custom ones are wicked expensive."

I thought all Tandems were custom. There are stock tandems? Shows what I know. I thought there were too many variables like "short captain, tall stoker, tall captain and stoker, short both...". Who knew?

Back to the bags. My theory is two kinds or riders; the cool ones who carry little to nothing, just what's in the rear pocket and snear at us with even an under the seat bag and then there's the riders with everything but the kitchen sink ...oh look! She DOES have the kitchen sink in the rear trunk!

And we may think it looks geeky to carry that much but my oh my are we glad you are there ;-)

Like on a recent ride (see "bonehead move of the day" thread) where a rider fell and broke her wrist one of our members had a rear rack with one of those square trunk'y bags. I thought "30 miles? With a bakery in the middle? You won't need all that".

But when she pulled up to the scene, I had 2 bandaids, those handi wipes and Aleve with me but she had a full professional first aid kit....



:cool: :p ;) :rolleyes:

[jobob]

oh look! She DOES have the kitchen sink in the rear trunk I resemble that remark :p

[Trek420]

but jobob, Trek420 also said "my oh my are we glad you are there ;-)"

because I believe it was you who came to my aid on the Diablo ride "oh look, I just happen to have an extra pair of full finger gloves"

OT again, I've often thought this, I believe there's a book in this forum, "the wit and wisdom of the TE women". You'd have to get permission to quote, and TE permission to use the name but Spazz, you write. How about it? There's nothing better out there for information :) :rolleyes: :cool:

[fasteryet]

I go for the combined lipstick and SPF chapstick - Almay tinted chapstick. It has just a little color, and feels good. But it does leave a little color on the water bottle, so I only use it on special occasions. As for the pack, I have an under saddle bag that has a spare tube, plus a few instant patches, a small multi-tool, a little baggie with first aid stuff, a latex glove, a Clif or Luna bar, a handiwipe, and my Epipen. Cell phone and tiny wallet with ID and money go in my jersey pocket.

[lkrider]

Among other things, I always carry two spare tubes. I put them in a sandwich bag and sprinkle cornstarch in the bag. Work it around the tube, seal it up nice & tight & cram in it the seatbag. When you need it, it will slip easily into the rim and doesn't get caught so easily between the rim and the tire.
What a terrific hint. I always took the tubes out of the box, but worried about them getting messed up with all the other junk in my bag. THANKS! :D

[lkrider]

Is it something about tandem riders(I also ride a tandem part time- simple Burley Duet-nothing fancy(nor is my wedding ring), but it is fun)...I am usually a minimalist, makeup wise, but for some reason adopted a habit of lipstick for rides...bright red for big rides is my good-luck charm. I tried nailpolish once, but it was too obvious and bugged me the whole ride. Lipstick on the water bottle...yeah, but it's MY water bottle.(and here's the practical side of it...protection from sun.) :)

[MightyMitre]

This is the best pic I could find at the mo.http://www.ralphoverweel.nl/images/leontien-microfoon.jpg

It's Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel who's a fantastic pro Belgium rider. She's won various of Olympic medals as well as being the top Belgium domestic rider. She's always know for wearing full make up and painted nails when she races - and it certainly doesn't seem to slow her down! I think she currently holds the womens 1 hour record on the track but she won't be defending it as she finally retired at the start of January.

She's a very interesting women. Several years ago when she was just hitting the big time she developed an eating disorder, the idea being that she was going fast at her current weight, but imagin how much faster she could go if only she lost a few more pounds.

Finally she went down to about 7st and I saw a photo of her in her team jersey and the arms and collar were seriously loose and she looked ill. In the end she'd lost so much weight, her performace went down hill and finally I think she had to take a year out to recover.

Basically, she then set up and organisation to share her experiences with others and make sportswomen aware of the pitfalls of weight loss - especially as 'lighter means faster' is ingrained in the sport, with some coaches being irresponsible by putting pressure on riders. Once she was back to a healthy weight she was flying again.

Anyway, can't see myself in full make-up. Don't even wear it during the day but good for those who want to, and can find stuff that stays on! :)

[lkrider]

Thanx for the pix, and the background (I guess putting in perspective what is important) but whew...makeup or not, I will never look that good! :rolleyes:

[annie]

Back to the bags. My theory is two kinds or riders; the cool ones who carry little to nothing, just what's in the rear pocket and snear at us with even an under the seat bag and then there's the riders with everything but the kitchen sink ...oh look! She DOES have the kitchen sink in the rear trunk!

I've witnessed a kitchen sink being pulled on a trailer behind a bike, and a barbeque grill ( a large one!) and a portable bar, complete with beverages, a canoe, (NOT all on the same bike) plus more weird things that I can't think of now. :eek: :confused: There's a group that ride RAGBRAI every year and they haul everything with them. Just amazing. They do it partly for the spectacle............ they must be the most photographed bunch there. Still, they actually ride with all that stuff......... when they were younger they used to ride from Colorado to Iowa before RAGBRAi and then ride RAGBRAI. They don't do that anymore. ;)

Back to the lipstick...after seeing just what some people carry with them, a little lipstick doesn't seem like much. ;) We - the women I ride with - have a little quote. "You can always do lips." Doesn't matter how sweaty or dirty or helmet-haired you are, throw on a little lipstick and you're set. :D Vanity, yep, but all in fun.

annie

[cruziegirl]

I always carry duct tape - it has so many uses. And also a little bit of 2-sided tape. I just put a couple of turns of each tape around a small piece of PVC pipe and put that in my bag. Also a tiny tube of sunscreen. I never could master the use of a frame pump (please don't laugh) so I carry one of those CO2 cartridge things to pump up my tires if I flat. They work pretty well. And finally a $20 bill for emergencies. And that's it! I try to carry as little as possible so my bike bag is pretty small.

[spazzdog]

Originally Posted by Trek420
Back to the bags. My theory is two kinds or riders; the cool ones who carry little to nothing, just what's in the rear pocket and snear at us with even an under the seat bag and then there's the riders with everything but the kitchen sink ...oh look! She DOES have the kitchen sink in the rear trunk!

You hurt me Trek420... I've never sneered. I'm usually saying "Hey, could ya carry my..." :D

[MightyMitre]

I think I probably fall into the worst camp. I carry very little at all then end up borrowing stuff off the Kitchen Sinkers. Where would we be without you? :p

[pedalfaster]

I'm with Spazz and Mighty; a minimalist. Heck, I don't even like to carry a purse. I just date men with large pockets! Cargo pants for men are a great thing ("here honey, will you carry this lipstick, and uhm, my cell phone ?").

[Deanna]

Is it something about tandem riders...

I think it could be. When we first started riding tandems (my first tandem rides were on the sole Salsa tandem - I'm still honored that we were allowed to borrow it) my husband would get the biggest kick out of me putting on lipstick as we passed by the other riders. This was back in the early 90's when we didn't see a lot of tandems, so the novelty eventually wore off.

[lkrider]

Oh yeah, RAGBRAI! Isn't the whole thing a spectacle...that's how our family got into cycling. We went to visit family in Craig, IA and the whole thing passed through town. WOW! we went back home to Oregon determined to join the fun the next year--and did!(1999) What a hoot! My son liked the bikes pulling stereos with full sized speakers best! My sister and I enjoyed the minimalist riders - two guys with nothing but a different colored pair of clean underwear for each day of the ride!

[LBTC]

I just date men with large pockets! Cargo pants for men are a great thing ("here honey, will you carry this lipstick, and uhm, my cell phone ?").

D'oh! That one only works when I'm dressed to the nines! My husband is pretty accommodating most times, but must get seriously annoyed by the stuff I try to make him carry around!

When mountain biking, my pack is huge! love the tip on the duct tape....never had figured out how to pack just a little of that stuff...the co2 inflater, several types of tools, two water bladders (one for water, one for watered down gator aid), clothes if the weather requires it, ID, care card, cell phone, money if it's wednesday ride that ends at the bar, toilet paper, handi wipes, ibuprofen, hydroxycut, calcium, business cards, sunscreen (when I remember), bug dope (when I remember), and, hmmmm, I guess lipstick. I'll have to go looking for that revlon type that v suggested. sounds like a great plan! Oh, did I mention food? and, of course, the zip ties! heehee

we got back down to -16 c today. and fresh snow. thank goodness for kickboxing or I'd be such a slug by now!

namaste,
~T~

[CorsairMac]

After riding Harleys for so long - I don't wear any jewelry or make-up. I don't even wear make-up when Not on the bikes - either one! I'm the one that after a long ride on the Harley - I stopped at a fabric store in my long duster and chaps with the filthy dirty face and wind-blown hair, and the women were pulling their children out of my path as I walked through the store! :eek: I ride alone all the time so I guess I just don't think about how I might look! lol Maybe I could stay married if I gave it more thought! (NOT!)

[SadieKate]

Not sure what it says about my mental state, but I'm a minimalist on the road (though pump and tube are required) and I'm a kitchen-sink type on dirt: tube in baby powder, duct tape, zip ties, tools, etc., plus compass, highlighter (for maps),Vitamin I, space blanket, medical kit with coban, contact lens drops and bandana. I think I've even carried Technu just in case. I've never gotten poison oak but 2 of the guys I ride with (one being the DH) get it just by getting out of the car.

[snapdragen]

Tube, mini tool, speed lever, car keyless entry beeper, sunscreen, and vitamin I. (All hail vitamin I!) Snacks can be fig newtons, trail mix, mojo bars, smuckers uncrustables - peanut butter and jelly.

[pedalfaster]

I'm the one that after a long ride on the Harley - I stopped at a fabric store in my long duster and chaps with the filthy dirty face and wind-blown hair, and the women were pulling their children out of my path as I walked through the store!

:cool:

Did anyone else just have a "Raising Arizona" flashback???

:D :D :D

[MightyMitre]

All hail vitamin I!

Never heard of Vitamin I - thought they stopped when they got to Vitamin E. :p What's Vit I? Should I rush out and order a batch? :)

[pedalfaster]

Never heard of Vitamin I - thought they stopped when they got to Vitamin E. :p What's Vit I? Should I rush out and order a batch? :)

Ibuprofen ;)

[MightyMitre]

D'Oh - Thought it probably was! :o

[nuthatch]

Ha, vitamin I! I was racking my brain to figure that one out!

[CorsairMac]

me #103! i was thinking same thing - "Vit I.....should I be researching Vitamin I?" Thanks for the save! Although a word of note: My father was diagnosed with kidney disease that has been linked to long-term high dosage Ibuprofen. Due to his disease he can no longer use any drugs except Tylonel. Apparently, doctors prescribe high-dose (read 800-1000 mgs) I for surgeries, muscle damages etc etc and they are now learning it can lead to kidney disease.
Kathies Tip of the Day!

[LBTC]

wow, corsair, thanks for the tip! and the detail too! I usually limit my vit. i to only when there is acute pain indicating serious inflammation, and I usually only take one 200mg tablet, because I don't find it does much for pain management anyway, so why bother taking more? heh. I use high doses of calcium for all muscle related pain. it seems to work fabulously, I sleep like a baby, and I'm pretty sure it doesn't do much harm.

namaste,
~T~

[MightyMitre]

I also have mixed results with Vitamin I. You can get them in 500mg tablets here and I only really take one when I'm desperate, but I find they work for some kinds of pain better than others.

Interesting info CorsairMac - people are popping them all the time over here. Some of my collegues will come into work a bit worse for wear from a night out and merrily pass the Ibruprofen round without a second thought. Not sure it's really designed as a hang over cure but doesn't seem to stop them. I guess if you're hung over and have to face a day at work then people will grab anything that might help. :p

LBTC - I'm not a medical professional of any kind but I believe excess calcium isn't too good for you. I think it's possible that it can build up in your kidneys. I might be wrong about this, so feel free anyone to put me right, but just a suspicion.

[LBTC]

Hey, MM. That could be true enough and I ought to do some research to find out the threshold. currently I take a measly 500mg each night, and if I'm experiencing serious muscle pain or spasms I'll take 3 instead of one. That doesn't happen often. I'm guessing I"m well below overuse, but it won't hurt to find out!

Thanks!

namaste,
~T~

[SadieKate]

It's kind of the all things in moderation issue. You can't live on the stuff but if you are out on the trail and have an injury? You bet it can be good. It is better to stop inflammation early (no ice out there!). 4 knee surgeries later I use it prophylactically. It can mean the difference between riding only today or today and tomorrow. Though the stronger my legs are the less my kneecaps scream - funny how that works. :)

Long term use is the real culprit and a big no-no.

[Surlygirl]

Maybe some of you guys need one of those taking it with you trailers. Then you actually could bring the kitchen sink, and even your little dog too.

[caligurl]

and even your little dog too.

mine would LOVE that! we actually bought the.... i think it's called a springer? for our old kmart/walmart bikes yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaars ago.. but never put it on ... i chickened out... but i'm sure the both would love to run along while we ride.. (and ride on the trailer for a while when they get pooped!)

[MomOnBike]

Actually, I have been considering how to take Monty the Obnoxious Miniature Dachshund along. Trailer? Backpack? Back rack?

The Doberman used to run along beside me, or pull me up hills, but Monty's 3-inch legs just aren't up to the task.

Ideas?

(Obviously I'm haveing a hard time concentrating on my work today)

[caligurl]

trailer! i've seen dogs in the little trailers behind the bikes and it's sooooooooooooooooooo cute! i'd be scared of a back pack... on the off chance of a crash :eek: he could get hurt/squooshed... at least in a trailer.. it may tip over.. but he'd still be zipped in and "safe"!

[MomOnBike]

Yeah, I've been thinking of a trialer, but I ride a long wheel base recumbent. With a trailer, I'd be as long as my sister's pickup truck. I'm already having problems with some of the sharp turns on my favorite rides.

I've also been considering a baby front pack. When I fall (so far, at least), I land on my backside, so the dog would probably just bark. I'm actually more concerned with losing my hearing than squishing the dog.

DH and I are still talking about this. I'll post pics when (if) we ever decide how to haul the dog along.

[Surlygirl]

Check out carryfreedom.com. They have the kitchen sink trailers and the little dog too. Seems like they'd be pretty safe in this.

[lkrider]

your little dog too. I've seen very patient and well behaved dogs riding along on trailers....but the one for the books was at a break stop on a two day ride. This older guy riding "alone" unzips his handlebar bag...and out pops :eek: a happy little dog!

[MomOnBike]

Re: dogs in handlebar bags. That's closer to what I'm considering. After all, the dog in question is a Miniature Dachshund. A trailer would be overkill.

What we are thinking right now is more along the lines of a basket on the back rack. The basket at http://www.cynthiastwigs.com/ is as close as we've come. Actually, the more I look the closer to IT the basket is.

I'll be sure to post pics this summer. (Now to negotiate with the money supply...) :(

[SadieKate]

A solution for misbehaving canines (be sure to scroll down) . . .

Little Red Riding Hood Century (http://www.bbtc.net/Calendar/annual/lrrhinfo05.htm)

Not that I recommend it for pets, but the jersey is adorable.

[MomOnBike]

That's what I had in mind. Dog on back of DH's bike, picnic in my pack, lovely fall (OK, I'm fond of fall) colors, maybe DH acting a bit "wolfish"...Bliss.

A girl can dream, you know.

[MightyMitre]

Stop, stop, stop!!!!

All this talk of dogs is killing me! :p

I've wanted a dog for EVER and but as yet am still dogless. I grew up with dogs but at the moment both of us work all day so it wouldn't be very fair on the poor pooch. However, I'm hoping to get a job closer to home soon so I could pop back at lunchtime.

BF & I have already been making doggy plans, which included a trailer so we could take puppy up to the local beauty spot about 5 miles away for a good run around.

Aaaaaahhhh..... one day soon.... :)

( Hey, Administrator - any chance of a little smiley to represent Day Dream face?? :) )

[CorsairMac]

and your little dog too! Not a clue why I keep seeing the Wicked Witch from the West when you talk about a little dog in a basket on your bike! :D

[MightyMitre]

and your little dog too!
ROLF :D :D :D

Or how about ET jammed into the basket on the front of Elliot's bike. Now if anyone needed a trailer it was Elliot :D

[CorsairMac]

ahhh MM - we just think too much alike!!
May the Force be with us!

[RoadRaven]

Wow... you all carry so much
But I'm not an MBC, so maybe that's the difference

All I have is the seat bag (keys, puncture repair kit, cell phone) and my pockets on my top (food - a banana or a couple of muesli bars, perhaps a windbreaker). And the bottle cage for 1 litre of water.

Thats me and my stuff

(LOL, def no room for a dog on my bike!)

[spazzdog]

How about this MomOnBike...

I use something similar for my roomies Shih Tzu (on hikes). He loves it.

Found this one at: http://trixieandpeanut.com/travel-trans.html?source=Adwords&ad=fabdogcarriers

spazz

[MomOnBike]

Somewhere here (Dog On Bike?) I posted pics of Monty in the basket on DH's bike. Monty's noisy - lots of excited yips and whines - and active - he just can't get the bike to steer where he wants to go.

This makes for an exciting ride for poor DH. We take him to a nearby park for picnics, but that's about as much as is really practical.

So we won't take Monty on our cross-country epic tour, but in a limited way, this experiment has been a success.

And as for the front carrier, um, no. It's far too much like being pregnant. I've been there, done that, and have the hips to prove it. I was one of the mean and nasty pregnant women. We'll stick with the basket.

[singletrackmind]

Bobs are great. I used to use mine for commuting to work, towing groceries home, even transmission parts when mine blew up-and cars seemed to give me the slightest bit extra berth, especially when I'd use the stupid flag. My husband uses bob to carry the chainsaw and/or tools around for trail maintenance.

One thing is sure-bob is a heck of a lot easier to haul behind you than a kid trailer!! I'll be so happy to swap back to the bob-or even better-RIDE NAKED!
You know, without anything attached to my bike besides myself...

My pack is pretty boring-tube, flat kit, tire levers, co2 cartridges and thingy, chapstick, multi-tool, chain tool, some money.