What are your "must haves"?

[Heifzilla]

When you ride, what absolutely, positively must come with you?

I just started really riding, and I need to start carrying some more gear with me. For the "in case of". I know I should probably carry an extra innertube and a pump, but what else do you guys consider must haves?

[Becky]

For a road ride:

Spare tube
Patch kit
Tire levers
Pump
Multi-tool
ID bracelet
Copies of my driver's license and insurance card
Keys
Cell Phone
Food
Water and sports drink (1 bottle each)

For MTB:
Swap the bottles for a Camelbak
Add a map, first aid kit, more food, and a space blanket.

[Geonz]

If you have a cell phone and a friend with a van, it makes up for a lot :D

My bag looks a lot like Becky's, though, except the keys. I can't find them anywhere.

[Biciclista]

for any ride:
HELMET
GLOVES
protective glasses.

For rides more than 1 mile:
pump, tube, multi tool, tire levers, cell phone

for rides more than 10 miles:

water

[Zen]

gum
water

[ny biker]

Adding to Becky's list: a pocket pack of tissues and a small bottle of Purell. And band-aids in assorted sizes.

[sundial]

gum
water

Such a minimalist. ;)

[Biciclista]

what is Purell?

[sundial]

The anti-germ stuff.

[Thorn]

I also add kleenex (doubles as toilet paper) and a small packet of chamois butter--just in case.

And after 3 bee stings of progressing reaction, I now also don't leave the house without oral Bendadryl and an Epi-pen in my bag....hope never to need them. I've only been stung 4 times...3 times while riding my bike and twice last year. Go figure.

[ClockworkOrange]

For a ride under 10 miles:

Helmet always, bike lock is always on seat post
Water
Keys
Mobile
Tissue tucked somewhere
Chewing gum, hate riding without it, it's the only time I really eat it :rolleyes:

Clock

[HillSlugger]

For a road ride:

Spare tube
Patch kit
Tire levers
Pump
Multi-tool
ID bracelet
Copies of my driver's license and insurance card
Keys
Cell Phone
Food
Water and sports drink (1 bottle each)

For MTB:
Swap the bottles for a Camelbak
Add a map, first aid kit, more food, and a space blanket.

I go out like Becky except I don't always carry the patch kit or food. Everything else is pretty much a must.

[SlowButSteady]

Asthma inhaler
Cell phone
multi-tool
Pepper spray
Water or Electrolyte solution
1 pack of Hammer Gel
If very far from home, add oral Benadryl & Epi-pen
Kleenex

[RoadRaven]

If you have a cell phone and a friend with a van, it makes up for a lot :D

Yup, that's pretty much me.
Cell phone, water and sometimes my MP3. If I am intending to ride for more than 90 minutes then I'll take a fruit/muesli bar with me as well.

No pump/spares etc. I'm hopeless at changing tires and so I ride with people who can, or I ring someone to pick me up.

[indigoiis]

phone
debit card
id card
key
lock (depends on bike or where I am going)
tube, C02, levers, multitool (in seat bag)

banana or granola bar, just in case. But not always.
water

helmet
gloves
cheap home depot tinted safety glasses

[smilingcat]

for the head: a working helmet.
for the eyes: pair of shades.
for the hand: pair of gloves.
I guess clothing can be optional.

back pockets have: spare tube coated in baby powder in a zip lock bag. three tire irons, patch kit with two tubes of glue, two or three patches, a small sand paper around 80 grid, two CO2 cartridge, one CO2 pump, about $10.00 in cash, cell phone, Luna bars. Hex key for my seat tube clamp. and if its cold outside, I also carry my arm warmers or be wearing them. don't have a saddle bag or bento box on my bike.

On my wrist I have my road ID.

Carry one or two water bottles depending on the length of the ride.

[Heifzilla]

So far, my must haves have been:

Helmet
Gloves
iPod (I listen to it in one ear, leaving the other open to hear)
Cellphone
Water
License & debit card
Portable hex wrenches thingermabob
Cyclocomputer
Windbreaker than I can stuff in my handbar bag
Keys (if I am driving to a trail first)
Bike lock (around my seatpost)
Cheap HD yellow safety glasses (indigoiis! Probably the same ones :D)

My RoadID just came in the mail today, so that will go with me, too. I also plan on getting an extra tube to keep in my bag, as well as the tire levers, a small pump, and a multitool (thanks to your suggestions).

:)

[bmccasland]

Pretty much what everyone else said, other than instead of RoadID, I have MedicAlert. Which reminds me, I need to up-date my file with them...:rolleyes:

[VeloVT]

Pockets:
-Cell phone
-wallet (if ride is over 15 miles)
-chapstick
-sometimes a small digital camera

Seat bag:
-gum
-one tube in a ziploc bag
-my cute teeny box of glueless patches
-two tire levers
-2 c02 cartridges and a teeny weeny c02 pump
-multitool
-alcohol wipes in case of scrapes (they don't take up any room really)
-1-3 individually wrapped "wet wipes" for cleaning up hands after changing flats

I will usually fit in a snack (luna bar, sportbeans) somewhere for rides over 30 miles.

[GLC1968]

I have the following in my wedge under my seat, so I never have to think about it:

spare tubes (I need two - two different sized tires)
a tire lever
tiny patch kit
tiny multi-tool
lip stuff
tiny golf pencil and a folded up piece of paper

I have a pump with a gauge mounted on the frame, so that's always with me. My road ID is attached to my shoes, so I always have that, too. My sunglasses, helmet and gloves stay with my bikes when I'm not riding, so they are always right there ready to go.

When I go to ride I grab ID, cash, cell phone, water & maybe food (depending on the length of the ride)...oh, and a cue-sheet or map of the route since we are still relatively new to the area and exploring. :)

[Becky]

Pretty much what everyone else said, other than instead of RoadID, I have MedicAlert. Which reminds me, I need to up-date my file with them...:rolleyes:

Now if only MedicAlert would come out with some nice bands like the RoadIDs! Their sports bands just don't do it for me....

Think RoadID would engrave my MedicAlert info? :cool:

[Zen]

Such a minimalist. ;)

I am :)
but I forgot something.

I always have my camera. You never know when you're going to find interesting road kill.

[madscot13]

Like becky originally said (sort of):

Spare tube
Patch kit
Tire levers
Pump
Multi-tool
ID
Keys
Cell Phone
Food
Water and sports drink (1 bottle each)




I'm the pits when I am hungry.

[jobob]

I carry a small flat zippable pouch that fits easily into the back pocket of my jersey.

In that, I have ID (at the moment its my previous drivers' license which just expired and is otherwise identical to my current drivers' license), a bit of cash and a credit card, and a card with my emergency contact info printed on it.

I also have a photocopy of my insurance card in there, which would have come in handy in my crash since I was pretty much out of it (except my husband was driving SAG on that ride and so he was there soon after and had my wallet with him in the car, and his insurance card info is the same as mine).

But still, it's good to have insurance info on you, just in case (along with info about allergies, medications etc. if need be - but I suppose that's what the MedicAlert is for).

jeeze, someday I'll stop obsessing about my crash, really ... :rolleyes:

[madscot13]

tell me again, what is insurance?

[TxDoc]

Hi Heifzilla,
I do not use saddle bags much. I have one somewhere but I prefer to keep a patch kit and CO2 in the jersey pocket.

[jobob]

tell me again, what is insurance? Errrr, sorry. :o

[Heifzilla]

Now if only MedicAlert would come out with some nice bands like the RoadIDs! Their sports bands just don't do it for me....

Think RoadID would engrave my MedicAlert info? :cool:

Depends on how much you need engraved. You have 5 or 6 lines to use and I'd think they'd engrave just about anything you wanted. I'd give them a call. I had all of my allergy info engraved on mine. I don't see why they couldn't put your MedicAlert info on there.

[Becky]

Depends on how much you need engraved. You have 5 or 6 lines to use and I'd think they'd engrave just about anything you wanted. I'd give them a call. I had all of my allergy info engraved on mine. I don't see why they couldn't put your MedicAlert info on there.

I was wondering about copyright or similar issues....b/c MedicAlert is a subscription service. I've heard at least one other organizations that won't engrave their info. Spacewise, I don't think it would be an issue.

[OakLeaf]

In my seat pack where I don't have to think about it:

*Multi-tool including chain tool. It's much more of a tool than I need for the short rides around the perimeter of town, but once I get out into the boonies, it's reassuring to have it "just in case."
*Spare tube
*CO2 inflater with two cartridges
*Tire levers
*Epi-Pen
*small lock
*patch kit

Mounted on my bike:

*Mini-pump
*Two bottles of water
*Garmin GPS. If I didn't have that, I'd carry a map. Sometimes I have a map too, anyway.

In my pocket:

*Phone
*Small jar of chamois cream
*Magnifying glass or reading glasses :rolleyes::cool:
*In a ziploc bag that stays together all the time, the following:
*Driver's license
*Insurance card
*Organ donor card
*Credit or debit card
*At least $20 cash
*Annual National Park pass
*Bicycling club membership card

Dang, sounds like a lot, doesn't it. It really doesn't seem like it (except for the multi-tool, which weighs a TON, but like I said, it's reassuring to have).

[RolliePollie]

+1 on the Benadryl. I carry it with me everywhere I go. You never know when you (or someone you're with) might have a weird allergic reaction to something.

I also carry an "emergency card" in my seat bag which has photocopies of my driver's license and insurance card, other medical info, and emergency contact info. I had a line on my RoadID engraved with "emer info in seat bag" since it's kind of hard to fit all your important info on the RoadID itself.

Otherwise I pretty much carry the same thing everyone else has listed.

[ASammy1]

I feel like I carry a lot too:

Seat bag:

Spare tube
CO2 inflator
2 CO2 cartridges
Patch kit
mini-multi tool
tire levers

Bento box:

Chap Stick
Travel size tissue
Luna bars and or Gu
Cell phone

Back pockets:

Sunblock
base layer/windbreaker (depending on weather)

Mounted:

2 Polar Bottles of water or electrolyte drink (depending on length of ride)

Road ID shoe wallet:

Credit or Debit Card
Copies of ID, insurance card
Cash

[Vireo]

"must haves" is relative to where you are riding. If you are climbing a 30 mile mountain (in the middle of a 180 mile ride) with no support, or car access you "must have" more stuff.

Rest of the pics. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/epictrain/sets/72157607171937982/)


Blog post about this ride. (http://epictrain.blogspot.com/search/label/Dawson%20Saddle)


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2838379619_c28e347d3e.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2838381073_f6e2d643cc.jpg

[malkin]

I carry a first aid kit as a totem to ward off accidents.
I have only needed it when I didn't have it, although I've swiped bandaids from it when I wasn't on a ride.

[jobob]

I have only needed it when I didn't have it

One of life's great truths. :cool:

[IvonaDestroi]

phone
debit card
id card
key
lock (depends on bike or where I am going)
tube, C02, levers, multitool (in seat bag)

banana or granola bar, just in case. But not always.
water

helmet
gloves
cheap home depot tinted safety glasses

What is with the banana thing? I heard it's some sort of cycling tradition...???

[ZenSojourner]

It's bike riding food. That and fig newtons.

Hmmm, in my seat bag I have:

2 spare tubes, 1 700c and 1 24"
patch kit
multi-tool
ball wrench
compact screwdriver
tire pressure gauge
spare stem
spare stem caps
tire levers
small pack of bandaids and antibiotic cream


In my camelbak-equivalent:
Driver's license
cell phone
bike lock
maps
glasses
money
debit card
keys
foodal items - dates, raisins, butterscotch, bananas, PB crackers
water IN the camelbak-equivalent reservoir
SPF 45 chapstick
If the ride is > 50 miles

extra bottles of propel
extra bike shorts
rain gear
extra gloves
spare 24" tire (lashed to my rear rack)
sample size sunscreen (for touch-up)


on the bike:
the seat bag
frame pump (Topeak Morph)
however many water bottles will fit under the frame pump (usually one large, one small) containing watered down gatorade or propel
Cyclometer (I forgot that one, LOL!)

On my person:
helmet
hair band (and I DON'T mean an 80's glam rock musical combo)
gloves
sunglasses ($10 from the hardware store, basically tinted safety glasses)
bike shoes (in the hopes that some day, I WILL clip in again)
The camelbak-equivalent of course
Slather up with sunscreen which usually lasts 'til the end of the ride

Things I'm going to add because I have them now and didn't use to:
digital camera
digital video camera if multi-day (slightly larger than the still camera)
spare cell phone battery, fully charged and in a heavy duty ziploc bag

Things I'm going to add after reading other people's lists:
Magnifying glass

[cylegoddess]

I have all the usual in bike seat bag;
2 tubes,
2 Co2
multi tool
three tire levers( its hard for me)
bandages( the roll kind. I kept stacking it, when using my new clips for a while)
fructose energy powder( allergic to those gluc shots)

two bottles of water( big)
I underslung pump
I( in pack) Co2 pump( need to get the small type for bike bag. Whats good?)
2 bananas( for commute - 15 miles per trip)
cycle comp( old only gives time)
phone
money
a teabag( herbal)

If using a pack;
lock
apple blackcurrant juice


I need id and medicare card, whoops! ( Thanks for reminders!)
I have excellent polarized glasses.Cost a fortune but always good for Aussie sun( too bright) and avoiding bugs in eye.

I found lately that its good to bring spare glasses and a contact case.as my eyes turn bright red after a while and it freaks people out at stops!

[indigoiis]

Ivana, my brother works in green food, and tells me that soon bananas as we know them will soon no longer be (some pollination thing, which will make them too expensive to grow and too unpredictable to import as we do now) so I eat them while I can, at every opportunity. And they are the ultimate energy food for me. Unfortunately, they are not really green... I do feel guilty sometimes.

Hey, what's with the tire patch kits? Do people really patch their tires on the road? I just slap a spare on and ride home, and patch at home. I mean, maybe if it was a touring trip... but for a 50 mile ride? Or commute? I can't see myself having the patience to sit on the side of the road patching my tire. LOL. :D

[Becky]

Hey, what's with the tire patch kits? Do people really patch their tires on the road? I just slap a spare on and ride home, and patch at home. I mean, maybe if it was a touring trip... but for a 50 mile ride? Or commute? I can't see myself having the patience to sit on the side of the road patching my tire. LOL. :D

Cheap insurance. I'll change a flat with the tube first but, if I have a repeat, it's reassuring to know that I can fix it and it takes up a lot less space than a second tube.

[tctrek]

I carry a first aid kit as a totem to ward off accidents.
I have only needed it when I didn't have it, although I've swiped bandaids from it when I wasn't on a ride.

Funny you say that. I've had two falls when I did not have a first aid kit. Started carrying one and haven't fallen since! Definitely a totem!

[OakLeaf]

Cheap insurance. I'll change a flat with the tube first but, if I have a repeat, it's reassuring to know that I can fix it and it takes up a lot less space than a second tube.

+1

You do notice no one's said they carry ONLY a patch kit. It could be a long walk.

[ny biker]

It's bike riding food. That and fig newtons.

Hmmm, in my seat bag I have:

2 spare tubes, 1 700c and 1 24"
patch kit
multi-tool
ball wrench
compact screwdriver
tire pressure gauge
spare stem
spare stem caps
tire levers
small pack of bandaids and antibiotic cream


In my camelbak-equivalent:
Driver's license
cell phone
bike lock
maps
glasses
money
debit card
keys
foodal items - dates, raisins, butterscotch, bananas, PB crackers
water IN the camelbak-equivalent reservoir
SPF 45 chapstick
If the ride is > 50 miles

extra bottles of propel
extra bike shorts
rain gear
extra gloves
spare 24" tire (lashed to my rear rack)
sample size sunscreen (for touch-up)


on the bike:
the seat bag
frame pump (Topeak Morph)
however many water bottles will fit under the frame pump (usually one large, one small) containing watered down gatorade or propel
Cyclometer (I forgot that one, LOL!)

On my person:
helmet
hair band (and I DON'T mean an 80's glam rock musical combo)
gloves
sunglasses ($10 from the hardware store, basically tinted safety glasses)
bike shoes (in the hopes that some day, I WILL clip in again)
The camelbak-equivalent of course
Slather up with sunscreen which usually lasts 'til the end of the ride

Things I'm going to add because I have them now and didn't use to:
digital camera
digital video camera if multi-day (slightly larger than the still camera)
spare cell phone battery, fully charged and in a heavy duty ziploc bag

Things I'm going to add after reading other people's lists:
Magnifying glass


This is a lot of stuff. You carry extra shorts and gloves on every ride over 50 miles?

I try to strike a balance between being prepared and keeping the overall weight of bike+rider to a minimum. I have enough trouble getting up hills without extra stuff weighing me down.

[ZenSojourner]

This is a lot of stuff. You carry extra shorts and gloves on every ride over 50 miles?

I do.

The extra weight on the bike is nothing compared to the extra weight on me.

It's really not that much stuff. Most of it is small, lightweight items. What's a driver's license weigh, for heaven's sake? Is the 0.25 ounces a hair band weighs going to keep me from climbing a hill?

On at least 2 occasions I've been VERY glad of the extra shorts. Since I rarely ride more than 60 miles in one day, that's a higher proportion of the time than you might at first think.

The extra gloves have come in handy several times, once because I crashed and tore hell out of the gloves I was wearing. The rest of the time, well, if I get caught in the rain, eventually those gloves get soaked and it's nice to have a dry pair on the off chance it stops raining before I stop riding.

What would you have me leave? The frame pump? Uh uh, even one use justifies that, and I've used it more often than that.

My cell phone? Nope, it's a safety device when I'm out riding.

The snacks? I only take about 4 oz total of snackish type food with me, not worth the leaving, compared to the risk of bonking. Ditto the fluids.

Maybe my bike shoes? That's the heaviest item on the list. Sure, I could go barefootin' . . . LOL!

If you're seriously going to be inconvenience by a pound or two of "extra" weight, I don't know, you might want to consider a training regimen.

You think that's a lot, you should see the extra weight when I go to the grocery and load 'er up!

[aicabsolut]

Seat bag:
2 tire levers
1 80mm valve tube
1 average length valve tube
1 valve extender
1 gel (in case of bonk)
2 CO2 cartridges
multitool
sometimes cell phone (if I need the space in my pockets)

Pockets:
mini pump (dual pump / CO2)
chapstick w/ SPF
wallet w/ keys attached. Containing usual stuff, but at minimum:
ID, CC, cash, insurance card
FOOD: packets of Clif bloks. Maybe Clif bar for really long rides.

Bike:
2 bottles, with electrolyte water and/or Clif drink
Garmin Edge 305

Helmet:
I write my insurance, emergency contact, and medical info on the ID stickers inside my helmet.


I should probably keep a dose of my migraine meds in my seat bag as well. They come in individual pouches. Even so, I worry about crushing it (fast dissolve tablets), and those buggers are expensive.

[Vireo]

I do.

The extra weight on the bike is nothing compared to the extra weight on me.

It's really not that much stuff. Most of it is small, lightweight items. What's a driver's license weigh, for heaven's sake? Is the 0.25 ounces a hair band weighs going to keep me from climbing a hill?

On at least 2 occasions I've been VERY glad of the extra shorts. Since I rarely ride more than 60 miles in one day, that's a higher proportion of the time than you might at first think.

The extra gloves have come in handy several times, once because I crashed and tore hell out of the gloves I was wearing. The rest of the time, well, if I get caught in the rain, eventually those gloves get soaked and it's nice to have a dry pair on the off chance it stops raining before I stop riding.

What would you have me leave? The frame pump? Uh uh, even one use justifies that, and I've used it more often than that.

My cell phone? Nope, it's a safety device when I'm out riding.

The snacks? I only take about 4 oz total of snackish type food with me, not worth the leaving, compared to the risk of bonking. Ditto the fluids.

Maybe my bike shoes? That's the heaviest item on the list. Sure, I could go barefootin' . . . LOL!

If you're seriously going to be inconvenience by a pound or two of "extra" weight, I don't know, you might want to consider a training regimen.

You think that's a lot, you should see the extra weight when I go to the grocery and load 'er up!


You know the OP was talking about "must haves" right?

[ny biker]

I do.

The extra weight on the bike is nothing compared to the extra weight on me.

It's really not that much stuff. Most of it is small, lightweight items. What's a driver's license weigh, for heaven's sake? Is the 0.25 ounces a hair band weighs going to keep me from climbing a hill?

On at least 2 occasions I've been VERY glad of the extra shorts. Since I rarely ride more than 60 miles in one day, that's a higher proportion of the time than you might at first think.

The extra gloves have come in handy several times, once because I crashed and tore hell out of the gloves I was wearing. The rest of the time, well, if I get caught in the rain, eventually those gloves get soaked and it's nice to have a dry pair on the off chance it stops raining before I stop riding.

What would you have me leave? The frame pump? Uh uh, even one use justifies that, and I've used it more often than that.

My cell phone? Nope, it's a safety device when I'm out riding.

The snacks? I only take about 4 oz total of snackish type food with me, not worth the leaving, compared to the risk of bonking. Ditto the fluids.

Maybe my bike shoes? That's the heaviest item on the list. Sure, I could go barefootin' . . . LOL!

If you're seriously going to be inconvenience by a pound or two of "extra" weight, I don't know, you might want to consider a training regimen.

You think that's a lot, you should see the extra weight when I go to the grocery and load 'er up!


Wow. What's with the hostility? Thanks but I have a training regimen already.

[Miranda]

:rolleyes:I was thinking about this the other day trying to "ween" myself to a smaller lighter bag (though it's only an expandable seat wedge as is).

A lot in this thread I carry. I guess think about is there anything *very specific* to you that no one else would have (another ride pal etc.) to bail you out?:confused:

My asthma inhailer RX medicine and spacer is one.

My prescription contact lens are another. I have been quite a ways out and gotten a good gust of farm field dust or 'road somethin somethin' in my contact before:(.

When you can't see right... getting back home can be a problem:eek:. And btw, 'yes'... I do carry a cell phone (provided who you call for help is available to do so).

I could get RX inserts for my Rudy Project sunglasses... but not having my peripheral vision is bothersome in traffic to ME (I hate wearing even my regular glasses for that reason:mad:). So...

An extra pair of contacts go in the bag for sure!

Happy packing!:cool:

[PamNY]

If you're seriously going to be inconvenience by a pound or two of "extra" weight, I don't know, you might want to consider a training regimen.

Zen:

Often in this group, questions are asked for purpose of clarification, not argument. This is very helpful for beginners like me.

While I can't know the motivation of the person who asked you a question, I can tell you that I am avidly reading this thread. I plan to do longer rides this summer, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from more experienced people.

Just something to keep in mind as you compose your responses. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have a "safe" place to ask very basic questions without fear of snarky responses or ridicule.

Pam

[VeloVT]

One other thing I thought of -- for rides over 40 miles or so in hot weather, I will often bring "individual serve" packets of Gu20. If you have a place to fill your bottles/buy water, they're quite handy and don't take up too much room.

[ZenSojourner]

You know the OP was talking about "must haves" right?

Well one person's "must have" might seem unnecessary to another. Since you can't be sure what you "must have" on each and every ride, my list of "must haves" includes things I can't tell for sure whether or not I'll need until AFTER the fact.

[ZenSojourner]

Just something to keep in mind as you compose your responses. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have a "safe" place to ask very basic questions without fear of snarky responses or ridicule.

Pam

Well thanks, but considering some of the snarky responses I've gotten in other threads this doesn't seem to be a forum wide concern.

That said, the particular statement you picked out was intended to make light of a situation where frankly I felt I had gotten a snarky response. In case you didn't notice, this is what I was responding to:


This is a lot of stuff. You carry extra shorts and gloves on every ride over 50 miles?

I try to strike a balance between being prepared and keeping the overall weight of bike+rider to a minimum. I have enough trouble getting up hills without extra stuff weighing me down.

I think expressing that kind of incredulity and telling somebody the stuff they've got on their "must have" list is unnecessary extra weight, that, in effect, I have NOT "struck a balance between being prepared and keeping weight down", is pretty snarky. It's my list after all.

Don't you think I ought to be able to assume this is a "safe" place to post also?

YMMV. I suspect we'll just have to agree to disagree.

[Miranda]

Something I forgot to put in my original post I'll add here...

a plastic sandwich or snack size baggie.

I originally brought the baggie along to roll up the packaged contacts to help them from getting lost in my saddle bag, or accidently falling out if I stopped etc. (baggie is more noticeable). However...

I used that same baggie once when caught out in the rain. Luckily I didn't have far to ride home, but the baggie worked great for giving my cell phone enough water proof protection until I got in.

On a womanly note, if you have any sporadiac cycle issue, a compact size tampon is nice to have in the saddle bag. Though a female fellow rider might help you out there if needed. Unfortunately I am one of those that tried the Diva Cup and it didn't work for me (short of story).

Sure... bike shorts are normally black, like a lot of saddles, but if you are too soaked through things can well... 'travel'. Sorry, not a happy ride picture, but a fact of womanly life for some of us.

[ZenSojourner]

Wow. What's with the hostility? Thanks but I have a training regimen already.

Sorry, but that was not hostile. It's a shame you feel it was.

It was, however, responding in kind. I didn't notice any one else's list getting critiqued.

So, if you want to have a dialogue, what would you have me leave behind?

Not that I would leave anything behind because that IS my "must have" list, which I have expanded rather than shrinking after getting good ideas from other people.

[ZenSojourner]

(snip)
I used that same baggie once when caught out in the rain. Luckily I didn't have far to ride home, but the baggie worked great for giving my cell phone enough water proof protection until I got in.

(snip)

On a womanly note, if you have any sporadiac cycle issue, a compact size tampon is nice to have in the saddle bag.

Two more good ideas. I guess I'm just going to have to load up another ounce or two, LOL!

If you keep the spare tampon IN the baggie, maybe I could count that as one item, LOL!

[VeloVT]

Something I forgot to put in my original post I'll add here...

a plastic sandwich or snack size baggie.

I originally brought the baggie along to roll up the packaged contacts to help them from getting lost in my saddle bag, or accidently falling out if I stopped etc. (baggie is more noticeable). However...

I used that same baggie once when caught out in the rain. Luckily I didn't have far to ride home, but the baggie worked great for giving my cell phone enough water proof protection until I got in.



Yeah, now that you mention it, I usually keep an empty sandwich sized ziplock in my seatbag too, on longer rides. It's a good place to gather miscellaneous trash -- energy bar wrappers, gum (yuck, but better than leaving it somewhere if there's no trash around), etc.

[Vireo]

Something I forgot to put in my original post I'll add here...

a plastic sandwich or snack size baggie.

I originally brought the baggie along to roll up the packaged contacts to help them from getting lost in my saddle bag, or accidently falling out if I stopped etc. (baggie is more noticeable). However...

I used that same baggie once when caught out in the rain. Luckily I didn't have far to ride home, but the baggie worked great for giving my cell phone enough water proof protection until I got in.

On a womanly note, if you have any sporadiac cycle issue, a compact size tampon is nice to have in the saddle bag. Though a female fellow rider might help you out there if needed. Unfortunately I am one of those that tried the Diva Cup and it didn't work for me (short of story).

Sure... bike shorts are normally black, like a lot of saddles, but if you are too soaked through things can well... 'travel'. Sorry, not a happy ride picture, but a fact of womanly life for some of us.


I ALWAYS pack my Blackberry Curve in a snack-size baggie for the most common thing I will encounter in SoCal -- sweat. On rainy days the snack size baggie it is a "must have". The sandwich baggie is loose enough to operate the keys but the snack size packs in my jersey pocket better.

[aicabsolut]

I ALWAYS pack my Blackberry Curve in a snack-size baggie for the most common thing I will encounter in SoCal -- sweat. On rainy days the snack size baggie it is a "must have". The sandwich baggie is loose enough to operate the keys but the snack size packs in my jersey pocket better.

+1

Even when my cell is in my seat bag, that thing is not 100% waterproof (particularly b/c of the zippers). If I get caught in the rain or something, the phone is soaked. If the phone is in my pocket, it's soaked in sweat. My cell phone always goes in a sealed sandwich bag.

[redrhodie]

I don't know, that baggie sounds too heavy. ;)

[Vireo]

It's bike riding food. That and fig newtons.

Hmmm, in my seat bag I have:

2 spare tubes, 1 700c and 1 24"
patch kit
multi-tool
ball wrench
compact screwdriver
tire pressure gauge
spare stem
spare stem caps
tire levers
small pack of bandaids and antibiotic cream


In my camelbak-equivalent:
Driver's license
cell phone
bike lock
maps
glasses
money
debit card
keys
foodal items - dates, raisins, butterscotch, bananas, PB crackers
water IN the camelbak-equivalent reservoir
SPF 45 chapstick
If the ride is > 50 miles

extra bottles of propel
extra bike shorts
rain gear
extra gloves
spare 24" tire (lashed to my rear rack)
sample size sunscreen (for touch-up)


on the bike:
the seat bag
frame pump (Topeak Morph)
however many water bottles will fit under the frame pump (usually one large, one small) containing watered down gatorade or propel
Cyclometer (I forgot that one, LOL!)

On my person:
helmet
hair band (and I DON'T mean an 80's glam rock musical combo)
gloves
sunglasses ($10 from the hardware store, basically tinted safety glasses)
bike shoes (in the hopes that some day, I WILL clip in again)
The camelbak-equivalent of course
Slather up with sunscreen which usually lasts 'til the end of the ride

Things I'm going to add because I have them now and didn't use to:
digital camera
digital video camera if multi-day (slightly larger than the still camera)
spare cell phone battery, fully charged and in a heavy duty ziploc bag

Things I'm going to add after reading other people's lists:
Magnifying glass

At the risk of getting my head chopped off I would like to express my views on some of the things on your list. I wish for you to take it only as my perspective from riding a minimum of 12,000 miles a year in racing and training most of it in very remote areas.

Some things happen on a bike that are freak happenings and may NEVER happen again or at the very least are less likely to repeat. For example, one day I had 5 flats (http://epictrain.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-epic-adventure-on-saturday.html). In my 20 plus years of riding that had never happened to me before nor has it happened since (last summer):)

My intent is not to reduce the weight of your gear although that will happen. Quite the contrary, I have a term for the over-packing of "must haves" I call it the Linus Blanket Syndrome. Leave it behind you really don't need all of it.


2 spare tubes, 1 700c and 1 24"
patch kit
multi-tool
ball wrench
compact screwdriver COMBINE ALL OF THESE INTO ONE MULITOOL
tire pressure gauge TRULY UNNECCESSARY
spare stem FOR YOUR H-BARS? OR VALVE STEM? LEAVE IT BEHIND
spare stem caps USELESS-- STEM CAPS DON'T DO ANYTHING I HAVE NEVER USED THEM
tire levers
small pack of bandaids and antibiotic cream DEBATEABLE BUT YOUR RIDES ARE SHORT ENOUGH YOU CAN WAIT TO GET HOME TO DO THAT. IF YOU ADOPT A SPORT DRINK YOU CAN USE THAT TO RINSE YOUR WOUND. SUGAR IS A NATURAL ANTISPECTIC.

In my camelbak-equivalent: YOUR RIDES ARE SHORT ENOUGH YOU DON'T REALLY NEED A CAMELBACK
Driver's license
cell phone
bike lock: ARE YOU COMMUTING OTHERWISE MY BIKE NEVER LEAVES MY SIGHT. I WALK IT INTO GROCERY STORES UP AND DOWN THE AISLES OR EAT AT BIKE FRIENDLY PLACES ONLY
maps CAN YOU SORT THIS OUT BEFORE YOUR RIDE?
glasses
money
debit card
keys
foodal items - dates, raisins, butterscotch, bananas, PB crackers
water IN the camelbak-equivalent reservoir
SPF 45 chapstick
If the ride is > 50 miles
[LIST]
extra bottles of propel HARDLY ANY NUTRITIONAL VALUE (http://www.bodyconcept.com/family/1200/supplement_facts.html) FIND A SPORT DRINK


extra bike shorts WHY? GOOD PAIR OF SHORTS HAVE ENOUGH DENSITY AND MEMORY FOR AT LEAST A CENTURY. ON MY CENTURY PLUS TRAINING RIDES I DON'T TAKE EXTRA SHORTS. EVEN AT THE FURNACE CREEK 508 (508 MILES NON STOP) I DON'T CHANGE MY SHORTS BUT ONCE-- MAYBE TWICE MAINLY TO GIVE VISIBILITY TO MY SPONSORS WITH DIFFERENT KITS.


rain gear


extra gloves ROUGH IT A LITTLE -- YOU ARE ON A BIKE


spare 24" tire (lashed to my rear rack) ALL YOU NEED IS A TIRE BOOT NOT A COMPLETE TIRE


sample size sunscreen (for touch-up)

on the bike:
the seat bag
frame pump (Topeak Morph)
however many water bottles will fit under the frame pump (usually one large, one small) containing watered down gatorade or propel
Cyclometer (I forgot that one, LOL!)


On my person:
helmet
hair band (and I DON'T mean an 80's glam rock musical combo)
gloves
sunglasses ($10 from the hardware store, basically tinted safety glasses)
bike shoes (in the hopes that some day, I WILL clip in again)
The camelbak-equivalent of course
Slather up with sunscreen which usually lasts 'til the end of the ride

Things I'm going to add because I have them now and didn't use to:
digital camera
digital video camera if multi-day (slightly larger than the still camera) MOST "STILL" DIGITAL CAMERAS SHOOT VIDEO GET A BIGGER MEM CARD YOU CAN SHOOT UP TO 2 HOURS OF VIDEO
spare cell phone battery, fully charged and in a heavy duty ziploc bag: IS THIS FOR MULTI-DAY TRIPS OR ALWAYS?

Things I'm going to add after reading other people's lists:
Magnifying glass: IF YOU WEAR GLASSES OR NEED THEM FOR READNG THEN BRING -- READING GLASSES.

Now please this is not a hostile post. I just think you are planning for every eventuality and I truly believe you just don't need so much stuff. Even on my unsupported brevets of 600km (375 milers) I don't take half of the stuff you are taking with you on your 50 milers.

Additionally, while I believe there should be a "safe" place to post your concerns there should also be the attitude of "If I post something that is just silly can you girls set me straight?"

[maillotpois]

+1 on everything Vireo said.

That being said, I know EVERYONE will have different needs on their bike for rides of 10 - 375 miles. So everyone's list will be different and that's fine. We can all agree to take different approaches to riding and what we believe is essential on the bike. :)

I have learned a lot about what is and is not essential on every long ride I have done. On my 600k brevet I brought WAY too much food. In fact that's a lesson I still didn't learn at last weekend's double century - I brought WAY too much. After a learning experience ride like that, I take some notes on what did and did not work, what I need next time and what I should leave home.

Here's my list of what is ON my bike for any ride over 60 miles:

2 bottles (2 scoops each SE and power bar endurance)

Garmin

Seat bag: 2 tubes, 3 CO2s plus CO2 filler (what the heck do you call that??), 1 tire lever, 1 multi tool, snack size baggie containing (1) small rolled up piece of duct tape (probably 5" of tape and MAN has that come in handy on brevets) and (2) 3 zip ties.

In the Jersey Pockets: snacks, baggie with cell phone, ID and cash, short finger gloves if it is cold when I start and I think it will warm up.

If the rides get longer and more remote, I start to pack more food, specifically baggies with drink mix in them. On my 600k brevet, I did pack extra shorts and used them happily, but this was the only time I did that. (I also packed and used my rain pants on that ride, more for warmth in the wee hours, though it also did rain).

[ZenSojourner]

Oh shoot, now I'm going to have to add some duct tape!

I never wear a jersey, hate 'em - if I were thin enough I'd be embarrassed to wear something that tight, and since I'm fat, I'm still embarrassed to wear something that tight, LOL!

So no pockets for me. Everthing goes in the seat bag or in my camelbak-equivalent pack. Unless it's lashed to the rear rack.

[Vireo]

All this talk of essentials on a ride has given me an idea for my website. I will compile some of the good ideas and make kits based on mileage.

[SadieKate]

maps CAN YOU SORT THIS OUT BEFORE YOUR RIDE?
extra gloves ROUGH IT A LITTLE -- YOU ARE ON A BIKE
Magnifying glass: IF YOU WEAR GLASSES OR NEED THEM FOR READNG THEN BRING -- READING GLASSES.

On my gawd. I must be so uncool because I carry a magnifying glass and extra gloves when I'm mtb-ing. The magnifying glass takes up much less space and enlarges contour lines on topo maps far better than reading glasses, especially when you already are wearing corrective lenses. Matter of fact, I'm going to put one in my road bike bags because, hey, it takes up less space that the recommended reading glasses.

An extra set of dry gloves when it's snowing can mean non-frostbitten fingers. I even carry extra gloves up long mountain climbs on my road bikes because dry gloves descending can be more effective than a jacket. We each have our own weak points for staying warm. For me it's gloves. I know jobob likes her neck warm. Carry what you need to.

Then all of us carry maps cuz there's nothing like getting lost in the back of beyond out of cell phone range. I guess some of us like to ride new routes and trails, to see new territory. Or perhaps just like the assurance when they're in the back of beyond on a route that they can only ride a couple times a year that they're taking the right turn.

Too each his or her own opinion, but can you not shout it (ALL CAPS IS SHOUTING ON THE WWW) because it makes you sound like the proverbial sneering lycra-clad racer. I truly don't think you intend that at all. You don't strike me as that type, so perhaps no shouting? :) :)

[maillotpois]

I read the all caps as him trying to differentiate what he wrote from the post he was quoting.

[ny biker]

Sorry, but that was not hostile. It's a shame you feel it was.

It was, however, responding in kind. I didn't notice any one else's list getting critiqued.

So, if you want to have a dialogue, what would you have me leave behind?

Not that I would leave anything behind because that IS my "must have" list, which I have expanded rather than shrinking after getting good ideas from other people.

No, my response was not hostile.

And clearly a dialogue would be a waste of time.

[Vireo]

maps CAN YOU SORT THIS OUT BEFORE YOUR RIDE?
extra gloves ROUGH IT A LITTLE -- YOU ARE ON A BIKE
Magnifying glass: IF YOU WEAR GLASSES OR NEED THEM FOR READNG THEN BRING -- READING GLASSES.

On my gawd. I must be so uncool because I carry a magnifying glass and extra gloves when I'm mtb-ing. The magnifying glass takes up much less space and enlarges contour lines on topo maps far better than reading glasses, especially when you already are wearing corrective lenses. Matter of fact, I'm going to put one in my road bike bags because, hey, it takes up less space that the recommended reading glasses.

An extra set of dry gloves when it's snowing can mean non-frostbitten fingers. I even carry extra gloves up long mountain climbs on my road bikes because dry gloves descending can be more effective than a jacket. We each have our own weak points for staying warm. For me it's gloves. I know jobob likes her neck warm. Carry what you need to.

Then all of us carry maps cuz there's nothing like getting lost in the back of beyond out of cell phone range. I guess some of us like to ride new routes and trails, to see new territory. Or perhaps just like the assurance when they're in the back of beyond on a route that they can only ride a couple times a year that they're taking the right turn.

Too each his or her own opinion, but can you not shout it (ALL CAPS IS SHOUTING ON THE WWW) because it makes you sound like the proverbial sneering lycra-clad racer. I truly don't think you intend that at all. You don't strike me as that type, so perhaps no shouting? :) :)

My apologies about the caps I wanted my comments to stand out from Zen's copied post. I was not shouting.

My assumptions were based on a moderate temperature day. Obviously rain, snow or any type of inclement weather carries with it its own requisite gear.

By the way, I will admit I am totally clueless about MTB'ing and getting "lost" on purpose for the adventure. I have spent plenty of time in the "bush" in my 12 years in the Marine Corps and maps was vital to my survival.

I will be carrying a map and compass for Trans Iowa.

[ZenSojourner]

No, my response was not hostile.

And clearly a dialogue would be a waste of time.

I didn't say you were hostile. I said you were snarky. You're the one who accused me of being hostile.

Frankly this is not a subject that ought to require a dialogue, but that's ok, someone else has done it for you.

Clearly you think it's OK to criticize someone else's choices and make personal remarks. That's fine (well actually it's not but whatever), but when you do so, you should not be surprised when someone responds unhappily.

I'm really curious as to why a tiny minority of people on here think it's ok to jump all over someone (me) for something that is clearly a matter of personal taste. I'm not the one telling anyone what to do here, all I did was report what *I* do. Take it or leave it, but it's frankly none of your business to "correct" me for what I choose to put in my seat bag, or whether or not I choose to use a camelbak, or carry spare valve caps, or anything else that was on my list.

[Delta7]

I had a mechanical on today's ride. Fortunately, since I keep a pair of disposable gloves in my bag, I did not get grease on my hands nor on my cool new Luna gloves ! :D

[SadieKate]

I read the all caps as him trying to differentiate what he wrote from the post he was quoting.Yeah, but my hackles were going up and I realized that it was the all caps - and that the "shouting" was probably completely unintentional.

My forum options include bold, italics, underline, font size, font color, etc., not to mention just using quote tags (that little icon that looks like a square cartoon bubble). Lots of ways to differentiate. :p

[Heifzilla]

I love all the replies so far :)

It's interesting to see what is a "must have" for one person is something completely irrelevant to another. I do think it also really matters what, where, and how you ride: a road racer isn't going to need the same stuff that a mountain biker will. And someone that does extremely long endurance-type rides into very remote/uninhabited country isn't going to need the same as someone who rides in very urban/suburban environments.

The idea is to see what everyone needs and then take into consideration your own needs :) For someone like me, who is just really starting out riding at any real length, it's great to look through these and say, "Hmm. I never would have thought of that, that is a great idea!" or "Hmm, I don't think I'd ever need that because it just doesn't apply to the way/place/length I ride."

IMO, the most important thing you can carry is an ID and a cellphone. The ID in case you get hurt, and the cellphone because it means help is just a call away :)

Thanks for a really great thread :cool:

[Vireo]

Yeah, but my hackles were going up and I realized that it was the all caps - and that the "shouting" was probably completely unintentional.

My forum options include bold, italics, underline, font size, font color, etc., not to mention just using quote tags (that little icon that looks like a square cartoon bubble). Lots of ways to differentiate. :p

Point taken, I'll be more careful. :o

[shootingstar]

I'm embarrassed to say what I don't carry...stuff that I used to carry to be better prepared, but I've become abit lazy.

And I've been cycling regularily for past 17 yrs.

One thing for certain, I do always carry...U-bike lock, 1 Kleenex (terry cloth patch on cycling glove isn't good enough and I can't do the snot rocket thing), keys, 2 bungie cords and wallet (with money & ID).


I seem to never have a map when I get slightly lost on the odd occasion in a city ..oh well. It doesn't compare to getting lost on a mountainside (surrounded by other mountains) while snowshoeing and when the sun will go down in 1 hr., far more scarier experience.

Depending on the weather forecast, of course to carry raingear just in case.

Contrast against my dearie who does carry a pile of stuff all times...including 10 bungie cords. I pannier is rather heavy (to me). It's just amusing to watch him pull out the tangled wad of them, to find the pair length that he needs. He insists on carrying all his bungie "options". Whatever.

[jobob]

It's interesting to see what is a "must have" for one person is something completely irrelevant to another.
Bingo! :cool:

I used to be the butt of lots of good-natured jokes among my riding friends (you know who you are :D) because of all the stuff I would carry with me on rides. And the big-azz Carradice saddle bag to stuff it all in.

(Wish I could still find that photo that one of my dear friends found on the 'net and posted that made fun of my "bring everything" tendencies - it was perfect!)

This is not the same one but it's close enough ...
http://www.rideyourbike.com/images/cargoload1.jpg


Over time that tendency has evolved some, but I probably still carry more stuff than many, it's part my randonneur mindset, and yep, part Linus Blanket Syndrome (too funny! too true for me! Cue the Linus & Lucy theme ...)

Interesting stuff here.

[PamNY]

Additionally, while I believe there should be a "safe" place to post your concerns there should also be the attitude of "If I post something that is just silly can you girls set me straight?"

If you are referring to my "safe" comment, I said "safe" place to ask very basic questions. In this thread, the question would be "Why do you carry XYZ?" That would be a question, not a critique.

A lock could be handy in an emergency. A spare cell phone battery is good in cold weather. Maps are useful if you decide to explore, or a route is unexpectedly closed. I was biking around the Bronx alone today, and realizing there are some dubious parts to that borough, I turned back because I didn't bring a map.

What does length of ride have to do with use of a Camelback?

Finally, why on earth does anyone care what someone else takes on a ride? I understand asking "why" to get information, but otherwise, who cares? I've seen boom boxes strapped to bikes, and that makes me smile. Not something I'd do, but it conveys a certain convivial attitude that I find charming.

Pam

[jobob]

All this talk of essentials on a ride has given me an idea for my website. I will compile some of the good ideas and make kits based on mileage. Glad we were of assistance. :cool:

[OakLeaf]

If the phone is in my pocket, it's soaked in sweat. My cell phone always goes in a sealed sandwich bag.

+1. I keep it in the same baggie with my paperwork and cash. I got tired of the looks I'd get from store clerks when I'd have to wring out two limp dollar bills before handing them over for a bottle of Gatorade. :p

[maillotpois]

I've seen boom boxes strapped to bikes, and that makes me smile.

There was a guy on DMD last weekend who had a water bottle shaped boom box thingy that fit in his bottle cage. It was VERY cool; however, I did NOT like his choice of music. :rolleyes:



My forum options include bold, italics, underline, font size, font color, etc., not to mention just using quote tags (that little icon that looks like a square cartoon bubble). Lots of ways to differentiate. :p

But we're not all as creative (and computer talented) as you are!

[aicabsolut]

For snow/extreme cold, try neoprene gloves instead of changing gloves. I got some this winter. They ROCK. It doesn't matter how sweaty or wet you get (and you will get sweatier hands than usual, but it's worth it to have them stay warm).

[SadieKate]

Point taken, I'll be more careful. :oBesides, it's a great outlet for silliness.

[SadieKate]

But we're not all as . . . ( . . .computer talented) as you are!That would be BikerZ. Not moi. I merely kowtow at her feet (as she spends my money).

[Grog]

I prefer other people to bring more stuff than less with them.

Why does it matter to me?

Because I'm the kind soul that ends up giving a spare tube (I usually carry two) or a CO2 cartridge to someone who's stuck on the side of the road and didn't have the good sense of bringing their own. I'm not talking about the guy that had gone through four tubes on a rainy day, but the people that bring NOTHING. Then they try to call someone on their cell phone and they're out of range or something.

I've also loaned water bottles and my spare gloves. Of course I could have let them freeze their fingers off and enjoy the toasty dry gloves myself, but mine were not that awful and it sort of would have ruined the ride if a fellow club member lost her fingers, no?

I've also been on the receiving end of a phone call for help and while I didn't mind (it was an unpredictable mechanical problem: who brings spare cranks and pedals on rides??!), if it would have been a simple flat tire it would have made me... cranky.

So I'm happy for people to bring the kitchen sink with them on bike rides. Who knows, if I have an urgent need to do dishes I can borrow it from them just like others have "borrowed" tubes from me!

[SadieKate]

So I'm happy for people to bring the kitchen sink with them on bike rides. Who knows, if I have an urgent need to do dishes I can borrow it from them just like others have "borrowed" tubes from me!LeeBob frequently has old bagels and cream cheese handy.:p

[snapdragen]

Uh oh, moderator in the house, play nice. ;)

I blame jobob for my seat bag. I used to use a cute little hawaiian print bag that just barely held my stuff. Now I've got a giant (to me) Banana Bag that contains

1 tube inside an old sock
multi tool
speed lever
spare car door opener (after locking my keys in the car before a ride)
copy of drivers licence, insurance and a credit card in my jimi wallet
snax -- fig newtons are a favorite
sunscreen stick or small spray bottle
cell phone
Purell wipes
spare camera battery (charged)
patch kit - although I don't know why, I hate patching tubes. :rolleyes:
bandana -- instead of kleenex


On the bike, two water bottles, pump, computer

I also have a small bento box that holds my digital camera.

Map/cue sheet holder

Depending on where I'm riding, I might have a Krebs map

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/snapdragen/Bleu/bananabag.jpg

[PamNY]

I prefer other people to bring more stuff than less with them.
Why does it matter to me?
Because I'm the kind soul that ends up giving a spare tube (I usually carry two) or a CO2 cartridge to someone who's stuck on the side of the road and didn't have the good sense of bringing their own.

I was wondering if anyone would mention this. I haven't yet done group rides, but I've certainly done hiking and camping and the people who didn't bring a spare whoozit are a pain.

I marvel at lack of emergency preparedness in general. I loaned out ALL my flashlights and camping lanterns and extra batteries during the blackout. Not that I mind loaning; I was just shocked at how many people had no emergency lighting, no battery radio, etc.

Pam

[ZenSojourner]

Propel - because Gatorade and all of it's cousins make me throw up when I ride, and at least Propel has a few vitamins and electrolytes not present in plain water. I substitute Propel and dried fruits which I can tolerate for the Gatorade and energy bars that I cannot.

Magnifying glass - I am dam' near blind for near vision. Distance vision is fine. Sure, I take my reading glasses with me. But as my decrepitude continues to advance, I find I can't read things like fine print, map details, or I need an extra boost in low light or when I'm very tired. Packing a magnifying glass because you're going blind isn't silly. It's foresight.

Maps - Really now. Until such time as you can get GPS implanted directly into your head, maps are still useful

Tiny tube of sunscreen - skin cancer runs in my family, my dad's had it twice and a cousin died of it. OK with you if I touch up the nose and face where I've sweated or rubbed the sunscreen off on long rides? That's a good idea for everybody spending hours in the sun.

valve stem and caps - came with my inner tube repair kit and I see no reason to sort them out and toss them. The caps I've used on occasion when I've lost one in the grass or in a puddle, they keep dirt out of the valve stem, I find them useful. They weigh next to nothing and take up no extra space, packed inside the tube repair kit as they are.

rain gear (for long rides), ditto spare shorts - I choose not to risk being cold and wet if I can avoid it. On occasion, I've been so cold after having to ride in the rain that I have thrown up while experiencing extreme chills - in the summer. Rain gear helps me to stay warm and dry, or at least to warm up when I get caught in a downpour and have to take shelter. I'm hypothyroid, that tends to make me more sensitive to cold, but it doesn't make me silly.

Bike lock - If I'm going grocery shopping or need to stop at a gas station to pee, I don't think the store owner is required to accommodate me AND my bike. Leaving it outside is only being considerate, and leaving it locked up is only sensible. Besides, I don't want to have to drag it along with me when I have more important things to do, like pick up groceries. Or pee. It's just in MY way as well as being a problem to others.

Camelbak - clearly you prefer water bottles. I prefer a camelbak. So what?

Bandaids - seriously, you want to bust my chops over BANDAIDS?

I could go on but I'm not going to bother. This was about you knocking the newby down to size, you don't care what I pack or why.

You know there were any number of non-judgmental ways to ask why I carry this or that. Simply saying "I never thought of taking an extra pair of gloves along, how have you found that useful"? or "I have this thing called a "tire boot" and this is what it does and this is how to use it, that's what I use instead of carrying a spare tire, do you think that might work for you?"

But instead you chose to be just as confrontational as you possibly could over such trivial items as the extra valve caps and stem that come in my inner tube repair kit, a few bandaids, a tiny thing of sunscreen.


YOUR RIDES ARE SHORT ENOUGH YOU CAN WAIT TO GET HOME . . . YOUR RIDES ARE SHORT ENOUGH YOU DON'T REALLY NEED . . .

Something you might consider as well, your definition of a long ride and someone else's definition of the same thing are highly likely NOT to match. From your comment about sponsors' logos on your bike shorts it would seem you have at least semi-professional standing in the cycling world, if not pro.

So maybe you can do a 50 mile ride in a couple of hours or less, and that seems "short" to you, but I take a more leisurely pace. A 50 mile ride is INTENTIONALLY an all day thing for me. I like to take it easy and go tooling through the countryside at my leisure, making frequent stops to watch somebody's horses for awhile, or to enjoy the wildflowers or birdsong, or just to sit in the shade and munch a few dates and slug back a bit of Propel (substitute the sports drink of your choice for yourself).

When you ride like that, you're at a higher risk for sudden changes in the weather, like rain, or high winds, or even, on occasion, hail and thunderstorms (I've weathered more than one of those in somebody's outbuilding with the hail peppering the metal roof). Sometimes a property owner or their kids will come out and talk to me when I stop to take a break, ask me about my bike, just have a casual conversation. I've never had anybody run me off or be rude to me when I'm off on a rural jaunt (except for rare occasions when I'm WAY off the beaten track and I have a problem with dogs running loose, and ignoring the occasional moron in a motor vehicle who throws or spits something at you).

Everything doesn't have to be YOUR way. The way you ride isn't the only correct way. If I'm carrying different things with me than you do, that's not silly, it's simply a reflection of my different outlook and needs.


Additionally, while I believe there should be a "safe" place to post your concerns there should also be the attitude of "If I post something that is just silly can you girls set me straight?"

No. This presupposes an ability on your part to judge what is silly; not only the ability, but the RIGHT to do so. It also shows a condescending and dismissive attitude to what you think isn't important that has no basis in reality and is surely not rooted in compassion.

I have good reasons for packing the things that I pack. It works for me. If you find something of value there, welcome to it; if not, that's not a license to beat me over the head with your silliness bludgeon.

Different isn't silly. It's just different.


Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Some of us just like to take our time, to look without judging or compartmentalizing, not to hurry. There's always time to hurry; it's making time to take your time that sometimes seems difficult, but life is so much poorer if you don't. If you want to shake your head over it, feel free. Just don't expect me to hurry up. Every now and then, promises can wait a bit, while I take all day for a 50 mile bike ride.

[jobob]

LeeBob frequently has old bagels and cream cheese handy.:p

Well gee you just never know when hunger strikes! :cool:

[salsabike]

All this talk of essentials on a ride has given me an idea for my website. I will compile some of the good ideas and make kits based on mileage.

Actually, that's a pretty cool idea. If you are willing, please let us know if you really do put that together and put it up on your site.

[jobob]

I blame jobob for my seat bag. Glad to help. Bwah hah hah. :D

[crazycanuck]

+1! Vireo(Can well call you george?) do you just have info on roadie stuff or mtb stuff as well on your training site?

In terms of a roadie ride-I just carry a phone, change, id & keys in my little ground effect wallet thing. If i'm doing 50km+ I'll just have a baggie with my drink stuff & fill up at at the beach(the pee stop) plus a couple of clif blok packages.

Mtn biking-Ground Effect hydration pack with phone & id, sock with co2 cartidges w little pump top thing, multi tool & a gu or raisins or whatever else I choose.

Sk-thanks for the coolio seat like Madame Snap has. :)

Oh, Jobob-why not have leebob toast the old bagels?

[cylegoddess]

I would like to add my two cents!

I agree with Zen, as to me - a 20 mile ride IS LONG. Im frail, still and although I would love to be able to get by with a banana and a bottle of electrolytes, it takes me a while to cycle that. I cant eat at cafes due to allergies so have to carry food stocks, like Im riding bush rides.

My work commute is about 45 - 50 min ( about 25 km) but I add for that( Im a pack rat linus person anyhow!)

codeine ( I get migraines too)
sunscreen( a nifty tiny tube, for lips ears and nose, as we have high skin cancer here)
contact lens solution( as my eyes turn bright red and scare the cafe people without it.)
a towel( to shower before work)
whatever work clothes I need
wallet( with too much crap in it.)

So its pannier time.

I do agree with the race chick, less can be good. Im working on that!
but I think taking bike into shops is a no no here( as much as I like the idea of not letting it out of my sight) the Mall is gonna have other ideas, sadly.( I mean , why shouldnt I take my bike? People take their prams, and wheelchairs but I digress..) A lock is essential sometimes. I do admire someone who breaks the non bike barriers, good on ya!
I dont carry patches, rather tubes as my best riding bud, said - those dont work so well for road bikes. Besides tubes are cheap.
Sadly, I get cold, even in summer so I am always carrying around heaps of clothes I am shedding and re-wearing, Its annoying but from a virus so cant be fixed. I was once insulted by a cycle shop mech who sneered at my pile of jumpers in a pannier , on a 28 km ride. I had a two hour wait,later at a friends and wore them all later that day. I would love to be someone who sets off like those gorgeously fast riders in packs that whip around in shorts and a jacket, on frosty mornings( and ride my commute in like 25 minutes!)

I also had a handsome guy rider give me a spare tube cap. People who have spares rock, if your one of them, I love you! I have ADD and I KNOW someday I will lose my rear ,even clutching it with both hands so someday, I may need you kind people!
And racers, someday I hope to be like you . Lean,mean riding machines with a banana and bottle of water( and NO BAGS!)

[ZenSojourner]

Sadly, I get cold, even in summer so I am always carrying around heaps of clothes I am shedding and re-wearing, Its annoying but from a virus so cant be fixed. I was once insulted by a cycle shop mech who sneered at my pile of jumpers in a pannier , on a 28 km ride. I had a two hour wait,later at a friends and wore them all later that day.

I get cold too, its being hypothyroid. I've never actually tried to carry around extra clothes because if it won't fit in my camelbak or the seat bag I generally leave it.

Although with the rear racks permanently mounted now, there's no reason I couldn't stick a sweater in a dry bag and take it with me if I'm on a ride where I'll be stopping off at a shop or restaurant.

People who don't get cold really don't understand people who do. Imagine being stuck in a walk in freezer for hours. The warmth just leaches out and the cold bites into your bones and you cannot get warm no matter what you do - that's what it's like for me more often than not. I am cold ALL the time, often even when I'm wearing a sweater and people around me are too hot.

Getting caught in a summer shower is like being forced to take an ice bath for me.

I hate it when somebody is rude to you like your bike mechanic. I am NOT thin and I doubt I ever will be again, but I get around pretty well nevertheless. I was on a SAGged ride a couple of years ago where this guy and his friends kept passing me, and every time he'd pass me, he'd come up from behind and start barking at me, "Woof! Woof! Woof woof woof woof WOOF!"

His friends weren't doing it but they weren't telling him to shut up either.

And btw, it just occurred to me, if he was all that as a cyclist and I'm such a dog, how the heck did I keep getting ahead of him? I didn't realize it, but they must have been passing me on the climbs and then I was passing them on the flats. Never heard a word out of them when I passed them, I guess that's why I didn't realize before how this was happening.

[Heifzilla]

I was on a SAGged ride a couple of years ago where this guy and his friends kept passing me, and every time he'd pass me, he'd come up from behind and start barking at me, "Woof! Woof! Woof woof woof woof WOOF!"

OMG, I would NOT have been able to keep my mouth shut and he would have been calling me the female version of "woof" at me afterwards :D

[ZenSojourner]

Well normally I would have too, but this was the first ride of the season, they were passing me on long climbs, and at that point I didn't have the BREATH to cuss 'em out, LOL!

[ny biker]

I didn't say you were hostile. I said you were snarky. You're the one who accused me of being hostile.

Frankly this is not a subject that ought to require a dialogue, but that's ok, someone else has done it for you.

Clearly you think it's OK to criticize someone else's choices and make personal remarks. That's fine (well actually it's not but whatever), but when you do so, you should not be surprised when someone responds unhappily.

I'm really curious as to why a tiny minority of people on here think it's ok to jump all over someone (me) for something that is clearly a matter of personal taste. I'm not the one telling anyone what to do here, all I did was report what *I* do. Take it or leave it, but it's frankly none of your business to "correct" me for what I choose to put in my seat bag, or whether or not I choose to use a camelbak, or carry spare valve caps, or anything else that was on my list.


What are you talking about?

I did not criticize you or correct you. I was not snarky. I asked a question, and I presented my thoughts which were in contrast to yours. And yes, it is okay to disagree with someone or indicate that you do things differently. What is not okay is to jump all over someone for responding with a differing viewpoint.

[SadieKate]

Sk-thanks for the coolio seat like Madame Snap has. :)I forgot I sent that to the crazy lady down under.

All the long road rides around here have no food and water for purchase, so I started using my Detours High Tail (http://detours.us/index.php?cPath=33)more frequently and got very spoiled by not having all that weight in my jersey (not to mention I can actually pull something out of a pocket while riding). Love the thing. This coming from someone who was raised in a culture to use only tiny bike bags, your pockets and short white socks.:p

And I noticed DeTours now has tres cool new recycled bags (http://detours.us/index.php?cPath=48). Hmm, I have a new mixte still be to be accessorized for maximum around town shopping expeditions.

[Brandy]

What are my must haves?

Flat repair kit (2 tubes, CO2, chuck, boot, one lever which are neatly bound by electrical tape) which I can shove in my middle pocket

ipod

gels (if it's a 3+ hour ride)

2 bottles

Showers Pass Protech shell (http://www.showerspass.com/products.asp?ManId=7706&ProductId=14&Product=ProTech) (if it's cold and looking like rain) which I shove under my jersey when I'm not wearing it, though it could fit in a pocket if I have a free one.


I get by without a seat bag on most of my rides. If I ride in the mountains, I throw it on the bike because it leaves an extra pocket for additional gels.

[ZenSojourner]

What are you talking about?

I did not criticize you or correct you. I was not snarky. I asked a question, and I presented my thoughts which were in contrast to yours. And yes, it is okay to disagree with someone or indicate that you do things differently. What is not okay is to jump all over someone for responding with a differing viewpoint.

You know very well what I'm talking about.


This is a lot of stuff. You carry extra shorts and gloves on every ride over 50 miles?

I try to strike a balance between being prepared and keeping the overall weight of bike+rider to a minimum. I have enough trouble getting up hills without extra stuff weighing me down.

I responded that if you thought that little bit - everything fits in my seat bag or in my camelbak - is going to weigh you down so much that you won't be able to get up the hills, maybe training was what you needed?

That was ALSO posed as a "question", but it was no more a real question than yours was.

I found it to be sarcastic in a sort of petty way, which is how I defined snarky, and I snarked right back.

Note that I also started the whole response with a remark about MY OWN weight, so I wasn't really going after you anymore than I was "going after" myself.

Now if I had TRULY been pissed off - which I was not, just annoyed - I either wouldn't have responded at all or I'd have taken a long time to do so.

However, since then this constant bickering back and forth over two snarky postings, neither one of which should really ever have been posted, has gotten just plain silly.

So here's what, I should never have responded to the first posting. It was a minor, petty snarky comment and it was petty and snarky of me to respond in kind.

Mea culpa. I apologize.

Hopefully that's an end to it.

[snapdragen]

Mea culpa. I apologize.

Hopefully that's an end to it.

ZenS and nyc biker:

If it's not, I will step in.

Thank you.

[smurfalicious]

On a womanly note, if you have any sporadiac cycle issue, a compact size tampon is nice to have in the saddle bag.

Tee hee! <sarcasm> as a stick up my butt, elitist, spandex wearing, "you are not worthy to polish my carbon fiber with your ExOfficio panties" racer snob I've found that my IUD is a much better solution. Not only is it incredibly lightweight, but I don't have periods anymore. I find this to be insanely beneficial to my rigorous training schedule of "Hmmm, today looks like a good day for a ride," and my strenuous weight lifting program of long neck bottle lifts (6 reps thankyouverymuch!). </sarcasm>

Kitchen sink bringers might do well to avoid looking at this. I got this bag from the Topeak rep and I love it!

http://www.topeak.com/products/Bags/ProPackMicro

It holds a tube, my Park MT-1 "multi-tool," CO2 cartridge and levers. If I really beat on it I can get some chapstick in there. I suppose for anything above 50 miles I might switch to my slightly larger bag and take two tubes, two CO2 just in case.

Otherwise I throw my Jimi wallet in my back pocket with my phone, some grub in said pockets and call it good.

I can empathize with those who bring what seems to others as a lot of stuff. I was very much the same way for a long time and then inevitably I'd regularly forget something, or it would get taken out of the pack and a few rides would go by and I'd realize I didn't need it.

I took an outdoor living skills/survival class a while back and one of our outings was to simulate being lost on a day hike. We had to have our packs weighed beforehand, couldn't be over ten pounds. Essentially an extra layer or two and snacks was all we could bring. So we had to build and sleep in emergency shelters in November, at 3500 feet.

Perhaps that has an impact on my minimalist packing. Sure I could bring a boo boo kit, but is a bandaid going to really make my scraped up palms feel any better riding home? Probably not. Major flesh wounds will be addressed with whatever piece of apparel fits the bill, and in that case my phone will do lots more good.

And to this day whenever I travel I bring oh, about ten pairs more socks and underwear than I could possibly need. Why? Because once when I was young I had to spend a week at my dad's and forgot underwear. It was awful and despite only being 15-20 miles from my mom's I didn't dare say anything to my dad because uh, well I haven't talked to him in 8 years if that says anything. Inside out underwear, not too terribly uncomfortable though.

[Biciclista]

I have to let you guys know that if i am going to be on a ride that is going to last more than a few hours and therefore, with more than one temperature, I'm going to bring extra gloves too. Why why would i rough it? gloves don't weigh anything. I might bring 2 extra pairs! and you know what, when it gets hot out, my hands get icky and sweaty. how nice to change gloves.

And bandaids? most of the people I ride with carry little first aid kits. Maybe I'm going to be home in 30 minutes, but maybe i'm going to be out all day. And just maybe, I'm going to run into a 10 year old who just crashed his bike! he might like a bandaid.

If i am riding with faster friends, I will wear a camelbak in the summertime even for a 25 mile ride. Why? I can drink at my leisure and in comfort.

I have a buddy who carries practically everything and the kitchen sink. He and a friend were on a 200k ride where something broke in the crank. My friend had EVERYTHING they needed to fix it and they completed the ride.
I REALLY like riding with that guy.

I agree with some of the other posters on here. Each of us is entitled to having our VERY own list of what we feel we "MUST HAVE" on a ride. I see no need to critique other people's lists. what they carry on their bike is their prerogative.

[Grits]

Along with the basics for fuel, tire changing and ID, I carry a baggie with some various sized bandaids, including some really big ones, some antiseptic wipes, a few ibuprofin, and a papertowel.

I was with a friend when she crashed, and we used just about everything in my little baggie. Fortunately, she was not seriously hurt, and it was not necessary to call an ambulance or anything, but it sure was nice to be able to bandage up that road rash. I scraped my leg one time on a ride, and the rest of the ride was much more enjoyable since I was able to put something on the cut and not have blood running down my leg and messing up my cute Sock Guy socks. :)

[Redhed]

Hello,
This is my first post, so pretty please be nice! I've been considering commuting to/from work (right now I only ride on the weekends/evenings on road/easy MTB trails). I work rotating 12-hour shifts from 5.30 AM to 5.30 PM (or vice versa), so depending on the time of year, one or both of my rides to/from work are in the dark. Given this, I was searching the web for must haves for nighttime commuter biking and came across this thread....

Does no one ride in the dark? No one mentioned carrying or having installed lights or reflectors on their bikes?! Are they just not helpful? Right now, I have two LEDs installed on the front and back of my bike and they are useful at dusk, but I haven't yet used them at night. Do you think they will be enough or should I get something else?

Any other helpful suggestions?

As for the OP's question, I usually have the following with me on any sort of ride:

helmet
sunglasses
gloves
ID
keys
$$
water
some sort of food
vitamin B
extra socks (I have a thing about sweaty socks)
bike lock (we frequently stop for beers at a brewery on the way back from a ride in a semi-seedy spot)

[crazycanuck]

hey there!

I'll be nice :).

I think lights weren't mentioned possibly because: one has them on thier bike permanently or most folks were just thinking day riding?? For back lights, I have one on my bike & one on the back of my helmet. For front lights, I have a good set of Ay-up lights. Since I normally only use helmet lights (can't see with them mounted on my handlebars), these ones are great!

Yes, there are other brands but since i'm in Australia, Ay-ups are very very popular.

I would ensure that i'm visible front and back!!! Don't take your safety lightly when you ride at night. (ok, that's for all times as well but esp at night)

Just remember not to blind anyone ;) :o with your lights.

Have fun :D wweeeeeeeeeeeee

[wildeny]

I started to ride a "longer" distance for pleasure in the end of Jan last year (I have commuted by bike since 2002). I had patch kit, tire levers & multi-tools in my saddle bag but didn't carry a pump :o This Feb, after bought my 2nd bike I carried a mini pump too. This year I ride more often by myself so I really need to be prepared.

What I must have:
* Mini pump (only 15cm in length)
* Patch kit
* Tire levers
* Multi-tools
* Plain water (one bottle for up to 30km and two for more than 30+ if I cannot refill somewhere)
* Cellphone
* Local map (optional -- when I explore a new route)
* a little money/key

I'm going to add an inner tube in my bag too. I'm thinking about carry a CO2 inflator as well, because I'm afraid that the mini pump is difficult to pump up enough pressure for road tires. :confused:

I wear helmet & gloves. My butt doesn't hurt much for a distance less than 100 km :D

I normally don't carry food for distance less than 60 km, but recently I start to put one or two candies for distance more than 40 km. Just in case.

[OakLeaf]

Yes, Redhead, you caught us out. :o Most of us who've posted in this thread are recreational riders. Without going back through, I believe there were a couple of randonneurs who posted, so I don't know why they forgot to list their lights!

I, and at least half of the roadies I ride with, do have taillights zip-tied to our seat packs, since evening rides usually wind up at dusk, and winter morning rides can begin before it's fully light. I use a truly blinding taillight (http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3034.html), actually, in addition to wearing only high-visibility jerseys and jackets day or night.

I do ride my commuter bike for SHORT rides at night (under three miles), mostly on MUPs and VERY low traffic low speed streets. On that bike I have a pro forma headlight plus a nice bright taillight. The headlight is more of a marker light - enough to be seen by low speed traffic, enough to keep me from getting pulled over by the cops, not enough to illuminate the road ahead very usefully or to be seen on higher speed roads. It's enough for the riding I do on that bike.

But there are much, much better headlights that are definitely a necessity for "real" night riding. Do a search or just browse through the commuter section here, and you'll find discussions about lighting.

[crazycanuck]

If i'm doing an mtb night ride, the list of stuff I carry pretty much still applies. Just the lights would be an extra addition.

I love riding at night-fewer people on the roads :D The dirt is so much more fun at night with kangaroos rustling in the trees & spiders building thier webs!

[pinkbikes]

My "Must have" list changes depending on what I'm doing....

On each of my bikes I have a small under-seat bag (tiny for the roadie, slightly larger pink furry one from TE for the pink commuter, and a nice Topeak one for the MTB) which has the basics for that bike in it. That means, a tube, a multi-tool, levers, a tiny packet of patches. Each bike also has a pump and a bracket for my AyUp lights. The MTB toolkit is a little more comprehensive - also a chain breaker, and spare quicklink and a hanger. I also have CO2 cartridges and nozzle if I am going for a decent distance or if I'm racing and time "wasted" pumping is an issue.

For road rides I actively enjoy taking as little as possible. Last year I did a metric century with only my little underseat bag with necessities as above, one waterbottle (my frame only fits one - I'm short and it's compact) a tiny pump, and what I put in my back pockets. The pockets had three snack-size ziplock bags. One had phone, credit card, $20 note, handkerchief, car key in it. Another had some jelly snakes (snack of choice)! The last had a nicely powdered second spare tube. I re-filled the waterbottle along the way and I was set!

For MTB rides I am a fair bit more risk-averse and carry a camelbak equivalent. I have renewed my first aid accreditation and carry a small first aid kit. I also carry a bag of jelly snakes and a cereal bar in case of bonking. Phone, little notebook and pen, wallet and a large hanky (useful for supplementing first aid kit if not already snotted on!) complete the kit.

If I am racing the MTB - I have a very small camelbak and the only thing in it is the phone and the cereal bar.

If I am racing the roadie (like in the tri the other week) then forget all the extra stuff - just phone, water bottle and jelly snakes!

Cycle touring - well that's where my inner Linus gets a bit to going to war with my more minimalist streak. Then I'm on the tandem with a big Topeak bag on the rack (with flip down panniers in the side pockets) and a nice little Topeak handlebar bag too. Then we're talking at least two tubes, Morph pump, camera, sunscreen, insect spray, pain relief, first aid, snacks for my small passenger in my back pocket where she can reach them, phone in back pocket so she can answer it when Daddy calls to say "I'm there already - where are you?" spray jacket for both of us, plus arm warmers and leg warmers since we usually tour in winter! Maybe even a kitchen sink? My thighs are bulging and my butt burning right now, just in anticipation of our imminent commencement of training for our upcoming 9day tour, and the thought of lugging all this gear up hills!:D

Oh - and the Garmin and the Road ID go everywhere on everything!

As for lights - I firmly believe in overkill! Too much can never be enough! Well, I would have to say this is predicated on night riding the MTB in the forest! And once you've had enough glorious light to do that, you will never want less! So I wear two sets of AyUps - one on my helmet and one on my bars. Even when just commuting or riding to my dance classes at night! They really are the best bang for the buck that you can get since they are bright, light, simple and so are their batteries. And they come in pretty colours!:D

Then I have enough red flashing things on my back to look like a Christmas tree! I have one on the back of my helmet, one hanging on the back of my backpack, one on the underseat bag, and if it is the roadie, one on the rear stay as well. I use the RoadID Firefly Supernova on my toolbag and those little "fish-shaped" ones with the loop of elastic for a tail everwhere else.

And as for reflectors - I go mad with them too! I bought some of those pretty reflective strips from TE that look like a vine and put them up the rear stays of my commuter. I have reflective tape on the back of my backpack and a piece on the back of my helmet. The shoes I wear at night have reflective spots on the back and I also wear reflective ankle bands as well. I WILL be SEEN!:)

[Caroline]

Saddle bag and back pockets w/ all the usual stuff ( food/tubes/pump/Cyclingclubcard/money ) I also make sure I have a few sweets with me, in case of bonking and low sugar level.

I also started a few months ago to pour a few drops of olbas oil on my gloves, near a seam of my left wrist. It works wonders when my nose is slightly bloked, I just smell it for a few seconds and i am better.