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!Quote:
Originally Posted by malkin
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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!Quote:
Originally Posted by malkin
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by Becky
You do notice no one's said they carry ONLY a patch kit. It could be a long walk.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZenSojourner
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 do.Quote:
Originally Posted by ny biker
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!
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZenSojourner
You know the OP was talking about "must haves" right?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZenSojourner
Wow. What's with the hostility? Thanks but I have a training regimen already.
: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:
Zen:Quote:
Originally Posted by ZenSojourner
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
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vireo
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by PamNY
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:
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.Quote:
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.
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.
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.
Sorry, but that was not hostile. It's a shame you feel it was.Quote:
Originally Posted by ny biker
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.
Two more good ideas. I guess I'm just going to have to load up another ounce or two, LOL!Quote:
Originally Posted by Miranda
If you keep the spare tampon IN the baggie, maybe I could count that as one item, LOL!
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Miranda
Quote:
Originally Posted by Miranda
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.
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by Vireo
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.
I don't know, that baggie sounds too heavy. ;)
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by ZenSojourner
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. 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 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?"
+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).
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.
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.
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? :) :)
I read the all caps as him trying to differentiate what he wrote from the post he was quoting.
No, my response was not hostile.Quote:
Originally Posted by ZenSojourner
And clearly a dialogue would be a waste of time.
My apologies about the caps I wanted my comments to stand out from Zen's copied post. I was not shouting.Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
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.
I didn't say you were hostile. I said you were snarky. You're the one who accused me of being hostile.Quote:
Originally Posted by ny biker
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.
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
Yeah, but my hackles were going up and I realized that it was the all caps - and that the "shouting" was probably completely unintentional.Quote:
Originally Posted by maillotpois
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
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:
Point taken, I'll be more careful. :oQuote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
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.
Bingo! :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Heifzilla
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vireo
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
Glad we were of assistance. :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Vireo
+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. :pQuote:
Originally Posted by aicabsolut
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:Quote:
Originally Posted by PamNY
But we're not all as creative (and computer talented) as you are!Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
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).
Besides, it's a great outlet for silliness.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vireo