What will you NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT?

[Denise223]

Hi Everyone:

I am sure that there are many threads regarding this topic, but when I tried the "search", I keep getting - "Sorry - no matches".

Whether you are going out to cycle 5 miles or 100 miles, what do you make sure you have with you??

I want to be 100% sure that we have EVERYTHING that we might need. (or, when I'm going "solo"...everything that I might need.)

Thanks so much !

Have a peaceful evening.

Denise

[Veronica]

My Helmet.

V.

[Veronica]

All right - serious answer.

My cell phone
tools - they are always on the bike. I have a Topeak Survival Gear Box


It's very small, but has all the tools I could possible need for on the road repairs. I also have a mini leatherman.

at least one tube, sometimes two depending on the length of the ride
a pump
food
water

Veronica

[mimitabby]

helmet, cellphone, gloves, glasses.

i do have a kit on the back of my bike in case i get a flat but likely i will weeny out and call home for help if i can get away with it.

[Tri Girl]

everything I need to change a tire (twice, as I'm known to flat in twos), mini tool kit, cell phone, RoadID, and the obvious- helmet, gloves, helmet mirror, water and food

[SadieKate]

. . . i do have a kit on the back of my bike in case i get a flat but likely i will weeny out and call home for help if i can get away with it.

Mimi! We will harrass you to the ends of the earth! Why did our foremothers invent bloomers? Why did the suffragettes march? Why did our mothers burn their bras?

Stand up and fix your own flat! Didn't you watch Mary Poppins?

Cast off the shackles of yesterday!
Shoulder to shoulder into the fray!
Our daughters' daughters will adore us
And they'll sing in grateful chorus
"Well done, Sister Bicyclette!"

[makbike]

my helmet, gloves, water bottles, computer, stuff to change tire, spare tube, pump, cell phone, money, id card/insurance card, inhaler and a cliff bar.

[bikerchick68]

I think they covered all the good stuff...

On the bike, at all times are:

Pump, 2 water bottles and in seatbag are photocopies of license and med insurance card in a ziploc bag, tools, tire levers, $10 bill, 2 tubes ziploc'd with baby powder, patch kit, chapstick, one very old clifbar, two napkins ziploc'd (can be used as TP, nosewipe in a serious crunch)

in my pocket I carry a Clifshot or two depending on how far I'm going, keys, cash (the $10 is for emergencies only! like cab fare to somewhere safe if needed), and cell phone also ziploc'd

on my person is helmet, gloves, glasses, RoadID... hmmm... I think that's it.

I wish when I was new I'd known about this forum... sure woulda made life easier!

[Nanci]

Stuff I'll turn around and go home for:

Computer. I go PSYCHO if I don't have it or if it doesn't work.

Gloves.

Pump, I guess, though I've never forgotten that.

Food and drink, if it's longer than an hour.

[Denise223]

Thanks to everyone who has answered me. It sounds like everything that I WOULD NEED has been mentioned here...

Veronica -->> helmet......"check".

I know what it is-----

I need to learn how to change a tire - fix a flat, etc... (this must be where my anxiety is coming from...).
To be honest , I don't know the first thing about changing a tire.

I'm really pretty panicked about this. This has to be the real reason I won't go riding on my own.....

I know that Sheldon Brown has lots of great articles, etc..... Perhaps I can find what I need there.

Thanks again everyone. Have a great night!

Denise

[Denise223]

posted twice

[mtkitchn]

I always have some money on me.....just in case!
I also keep lip balm with SPF and eye drops (I wear contacts) with me.
Gu gel, two full water bottles, cell phone, and
CAMERA!

[farrellcollie]

I carry extra tube, pump, cell phone, small tool kit, $20, and I have put all my contact information in saddlebag and in helmet placed under a few strips of see through packing tape.

I got my lbs to show me how to fix a flat and at least one bike shop in stl has "women only" classes (one of the bike managers at that shop posts on here too) - the reason I am saying this is because it might relieve your anxiety to take a short class like this or have lbs show you and then practice at home - well before a ride in case it doesn't work (but it will). (the pracitce at home with a perfectly not flat tire was odd for me - but it worked - I took off tire, dflated tube, took it off and then put it back together again a few times in the comfort and safely of my own home - the only problem came from dogs who thought I needed their help)

[run it, ride it]

This is one of the only times it's acceptable to answer with:

Certainly not underwear!

[Dr. Liz]

Helmet, sunglasses and gloves are a no-brainer. The bag on the back carries a spare tube, the tire changing tool, the cylinder of CO2 (whatever it is) to inflate the tire, $20 cash, my debit card (in case I'm really a mess, and need to call a cab), and my cell phone. I also have all the water I can carry (I'd rather have a little more weight than run out of water), and some fig newtons (I'm converted!).

BTW, while I know HOW to change my tire, since I always ride with DH, I don't ever actually do it. Why should I change my tire, when I've got a perfectly good spouse to do it for me?

Oh yeah, and I carry single-package Wet Ones (or whatever the 'moist towelette' is called). Good for cleaning the hands after changing the tire (well, okay, for DH to clean HIS hands when he changes the tire! ), or for other emergencies. For long rides, I also carry some Tylenol, some more serious drugs for DH, and any, erm, girly things I might need.

It sounds like a lot, but it all manages to get packed into a pretty small space.