What will you NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT?

[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

[Jones]

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.
Denise

Denise223
When I first started to ride I sat at my computer let all the air out of my back tire and used this article
http://www.teamestrogen.com/articles/asa_levers.asp to learn to fix my flat.
It was very empowering and I have gone on to teach my dh and a guy friend how to fix their flats. You can totally learn to do this. It did take me about an hour the first time, now about 10 mins. Good Luck. Jones.

[Lise]

I did watch Mary Poppins. Many times. I believe it helped to shape my personality. (shape..warp...so very similar ) Still want to jump through a chalk drawing.

Ahem. Yes. Learn how to change your tire. Good suggestions on how have been made. It's a great feeling of personal freedom.

I carry the usual, helmet, sunglasses, two bottle of beverage, snack (bar, sport beans), tube changing supplies, teensy weensey fold up tool that I love. It has two screwdriver heads and four allen wrench heads, yet folds up to about 2". Lip balm, sunscreen stick, zip lock with baby wipes. Cell phone and $20 minimum. Today I want to pick up some individual packets of Chamois butt'r to throw in there, too.

[Bicyclette]

I loved Mary Poppins! What a woman!!!

Anyway - I never leave without the usual - helmet, sunglasses, cell phone, money, spare tube, tire levers, patch kit, food, beverage, ID, sweatband, gum ( must have gum) and I also have the "teensy weensy fold up tool"

When I first got my bike I started thinking about riding alone without knowing how to change my tire - so I pulled the front wheel off one afternoon and spent the rest of the day learning how to change the tire - and wouldn't you know it - I punctured the tube doing that and then REALLY had to change the tire

[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.