So much equipment so little money!

[eclectic]

I'll throw my 2 cents in

I started riding more a year ago and faced purchasing all the "stuff" to do a supported tour. It is pricey but I did it increments and things don't wear out quickly

You have a helmet I am assuming is OK

Clothing:
#1 Bike shorts, I would definately make this my first purchase. for long rides on consecutive days I found nothing beats the pearl izumi touring chamois'.
2 pairs if possible in case pair #1 doesn't dry quickly enough

#2 - gloves

#3 wicking top of some kind - I bought some inexpensive workout ones at target, but also have some jerseys - I like them both

#4to stay warmer I just use an old pair of unlined wind pants (they are older than the hills, pack small, can be taken off w/o removing my shoes and work great.
On top I just wear a wind breaker of some type that doesn't flap alot

#5 Socks N/A I am one of the few who goes barefoot in my road shoes. In my mtb shoes that I wear in the fall I wear socks but then I wear warmer ones just to keep my feet warm. I wouldn' t put special socks high on the list yet because there are a lot of other options - BUT cycling socks are cute - great Stocking stuffers, mothers day gifts etc etc etc.

Bike

Absolutely necessary
#1 spare tube, patch kit, levers, something to fill it with (a lot of women go w/ the co2 kits) People will usually help you change it and if you have your own stuff you are thought much more highly of - most won't want to give up their spare tube and no guarantee it will fit.

#2 Lube - learn how to use and how often - some need to be applied every 50 or 60 miles

I agree w/ all that said a floor pump for at home

Work up to it gradually and eventually you will have what you need
(I worked temp jobs and earmarked the extra cash for bike stuff only

[still balancing]

After having ridden for about 8 months now, I have discovered that all the spandex I bought (convinced that I did not want it so tight that I couldn't breathe) is the wrong size. Make sure you take time to try on different sizes and styles if you have shops around.

Recommendations...

buy one pair of shorts and see what you think of the fit - I've decided the sugar shorts by pearl izumi are my favorites because they are some of the shorter ones available, but others like them to be long...

gloves - and plan on going through a pair during training because the padding does wear down

wicking sports bras and tops (pockets are good) - especially if you are doing a ride where you are on and off your bike and need to carry things around - daskin now has a line at Wal-mart with wicking material (this summer some of the tops had pockets)

still wear my target sunglasses, but plan on buying a pair with changeable lenses for when I ride later in the day (since I attach my mirror to them)

basic repair stuff mentioned by others

pump (and test out how easy it is to use) no one ever explained the need to pump ones tires OFTEN. think I was around 750 miles when someone asked if wanted to pump my tires before riding one morning - after looking at them and responding "no, there seems to be air in them..." it was explained that you should pump your tires every time you ride because they always lose air (some do this every few rides or so many miles...) it was amazing the difference it made to have full tires - felt like I was on a whole new bike and my average speed increased

[mimitabby]

pump (and test out how easy it is to use) no one ever explained the need to pump ones tires OFTEN. think I was around 750 miles when someone asked if wanted to pump my tires before riding one morning - after looking at them and responding "no, there seems to be air in them..." it was explained that you should pump your tires every time you ride because they always lose air (some do this every few rides or so many miles...) it was amazing the difference it made to have full tires - felt like I was on a whole new bike and my average speed increased

ha, that's funny!

[Triskeliongirl]

This is south texas. You will need wicking fabrics, but you can buy a high tech sleeveless bike jersy from performance for $10. Water bottles will do, again from performance are $3 each, you need 2. Shoes, PM me your size, I have 2 old pairs I would be happy to send you for the cost of postage if they'll fit. You need padded shorts. I found that sun and ski sports has good sale prices if you wanna try stuff on. I don't think a trainer is necessary since we live in a mild climate. I use a 2001 helmet, if its not cracked its good!

[Tri Girl]

Welcome!

I won't reiterate what's already been said- they are all VERY good suggestions.
I will say one thing. When I first started out I was overwhelmed with the price of things. I did almost all my shopping on e-bay and wound up with GREAT things for very cheap. I got my clipless Sidi shoes for $10, some jerseys for less than $10 each, some new cycling shorts for $30, and some sunglasses with interchangable lenses (the kind that won't shatter if I crash) for $20. I really found some good bargains, and it was winter (like it is now), so you can find some good deals on summer-ish items. I figured that I saved hundreds of dollars just by being vigilant on e-bay. Gotta love other people's used things.

Best of luck to you at the MS150!!! I hope you love biking as much as the rest of us here!

[logdiva32]

I've really been ridding since a kid, but never took it for more than just riding until now. Been riding the same diamondback MTB since 1992, haha. I was also overwhelmed at the cost of everything. Have been shopping on craigsllist and ebay for equipment and apparatus, I've found great deals.

Bike: Cannondale R300 $200, Ebay
2nd bike: Novara xpress $289, REI members garage sale

Indoor Trainer: $40 craiglist

Full Yakima roof top bike rack with 2 raptors complete: $35, Craigslist

5 bike jerseys: REI, discount/ return rack at $16 a piece.

Goodwill: Seattle found a Thule trunk bike rack for $8.

Gloves: Use my weight lifting gloves

Helmet: new, didn't want to chance it. $40

My sunglasses , riding pants, and padded shorts were free after I took a few friends into performance bike and they all bought bikes on my membership!!
So get creative..
Shop now in the winter, for best buys. GOOD LUCK

I am an Army officer, with 3 kids, so I don't have money either.

[LadyinWhite]

Would you recommend that she pick up some balm or butter? It's a pretty long ride she has in mind and I'm thinking that it may not be a bad idea to have some on hand just in case she experiences some chafing after the first miles are under her. Balm can go a long way to making the rest of the ride pleasant.

oh and my two cents REI Outlet often has some great prices on last seasons biking apparal.

[teigyr]

hi!

I concur with most everything! I started years ago and thought cycling stuff was silly looking. I did get the shorts out of necessity but wore a t-shirt and sports bra with them. A helmet goes without saying. After my first 1,000 miles, I realized I was HOT and needed a jersey. After that, I started getting Stuff.

My "must have" bike stuff are allen wrenches/bike tool, patch kit (though I tend to replace tubes rather than patch), pump (floor and riding), tire levers, and energy gel. If I'm going over, say, 60 miles and my tires are older, I will take a spare tire just in case. I also carry (usually) no less than 3 tubes.

I rode my first centuries on a mountain bike then got a road bike from eBay. I got a very nice Bianchi Alloro that I still have. ('course I upgraded to my Orbea a few years ago!) One word of caution about eBay and buying stuff in general....until you have experience, you don't know what works for you and what doesn't. I'd buy things that were good deals only to realize that I'd have to replace/upgrade in the very near future. I have/had SO many cycling shoes that I got from eBay only to realize they hurt my feet. The Bianchi, cool as it is, was slightly too big for me. I'd get cheaper shorts (still galls me to pay over $60 for shorts!) only to have them wear out quickly or have them not offer the padding that better shorts have. It's good to find deals but think critically before spending money unless the item is truly something you want.

You'll want to see what other people have as you do training rides. Sunscreen is a necessity and sometimes you will need to rig something to put your ridesheet on your stem. See if you can sample peoples energy drinks/gels/butt balm to see if those things make a difference to you. I'm always offering to bring people a baggie of energy drink mix because why have them buy it only to have it make them sick? If you were closer, I'd go through my stockpile of "these didn't work for me!" toys and perhaps someone in your area has the same boxes sitting in their basement that they would be willing to donate to you for free.

Good luck!

Jane