Safety-A Mother's Concern (Long and a little funny)

[Cataboo]

If I know I'm only going 10 miles or so... I have a little seat bag that's packed a lot more minimally, still the tools & innertube.

[redrhodie]

Wow, you are prepared!

I switched bikes the other day, and in checking my saddle pack, realized I'd been riding all winter without my CO2 pump. How's that for prepared??? Flats happen way more on wet roads, so I'm lucky that I made the discovery the good way.

[MomOnBike]

You got off easily. When I went on my solo tour (the first of many - more to come) my brother wanted me to haul my gun along. Nope, the gun probably weighs as much as the bike, so somehow I forgot it - never needed it, either.

I do second the idea of a knife at all times, though, they are endlessly useful. Of course, basic bike/person repair stuff (pump, patches, bandaids, blanket, etc.) are always on your bike. Right? /Mother mode

The rest of the safety stuff fall into the category of "It Depends." Maybe you should expain why, say, the shark cage won't be terribly useful if you are riding in a desert, but you'll be sure to use one if conditions warrent. Likewise with any other thing she comes up with.

Remind your mother of all the lessons she taught you about safety and finding yourself, and, um all that. After all, you learned from the best!

[Eden]

Geezum.... after that berating I feel like I go out practically naked...
I carry
2 bottles
1 or 2 food bars depending on the length of my ride
1 spare tube
2 co2 cartridges
1 minipump (doesn't really pump past 70psi so just a get you out pump..)
1 patch kit
2 tire levers
cell phone
wallet stuff - credit card, bus pass, insurance card, starbux card...

Granted I am riding on the road, in very populated urban areas with a high unlikely hood of being far from habitations or out of cell range, but on training rides if it won't fit in my little seat pack or in my pockets it doesn't come with me..... I've found the longer I've been riding the less I feel the need to carry.

[Zen]

Grayson, she didn't tell you "don't forget your rubbers?"
no not those kind of rubbers