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

[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.

[shootingstar]

Some of you would make your mamas proud! So prepared.

I'm shockingly ..not so. It must come from doing most of our cycling within the city/suburban limits. When we go bike touring..we're still pretty citified even if passing through countryside for 50 kms. as part of the day's trip before hotel/motel.

My parents barely know the amount of cycling that I've done. It's ok. No point causing a heart attack right now.

Instead, dear mother lectures me about the chemical additives in processed foods from China and not to buy some of the questionable stuff...only recently I listened to this lecture in agreement..after all the well-publicized food scares. Mothers, can be right...up to a point..after all.

[Zen]

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

[smurfalicious]

Heh,
Well, see I have a problem with the multitool thing...I have no doubt that she'd get me one to take cycling, but I haven't found one that I like yet. I've discovered that I'm fairly picky about that.

Oh grasshopper, do I have the multi-tool for you! I loooove this thing! A guy at the bike co-op had one and I had to have it. It's for the "I ride a gawd awful heavy steel bike but damnit I want a lightweight tool girl" in all of us. Behold. The Sacred Park MT-1:

http://www.parktool.com/products/det...t=11&item=MT-1

I want to say it retails for around $10 and is the bestest multi-tool ever!!!

[Biciclista]

Oh grasshopper, do I have the multi-tool for you! I loooove this thing! A guy at the bike co-op had one and I had to have it. It's for the "I ride a gawd awful heavy steel bike but damnit I want a lightweight tool girl" in all of us. Behold. The Sacred Park MT-1:

http://www.parktool.com/products/det...t=11&item=MT-1

I want to say it retails for around $10 and is the bestest multi-tool ever!!!

but it doesn't have a knife on it. Or a can opener!

[smurfalicious]

True, better get a Swiss Army Knife:

http://vodpod.com/watch/780901-robin...-and-the-swiss

[PamNY]

Sylvania-DOT-Stick-Bonus-Batteries

Those Dot sticks look nifty. I usually carry something in my purse in case of a blackout. Do those provide enough light to be of use -- for example, on the subway? Grayson, don't mean to hijack your thread -- I'm sure your mom would approve of safety-related discussions.

Pam

[Flybye]

What about lipstick and deodorant in case you run into Lance?
Here are a few things that might come in handy:
A sewing kit - for those awkward moments when cycling shorts develop a hole in the rear end.
Portable Privacy room - for those times in the countryside when nature calls.
Slingshot - for dogs.
Binoculars, a pad of paper, and a pen - to write license plate numbers down of motorist who are terrible drivers.
Laptop - to pull up the law about drivers and cyclist to show to motorists.
Umbrella - keep rain off or act as a sail in a tailwind.

[GraysonKelly]

What about lipstick and deodorant in case you run into Lance?

ROTFL!!! My mom would ECSTATIC if I carried lipstick especially if it was to attract Lance or any other man. LOL!
Gray

[Cataboo]

Those Dot sticks look nifty. I usually carry something in my purse in case of a blackout. Do those provide enough light to be of use -- for example, on the subway? Grayson, don't mean to hijack your thread -- I'm sure your mom would approve of safety-related discussions.

Pam

It depends on what you want to do with them... I'm not sure I'd read a book with them - but they're plenty bright for signaling or making your way around... you can either use them as a steady light or have them blink. They're lightweight.

[smilingcat]

And be sure to tell a family member of your route and when to expect you home. (and to send out a Search&Rescue team out if you don't return home by some pre-arranged time).

pepper spray anyone?? Was that on the list?? Its not just for people ya know. works really well on nasty mean dawgs. don't get me wrong. I love dogs. We have a lab and a golden.

what I carry:
2 water bottles
a spare tube
a patch kit
2 CO2 cartridge
2 tire levers
cell phone
about $10.00 in cash
extra aspirin
paper towel (to wipe clean of my glasses if it gets too grimy.)
chap stick cherry flavor
a luna bar.

smilingcat