What are your "must haves"?

[maillotpois]

+1 on everything Vireo said.

That being said, I know EVERYONE will have different needs on their bike for rides of 10 - 375 miles. So everyone's list will be different and that's fine. We can all agree to take different approaches to riding and what we believe is essential on the bike.

I have learned a lot about what is and is not essential on every long ride I have done. On my 600k brevet I brought WAY too much food. In fact that's a lesson I still didn't learn at last weekend's double century - I brought WAY too much. After a learning experience ride like that, I take some notes on what did and did not work, what I need next time and what I should leave home.

Here's my list of what is ON my bike for any ride over 60 miles:

2 bottles (2 scoops each SE and power bar endurance)

Garmin

Seat bag: 2 tubes, 3 CO2s plus CO2 filler (what the heck do you call that??), 1 tire lever, 1 multi tool, snack size baggie containing (1) small rolled up piece of duct tape (probably 5" of tape and MAN has that come in handy on brevets) and (2) 3 zip ties.

In the Jersey Pockets: snacks, baggie with cell phone, ID and cash, short finger gloves if it is cold when I start and I think it will warm up.

If the rides get longer and more remote, I start to pack more food, specifically baggies with drink mix in them. On my 600k brevet, I did pack extra shorts and used them happily, but this was the only time I did that. (I also packed and used my rain pants on that ride, more for warmth in the wee hours, though it also did rain).

[ZenSojourner]

Oh shoot, now I'm going to have to add some duct tape!

I never wear a jersey, hate 'em - if I were thin enough I'd be embarrassed to wear something that tight, and since I'm fat, I'm still embarrassed to wear something that tight, LOL!

So no pockets for me. Everthing goes in the seat bag or in my camelbak-equivalent pack. Unless it's lashed to the rear rack.

[Vireo]

All this talk of essentials on a ride has given me an idea for my website. I will compile some of the good ideas and make kits based on mileage.

[SadieKate]

maps CAN YOU SORT THIS OUT BEFORE YOUR RIDE?
extra gloves ROUGH IT A LITTLE -- YOU ARE ON A BIKE
Magnifying glass: IF YOU WEAR GLASSES OR NEED THEM FOR READNG THEN BRING -- READING GLASSES.

On my gawd. I must be so uncool because I carry a magnifying glass and extra gloves when I'm mtb-ing. The magnifying glass takes up much less space and enlarges contour lines on topo maps far better than reading glasses, especially when you already are wearing corrective lenses. Matter of fact, I'm going to put one in my road bike bags because, hey, it takes up less space that the recommended reading glasses.

An extra set of dry gloves when it's snowing can mean non-frostbitten fingers. I even carry extra gloves up long mountain climbs on my road bikes because dry gloves descending can be more effective than a jacket. We each have our own weak points for staying warm. For me it's gloves. I know jobob likes her neck warm. Carry what you need to.

Then all of us carry maps cuz there's nothing like getting lost in the back of beyond out of cell phone range. I guess some of us like to ride new routes and trails, to see new territory. Or perhaps just like the assurance when they're in the back of beyond on a route that they can only ride a couple times a year that they're taking the right turn.

Too each his or her own opinion, but can you not shout it (ALL CAPS IS SHOUTING ON THE WWW) because it makes you sound like the proverbial sneering lycra-clad racer. I truly don't think you intend that at all. You don't strike me as that type, so perhaps no shouting?

[maillotpois]

I read the all caps as him trying to differentiate what he wrote from the post he was quoting.

[ny biker]

Sorry, but that was not hostile. It's a shame you feel it was.

It was, however, responding in kind. I didn't notice any one else's list getting critiqued.

So, if you want to have a dialogue, what would you have me leave behind?

Not that I would leave anything behind because that IS my "must have" list, which I have expanded rather than shrinking after getting good ideas from other people.

No, my response was not hostile.

And clearly a dialogue would be a waste of time.

[Vireo]

maps CAN YOU SORT THIS OUT BEFORE YOUR RIDE?
extra gloves ROUGH IT A LITTLE -- YOU ARE ON A BIKE
Magnifying glass: IF YOU WEAR GLASSES OR NEED THEM FOR READNG THEN BRING -- READING GLASSES.

On my gawd. I must be so uncool because I carry a magnifying glass and extra gloves when I'm mtb-ing. The magnifying glass takes up much less space and enlarges contour lines on topo maps far better than reading glasses, especially when you already are wearing corrective lenses. Matter of fact, I'm going to put one in my road bike bags because, hey, it takes up less space that the recommended reading glasses.

An extra set of dry gloves when it's snowing can mean non-frostbitten fingers. I even carry extra gloves up long mountain climbs on my road bikes because dry gloves descending can be more effective than a jacket. We each have our own weak points for staying warm. For me it's gloves. I know jobob likes her neck warm. Carry what you need to.

Then all of us carry maps cuz there's nothing like getting lost in the back of beyond out of cell phone range. I guess some of us like to ride new routes and trails, to see new territory. Or perhaps just like the assurance when they're in the back of beyond on a route that they can only ride a couple times a year that they're taking the right turn.

Too each his or her own opinion, but can you not shout it (ALL CAPS IS SHOUTING ON THE WWW) because it makes you sound like the proverbial sneering lycra-clad racer. I truly don't think you intend that at all. You don't strike me as that type, so perhaps no shouting?

My apologies about the caps I wanted my comments to stand out from Zen's copied post. I was not shouting.

My assumptions were based on a moderate temperature day. Obviously rain, snow or any type of inclement weather carries with it its own requisite gear.

By the way, I will admit I am totally clueless about MTB'ing and getting "lost" on purpose for the adventure. I have spent plenty of time in the "bush" in my 12 years in the Marine Corps and maps was vital to my survival.

I will be carrying a map and compass for Trans Iowa.

[ZenSojourner]

No, my response was not hostile.

And clearly a dialogue would be a waste of time.

I didn't say you were hostile. I said you were snarky. You're the one who accused me of being hostile.

Frankly this is not a subject that ought to require a dialogue, but that's ok, someone else has done it for you.

Clearly you think it's OK to criticize someone else's choices and make personal remarks. That's fine (well actually it's not but whatever), but when you do so, you should not be surprised when someone responds unhappily.

I'm really curious as to why a tiny minority of people on here think it's ok to jump all over someone (me) for something that is clearly a matter of personal taste. I'm not the one telling anyone what to do here, all I did was report what *I* do. Take it or leave it, but it's frankly none of your business to "correct" me for what I choose to put in my seat bag, or whether or not I choose to use a camelbak, or carry spare valve caps, or anything else that was on my list.

[Delta7]

I had a mechanical on today's ride. Fortunately, since I keep a pair of disposable gloves in my bag, I did not get grease on my hands nor on my cool new Luna gloves !

[SadieKate]

I read the all caps as him trying to differentiate what he wrote from the post he was quoting.

Yeah, but my hackles were going up and I realized that it was the all caps - and that the "shouting" was probably completely unintentional.

My forum options include bold, italics, underline, font size, font color, etc., not to mention just using quote tags (that little icon that looks like a square cartoon bubble). Lots of ways to differentiate.

[Heifzilla]

I love all the replies so far

It's interesting to see what is a "must have" for one person is something completely irrelevant to another. I do think it also really matters what, where, and how you ride: a road racer isn't going to need the same stuff that a mountain biker will. And someone that does extremely long endurance-type rides into very remote/uninhabited country isn't going to need the same as someone who rides in very urban/suburban environments.

The idea is to see what everyone needs and then take into consideration your own needs For someone like me, who is just really starting out riding at any real length, it's great to look through these and say, "Hmm. I never would have thought of that, that is a great idea!" or "Hmm, I don't think I'd ever need that because it just doesn't apply to the way/place/length I ride."

IMO, the most important thing you can carry is an ID and a cellphone. The ID in case you get hurt, and the cellphone because it means help is just a call away

Thanks for a really great thread

[Vireo]

Yeah, but my hackles were going up and I realized that it was the all caps - and that the "shouting" was probably completely unintentional.

My forum options include bold, italics, underline, font size, font color, etc., not to mention just using quote tags (that little icon that looks like a square cartoon bubble). Lots of ways to differentiate.

Point taken, I'll be more careful.

[shootingstar]

I'm embarrassed to say what I don't carry...stuff that I used to carry to be better prepared, but I've become abit lazy.

And I've been cycling regularily for past 17 yrs.

One thing for certain, I do always carry...U-bike lock, 1 Kleenex (terry cloth patch on cycling glove isn't good enough and I can't do the snot rocket thing), keys, 2 bungie cords and wallet (with money & ID).


I seem to never have a map when I get slightly lost on the odd occasion in a city ..oh well. It doesn't compare to getting lost on a mountainside (surrounded by other mountains) while snowshoeing and when the sun will go down in 1 hr., far more scarier experience.

Depending on the weather forecast, of course to carry raingear just in case.

Contrast against my dearie who does carry a pile of stuff all times...including 10 bungie cords. I pannier is rather heavy (to me). It's just amusing to watch him pull out the tangled wad of them, to find the pair length that he needs. He insists on carrying all his bungie "options". Whatever.

[jobob]

It's interesting to see what is a "must have" for one person is something completely irrelevant to another.

Bingo!

I used to be the butt of lots of good-natured jokes among my riding friends (you know who you are ) because of all the stuff I would carry with me on rides. And the big-azz Carradice saddle bag to stuff it all in.

(Wish I could still find that photo that one of my dear friends found on the 'net and posted that made fun of my "bring everything" tendencies - it was perfect!)

This is not the same one but it's close enough ...



Over time that tendency has evolved some, but I probably still carry more stuff than many, it's part my randonneur mindset, and yep, part Linus Blanket Syndrome (too funny! too true for me! Cue the Linus & Lucy theme ...)

Interesting stuff here.

[PamNY]

Additionally, while I believe there should be a "safe" place to post your concerns there should also be the attitude of "If I post something that is just silly can you girls set me straight?"

If you are referring to my "safe" comment, I said "safe" place to ask very basic questions. In this thread, the question would be "Why do you carry XYZ?" That would be a question, not a critique.

A lock could be handy in an emergency. A spare cell phone battery is good in cold weather. Maps are useful if you decide to explore, or a route is unexpectedly closed. I was biking around the Bronx alone today, and realizing there are some dubious parts to that borough, I turned back because I didn't bring a map.

What does length of ride have to do with use of a Camelback?

Finally, why on earth does anyone care what someone else takes on a ride? I understand asking "why" to get information, but otherwise, who cares? I've seen boom boxes strapped to bikes, and that makes me smile. Not something I'd do, but it conveys a certain convivial attitude that I find charming.

Pam