What are your "must haves"?

[OakLeaf]

If the phone is in my pocket, it's soaked in sweat. My cell phone always goes in a sealed sandwich bag.

+1. I keep it in the same baggie with my paperwork and cash. I got tired of the looks I'd get from store clerks when I'd have to wring out two limp dollar bills before handing them over for a bottle of Gatorade.

[maillotpois]

I've seen boom boxes strapped to bikes, and that makes me smile.

There was a guy on DMD last weekend who had a water bottle shaped boom box thingy that fit in his bottle cage. It was VERY cool; however, I did NOT like his choice of music.

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.

But we're not all as creative (and computer talented) as you are!

[aicabsolut]

For snow/extreme cold, try neoprene gloves instead of changing gloves. I got some this winter. They ROCK. It doesn't matter how sweaty or wet you get (and you will get sweatier hands than usual, but it's worth it to have them stay warm).

[SadieKate]

But we're not all as . . . ( . . .computer talented) as you are!

That would be BikerZ. Not moi. I merely kowtow at her feet (as she spends my money).

[Grog]

I prefer other people to bring more stuff than less with them.

Why does it matter to me?

Because I'm the kind soul that ends up giving a spare tube (I usually carry two) or a CO2 cartridge to someone who's stuck on the side of the road and didn't have the good sense of bringing their own. I'm not talking about the guy that had gone through four tubes on a rainy day, but the people that bring NOTHING. Then they try to call someone on their cell phone and they're out of range or something.

I've also loaned water bottles and my spare gloves. Of course I could have let them freeze their fingers off and enjoy the toasty dry gloves myself, but mine were not that awful and it sort of would have ruined the ride if a fellow club member lost her fingers, no?

I've also been on the receiving end of a phone call for help and while I didn't mind (it was an unpredictable mechanical problem: who brings spare cranks and pedals on rides??!), if it would have been a simple flat tire it would have made me... cranky.

So I'm happy for people to bring the kitchen sink with them on bike rides. Who knows, if I have an urgent need to do dishes I can borrow it from them just like others have "borrowed" tubes from me!

[SadieKate]

So I'm happy for people to bring the kitchen sink with them on bike rides. Who knows, if I have an urgent need to do dishes I can borrow it from them just like others have "borrowed" tubes from me!

LeeBob frequently has old bagels and cream cheese handy.

[snapdragen]

Uh oh, moderator in the house, play nice.

I blame jobob for my seat bag. I used to use a cute little hawaiian print bag that just barely held my stuff. Now I've got a giant (to me) Banana Bag that contains

1 tube inside an old sock
multi tool
speed lever
spare car door opener (after locking my keys in the car before a ride)
copy of drivers licence, insurance and a credit card in my jimi wallet
snax -- fig newtons are a favorite
sunscreen stick or small spray bottle
cell phone
Purell wipes
spare camera battery (charged)
patch kit - although I don't know why, I hate patching tubes.
bandana -- instead of kleenex


On the bike, two water bottles, pump, computer

I also have a small bento box that holds my digital camera.

Map/cue sheet holder

Depending on where I'm riding, I might have a Krebs map

[jobob]

I blame jobob for my seat bag.

Glad to help. Bwah hah hah.

[jobob]

LeeBob frequently has old bagels and cream cheese handy.

Well gee you just never know when hunger strikes!

[PamNY]

I prefer other people to bring more stuff than less with them.
Why does it matter to me?
Because I'm the kind soul that ends up giving a spare tube (I usually carry two) or a CO2 cartridge to someone who's stuck on the side of the road and didn't have the good sense of bringing their own.

I was wondering if anyone would mention this. I haven't yet done group rides, but I've certainly done hiking and camping and the people who didn't bring a spare whoozit are a pain.

I marvel at lack of emergency preparedness in general. I loaned out ALL my flashlights and camping lanterns and extra batteries during the blackout. Not that I mind loaning; I was just shocked at how many people had no emergency lighting, no battery radio, etc.

Pam