What are your "must haves"?

[Biciclista]

I have to let you guys know that if i am going to be on a ride that is going to last more than a few hours and therefore, with more than one temperature, I'm going to bring extra gloves too. Why why would i rough it? gloves don't weigh anything. I might bring 2 extra pairs! and you know what, when it gets hot out, my hands get icky and sweaty. how nice to change gloves.

And bandaids? most of the people I ride with carry little first aid kits. Maybe I'm going to be home in 30 minutes, but maybe i'm going to be out all day. And just maybe, I'm going to run into a 10 year old who just crashed his bike! he might like a bandaid.

If i am riding with faster friends, I will wear a camelbak in the summertime even for a 25 mile ride. Why? I can drink at my leisure and in comfort.

I have a buddy who carries practically everything and the kitchen sink. He and a friend were on a 200k ride where something broke in the crank. My friend had EVERYTHING they needed to fix it and they completed the ride.
I REALLY like riding with that guy.

I agree with some of the other posters on here. Each of us is entitled to having our VERY own list of what we feel we "MUST HAVE" on a ride. I see no need to critique other people's lists. what they carry on their bike is their prerogative.

[Grits]

Along with the basics for fuel, tire changing and ID, I carry a baggie with some various sized bandaids, including some really big ones, some antiseptic wipes, a few ibuprofin, and a papertowel.

I was with a friend when she crashed, and we used just about everything in my little baggie. Fortunately, she was not seriously hurt, and it was not necessary to call an ambulance or anything, but it sure was nice to be able to bandage up that road rash. I scraped my leg one time on a ride, and the rest of the ride was much more enjoyable since I was able to put something on the cut and not have blood running down my leg and messing up my cute Sock Guy socks.

[Redhed]

Hello,
This is my first post, so pretty please be nice! I've been considering commuting to/from work (right now I only ride on the weekends/evenings on road/easy MTB trails). I work rotating 12-hour shifts from 5.30 AM to 5.30 PM (or vice versa), so depending on the time of year, one or both of my rides to/from work are in the dark. Given this, I was searching the web for must haves for nighttime commuter biking and came across this thread....

Does no one ride in the dark? No one mentioned carrying or having installed lights or reflectors on their bikes?! Are they just not helpful? Right now, I have two LEDs installed on the front and back of my bike and they are useful at dusk, but I haven't yet used them at night. Do you think they will be enough or should I get something else?

Any other helpful suggestions?

As for the OP's question, I usually have the following with me on any sort of ride:

helmet
sunglasses
gloves
ID
keys
$$
water
some sort of food
vitamin B
extra socks (I have a thing about sweaty socks)
bike lock (we frequently stop for beers at a brewery on the way back from a ride in a semi-seedy spot)

[crazycanuck]

hey there!

I'll be nice .

I think lights weren't mentioned possibly because: one has them on thier bike permanently or most folks were just thinking day riding?? For back lights, I have one on my bike & one on the back of my helmet. For front lights, I have a good set of Ay-up lights. Since I normally only use helmet lights (can't see with them mounted on my handlebars), these ones are great!

Yes, there are other brands but since i'm in Australia, Ay-ups are very very popular.

I would ensure that i'm visible front and back!!! Don't take your safety lightly when you ride at night. (ok, that's for all times as well but esp at night)

Just remember not to blind anyone with your lights.

Have fun wweeeeeeeeeeeee