Bought First Saddle Bag-Supplies?

[owlice]

Oh, I also have a patch kit in my seatbag, which I'd use if I needed to (if I flatted both tires), but which I mainly keep in case someone else needs it for lack of a spare tube/equipment.

[nscrbug]

I agree about nixing the box. I always carry 2 tubes (rubberbanded to stay together), a C02 inflator w/2 cartridges, tire lever, mini-tool, a small container with Excedrin & Advil (I get headaches a lot during rides), an extra tampon, 2 packets of individually wrapped Wet-ones wipes, and a few dollar bills. All of this fits nicely into my medium-sized Topeak Aero Wedge seatbag.

[Velocivixen]

Okay, I'm continuing to modify my bag's contents based on this great information. So I got a small ziploc and put in a few various sized water resistant bandaids, antibiotic ointment (half tube I already have), put a few purse sized kleenex in there with 2 Neutrogena Sports wipes. I put the tube in a larger baggie with talc powder. I like the idea of pain relief, not sure I want loose pills floating around a bag though.
So all I need now is one more CO2 cartridge, since I only have 1.
I feel so prepared now!!

[Owlie]

Let's see...my bag contains:

-2 spare tubes
-tire levers
-multi-tool (Alien XS)
-Emergency gel (don't like them, so I'm not going to be tempted to use it unless I actually need to!)
-small notebook + pencil
-a couple doses of benadryl (in their individual blisters)
-CO2 inflator plus at least one cartridge
-bandaids of varying sizes
(to add--antibiotic ointment, a few doses each of ibuprofen and Tylenol, another gel, a few dollar bills)

My wallet, shot blocks and phone fit in my jersey or Camelbak pockets.

[OakLeaf]

What I need on my person goes in one of those one-cup sized ziploc bags that you get bulk herbs and spices in. Perfect size for cards and phone.

Driver's license (original - who's going to accept a copy???), insurance card, organ donor card, store loyalty cards, one credit card, at least one $20 plus at least two $1 bills for vending machines if I'm desperate for water. Phone. Car key if I've driven to ride.

This weekend I double-bagged everything. I think I'm going to make a habit of that. I had a close call with getting my phone wet a couple of weeks ago, so I'm going to be extra careful from now on.


I think a second CO2 cartridge is optional if you have a really usable pump. I carry two since my back-up pump is really for emergencies only ... it takes a LONG time to inflate a tire to a rideable pressure even at my size. But if your pump will inflate a tire in a reasonable amount of time, I think a second cartridge isn't an absolute necessity. Really, if you're not under the gun (either commuting to work or part of a club ride), CO2 isn't a necessity at all.

[Velocivixen]

My CO2 pump is like a cartridge sized "gun" where the cartridge fits inside, you unlock the safety, attach to stem and pull the trigger. So it's not a "pump" in the normal sense of the word. I will take benadryl in blister packs, but what do you do about pain relief pills? I bet a small Altoids metal box might do the trick!

[goride]

Single dose pain relief tablets (Advil, Tylenol, aspirin, etc.) can often be found in a small packet about 1 1/2 x 2 inches in size, at gas station convenience stores, pharmacies (like Walgreen's or whatever chain is in your area), supermarkets, etc. I find these very convenient to carry in my underseat bag.

[Velocivixen]

@goride, that's a great idea! I'll check for those. I didn't see any at the grocery store.

@kmehrzad, I saw some fishing plastic holders for fishing licenses at REI. Great idea too.

I think I'm all set. I have a superflash blinky on the back of my bike (off the rear rack), but there is a strap across my saddle bag for another. I don't ride too often at night, but that might change as it warms up and I'm riding more. I think I might get another one.

[LivetoRide]

When I got my Fizik saddle a friend let me have their Fizik clip on bag (they use a different saddle now) and even though we think it’s their medium size it’s still insanely small! I’ve managed to fit (barely):
-Lezyne multi-tool
-1 spare tube
-1 c02 cartridge and inflator
-2 tire levers (I may take one out though since I’ve only ever needed one)
-I’ll probably add a $20 bill, too.

In my jersey pockets I keep:
-Cell phone, money in a zip-lock bag (I'm going to trade the zip-lock bag for this Seal Line bag)
-Gel, etc.
-Vest, arm warmers, etc. if necessary

On my wrist I wear my Road ID.

I enjoy my many longer rides, too, but have found the above to work for me.

[OakLeaf]

What's everyone's experience with putting phone plus electronic car key plus cards and cash in a dry bag and still having it fit in a jersey pocket/bouncing on climbs? Just my regular ziploc bag is borderline - I have trouble envisioning anything heavier or larger. But they're not very durable (being stretched to the gills doesn't help that a bit), and if I could do something more permanent, I'd like that.

[marni]

the small plastic wallet is called a Jimi and most bike stores carry them. I use my jimi to carry an expired drivers licence (well the address and number are still the same even though it's expired), a credit card with a low limit so if I lose it I will be out a minimal amount but at least I can cover an emergency with a downpayment, a couple of singles and a twenty for water and or food. It fits in my underseat wedge bag along with a spare tube, co2 gun and two cartridges, tire irons, compact park multi tool, a small bayer aspirin tin with a couple of aspirin, a couple of anit histamines and a couple of band aids, a small pcket knife, and an emergency gu packet. That plus two bottles, one always of plain water for drinking washing, first aid, whatever, in my jersey pocket cell phone, key, bandana, and a zip lock bag with a packet of chamois buttr, an energy bar, and a few cliff blocks.

Most of my rides are three hours but the energy bar, like the cliff bloks and gu are mostly there in case I feel a bonk coming on.

I have thought about a bento bag but decided that there wasn't quite enough space, and besides if the stuff is there where I can get at it easily, it will be easy to eat so best to do without because if I have to stop to fumble for a bar or gel, I will stop and step down long enough to drink, catch my breath, eat part of the bar, and break up the rest and put it back into my pocket for later.

This is my standard set up and has worked on local training and charity rides from 2-4 hours as well as cross rides and rides of five hours or more.

[Velocivixen]

Hey Marni, thanks for your input. I did an online search and figured out it was "Jimi". I went to several bike shops today and didn't happen to see any, but I wasn't really looking.

So you go for some of what I call "serious" rides! Nice job. My longest ride was 25 miles last weekend and we stopped and took photos, so it took just over 2 hours 40 minutes. I had snacks but didn't eat until we returned to the car. I think something like Gu or shot blocks would be advisable in an emergency. I'd rather eat real food if given a choice.

[marni]

So you go for some of what I call "serious" rides! Nice job. My longest ride was 25 miles last weekend and we stopped and took photos, so it took just over 2 hours 40 minutes. I had snacks but didn't eat until we returned to the car. I think something like Gu or shot blocks would be advisable in an emergency. I'd rather eat real food if given a choice.[/QUOTE]

I too would rather eat real food, given the choice, and on the cross country rides, I will always stop for lunch and a longish break. Even on rides of three hours or more I try and find a coffee shop or Mac Donalds for an iced coffee. I tend to ride the same training routes and variations locally for set distances, with bail out points for food or turning around so I know where all the real food is. Since I ride through the summer, quite often what I need is a brief period in some ac so I will hit a Mac D;s or gas station just for the ac.

Like I said, the gu and blocks are only for emergencies as they kick in quickly for a bonk, but other than that, they are just along for the ride.

keep up the good riding and enjoy the process. Any day on a bike is a good day.

marni