Carrying stuff with you on long rides

[Owlie]

Large-ish seat bag for tubes, tools, tampon and emergency gel (and a few other things). My phone, wallet and food go in my jersey pockets, or Camelbak pockets if I'm using it.

[tulip]

I have a under-seat bag for my tools, 2 tubes, a patch kit, spare Powerbar and a tube of Nuun for emergencies. And my epipen should I get stung by a bee.

In my jersey pockets (I only buy jerseys with deep pockets), I carry a mini pump, phone, wallet and ICE information in a ziplock bag, and a Powerbar or two to eat.

Sometimes I'll attach my bento box and put my cell phone in there, maybe along with some gels or chews or dried apricots in a ziploc bag. Depends on how far I'm going. 50+ miles I use the bento for extra food.

I have two water bottles with G2. For rides longer than 30 miles, I make sure to pass by a convenience store to stock up on food and drink.

[RubyTuesday]

I struggle with this one. I have to take diabetes supplies (meter, strips, lancer) plus a cell phone, food for lows and tube and tools. I am thinking I will get a small pack on the top tube for my cell and meter and then my seat post bag can hold tools. I carry blocks or gel and starbursts in my pockets.

I have always been an over packer!

[ehirsch83]

I'm a believer that- if it doesn't fit in your jersey pockets- you don't need it.

I don't use a seat bag, they always rub on my shorts- no matter what..
tube and co2 go in a ziplock bag in my middle pocket, phone and house key in a side pocket and then gels, blocks,etc. in the other pocket. I will carry my debit card with me so I can stop at a convenience store if needed.

[jobob]

I'm a believer that- if it doesn't fit in your jersey pockets- you don't need it.

I don't use a seat bag, they always rub on my shorts- no matter what..
tube and co2 go in a ziplock bag in my middle pocket, phone and house key in a side pocket and then gels, blocks,etc. in the other pocket. I will carry my debit card with me so I can stop at a convenience store if needed.

I gather you never ride when it's chilly and you might need a vest or jacket. Or when it's blazing hot and sunny and you might need more sunscreen. Or where there might not be a 7-Eleven where you need it.

DH and I sometimes ride with folks who start out saying the same sort of thing. Sooner or later we'll hear something like: "Oh gee, I have no room left in my pockets for this vest, would you mind carrying it in your bag?" or "Mind if I use your pump?" or "Got a tube I can borrow?" or "Can I have a squirt of that sunscreen?".

We make lots of friends on rides like that. Part of why we tend to go out more on our own nowadays, taking care of the masses gets a bit old.

[ny biker]

I gather you never ride when it's chilly and you might need a vest or jacket. Or when it's blazing hot and sunny and you might need more sunscreen. Or where there might not be a 7-Eleven where you need it.

DH and I sometimes ride with folks who start out saying the same sort of thing. Sooner or later we'll hear something like: "Oh gee, I have no room left in my pockets for this vest, would you mind carrying it in your bag?" or "Mind if I use your pump?" or "Got a tube I can borrow?" or "Can I have a squirt of that sunscreen?".

We make lots of friends on rides like that. Part of why we tend to go out more on our own nowadays, taking care of the masses gets a bit old.

Word. I did a club ride a few years ago that started at a school. While in the parking lot, I took out some sunscreen to add an extra layer on my shoulders (I always apply the first layer before leaving home, to give it time to sink in). A few cyclists who I had never met and who had started the ride from a few miles away saw me and asked to use my sunscreen. They used lots of it, then said thanks and left. Never even bothered to introduce themselves.

A couple of weeks ago while riding on a rail-trail I saw a guy with a mountain bike on the side of the trail. He asked if I had a pump or CO2 canisters I could lend to him. He'd been riding for more than 90 minutes, and apparently toward the end of his ride noticed his tire had lost air. I got several mosquito bites while standing there listening to him tell me all about his tubular tires while he used my frame pump.

On the other hand, you have the guys with all the supplies needed to fix a flat, but they're walking their bike because they don't know how to use them...

[jobob]

On the other hand, you have the guys with all the supplies needed to fix a flat, but they're walking their bike because they don't know how to use them...

Eh, we all have to start someplace, these folks certainly get brownie points for having the supplies on hand. Lee and I help lots of newbies with tire changes when we're out on rides. And then we look 'em square in the eye and tell them to practice when they get home.

I'm much less likely to go out of my way to help someone who is obviously an experienced rider but who is woefully (and deliberately) underprepared.

[sarahkonamojo]

Osprey pack for longer rides. I prefer the weight on my back rather than my bike. Not aways the most comfortable solution, but works for me.

[Biciclista]

I gather you never ride when it's chilly and you might need a vest or jacket. Or when it's blazing hot and sunny and you might need more sunscreen. Or where there might not be a 7-Eleven where you need it.

DH and I sometimes ride with folks who start out saying the same sort of thing. Sooner or later we'll hear something like: "Oh gee, I have no room left in my pockets for this vest, would you mind carrying it in your bag?" or "Mind if I use your pump?" or "Got a tube I can borrow?" or "Can I have a squirt of that sunscreen?".

We make lots of friends on rides like that. Part of why we tend to go out more on our own nowadays, taking care of the masses gets a bit old.

thank you. I notice you didn't mention rain coats and extra gloves. I'd hate to shove all of that into the pockets of my jerseys, it would ruin them!

[jobob]

thank you. I notice you didn't mention rain coats and extra gloves. I'd hate to shove all of that into the pockets of my jerseys, it would ruin them!

Ah, I just noticed, the light packer lives in Florida so she might not need to have to deal with much outerwear. ( I was writing this while EH responded)

I'm with you Mimi, I dislike carrying much in the way of clothing in my jersey pockets, about all I can tolerate is a pair of glove liners or maybe a super-light windshell.

DH and I are heading up to Mt. Shasta for the century ride this weekend, it's fully supported and the cabin we're staying is along the route (Mt Shasta resort -- does that bring back any memories, anyone? ), so we won't need to carry much of anything.

After that, we might head up to Crater Lake to do a bit of camping and ride up around Rim Drive. There's next to nothing for services past the Lodge, so we'll be carrying what we need up there!

[jobob]

I agree that carrying two tubes can be overkill (depending on the situation), but I find I'm much less likely to flat *at all* if I'm carrying two tubes instead of one. Funny how that works.

[ehirsch83]

I gather you never ride when it's chilly and you might need a vest or jacket. Or when it's blazing hot and sunny and you might need more sunscreen. Or where there might not be a 7-Eleven where you need it.

DH and I sometimes ride with folks who start out saying the same sort of thing. Sooner or later we'll hear something like: "Oh gee, I have no room left in my pockets for this vest, would you mind carrying it in your bag?" or "Mind if I use your pump?" or "Got a tube I can borrow?" or "Can I have a squirt of that sunscreen?".

We make lots of friends on rides like that. Part of why we tend to go out more on our own nowadays, taking care of the masses gets a bit old.

actually I have.

Being in Florida- I deal with the worst heat out there and in the winter it is cold enough for a jacket to start, but usually warms up- which is why, drum roll please... if the tempature is going to fluctuate from a colder temp to warmer- you can use a product like Leg Salsa- works amazing! no need for that extra layer.

If it is going to stay cold- then I will keep my jacket on. IF i need to take off arm or leg warmers or anything- it can fit into a pocket.

I also carry an inhalor, in the ziplock bag with my tube in my jersey pocket.

I spray on sunscreen before I leave- it is enough to last up to 4 hours- if not, get a new sunscreen

If I flat more then once then oh well, figure out how to get home- carrying more then one tube is overkill.

I also figure out my rides with hydration- if i need to carry a 3rd bottle in my jersey pocket, I do.

Unless you are riding more then 4 hours a few gels and a bar is all you should need, as long as you fueled properly before you left.

[spokewench]

I'm a believer that- if it doesn't fit in your jersey pockets- you don't need it.

I don't use a seat bag, they always rub on my shorts- no matter what..
tube and co2 go in a ziplock bag in my middle pocket, phone and house key in a side pocket and then gels, blocks,etc. in the other pocket. I will carry my debit card with me so I can stop at a convenience store if needed.

I will travel like this on the road bike sometimes, but no way on the mountain bike - I'm way too far out in the boonies for that most times.

[ehirsch83]

We are all different- that is what makes TE so great.

This just shows the different mentality of a racer/group rider verse a touring rider/ longer distance relaxed rider.

[jobob]

This just shows the different mentality of a racer/group rider verse a touring rider/ longer distance relaxed rider.

Oh, absolutely! I was looking back at some of your earlier posts and I realized you were approaching all this from a very different perspective than mine.

And heaven knows I'm a relaxed rider ... my motto is "every ride is a recovery ride"!