What do you carry and how do you carry it?

[Running Mommy]

Like Eden said.. Do what works for you. Even though I also live in a HOT area (AZ) I use a camelbak. I can't remember the exact model but it's almost the size of a Mule. I have a small pump- not CO2- that I carry in the "pump port" pocket on the outside of the camelbak. It's pretty long so it sticks out, but I really don't care. I can't put a frame pump on my bike so it's my compromise. I also carry a spare tube, levers, patch kit, small first aid kit, gel, ID,cell phone, and Benadryl (I'm allergic to bees),a tube of Nuun electrolyte tablets, and the all important tube of Aquaphor to relube as neccesary.... ahmm.
WoW! When I think about it that sounds like alot, but it all fits in there pretty nice. Lets just say I don't like to be un prepared! And I've used my little first aid kit more than once for OTHER cyclists who have crashed.
basically do what works for you. But like a good scout I say- be prepared! If you have it, chances are you won't need it!!

[maillotpois]

I travel pretty light, I think:

Small seat bag: 2 tubes, 3 CO2 cartridges plus CO2 dispenser (what do you calll that thing?), multi tool, 2 tire levers, a couple cut up pieces of old tire to use as boots if needed, insurance card, $5.

Jersey Pockets: cell phone and money/ATM card in a baggie, food (amount and type depends on length of ride. For a ride under 50 miles, I usually don't bring any food.), short finger gloves if I start with long, any discarded clothing, rain jacket (if it looks threatening)

For a double century, long self-supported ride or Death Ride I _may_ bring a camelback. I usually don't. I have stopped using the Bento box unless the ride is long and flat (like this race I do in Tucson every year) as it really throws off my standing climbing.

[Duck on Wheels]

I use a camelbak. I can't remember the exact model but it's almost the size of a Mule. (...) small first aid kit, gel, ID,cell phone, and Benadryl (I'm allergic to bees), a tube of Nuun electrolyte tablets, and the all important tube of Aquaphor to relube as neccesary.... ahmm.
WoW! When I think about it that sounds like alot, but it all fits in there pretty nice.

This thread is SO helpful! I've been mentally listing things, then striking some off to save weight. I almost forgot the adrenalin injection kit I too am allergic to bees, but haven't been stung for so many years now that I keep forgetting to carry it. Won't do me much good if it's home in the fridge!

Otherwise, I plan to carry everything in my hydration pack (REI Cascade, women's model, holds 3 liters!). Water in the pack, pedeolyte in a bottle in the cage, small repair kit, spare tube, small pump, cell phone, emergency cash, emergency ostomy pack, sun factor ... which leaves plenty of space to stow a layer of clothing if I need to strip some off as the day and my body heat up. Anything I'm forgetting? Anything I can leave in the car?

[bcipam]

I'm a Camelback user so that solves alot of problems but I carry a spare tube, tire irons and a small Park tool kit in a small under seat bag. I carry my cell phone and keys in a BENTO BAG. If you are unfamiliar with them, google Bento Bag. It's a rectangular shaped bag that sits behind the head/steering tube on the top bar. The large size (which isn't that large) is perfect for phone and keys, or a small digital camera, or fig bars etc.

PS: I stopped carrying CO2 a long time ago - too much hassle . I always carry 2 spare tubes (taken out of the square cardboard boxes and placed in plastic bags with talcum powder), tire irons (just two) the small tool kit in the seat bag and a Road Morph pump by Topeak that I carry in the pump port of the Camelback. I almost always also have some GU or a Balance Bar, some medical supplies such as bandages, and alcohol pads, personal ID, some money - all "just in case." I use a smaller Camelback for the road and a larger one for mountain biking.

[bikerchick68]

I don't wear a Camelback... mainly because I get really, really hot if my back is covered with it... I tried it once but especially in the summer here when I would need it, it was just too hot for me. I suffer in the heat and live for any weather that's from 40-80 degrees!

That being said, I have 2 bottle cages, a RoadMorph pump attached to my frame, and a medium size seat bag. The seat bag has 2 tubes, 2 tire levers, a multi tool, a ziploc with photocopy of my license and health insurance card, and a patch kit. I stopped carrying CO2 after getting the road morph... and switching to GatorSkins! Got tired of flatting...

I bought the Pearl Izumi jacket that has zip off sleeves... so if I get hot, I'll zip the sleeves off first and shove 'em in my pocket... if I need to strip the jacket I ROLL it up tight and it goes in one jersey pocket... my other pocket has cell phone, cash, and ClifShots... that's pretty much everything I need for about any distance... I mostly ride organized centuries... have only ridden 3 that weren't organized... but those routes always have 7-11's where I can get some food as needed... OH! And for a solo century... I also carry TP in my back pocket... I have had one emergency situation where I peed behind a shrub and really, really wished I had TP!

[bcipam]

Bikerchick - it's funny you don't wear a Camelback because it gets hot. It's much cooler (usually) in San Diego than Orange County. I feel the Camelback keeps me cooler. I definitely sweat where the Camelback lies and the sweat keeps me cool (sounds icky but that's the whole purpose of sweat isn't it).

I also hate to ride in hot weather. I do much better with cold than hot weather. Anything over 80 is hot for me. I wear sleeveless when possible. I like Nema's jerseys made especially for Camelbacks. The part where the Camelback sits is mesh so cooler than regular jerseys.

I think it's all in what you get used to. I like having my water in the Camelback - just so much easier to reach and drink. When I used the cage and bottles, I found I drank water less. Also, I hate carrying too much stuff on the bike - it can all rattle driving me crazy. The bike just handles so much better with less stuff attached to it.

PS: On long rides I still carry a small water bottle in my cage - just for pee emergencies. No TP - just squirt water. Much better for the environment and cleaner too!

[DebW]

I go pretty light. My small seat pack has a spare tube, patch kit, and tire levers (clincher bike) or spare tire (sew-up bike), Park MT-1 multitool, and presta adapter. Frame pump on the seat tube, water bottle on the downtube. Wallet, cell phone, and bandana go in jersey pocket. If I need to carry spare clothes I'll wear a fanny pack.