What to take on a long ride?

[PeggyB]

Insurance card and driver's license (or copies). Should always carry:

Flat kit (2 tubes, tire levers, pump or CO2)
Food (nothing new on a long ride; I like Mojo bars, PB and J and bananas)
Gatorade (2 bottles worth) and gatorade powder in your favorite flavor as you will need more)
Bike shorts with gel chamois (but again, don't wear a new pair; what if they rub?)

[ny biker]

Thank you for all the feedback. What flavor shot blocs or GU are the best for taste? I got a new hydration pack - should I put something like diluted Gatorade in there? Should I eat at a specific mileage or only when I feel like I need to? I'm going to pick up a few things to eat. I will definitely bring bananas. It's suppose to be about 85 degrees, this is warmer than it has been here. BTW I see there's a Cytomax Performance drink mix and a Cliff Shot drink mix, any reviews on these? Thanks again.

If it's hot, especially early in the summer when you're still acclimating, sodium is very important. I've felt much better on long rides since I switched to gels with more sodium than regular Gu.

As for flavor and brand, it all depends on you. I personally prefer orange Gatorade, vanilla Gu, orange Gu Roctane and orange Gu Chomps. I've been trying different brands out lately, and find that Power Gel does not taste very good, but it has tons of sodium. Vanilla is the most bearable flavor to me.

I did not really like Honey Stinger gels, because I'm not a big fan of honey. I haven't had Clif Shots in years, because I found them too sweet.

On the other hand, Jelly Belly orange sports beans taste really good, like regular jelly beans. I prefer the orange to the lemon lime, and will be trying a third flavor (cherry, I think) this weekend.

I generally figure 200-300 calories per hour, then pack a couple of extra gels/packs of chewy things for good measure. I usually eat while I'm at a reststop, because it's not very easy to eat while riding.

[Maye]

Thank you for all the feedback. What flavor shot blocs or GU are the best for taste?

I really like the red shot blocs or strawberry flavor. Yummy!

[surgtech1956]

Thanks again. Saturday its suppose to be 85 degrees/humid. I picked up a Strawberry Shot Bloc(only flavor they had), I also have some nut packets and bananas. The Camelbak I have is the 70oz Classic. I think I will carry water bottles - 2 -24oz and a fanny pack. Whats a general rule on when to eat something, after so many miles or when I start feeling like I need to eat something?

[indysteel]

I tend to eat once every hour or so.

[smittykitty]

What helpful info. I'm riding Seattle to Portland (200 miles over 2 days) this July and I too am wondering what to bring. Its a very supported ride, but with 10,000 riders I know there will be long lines and crowds at the stops.

I have a smaller backpack, but would prefer leaving it at home. I'm really hoping I can just use my jersey pockets and my seat wedge pack, plus my cute little top-tube pack (can't remember what it is called!).

I'm assuming I will need my legwarmers at 5:30am and will want to remove them and my jacket soon, as I've ordered nice weather for the weekend! Only have one bottle cage.

I've got everything else mentioned above. Not sure if a bit of cash and phone were mentioned. Also, Advil, sunscreen & travel packs of Chamois Cream.

Guess I should just try to fit everything in my jersey pockets instead of worrying about it! Maybe tomorrow before my ride!

Any thoughts on a backpack are welcome. It is small and lightweight.

[nscrbug]

I agree with what one poster said...there's a big difference between 35 miles and 50 miles...at least for me there is. For a 35 mile ride, I don't need any food at all during the ride...I just eat something beforehand, and I'm good. But for 50 miles, I would likely bring 1 or 2 mini Luna or Clif bars (80-100 cal) and maybe some chews (Shot bloks or Honey Stinger chews). However, I usually don't consume all of that. For me, 1 bottle (21oz) will last me for a 35-50 mile ride. Anything over that, and I'll stop at a gas station to refill my bottle.

[Grits]

Only have one bottle cage.

You need to get another one before the ride unless you plan to wear hydration back pack, and I didn't get the impression the backpack you mentioned is for hydration.

[indysteel]

You need to get another one before the ride unless you plan to wear hydration back pack, and I didn't get the impression the backpack you mentioned is for hydration.

+1. If space is tight, Bontrager makes a bottle cage with a side entry. It makes getting the bottle in and out pretty easy. I have one on my mountain bike.

What's the weather typically like for STP? I've done some tours in Tennessee in September where the mornings are cool enough for leg warmers, but I just try to gut it out so that I don't have to deal with storing them in my jersey pocket for the rest of the day. For the same reason, rather than wear a jacket, I usually tried to get by with arm warmers. Of course, if you ride with a backpack, it's a non-issue.

[OakLeaf]

You can rock the Flashdance look, if it warms up enough that you want to lose the leg warmers, but you don't want them in your pockets. I'll do that with arm warmers, too. Leg warmers do need a little bit of attention to roll or fold them so you don't risk getting the thigh grippers tangled in your crankarms.

And, +1 on the second water bottle. One bottle is rarely enough to get you from stop to stop. Even in cooler weather, I'll usually go through a bottle an hour; in warm weather, much more.

[ny biker]

I went out and bought a small handlebar bag for rides in weather that require extra clothes.

http://www.rei.com/product/825301/no...-handlebar-bag

Otherwise, I would just have a not-very-large wedge pack and a bento box, and my jersey pockets are not large enough for things like leg warmers or my Shower's Pass jacket.

[sookiesue]

I am not concerned with aerodynamics and speed so I always ride with my CamelBak (100 oz reservoir) and I don't fill it completely so there is room in that pocket on top of the reservoir to stash snacks, etc.

There's room in the front pocket to carry my wallet, cell phone, housekeys, lip balm, sunscreen, small tube of extra Hoo Ha Ride Glide - love that chamois cream! If I get warm I can tuck my jacket into the bungee-type cords on the outside along with my bike pump.

I particularly like the CamelBak because I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be coordinated enough to pull a waterbottle out of a cage while riding. With the CamelBak I don't have to stop to drink so I think I keep myself much better hydrated.

I keep my tubes, CO2, etc in a small under-seat bag.

Have fun on your ride!

[surgtech1956]

Sorry I have to ask this, but what is chamois cream for and how do you use it?

[indysteel]

It's a lubricant that you use on the contact points with your saddle--either by applying it to the pad of your shorts or directly to your butt, leg creases and soft tissue--to prevent saddle sores and irritation. It helps reduce painful friction.