What to take on a long ride?

[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.