Carrying stuff with you on long rides

[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.

[AnnB]

I have a bike trunk (that fits on the rack) for my commute back and forth to work. I can fit lunch, a change of clothing, my kindle, wallet and rain poncho. I have a zippered pouch on the frame, for smaller items. And I also have a zippered basket/bag that goes on the front of the handle bars (that's removable).

[Catrin]

....Plus I have two water bottle cages and on the trail I can think of only one water fountain and it's near the beginning/end of my ride so not much help in refilling.

What do you do?

I love my Camelbak for all of my bikes and all kinds of riding. I have a 100-oz WSD model that fits me well (it does make a difference). I keep my tools in there, though I do have a very small seat-bag on the bike where my tube(s) for that bike lives. I still have plenty of room for all kinds of munchies or other stuff I might want to take along on that particular ride. Once I have it strapped on and am on the bike I do not notice the weight. I do have a quite upright riding position which probably helps with that.

Why so large a pack? My road rides are in the country where there is no place to refill water...and I just will not/do not drink enough from water bottles. My FS mountain bike is so small that I don't have room for a water bottle if I were to install a cage...and water bottles have been known to bounce off of mountain bikes anyway. I also love my not-so-mini air pump that has a tire gauge on it, and it won't fit on either my Gunnar nor Jamis - it isn't THAT big, but my bikes are indeed that small. I just use the water cages on my Gunnar to hold bottles with Hammer Heed when I need to have that with me.

On my touring bike I've rack, fenders, and a lovely Arkel Tailrider rack trunk to carry stuff.

[blue_angel]

I have a seat wedge for a spare tube, co2 cartridge, multitool and levers, and $20. In my jersey pockets I carry my cell phone and snacks (and now my digital camera, as I only just bought it). For rides of 50 miles or longer, I have a handlebar baguette bag that holds a 12 oz bottle of Gatorade, additional food, a handkerchief, sunblock, extra chami cream and another $20. I have two bottle cages on my bike, so I'm carrying 48oz regularly and 60oz on long rides. My 50+ mile ride routes all have at least one store along the way, so I can stop for extra liquids.

I've tried riding with a camelbak and a messenger bag. They both suck! I don't recommend it. I now have a lumbar camelbak for hiking, which would probably be better than the backpack camelbak, but it would interfere with accessing my jersey pockets.

[OakLeaf]

If I know I'm going to be a long way between water stops on a hot day, I'll wear my Platypus pack. I don't really like wearing it on the bike (nothing to do with fashion, everything to do with heat dissipation and weight distribution), but it beats dehydration.

It's a lot more comfortable if you loosen the shoulder straps so that most of the weight of the water rests on your hipbones, on the waist straps.


Nathan makes a couple of packs designed for mountain biking. I've never tried them, but as amazingly perfectly balanced as their running vests are, I'd tend to expect the bike packs to be just as good.

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

Unless you need an Epi-Pen like me, or other medical supplies like RubyTuesday...

Or unless you ride in rural areas, where not having a good multi-tool could mean a LONG period of being stranded... and not carrying water could mean dehydration, because there's just no way to carry three liters in your jersey pockets and cages...

I admit I don't need a full-fledged phone on a ride, and my phone takes way more weight and space in my pocket than I like, but anyone who rides in rural areas does need *a* phone. (Anyone who rides in *really* rural areas probably needs a SPOT device, which is freakin' enormous.) I thought about getting a cheap prepaid flip phone specifically for riding and running, but decided against it. And if you drive to the start of a ride, a car key is bulky, too.

[ny biker]

I use a relatively large seat bag, a top tube bag and my jersey pockets to hold what I need. Usually, I plan my routes to pass by a convenience store or gas station for extra provisions. This past weekend, DH and I did a route that we weren't sure had a store along the way, so we brought our Cambelbaks. Ouch. While I find it to be relatively comfortable on my mountain bike (and it's more upright position), I found it hard to wear by the end of our 45-mile ride. My low back was killing me. My guess is that I could get used to it, but I don't think I really want to use it for most rides.

This pretty much sums up what I would say, except for the fact that I have no DH and I find the Camelback bothers my neck and shoulders more than my lower back.

I used to have a handlebar bag, but after a few years it was too worn and gross looking, so I ditched it and got the top tube bag instead.

BTW I'm assuming you are either in Maryland or somewhere not far from it. What trail are you riding?

[Catrin]

Osprey also makes some very nice packs for mountain biking. If I didn't already have my Camelbak I would get one, and whenever this needs .

There are so many different approaches to this, the important thing is to find what works for you!

[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...

[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]

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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.