What will you NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT?

[yellow]

My good friend, Vitamin I (aka ibuprofen).

[margo49]

All what you-all already said plus:
a book for if I get stuck somewhere
swiss army knife (40 years old belonged to my dead Dad)
coin money for hospital vending machines
rosary (not a RC myself but like the beads/prayers and find it calming and focussing.Haven't "needed " it yet but the thing is in an emergency you have only your rote memory and "automatics" to rely on. It is no time to start scrabbling around in your concussed or shocked brain for something meaningful ,politically correct, and theologically sound )

[SadieKate]

Foremoms invented bloomers . . .

So they could ride bikes!

[Jones]

I need to learn how to change a tire - fix a flat, etc... (this must be where my anxiety is coming from...).
To be honest , I don't know the first thing about changing a tire.
Denise

Denise223
When I first started to ride I sat at my computer let all the air out of my back tire and used this article
http://www.teamestrogen.com/articles/asa_levers.asp to learn to fix my flat.
It was very empowering and I have gone on to teach my dh and a guy friend how to fix their flats. You can totally learn to do this. It did take me about an hour the first time, now about 10 mins. Good Luck. Jones.

[Lise]

I did watch Mary Poppins. Many times. I believe it helped to shape my personality. (shape..warp...so very similar ) Still want to jump through a chalk drawing.

Ahem. Yes. Learn how to change your tire. Good suggestions on how have been made. It's a great feeling of personal freedom.

I carry the usual, helmet, sunglasses, two bottle of beverage, snack (bar, sport beans), tube changing supplies, teensy weensey fold up tool that I love. It has two screwdriver heads and four allen wrench heads, yet folds up to about 2". Lip balm, sunscreen stick, zip lock with baby wipes. Cell phone and $20 minimum. Today I want to pick up some individual packets of Chamois butt'r to throw in there, too.

[Bicyclette]

I loved Mary Poppins! What a woman!!!

Anyway - I never leave without the usual - helmet, sunglasses, cell phone, money, spare tube, tire levers, patch kit, food, beverage, ID, sweatband, gum ( must have gum) and I also have the "teensy weensy fold up tool"

When I first got my bike I started thinking about riding alone without knowing how to change my tire - so I pulled the front wheel off one afternoon and spent the rest of the day learning how to change the tire - and wouldn't you know it - I punctured the tube doing that and then REALLY had to change the tire

[spokewench]

water,tire changin stuff and chapstick

[bikerz]

When I first started to ride I sat at my computer let all the air out of my back tire and used this article
http://www.teamestrogen.com/articles/asa_levers.asp to learn to fix my flat.
It was very empowering and I have gone on to teach my dh and a guy friend how to fix their flats. You can totally learn to do this. It did take me about an hour the first time, now about 10 mins.

Same here - and it stuck! A couple of weeks ago I rolled my back wheel over a thumbtack in my hallway and had to change the rear tire before a ride - took just about 10 minutes - no levers! And then I used the amazing Road Morph to pump it back up to 110 lbs.

Same stuff others have listed, but also: road ID around my neck, drivers license and credit card (for longer rides) in my handlebar bag, a small film cannister with cytomax, and a small first aid kit.

[Geonz]

Of course, it wasn't Mary Poppins who sang that song! (I only know 'cause we had a Mary Poppins singalong two weeks ago.)
I also carry at least one book and it's come in handy when I ran over something that destroyed my tire.
My checklist-for-every-ride-countdown is (going down the body) "Helmet, glasses (I don't need them to see, but gnats and corn whispings are everywhere), waterbottle (even though it's a camelbak usually), pump (in the camelbak, with a multi-tool), Gloves, phone."
Now, I don't always *have* them all... but at least I've asked :-) ON the Xtracycle I've got some bandaids and stuff, too, and some vitamin I, which I have never used but have shared. (I'm convinced I don't need it *because* I have it.)

This morning I had the cooler, with frozen strawberries and peaches and dixie cups and wet-wipes, and the stand and the blender base and business end, and change of clothes for work 'cause we're having visitors.

[dachshund]

I've been carrying a small socket wrench lately, because of having a new saddle. I had to keep stopping and readjust its position. I just realized I can probably leave that at home.

Ditto on what has been said already. I can't fix a tire without tire levers, so way to go bikerz! I also stashed Peet's/Starbucks cards and an extra BART ticket (the local train), in with my folded up paper stuff. I have a photo copy of my insurance info, and until I get a RoadID, a card with emergency numbers. On group rides I bring a small camera.

Oh, and a very loud bell !

[Teddyparker]

Hey Denise223

I too am very hesitant to ride solo. Until yesterday I always rode (and probably will contnue to do so) at first light when I know traffic is light and there is someone home to get me if need be . I've had 2 flats and both times called my husband. But it has always bothered me that I was afraid to go riding later in the day if no one was at home to get me. My son taught me to fix a flat by talking me through it as I went along. I was still concerned about doing it in the field.
Yesterday I rode alone later in the morning. I talked myself into it and left the house (with no one home) at 9AM with everything I may need to fix a flat by myself. I rode the farthest I ever have 25 miles( a lot for me) at 14.5 mph avg speed (my personal best). When I got home I noticed my back tire was kind of soft. I pumped it again and it went soft again so I changed the back tire alone. I feel like I can do it out on the road with no problem now. I posted this link on another thread. This video helped me so much. Check it out. http://www.bettybikegear.com/tips.aspx
Take your time, when you are ready to go alone you will just do it.
Good luck

[Bad JuJu]

Did somebody already mention sunscreen? I sunscreen before riding, but if it's a longish ride, I take a little container along for reapplication later in the day. Same goes for chamois butter.

Another sometimes-useful item that takes up little space is a tire boot. I've been known to get sizeable gashes in my tires (sadly, NW Florida is full of yahoos who just love to throw bottles on the road), so I really have needed the tire boots a couple of times. On the other hand, a folded dollar bill works, too. So don't forget some folding money along with your change for vending machines.

[MomOnBike]

I haven't really settled down to a set list. There are so many variables - where, how far, (on rides where walking home is feasible, I'll take a LOT less), the general $hittiness of my mood, what I'm planning on doing, just to start.

That said, I always wear a helmet and gloves. I feel nekkid without. The Road ID is permanently attached to my shoe.

From here on out, there is no guarantee that anything here will be with me on any given ride, but I often carry:

The bike pump is almost always attached to the frame. It's in its own little case with levers and patches. Pretty cool. Too bad I can't inflate my tires all the way with it.

There is a little Y-shaped hex wrench I like to have on the bike. I find I pull it more than I thought I would. Ditto a little screwdriver (flat). The screwdriver is great for popping glass shards from tires...

When I carry tubes I need one of each size. DH & I can share, though, when we go out together.

Cable and lock. Hairbrush. Wallet with cards. Camera.

Sometimes I carry money, if I have any, and when it's hot or the distance will be 20 miles or more I carry water.

[Bike Goddess]

My gosh- lots of things we take with us!

I carry a fanny pack that I got from REI. Inside, (as with others), a bar or 2, a pkg of shot,sliced orange, cytomax,handiwipe sunscreeen, drugs, small pocket knife, Kaiser medical card, expired Driver's license, ATM card, cash, ,chapstick, phone,glasses and contact lens case (if I start out with contacts on)sunglasses.

Under bike seat- new tube, patch kit, plastic tire irons, multi use tool, rag.
On bike- 2 bottles- one with drink, one with water

I plan solo rides so I have access to water and food if I need it.

[Lise]

That said, I always wear a helmet and gloves. I feel nekkid without.

I know what you mean! I left without gloves one time. Took me two blocks to figure out what was wrong!