Seat Bag Contents

[annie]

Camelbak while on the MTB 'cause I can't take my hands off the bars long enough to get out a water bottle! Or I'd crash, most likely.

Water bottles (2) while on the road. I find that I sweat soooooo much under the camelbak that I prefer not to wear it if I don't need it.

In the under-the-seat pak : tube, tools, money, insurance card, CO2 cartridges and inflator, lip balm and sunscreen (sm. size), red blinkie light. If I need more stuff than that, I wear a fanny pak. Annoying at first but you get used to it and it's so convenient - when you stop, you have stuff with you. Money, phone, female stuff, deodorant, camera. I can actually fit a lot more if I need to. Depends on the ride. If it's a race, everything is stripped to bare minumum for the least weight. If it's a fun ride, like RAGBRAI, then I carry lots of stuff, whatever might come in handy for the day. Otherwise, somewhere in between, never more than I have to.

[snapdragen]

Of course, leave it to the two Riv girls to carry their houses on their bikes!

One thing I have that I've not seen mentioned - I wear a dog tag with all my info on it. You can order them online, www.roadid.com. Be nice Jo and I'll let you see it Saturday.

Camelbaks - I'm strictly road, and love my pack! If I didn't have it I wouldn't drink enough. It's by Ultimate Direction. I have a 32, a 64, and a 100 ounce tank. I prefer the smaller tank, as long as I can get refills. Water can be heavy! What I like about the UD pack is it doesn't sit on your upper back, it sits a little lower which feels more comfy to me. Packs are probably like saddles and shorts, find what fits you best.

[Veronica]

Hey, I only carry my house when I'm going to work. AND it's still lighter than riding the tandem by myself. Want a good workout? Ride a 45 pound bike!

V.

[jobob]

Of course, leave it to the two Riv girls to carry their houses on their bikes!

Aw, come on, I don't carry that much!
Here's a pic of me on my bike, you decide...
http://community.webshots.com/s/imag...5wefTan_fs.jpg

[snapdragen]

I'd never thought to carry a spare bike!!

[MightyMitre]

Hey snapdragon - cool link to the dog tag/i.d website. Just the other day I thought I could do with some id to wear when out riding and I hadn't quite got round to looking on the internet.

You've saved me a job.

Thanks!

[aka_kim]

I carry the "usual" stuff in my under-seat bag, and for the past few years have been using a "Bento Box" too. It's a small "bag" that fits just behind the stem and rests on the top tube, so you can easily open it while riding. I keep money, ID, Gu, Kleenex, lip balm, aspirin in there -- anything that I either may want while riding or that I don't want to fish around for.

Here's a link: http://www.all3sports.com/product/ca.../ProductID/220
(Um, I haven't used all3sports, this is the only place I could find a good picture).

[kpc]

Camelbacks: Aren't they germ breeding grounds? They look so wonderful when I'm out of water and thirsty, but how can you keep them clean? seems like rinsing would not kill bacteria unless you use bleach. Please straighten me out if there is some way to keep them fresh.

[Dogmama]

I agree about the camelback being comfortable. I never thought it would be. It adds weight - think of it as a training tool.

I also put a two-bottle holder on my seat post. The bottles sit behind me, don't get in the way, and I can actually change one by holding the empty with my teeth & grabbing the full one, putting it in the downtube holder. Now THAT's coordination! Next, I'll try it on my mtb <not!>

[Irulan]

Originally posted by kpc
Camelbacks: Aren't they germ breeding grounds? They look so wonderful when I'm out of water and thirsty, but how can you keep them clean? seems like rinsing would not kill bacteria unless you use bleach. Please straighten me out if there is some way to keep them fresh.

The only times I see trouble with camel back is a) when people put other than water in them and b) my kid likes to back wash into his personal

I run only water, drain it and dry it out every now and then, use a brush on the tube. If you let it sit for long periods of time in the sun it can get kind of skanky.

I guess I consider it a non-issue if you use common sense. I've been using the same baldder for 5+ years

Irulan

[snapdragen]

Another trick to clean the tanks/tubes is Effedent tablets. Yes, the denture cleaner.....

Originally posted by kpc
Camelbacks: Aren't they germ breeding grounds? They look so wonderful when I'm out of water and thirsty, but how can you keep them clean? seems like rinsing would not kill bacteria unless you use bleach. Please straighten me out if there is some way to keep them fresh.

[annie]

If you rinse out the camelbak EVERY time you use it, put something in the bladder to allow air in so it can dry, it's fine. Even if you put a sports drink in. I do that often and as long as I rinse it out with hot water, it stays clean and fresh. I have occasionally used a weak bleach solution and let it soak overnight, just as a precaution, but I've never had a problem. Still.......... I only use in while on the MTB. My water bottles get a lot skankier than the camelbak. I tend to forget to clean them. At least they're clear plastic......... I can see clearly when gunk starts to grow in them.

[Adventure Girl]

I always carry my camelback. Even when road riding. Roadies seem to prefer bottles, but I don't handle the bottles well, so I use my camelback. The tube is always there. I think I drink more using it.

Contents:
Pump
Tire irons
Patch kit
Park mulit-tool thing with a chain breaker
Spare chain pin
Zip ties
Small first aid kit
Cell phone
Gu or bars
ID and
Insurance card.

And I keep a spare tube wrapped in an shop rag. This helps keep the tube from getting punctured while in the pack, and also, I always have a rag handy if I need it.

[aka_kim]

Anyone carry moist towelettes? They're great to help cleanup after fixing a flat or other repairs.

And anyone stick one of those pre-printed address labels charities always send somewhere in your helmet? I read that emergency personnel will always look in your helmet...

[Irulan]

no towlettes, but I do have a pencil stub and a scarp of papepr, and I always have a baggie with"feminine supplies" as I am prone to erratic breakthrough bleeding.

Irulan