How much stuff do you take on a ride?

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  Jul 08, 2007 5:54 PM GMT

  I feel like I'm hauling too much "stuff" around with me for riding a couple of hours. Most of it, I can stuff into a little under-the-saddle pack. But I see people who are just out for short rides on bike paths who look like they're equipped for a major expedition with backpacks & panniers. I can't figure out what they could be carrying.
  
  For a casual ride, I take enough tools to fix a flat and make minor adjustments, a spare tube, some small first aid items, cell phone, frame pump, and water. Maybe an energy bar or something, for a longer ride.
  
  I used to be loaded down when I rode to work every day, with lights, clothes, laptop, lunches, & everything. Eventually, I bought a touring bike to hang all that stuff on and keep my road bike "clean."

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• atxclimber
  
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  Jul 08, 2007 9:55 PM GMT

  Sounds about like me. In fact, I haven't been carrying first-aid stuff, and I really should (woulda been nice to have some antiseptic wipes for the fall I took a week ago, and more in case there was much bleeding.)
  
  In my under-saddle bag on my road bike I have a tube, patches, tire levers, CO2 inflator, spare CO2 cartridge, mini bike tool, and a little cash.
  
  In my bike jersey pockets I carry a Clif shot or two, my cell phone, a plastic ziploc bag (for the cell phone in case it rains), keys, and, for longer rides, extra water bottles (usually two, one on the left and one on the right, and the other stuff I leave in the center pocket.)
  
  It doesn't seem that bad. On my beater bike I have a rear tire rack and bungee cords so I can carry grocery bags, even clip on my Jannd side bag, but I haven't done that in ages. When I bike commute I do it on my road bike because it's 17 miles each way.

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  Jul 10, 2007 3:09 AM GMT

  Well it all depends on the ride. If I am going for an easy hour or easy 40km I just take fluids and a gel and cell phone. Nothing too much. If I get a flat then I am usually not far.
  
  
  On a long ride i have the pump and spare tube and tire levers and multitool. I also have tons of gels, money and cell phone. I usually stop to get more water or fluids cause when I take 4 bottles with me, after an hour they are all piss warm and I dont want to be drinking piss warm water at 3hours into my ride. So I stop and pick up a bottle of something. Usually Visa works or cash. VISA is good cause if your riding alone then people can figure out who you are when your unconscious where as if you had cash and no cell phone how do they know who you are?
  

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• atxdavid
  
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  Jul 11, 2007 12:00 AM GMT

  Re: Knowing who you are / who to contact with a cell phone in an accident ...
  
  One article I read advocated having an entry in your phone book called "ICE" with an emergency contact number. "ICE" apparently stands for "In Case of Emergency". According to this article (sorry, I've lost the attribution) emergency medical personnel are trained to look for this.
  
  I have no idea if this is actually true ...

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  Jul 11, 2007 1:30 AM GMT

  I dunno... I hardly ever have a flat any more, but I used to live where there were a lot of goat-heads and puncture vine. Even with heavy kevlar inserts, flats were a weekly occurrence. Now it feels too weird to leave home without tools.
  
  I had to start carrying first aid stuff because of bee sting allergies. In fact, just last week, one got into my helmet and stung me - had to medicate and call for help. Anyway, I found a teeny little first aid kit in a little wallet at REI, that will fit anywhere. The tag says "Adventure Medical kits." There's even room to tuck in some sample-sized packs of lube and a condom.
  
  Well... it COULD happen!

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• Roadcyclist
  
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  Jul 22, 2007 4:52 PM GMT

  Well we always carry pump, tire irons, wrench tool and a couple of tubes. Gaotorade & Cliff bars. Cell Phone. Try keeping it to a minimum. Of course if the weather looks bad, a rain jacket. Eveyrthing is special design, light weight for cycling.

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  Jul 22, 2007 9:26 PM GMT

  Sounds like you have everything covered. I think it is important to have some ID, one of those ID braclets or tags are a good idea in high traffic areas. You get wiped out by a car and no one knows who you are or where you live, then your in even more trouble. It is important to be able to make simple repairs; how stupid would it be if you had to walk your bike 5+ miles back to the house when all you needed was a hex wrench or driver to fix the problem.
  
  The only reason to carry more would be if it was possible to get stranded in the woods overnight, or anywhere after dark. There is a 30 mile track in a state park that I use to ride in the late afternoon. The worse case would be a bad injury or a unrepairable bike around the halfway point. A 15 mile treck back down the trail to the car would take a few hours to say the least. In that case extra food and water, light, emergency blanket and a lighter make sense. You might have to spend the night in the woods, depending on what part of the country you in you could be in for a real challenge.

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  Aug 07, 2007 3:50 AM GMT

  Likewise, I bring tools, everything to change a tire, energy food (power bars and sport beans) and a cell. I also always have a light front and back, because inevitably I end up out past the sun. And a credit card because that has saved me many times after something breaking or that hummer that ran me off the road...I do not understand people who do not bring basic tools and someway to communicate, perhaps they are more intense then me, but why do I pass them all then?

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  Sep 25, 2007 10:48 AM GMT

  I can get very hot here, therefore water and lots of it is a must have.
  1. One small camel back.
  2. Cell phone
  3. Repair kit (which is under my seat)
  4. Keys
  5. I.D.
  
  I tried to do the with just bottles, but if you are anything like me and ride for 3-4 hours those bottles of water will not get you very far.
  I have discovered the camel back is a little like an AC (I put ice in it) when the wind hits it and plus it is on my back.
  In addition the camel back is very simple to drink from, therefore I do not fumble around for bottles.

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  Sep 25, 2007 11:10 AM GMT

  I agree with txguy34 that an ID bracelet is a good idea. Not only for bicyclists, but especiall for runners since they're typically running light (i.e. no cell phone, etc.).
  
  I got mine through roadid.com. It's a wristband (other types available) with an engraved (type 316 SS) plate approx 1-1/4" x 3/4" that will hold up to 6 lines of info. In my case, I have on it:
  
  Line 1 - My name (legal and nick)
  Line 2 - Home(town) and date (year) of birth
  Line 3 - Primary doctor and phone number
  Line 4 - Alternate doctor and phone number
  Line 5 - Emergency contact (name, phone number)
  Line 6 - Allergy info (std abbreviations)
  

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  Sep 25, 2007 1:07 PM GMT

  I've just got a multi-tool, tube, pump, and cell all jammed under the seat. Water of course and for ID purposes, I carry my DL and a card with "In case of emergency" contact info.

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