What Do You Bring Along On Rides?

T

Toomanycats

Active Member
I’m a woman in her early 60’s who does a lot of recreational (10-20 miles) riding by herself, mostly bike trails. I have a trunk bag on my bike rack. Here are some of the things I bring. I wanted to see what other brought, and if other people had suggestions:
Cell phone with credit card and cash, water bottle, ABUS folding lock, granola bar, spare tire, tire levers, co2 cartridges, (I have Shwalbe Super Moto’s but no tire’s truly flat proof, right?), latex exam gloves, hand wipes, bike multi tool.
 
I should carry the sorts of things you carry. But usually I have my commuting stuff – computer tote, lunch, cell phone, laptop… And figure if I break down I will call for a tow. For shopping and errands I carry some canvas shopping bags.

I got a flat about a month ago. It was on my way home from work. I pulled over and three men on bikes (one an ebiker) pulled over to try to help. Not all at once, but one then another then another. Two of them had pumps with them. Neither of them could figure out how to use their pump. Anyway, I was about a mile from home, so my husband put the rack on the car and came and got me. Last weekend I was out on a recreational ride and I ran into the ebiker At a park about 9 miles from home. He said after he got home he did a lot of practicing with his pump. He said he figured out how it worked and next time he see someone in need of assistance he will be able to help! At any rate, it was nice to see such helpfulness among fellow cyclists.
 
I've got big wrenches for the hub motor nuts, crescent wrench, flat & phillips screwdrivers, open end wrenches for all the nuts on my bike. Slip joint plier, diagonal cutters, spare tie wraps for the wires. allen wrenches for the brake calipers handlebar mount throttle collar & seat post adjustment. Pencil box to keep that stuff in, dry. Spare #6 screw & nut if a fender mount falls off. I carry 2 tubes since the first one explodes sometimes, and an air pump. I've used it. I have no cartlege in the knees, so I carry ibuprofen, also anti-histimines for my runny nose. $1 flashlight. No food usually, unless I'm making a supply run out the the summer camp, then 50 lb food/supplies. 32 oz water summer. Cell phone is interesting concept, but doen't work the last 7 miles to my summer camp. Was out there today, no critter intrusions to speak of this winter.
 
It depends on what i'm going to do. I have Pedego side bags on my City Commuter which hold enough for an all day trip. There are some nice lakes I swim in, usually I will pack my air mattress and a towel for a trip to the beach. Sometimes I take my camera for photo excursions, and I usually always have my little action cam/extra batteries with me. A large water bottle, with fruit bars, peanut butter crackers, and other snacks, bug repellent, small tube of antibiotic cream. If it's just an evening cruise in the neighborhood, just water.
 
Spare tube, patch kit, several CO2 cartridges, tire levers, tire pressure gauge, a good little selection of tools that will do most anything I might need to do, a little first aid kit, a folding lock and sometimes a chain. Probably a few other little things. Who goes anywhere without a phone and their wallet, so those too.

I have big fat tires so no pump. One 25g CO2 cart will fill up a tire.

I haven't weighed everything... let's say I'm glad to have an e-bike.

TT
 
ebikemom said:
I should carry the sorts of things you carry. But usually I have my commuting stuff – computer tote, lunch, cell phone, laptop… And figure if I break down I will call for a tow. For shopping and errands I carry some canvas shopping bags.

I got a flat about a month ago. It was on my way home from work. I pulled over and three men on bikes (one an ebiker) pulled over to try to help. Not all at once, but one then another then another. Two of them had pumps with them. Neither of them could figure out how to use their pump. Anyway, I was about a mile from home, so my husband put the rack on the car and came and got me. Last weekend I was out on a recreational ride and I ran into the ebiker At a park about 9 miles from home. He said after he got home he did a lot of practicing with his pump. He said he figured out how it worked and next time he see someone in need of assistance he will be able to help! At any rate, it was nice to see such helpfulness among fellow cyclists.
Click to expand...
I have never had any luck with those little frame pumps. Co2 is my friend.
 
Thomas Jaszewski said:
wallet and iPhone.
Click to expand...
When I'm not commuting, that's it for me, too, but no wallet--my iPhone has a case with a slot and I put my ID and credit card in there. Oh, and I bring my bike lock key! :) And I have a plastic bag stuck into the rack in case of rain so I can cover my seat and keep it dry if I make a stop.
 
Just a tip, depending on the material your bike seat is covered with Scotchgard Waterproofing spray makes rain bead up and run right off. So your Seat will stay Dry ! ?
 
I bring my spouse. Her bike has all the repair stuff packed away. Worse comes to worse, I promise her dinner, and I take the good bike back to get the car. I don't pack much on my own bike unless it's far from home.

On Saturday, I rode alone and kaboom, inner tube split and I had my first ever walk-of-shame. Only 3/4 mile, and I was off the bike path in a minute so it wasn't that shameful.
 
Stuff I always carry:
Stuff I carry when off in the wilderness &c:
I'm not including things like a helmet and clothing items I might carry.
 
Last edited:
I carry almost the same items as @Mr. Coffee does. Additionally I carry a first aid kit. I've had to use that kit for others over the years. One day I could need it.
 
Mr. Coffee said:
Stuff I always carry:
Stuff I carry when off in the wilderness &c:
I'm not including things like a helmet and clothing items I might carry.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Some great ideas here
 
J.R. said:
I carry almost the same items as @Mr. Coffee does. Additionally I carry a first aid kit. I've had to use that kit for others over the years. One day I could need it.
Click to expand...

I definitely carry the first-aid kit when on longer tours or day trips somewhere out of cell range. What actually ought to go into a cyclist's first-aid kit is a topic for a whole other thread.
 
Wow, I'm pretty minimalist. I only carry the essentials, Depending on the weather and distance intended. Overkill results in a lot of extra weight, shortening your range
 
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