Getting kitted out for longer rides

[PaulSB]

Here is my set up, everything I need and it slots into a bottle cage. A pair of disposable gloves from a garage forecourt are also a good idea.

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I like this. Very smart. Unfortunately I always need two bottles of fluid, minimum.

 

[BigMeatball]

I've done around 500km since I started going on the bike again and haven't had a puncture yet. Fortunately, I will add, as I don't carry inner tubes nor multi tool with me. I know, I like to live on the edge

Ironically, I've got all that stuff, but I either forget to bring it with me or I remember when I'm just out and I'm too lazy to go back up again.

All I bring with me is: 2 water bottles and a topeak fuel tank bag with phone, keys, debit card and peanut m&m's.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I did some sums a while ago to calculate my puncture frequency. I've forgotten the answer but I think it came out at something like 1 per 3,000km / 2,000 miles - something like that.

I use Durano Plus tyres.

I always take a full load of tools etc with me even for short rides, because all the stuff lives in my rack bag. Although I have to admit I haven't been taking quite so much kit on the bike since I've switched to riding on the turbo.

 

[wafter]

FWIW, no doubt much to the offence of "proper" roadies I ride with a small (15l) rucksack which always contains:

- Small pump
- Fold out multitool with Allen key and screwdriver bits
- Puncture repair kit
- Spare innertube
- Spare quicklink
- Miniature chain tool
- A few quid in cash
- Head torch
- Spare rechargeable batteries for head torch / rear light
- Spare batteries for my heart rate monitor since the existing one's on its way out
- Cereal bars (although I think I'm allergic to them )
- Antihistamines
- Paracetamol
- Gloves
- Small torque wrench and bits (takes the anxiety out of on-the-fly adjustments to CFRP bits)
- Probably some other stuff that currently escapes me..

In addition other important stuff goes in there when I go out (phone for example) and it's also good for carrying a lock, additional layers or anything small I might pick up on the ride.

I also have two bottle cages on the bike; which you'll need to make full use of on longer rides; especially if it's hot!

Edited to add some of the other bits I'd obviously forgotten...

 

[cyberknight]

Ok
Did 38 miles yesterday and this is what i took
2 inner tubes
c02 pump
mini pump
tyre levers
multi tool
instant patches
1 750 ml bottle
spare bottle cage had empty bottle like tank with gilet and armwarmers as it was a bit nippy with that wind .

Jersey pockets
couple of tissues as i get that exercise induced rhinitis
phone
energy bar , which i didnt use .

Thats pretty much my set up for club rides to as we normally have a cake stop after that sort of distance then maybe another 25-30 back home , i would top the single bottle up at the cafe.If its warmer i would take 2 bottles and ditch the tank and use jersey pockets .
I do eat more if i am going for a time on a ride like a planned club event or charity ride i would carry a bit more nibbles and eat a little bit every 10 miles or so .

 

[Dogtrousers]

- Cereal bars (although I think I'm allergic to them )
- Antihistamines

This made me laugh. Cruel, I know.

Back on topic, sometimes I also take sunblock as I burn very easily.

 

[wafter]

This made me laugh. Cruel, I know.

Back on topic, sometimes I also take sunblock as I burn very easily.

Sadly the antihistamines aren't just there to address the fallout of my questionable snack choices; I'm pretty much allergic to everything so have almost univeral appicability!

 

[PaulSB]

Ok
Did 38 miles yesterday and this is what i took
2 inner tubes
c02 pump
mini pump
tyre levers
multi tool
instant patches
1 750 ml bottle
spare bottle cage had empty bottle like tank with gilet and armwarmers as it was a bit nippy with that wind .

Jersey pockets
couple of tissues as i get that exercise induced rhinitis
phone
energy bar , which i didnt use .

Thats pretty much my set up for club rides to as we normally have a cake stop after that sort of distance then maybe another 25-30 back home , i would top the single bottle up at the cafe.If its warmer i would take 2 bottles and ditch the tank and use jersey pockets .
I do eat more if i am going for a time on a ride like a planned club event or charity ride i would carry a bit more nibbles and eat a little bit every 10 miles or so .

I'm with this man though organised slightly differently. I set off dressed for the weather conditions at the start time. Other than a rain jacket I prefer to wear what I need and remove as necessary. In a small under seat bag I carry:

• multi tool
• 10 and 11 speed quick links
• two tubes
• two tyre levers
• patches
• cafe lock
• cleat screws - I have a tendency to lose these!!
• £20

I keep meaning to buy a CO2 cannister but only think about it during a ride and then forget!

In jersey pockets:

• central pocket - pouch style wallet containing phone, credit card, cash, emergency details and medical card
• central pocket - survival blanket. Has been used for other riders. I view this as an absolute essential
• right pocket - cereal bar or current choice of food, Glyceril trinate spray in case of heart issue (I'm a survivor)
• left pocket - Crank brothers tyre lever
• in winter I add a spare base layer very tightly rolled and covered in cling film. Rain jacket if needed

On my wrist I wear a onelifeid band which gives a medic full access to my medical history, contact details, NHS history etc. £15-20 every cyclist should do this in my opinion. Around my neck an orienteering whistle for when I'm laying in a ditch with a broken leg and unable to move.

I utter not a word of criticism of other riders as we all make our own choices. In all my cycling years I have never experienced an issue, nor seen one for a friend, which couldn't be covered by the above. What does go wrong? Punctures and the very, very occasional snapped chain. I see no point in carrying anything else. The unfixable issues I've seen are smashed deraileurs after a crash/falling off, trashed wheels where the side has blown out. These guys had to phone a friend.

 

[Mo1959]

I'm with this man though organised slightly differently. I set off dressed for the weather conditions at the start time. Other than a rain jacket I prefer to wear what I need and remove as necessary. In a small under seat bag I carry:

• multi tool
• 10 and 11 speed quick links
• two tubes
• two tyre levers
• patches
• cafe lock
• cleat screws - I have a tendency to lose these!!
• £20

I keep meaning to buy a CO2 cannister but only think about it during a ride and then forget!

In jersey pockets:

• central pocket - pouch style wallet containing phone, credit card, cash, emergency details and medical card
• central pocket - survival blanket. Has been used for other riders. I view this as an absolute essential
• right pocket - cereal bar or current choice of food, Glyceril trinate spray in case of heart issue (I'm a survivor)
• left pocket - Crank brothers tyre lever
• in winter I add a spare base layer very tightly rolled and covered in cling film. Rain jacket if needed

On my wrist I wear a onelifeid band which gives a medic full access to my medical history, contact details, NHS history etc. £15-20 every cyclist should do this in my opinion. Around my neck an orienteering whistle for when I'm laying in a ditch with a broken leg and unable to move.

I utter not a word of criticism of other riders as we all make our own choices. In all my cycling years I have never experienced an issue, nor seen one for a friend, which couldn't be covered by the above. What does go wrong? Punctures and the very, very occasional snapped chain. I see no point in carrying anything else. The unfixable issues I've seen are smashed deraileurs after a crash/falling off, trashed wheels where the side has blown out. These guys had to phone a friend.

Bloody hell. I have days I go out with only the saddle bag with tubes, levers, pump, quick link and chain tool. No water, food, money or phone!

 

[Gunk]

Quick local 10 mile rides from the house that we’ve been doing recently I’ve just taken a water bottle and a phone. If anything happens Mrs Gunk would have to come to the rescue.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Bloody hell. I have days I go out with only the saddle bag with tubes, levers, pump, quick link and chain tool. No water, food, money or phone!

Are you a camel Mo? I took two 750ml bottles out recently for a 22 mile ride and drained them both!
When I was shopping for a new tourer a few months back, one of the absolute minimum specs was 3 bottle cage mounts!

Don't you get thirsty?

 

[PaulSB]

Bloody hell. I have days I go out with only the saddle bag with tubes, levers, pump, quick link and chain tool. No water, food, money or phone!

Me too........when I've forgotten stuff!! I have used all of these things at one time or another except the onelifeid band and the tri-nitrate spray!!!!! I'm still here.

Everyone I ride with carries pretty much the same. It takes up little room. I'm the only one with a spare base layer which I put on underneath the wet sweaty one in the cafe. I'm also the only one who never complains of being cold after leaving the cafe!!!! Hit a pothole in January and trashed two tubes in one go!

 

[vickster]

I'm with this man though organised slightly differently. I set off dressed for the weather conditions at the start time. Other than a rain jacket I prefer to wear what I need and remove as necessary. In a small under seat bag I carry:

• multi tool
• 10 and 11 speed quick links
• two tubes
• two tyre levers
• patches
• cafe lock
• cleat screws - I have a tendency to lose these!!
• £20

I keep meaning to buy a CO2 cannister but only think about it during a ride and then forget!

In jersey pockets:

• central pocket - pouch style wallet containing phone, credit card, cash, emergency details and medical card
• central pocket - survival blanket. Has been used for other riders. I view this as an absolute essential
• right pocket - cereal bar or current choice of food, Glyceril trinate spray in case of heart issue (I'm a survivor)
• left pocket - Crank brothers tyre lever
• in winter I add a spare base layer very tightly rolled and covered in cling film. Rain jacket if needed

On my wrist I wear a onelifeid band which gives a medic full access to my medical history, contact details, NHS history etc. £15-20 every cyclist should do this in my opinion. Around my neck an orienteering whistle for when I'm laying in a ditch with a broken leg and unable to move.

I utter not a word of criticism of other riders as we all make our own choices. In all my cycling years I have never experienced an issue, nor seen one for a friend, which couldn't be covered by the above. What does go wrong? Punctures and the very, very occasional snapped chain. I see no point in carrying anything else. The unfixable issues I've seen are smashed deraileurs after a crash/falling off, trashed wheels where the side has blown out. These guys had to phone a friend.

Don't forget your pump

 

[Mo1959]

Are you a camel Mo? I took two 750ml bottles out recently for a 22 mile ride and drained them both!
When I was shopping for a new tourer a few months back, one of the absolute minimum specs was 3 bottle cage mounts!

Don't you get thirsty?

Not particularly unless it's exceptionally warm, which doesn't happen a lot up here! I don't like plain water but if I think I might be out for a while I'll either put some energy powder or High5 zero tabs in a bottle. I can count on one hand how often I've ever taken 2 bottles.

 

[PaulSB]

Don't forget your pump

Ah yes. 😄😄 Already fixed in place! I have duplicated saddlebags on each bike.