I dont understand some cyclist

[Ming the Merciless]

We had someone try that on a mountain bike weekend in Wales. When he had ths inevitable puncture; he was abandoned to make his own way back to the bunkhouse. I think he learnt his lesson in what being an adult means..

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Multi tool with chain breaker, mini pump and at least two spare tubes on every ride. I also carry a rain jacket and emergency foil blanket most of the year. I think some instances are simply inexperience coupled with a little bit of common sense lacking. Any experienced rider that chooses not to prepare themselves adequately gets what they deserve!

 

[HLaB]

This thread reminds me of when I first moved back to Scotland after living in Ireland and getting into cycling. I went out with the CTC who I didn't know much about. There was one old boy really struggling up the Lammermuir Hills. At the top someone p'tured so he jumped off his bike and un-rolled his saddle bag to reveal a full sized tool kit. No wonder he was struggling 😂

Contrast that to when first moved down here. I passed someone walking with a Bike on Oundle Road (about 3 miles from the outskirts of Pottyboro and about 6miles from my old rented flat close to the centre). I stopped to help him, he had no kit, but he insisted that in road cleats and all that he'd walk to town. 😂😂

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Mod note:

The NCAP posts need culling, we will sort this out when we get time.

In the intervening period the thread will remain closed.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Mod note:

The NCAP posts need culling, we will sort this out when we get time.

In the intervening period the thread will remain closed.

Mod Note:
Some posts a bit off topic, more suited to a current affairs discussion, have been deleted or edited.
Please stay on topic.
I will now reopen the thread.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Perhaps the mere presence of a comprehensive tool kit is enough juju to keep breakdowns at bay.

This, rather than any genuine practical considerations, is what underlies my own kitchen sinkery.

Most often lent-out tools are my pump, to people who have run out of CO2, and my leatherman-style pliers, because pliers are always a useful tool of last resort. I once lent these to a gentleman riding a recumbent. I don't know what he used them for.

 

[katiewlx]

Another option is a tool bottle. A friend if mine uses one. You can fit quite an extensive kit in there and it wouldn't be obvious to a casual observer that you were carrying anything.

Obviously not ideal for long rides in hot conditions with no access to shops as it restricts you to one bottle.

just get two bottle racks then,as every modern bike has fittings for two bottle racks at least that was my idea when I bought one of those tool bottles, but genuinely I find I can fit more in a just an average sized saddle bag than the tool bottle, because the bag expands and I can just shove bits in no problem, even used it to store gels once, whereas the bottle is always width constrained anyway, but unless you can vacumn pack it, you struggle to fit more than a spare tube and a couple of tyre levers in

 

[Alex321]

just get two bottle racks then,as every modern bike has fittings for two bottle racks at least that was my idea when I bought one of those tool bottles, but genuinely I find I can fit more in a just an average sized saddle bag than the tool bottle, because the bag expands and I can just shove bits in no problem, even used it to store gels once, whereas the bottle is always width constrained anyway, but unless you can vacumn pack it, you struggle to fit more than a spare tube and a couple of tyre levers in

He obviously already has two, or putting in the tool bottle would leave him with none, rather than restricting him to one.

 

[katiewlx]

He obviously already has two, or putting in the tool bottle would leave him with none, rather than restricting him to one.

has anyone ever needed two water bottles ? I mean hands up I have, I once did a sportive with a water bottle and an electrolyte bottle, because everyone tells you, you need water & electrolyte, and I drank all the water bottle and filled it up at the stops with water, and got to the end and realised Id just taken my electrolyte bottle out for a long ride.

YMMV but one bottle normally suffices, its not about the volume of liquid you carry its how often can you refill it that counts, and if two is necessary, they do make saddle bags for tools...

 

[blackrat]

has anyone ever needed two water bottles ? I mean hands up I have, I once did a sportive with a water bottle and an electrolyte bottle, because everyone tells you, you need water & electrolyte, and I drank all the water bottle and filled it up at the stops with water, and got to the end and realised Id just taken my electrolyte bottle out for a long ride.

YMMV but one bottle normally suffices, its not about the volume of liquid you carry its how often can you refill it that counts, and if two is necessary, they do make saddle bags for tools...

I ride mostly in 80 - 90 degree temperatures most of the year with high humidity and I sweat copiously. So two water bottles one consumed every 16 - 20 miles with electrolytes is de rigueur. If I had space, I'd add another cage for another bottle. All my tools go in a saddle bag.
In must be nice to ride in cold wet conditions.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I ride with two bottles out of habit and even on winter rides I at least make a start on the second one. In summer I'd have to specially plan my routes to ensure more potential refill points if I were to do without one of them.

I was suggesting tool bottles not so much as a practical solution but more as a means of fooling casual on observers, such as @rydabent into thinking that riders are not carrying any tools.

But if your rides are short enough, or if you're doing an organised event with feed stations, they might be worth it.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

has anyone ever needed two water bottles ? I mean hands up I have, I once did a sportive with a water bottle and an electrolyte bottle, because everyone tells you, you need water & electrolyte, and I drank all the water bottle and filled it up at the stops with water, and got to the end and realised Id just taken my electrolyte bottle out for a long ride.

YMMV but one bottle normally suffices, its not about the volume of liquid you carry its how often can you refill it that counts, and if two is necessary, they do make saddle bags for tools...

Yep, two bottles for audax.

 

[Binky]

has anyone ever needed two water bottles ? I mean hands up I have, I once did a sportive with a water bottle and an electrolyte bottle, because everyone tells you, you need water & electrolyte, and I drank all the water bottle and filled it up at the stops with water, and got to the end and realised Id just taken my electrolyte bottle out for a long ride.

YMMV but one bottle normally suffices, its not about the volume of liquid you carry its how often can you refill it that counts, and if two is necessary, they do make saddle bags for tools...

Absolutely. A lot of areas it's possible to need only one and fill it up but i've cycled in lots of places where I've needed two bottles especially if a hot day.

Anyway as for original topic I carry the basic tools to keep me going in a wedge saddle bag. Spare inner tube, patches, allen keys, couple tie wraps.
Regarding visibility as some have mentioned, I'm sure we've all seen cyclists out on a dull, grey day all in black and no lights. Entirely their choice but to me it's unwise. No question it's safer in more visible attire especially in low light. Obvious you'd think.

I'll always stop especially so if somewhere a bit remote if I see another cyclist stopped who look as if need help etc. I don't even consider if male or female, why would I. What I tend to do is slow down and shout "you OK" or words to that effect. In majority of cases get a yes so I carry on.

My view is we're all responsible for our own safety and that inc carrying drink/food/spares as required. I've been on club rides where a rider has punctured or needs tools but has literally nothing. Of course I assist but I make it known to them and ride leader that it's not good enough and in future should be self sufficient.

 

[Webbo2]

I always take 2 bottles out with me on my longer rides I will often return with one untouched especially if its been a club ride with cafe stop. On my solo rides I don’t include a cafe stop so on hot days I go through both. Last summer in the Alps I was planning rides around where I knew there was a water fountain so I could refill my bottles.

 

[Alex321]

has anyone ever needed two water bottles ? I mean hands up I have, I once did a sportive with a water bottle and an electrolyte bottle, because everyone tells you, you need water & electrolyte, and I drank all the water bottle and filled it up at the stops with water, and got to the end and realised Id just taken my electrolyte bottle out for a long ride.

YMMV but one bottle normally suffices, its not about the volume of liquid you carry its how often can you refill it that counts, and if two is necessary, they do make saddle bags for tools...

The first time I rode the Bwlch was the hottest day of that year - temperatures reached 35C.

I took two bottles, bought two bottles of water at the top of the Bwlch to refill them, and then a large bottle at a shop in Hopkinstown to refill them again. I think I went through 8L of water in just over 50 miles that day.

But most days, agreed, I only take one bottle (750ml), which on longer rides may need refilling.