New to cycling.

[helenpetal]

Hi guys and Gals, myself and my partner are new to cycling and are planning a trip of about 36 miles later in the year. This may seem a breeze to most of you but as i said we are newbies.. We will be taking it at a leisurely pace, 2 days, just wondering what basic spares you guys recommend we carry, obviously a puncture kit, levers, pump. Both bikes are in very good working order so not anticipating major problems, but you never know what lies round a corner so to speak...Thanks for any advice..

 

[Bayerd]

Swap the puncture kit for a couple of inner tubes instead

Enjoy it.

 

[Rouge Penguin]

Swap those inner tubes for fly paper from topeak. Best thing I've bought for either bike.

Best advice I can give is padded shorts, proper bike set up and tyres for the job. If youre mainly on roads or bridal paths, swap any chunky tyres for city ones.

 

[helenpetal]

Thanks for the replies guys, was thinking of taking a cable or 2 as well as a chain link and tool? Cant see anymore that that going wrong, puncture, cable or chain? Its only a short trip but dont want to get stuck with no way of fixing minor probs.

 

[Red Light]

I wouldn't bother with a cable or chain link for that sort of distance assuming by then you will have ridden the bikes for a bit and fixed any teething problems already. All you need is a puncture repair kit, pump and a mobile phone with the numbers of a neighbour or local taxi company for should the worst happen (don't need to get the bikes in the cars, just one of you home to pick up your car and bike rack).

Enjoy!

 

[Sittingduck]

All you need is a puncture repair kit, pump and a mobile phone with the numbers of a neighbour or local taxi company for should the worst happen (don't need to get the bikes in the cars, just one of you home to pick up your car and bike rack).

You are assuming they have a very helpful neighbour, with a car and time on their hands, I fear. Wish I had such neighbours

Take a puncture kit AND a couple of spare tubes. I wouldn't bother with spare cables though.

 

[Andy_R]

I also carry an adjustable, cable ties, and a multitool. It's not just your own bike you might have to fix......

 

[Munchkin100]

If you know a rough route you could always check out cycle shops enroute.... or is that being too organised..... OK ill shut up. Personally I never leave home without a spare tube, levers, multi tool and a pump, never needed anything else.... yet! Apart from a nice man who doesnt mind getting their hands dirty :-)

 

[Bluebell72]

Get some kind of embrocation cream, and avoid saddle soreness.

 

[fungus]

Ok! 18miles a day, on a short trip I take:

Pump
Tyre levers
2 spare inner tubes
park glueless patches
multitool

You could also take a chain tool & a couple of spare links but if the bikes are in good working order I wouldn't bother taking anything else. Don't forget something to eat & drink, you'll get through plenty of fluids if it's a hot summers day

 

[PaulSecteur]

My bit of advice... Dont leave it too late before getting some 5-10 mile rides in.

Improvements in cycling come fast, but it is notoriously difficult for the first few rides, especially if unfit.

 

[Red Light]

You are assuming they have a very helpful neighbour, with a car and time on their hands, I fear. Wish I had such neighbours

The taxi number is for people like you

 

[helenpetal]

Many thanks for the advice and help guys, been doing 10 miles a day for the last week or so, little bit achy but all seems to be going rather better than expected and LOVING IT!!!!!!

My bit of advice... Dont leave it too late before getting some 5-10 mile rides in.

Improvements in cycling come fast, but it is notoriously difficult for the first few rides, especially if unfit.