Travelling light

[jonny jeez]

Had a ride at the weekend and lugged my backpack with me. Naturally (because i could) I over-packed with fleeces, arm warmers, a D lock, mars bars,too many tubes and (as a legacy from the commute) even a set of cufflinks and a bottle of handwash!

Much as I am happy to commute with a pack it just became a faff taking it on and off all the time to find wallet, phone, buffs etc when stopping for teas and cake and...well stops. Plus I noted a number of riders who appeared to carry nothing (no under seat caddy, no bag, nothing) and yet had phones, locks, tubes and all sorts at their disposal.

So.
For anything other than the commute (ie weekend rides), I want to find the best way to travel light.

I guess I need to carry (happy to take advice on this) the following;
wallet
blackberry
spare tube repair kit
Pump or inflation kit (that'll get me to 120 Psi).
Keys

I dislike under seat caddies as they interfere with my light positioning (although I have one and the associated clip for my light) and want to carry everything in my jersey if poss I have a leyzne pocket caddy thing but it wont take my phone and wallet. I thought about getting a second one for keys, phone and cash but would be worried about loosing the lot in one hit.

what space saving tips can you suggest.

 

[Rob3rt]

I carry:

Multitool
2 spare tubes
Repair kit
Tyre Levers
Mini-pump (attached to bike)
Keys
Small amount of Cash
ID & Emergency Contact Number
Inhaler
Extra tablet for bidon when refilling
Food, plenty of (typically, 1 banana, 1 emergency energy gel, 3x slices of malt loaf and a handful of jelly babies)!

Put it all in your jersey pockets (or find a way to fit a small bag on the bike, just to store the hard or sharp items which might be troublesome in an off).

 

[gaz]

I take:

- in a saddle bag

• multitool
• latex gloves for repairs
• tyre leavers
• phone + bankcard + ID + notes wrapped in a plastic bag
• keys
• inner tube

- In pockets

• inner tube
• food
• spare clothing if required (usually arm warmers / jacket)

Pump is attached to the bike.

 

[400bhp]

I take:

- in a saddle bag

• multitool
• latex gloves for repairs
• tyre leavers
• phone + bankcard + ID + notes wrapped in a plastic bag
• keys
• inner tube

- In pockets

• inner tube
• food
• spare clothing if required (usually arm warmers / jacket)

Pump is attached to the bike.

Almost identical to me. no need for a wallet, just one card and some cash.

Try to avoid putting sharp/fragile objects in your back pockets.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Depends on which bike I'm on, but if alone on the road bike (and bearing in mind I can only manage 25 miles max) I take

1 debit card
£10 note (or £5 depends on what is around)
1 medical alert info card (size of dedit card containing medication list/doctors/my name and emergency contact/allergies)
iphone (if I remember, usually fail to)
brownie/flapjack (small)
inhalers

I am going to add pump, tyre patches/inner tube and levers to this, but they have not made it there yet.

The touring bike is a different matter because the barbag resides on it permantely, so I will throw a couple of extra bits in like multitool kit, tubular bandage, waterproof and a few nuts & seeds...

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I went cycling and in my bag I put...

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I went cycling and in my bag I put...

So why did you take the bag?

 

[RAYMOND]

Iv'e seen cyclists with a waist bag.
A bit like a travelling money pouch(bumbag) only big enough for tools/sarnies etc.
Its positioned on one side of your lower back so not in the way.

 

[jayonabike]

In my small saddle bag:
2 Inner tubes
2 gas canisters
2 tyre levers

In my wallet:
Cash
Cash card
Cycle club membership/I.d card
Painkillers
strips of plasters
Sticky innertube patches
2 old bits of tyre
Gas Pump with canister attached
Multi tool
Spare chainlink
Sunglasses cleaning cloth

Jersey Pockets
Wallet
Mini Pump
Small bike lock
Phone
Keys
Food (sometimes)

 

[400bhp]

forgot - a couple of cable ties...

 

[fossyant]

Kitchen sink anyone - blimey some right collection of stuff.

I carry 'P' kit and 2 tubes (I.D. in p kit), multi tool, pump, lightweight waterproof, keys, and phone. Keys are on a lanyard and looped round my bib straps. The rest in pockets. Longer rides then some food and cash.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

So why did you take the bag?

To enable me to hilariously quote the start of the kid's party game.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

To enable me to hilariously quote the start of the kid's party game.

did wonder afterwards, but ...