Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Century ride Essentials

Not really into long distance riding- Long time yes, but 4 hours on a mountain bike offroad will only give me about 40 miles or so.

This is not about- "What do I carry" as I only carry the essentials for the bike- Tube, levers, patch kit and multitool. I did a ride on sunday- A road metric century and I looked at the weather report, felt the temperature at the start and chose the clothing for the day- In my case it was a S/S top and a L/S Roubaix top. It was cool enough at the start to say I needed both and if it did warm up- I could take of the Roubaix. Camel back for water and also camera and phone. Snacks in the pockets and a wallet.

Compared to everyone else- I felt ill prepared. Most of the other riders had panniers with at least a top bag- but mainly both side bags. They were the sensible ones as a lot of filled rucksacks that looked very heavy were in evidence.

My query is what the he** was in those panniers. Am I Missing out on what I should be taking on a ride or was I just ill prepared? I did have a pertex and goretex that stayed in the car, and As hypothermia nearly set in on a ride 5 years ago in the rain and wind- I also had a warm windproof top available aswell.

So what essentials were in those panniers that I did not take?

You *are* talking about England -- the home of belts-and-braces people. That is, take everything just in case. It's likely that they had few extra tops ranging from fresh jerseys to windvests to showerproof to heavy-duty storm. Possibly a thermos flask, plenty to eat, and a few other items of clothing to suit each change of 5 deg C in the weather; things such as booties, leg warmers and tights, long-fingered and heavy-duty gloves. Plus probably three or four tubes and a toolkit so they could rebuild the bike on the side of the road if need be.

I did a century on Sunday, too, but didn't take anywhere near that stuff. It all fitted in my Topeak rack bag, and for the first time in a long while, I left the handlebar bag behind.

But... you were on a road century... couldn't you ask someone? :D

Here is my method, which over time I have found to be nearly foolproof (as in I don't leave something on the kitchen counter)

For everyday riding I have a saddlebag with extra Tube, tire levers and multi tool - then I stick my wallet & cellphone in the saddlebag.

If the weather is variable I add a stuffsack on my rear rack to accommodate clothing that I shed during the ride, or I pack a rainjacket if it might rain.

For Centuries I sometimes add a small handlebar bag to hold my cue sheet, if I do that then I put a small medical kit, my wallet and my cell phone in the front bag, and put a second tube and a patch kit in my saddlebag. If the century is well marked, or I am riding with a group I leave the handlebar bag at home.

I stick extra food in either the handlebar bag or my jersey pockets.

I like the stuffsack as opposed to a rack bag because I don't feel obliged to carry extra stuff just because I have the room in the bag.

I have been teased many times over the years for carrying more stuff than I probably need, or at least more than most people bring, on my long distance rides .......... and yet I have NEVER used a pannier on a century unless the century occured on one of the days of a loaded tour. I've never used a pannier on any of my long rides, including 1000K and 1200K randonnees!! I reserve panniers for touring.

On most long rides I carry a handlebar bag which contains food, medical supplies, and other "personal" items (i.e. camera, money, ID, etc.), and a bag on the back of varying sizes depending on the length and conditions of the long ride. The largest bag I carry is my Carradice which might contain tools, more food, a small bivy, and clothing for really long distance rides. The smallest I'll carry is a little bag with tools and a couple articles of clothing for emergencies.

However, I too am curious why you didn't ask someone what they were carrying. I've been asked many times about my choices for set-up and gear, and I've asked others about their choices. The answers can provide us with a different way of looking at things, new ideas, new choices. :)

However, I too am curious why you didn't ask someone what they were carrying. I've been asked many times about my choices for set-up and gear, and I've asked others about their choices. The answers can provide us with a different way of looking at things, new ideas, new choices. :)


Did ask one rider if she had any spare sandwiches in her bag- but no joy- All she had was spare clothing.

As I said- Checked the weather and NO rain, NO cold front coming in, and NO high winds. These were "Experienced" riders and the only thing I could think of was that they did the ride in 2001 when it was 70mph winds and torrential rain- ALL DAY. Hypothermia nearly set in for me so I went prepared but left all the "Extra" clothing at the start

Admittedly I was doing this with a new rider to distance riding and this was his longest ride to date, but Checked the new riders bike in the week- and checked him again before the ride- Took two jerseys out of his rucksack- Took his leggings out and loaned him a small backpack to carry a showerproof top and his food. He had the usual Tube- levers-patch kit and Pump on the bike so no need for any more.

Oh and Rowan- Belt and braces did not come into it- Two check in points where tea or coffeee was provided. Actually saw one rider get out his flask of stewed lukewarm tea at the second stop.

For a century I carry my Carradice bag. In it I have a couple of sandwiches, 2 tubes, maybe a folding tire, energy drink, a Park allen key set, patch kit, couple of chamois b'ttr, spare water bottle, and maybe a jacket and tights. I have room to spare. Can't imagine panniers.

For a century I carry my Carradice bag. In it I have a couple of sandwiches, 2 tubes, maybe a folding tire, energy drink, a Park allen key set, patch kit, couple of chamois b'ttr, spare water bottle, and maybe a jacket and tights. I have room to spare. Can't imagine panniers.

After posting this, I have to admit that I am a pannier carrier occasionally but this is on the Tandem. This thing eats Tyres and tubes and does need some special tools for any adjustments that are necessary. Ridiculous thing is that I never use any of the spares on the long rides, but have broken chains on shorter rides- Punctures are a continual hazard with the weight of the thing on rough ground and I carry a spare folder thanks to a couple of wrecked tyres on fast downhills. Then the tools- Allen keys as to take the front wheel out I do need 2x6mm keys and Although I carry a multitool that has most of the tools on it- It is easier to use conventional tools. Even with this lot in the top bag- I still have room to store a couple of pertex tops and extra food.