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I have done some searches here on the site and looked on Sheldon Brown's site and haven't been able to find anything. I would like to know what people take and what is recommended to take on longer bike rides.
I'm talking upwards of 25 miles away from your place of residence. I will probably go on rides farther than this, but I want to start out slow with the longer rides.
I don't plan on riding at night on a long ride such as this, so would you recommend a hand pump and perhaps also small tools to fix a small, noticeable flat? Also probably a phone just in case, but I'm more so referring to bicycle related tools.
Anything else?
Thanks,
Dave
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Cool tool or other multiuse bike tool. Spare tube(s) and patches. Pump. Co2 is fine to use, but I've had a couple of times with slow almost undetectable leaks where a Co2 setup would have left me stranded. (Remember one patch of thorns or glass can flat both tires and if you miss something even with 2 spare tubes you had better know how to patch and have a kit).
A lot depends on the territory. There are places where a 20 mile ride means at one point you are 10 miles from anywhere anyone else is apt to go. Then there are 200 miles rides where you are never anywhere where there won't be someone bye in 15 minutes or so. Or just how far you are from food. many club rides actually are designed arround the food stop. But you can have a ride where you better have your own food.
And as pointed out water. Too much water is self correcting. Too little can be a huge problem.
My list for unsupported centuries ...
(1) spare tube
(2) frame pump
(3) cell phone
(4) sometimes a GPS device
(5) if warm ... sunscreen
(6) if cold ... chemical toe warmer
(7) multi-tool
(8) patch kit
(9) tire irons
(10) food
(11) liquid refreshment
(12) minor first aid stuff
... typically, I take the Bike Friday. So if a real disaster strikes, it is pretty easy for me to call a cab or a bud to get me back to civilization.
My list for unsupported centuries ...
(1) spare tube
(2) frame pump
(3) cell phone
(4) sometimes a GPS device
(5) if warm ... sunscreen
(6) if cold ... chemical toe warmer
(7) multi-tool
(8) patch kit
(9) tire irons
(10) food
(11) liquid refreshment
(12) minor first aid stuff
... typically, I take the Bike Friday. So if a real disaster strikes, it is pretty easy for me to call a cab or a bud to get me back to civilization.
Good post. I'll add some more
(13) Bring money or a credit/debit card
(14) Identification including names of people to call
(15) Take A Look Mirror
If you have things attached to your bike (fenders, a rack, etc.), it can be handy to take a couple of spare bolts of the appropriate size.
Really needs to be contoured by the terrain, amount of potential local support, personal food requirements, and how long you'll be out. For some people 50 miles is a very long way. For others, just a normal ride.
1. Tools & spares. Tools to fit anything you know how to adjust that might need adjusting. Derailleurs, stem & bar, clamps, etc. Spoke wrench, even if you can't use it. Someone may be able to help. Spare tube, spare folding tire, patch kit, tyvex tire boot. Knife. Pump you can actually use.
2. Clothing. Enough for conditions. And a way to stow what you don't need to deal with. I'll often use arm warmers and a vest early. Sometimes I'll stow the stuff in a bush when I don't need it on an out and back. Goodwill can provide disposable shirts. Newspaper under jersey is quite traditional and can be ditched.
3. Personal supplies. Stuff for contact lenses, insect repellent, sunscreen, if you're concerned then first aid stuff.
4. Emergency light if there's even a chance you'll need it. Just a flasher
5. Food & water. If you can resupply, that's easy. Otherwise, think of what works. I'll sometimes start with 3 water bottles. Extra in a jersey pocket. Sometimes the extra is just regular water for dumping on my head to keep cool on a long hot climb. Food is often available. I don't usually need much. On nice day rides I attempt to have a lunch stop at somewhere great. Like Greenback TN where I can get a milkshake and then spent 5 miles trying to keep it down before it settles! If supplies are likely to be available, just take money.
6. Laminate a copy of your driver's license and medical insurance card, put in your pocket. Cell phone with emergency numbers in it. Emergency numbers on paper, too. Map for when you get lost. I just copy parts of a map or print off the web. Cue sheet if you're that kind of person.
7. Leave word or note of where you're headed so people know where to look. This does help. I know someone who went to look for a missing fellow - found him dead over a guardrail. Not a cyclist, but could have been.
Also, know your capabilities. Ride with a friend. Get used to riding long distance and you'll like it bunches.
1.Any ride taking you farther than you care to walk back to your house.
Short rides: bring spare tube, tire irons, multi-tool
Longer rides: Add water for rides over an hour. The amount of water based on heat, overall expected time and ability to get water on the way. Drink continuously instead of waiting till you're thirsty.
Rides more than 2 hours: Add food, consider extra cloths for diferent temps, add suncreen. A backpack starts to come in handy. You can use powerbars and power gels reasonably well up to about 4 hours.
Really long rides over 4 hours: Definately a pack. It's really horrible to ride really long on powergels. You need to bring some long burning food. I'd also consider toilet paper, a small hand towel, a small mirror to help you clean your eyes (especially with contacts) and alternate eyewear. If it's hot and you know you'll be sweating consider a fresh pair of cycling shorts. Also, consider setting your bike up with aero bars if you think you'll be riding over 2 hours fairly frequently and even for a single ride over 4 hours. Even 2 hours into headwind can be horrible. The aero bars really help dramatically. They also give you options to relieve the numbness in your hands.
Cheers
These have pretty much been said already, but I want to second them:
-Cel Phone
-List of emergency contacts
-Any medical insurance information
-Any medical care needs (such as allergies, required medication etc...)
Those are good things to bring on even short rides, but much more so the longer and farther you plan on venturing.
I am more of a water advocate than a sports drink advocate (for general health), but there are things in this world that pack more hydration per fluid ounce than water. For long trips, weight and size are issues, so consider replacing some of your water with something that puts more hydration in a smaller size. There are "sports drinks" out there with little to no sugar.
Quite a few people mentioning multi-tool units, and even cheap ones are handy enough things to carry, but I've learnt to add a smallish and light pair of pliers to the arsenal as well. At times you need a bit of 'grip' on the other end of whatever it is you are fixing :)
If you wear glasses, bring something to wipe them with protected by plastic.
Directions. Getting lost on a long ride sucks.
Good luck and have a great time!
Spare tube, patch kit, tire levers, 3 main Allen Wrenches, spoke wrench, spare spoke nipple, chain tool, spare chain locking pin, some duct tape, 3 inch piece of Tuffy liner, a good bike pump, some rubberbands, money, and cell phone. Tuffy liner and duct tape for severe cut on tire. As for energy food, muffin, orange, banana, and a baegle, and a napkin.
I take a map with me, but thats based on if I'm planning on getting lost and dorking around town.
I have done some searches here on the site and looked on Sheldon Brown's site and haven't been able to find anything. I would like to know what people take and what is recommended to take on longer bike rides.
I'm talking upwards of 25 miles away from your place of residence. I will probably go on rides farther than this, but I want to start out slow with the longer rides.
I don't plan on riding at night on a long ride such as this, so would you recommend a hand pump and perhaps also small tools to fix a small, noticeable flat? Also probably a phone just in case, but I'm more so referring to bicycle related tools.
Anything else?
Thanks,
Dave
water. You don't really need to worry about refueling personal calories like energy bars, gel, etc until you've been out there for more than 2 or 3 hours.
cell, 2 tubes, nylon tire levers, patch kit, alien multi tool with chain tool, sram chain link
It's easy to start adding many pounds in repair gear. I try to keep to just the basics that I need to get home. Even on long rides 100+ I don't bring much more in repair gear.
Cell phone and cab fare cash will get you out of any problem. Not very elegant, but good back up.
For water, if there are mini-markets along the way retopping is easy. All too easy to retop with soft serve ice cream and other goodies, too!
Heres what I take on my 40-60 mile rides
In the Saddle Bag
extra tube
patch kit
multi-tool
On the bike
Frame Pump
2 24oz water bottles (mixed with accelerade)
1 bag of accelerade powder (to mix for later)
2-3 gu energy packets (most times don't eat them, just in case)
1 banana
2-3 dates
rain jacket (depends on the season)
On my 18 - 20 mile ride
In the Saddle Bag
extra tube
patch kit
multi-tool
On the bike
Frame Pump
1-2 24oz water bottle (mixed with accelerade)
1 bag of accelerade powder (to mix for later)
1 gu energy packet
rain jacket (depends on the season)
Most of the lists are pretty good.
Take something that you can use as a boot. Sometimes you get a small hole in your tire. What you need is something to lay up against the hole so the tube does not ooze out as it inflates and blows up. A dollar bill works reasonably well in this regard and it serves a double purpose of being cash for emergencies.
I much prefer a pump to a C02 inflator. One can run out of C02 cartridges but it is hard to run out of atmosphere.
If you are really conservative a spoke wrench for field truing a wheel and a chain tool for a broken chain can also be used.
The boot, chain tool and spoke wrench are all very rarely needed.
Anything up to 50 miles and I bring a Topeak large aerowedge with:
- 2 tubes
- 2 levers
- wallet
- phone
- multi-tool
- pump (slung under bag)
I'll stuff a Clif bar and a gel or two in my pockets and head out.
For anything up to 100 miles I'll use my h'bar bag and add:
- more food
- Accellerade powder (pre-measured into ziploc bags)
- folding tire
- film canister of sunscreen
- different lenses for my sunglasses (might need clear/amber/etc.)
Over 100 miles, I'll split items between h'bar and seat bag and add:
- extra clothing (cold, rain, etc... check the forecast)
- dry gloves
- film canister of chamois cream (do not confuse with sunscreen!)
- dry socks
1. water
2. money (in purse, which also has ID)
3. rain jacket
4. u-lock
On 'normal' 25 mile ride, I'm somewhere within Madison's bus service. All buses have bike racks, so if I've managed to get out of walking distance of a bike shop, I can still get home. And my walking range is about 7 miles, so as long as I have money, I *can* make it home.
Once I'm in the 40-50 mile range, I might start needing more equipment, since then I'd be getting out of bus and bike shop range on many routes.
Most of the lists are pretty good.
Take something that you can use as a boot. Sometimes you get a small hole in your tire. What you need is something to lay up against the hole so the tube does not ooze out as it inflates and blows up. A dollar bill works reasonably well in this regard and it serves a double purpose of being cash for emergencies.
Clif/Power/candy bar wrappers are excellent as tire boots.
For long rides in the mountains I always carry a substantial jacket and an extra, say, long underwear top, long-sleeve jersey or two. Sometimes tights, warm gloves and a warm hat.
I always carry a spoke wrench in addition to the other tools people mention -- unless I forgot it.
For long rides in the woods on the mountain bike, I carry so much weird stuff, you don't even want to know.
Robert
some interesting stuff not mentioned as much.
i like to carry some heavy duty string (incase the junk on my rack goes crazy), a couple garbage bags, a map, a compass, sunglasses, and toiletries (tp, deodorant) extra batteries for lights. sometimes i bring my headlamp, its nice to have a light that follows your head for checking signs and stuff behind you. a foldout plier multi tool has too many uses. i always carry more water than i could possibly think of drinking. on day trips i usually carry close to a gallon.
sometimes i like to tape a bag of trailmix to my frame for convenient munching.
i also have a tiny first aid kit in an altoids tin with some bandaids, gauze, a couple over the counter pain pills, alcohol wipe, and some neosporin. i've gotten intimate with the pavement before and trust me being able to cover a skinned knee so it doesnt have searing wind going in it constantly is very nice.
I forgot Motrin. I carry a few in the tiny pocket where I keep spare contacts. I started this after a mountainbike marathon 3 years ago. I mentioned the pain in my hip to a fellow rider who pulled out 4 Motrins. I doubted they'd be any use but took them anyway and was greatly relieved. I've never had the need to take them again while riding but they'll be there if I need them.
Cheers,
Tom
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