Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Solo Random Century, Checklist Take-Along Suggestions

I'm planning a solo (unless I find some people to come along), unsupported, somewhat random, century+ ride out into the ex-urbs of Chicago. The plan is to ride 50-60 miles out (along some route that looks interesting) and then try to find my way back home. Because of this, I’m making sure I dot my I’s and cross my t’s. The following list is what I’m currently taking with me, does anyone have any suggestions or think I may be missing anything?

• 27 oz water bottles (2)
• Topeak Road Morph Frame Mount Pump
• Park MTB-3 Multitool
• Small set of metric allen keys (just in case I can’t get leverage, or the rest of the MTB-3 gets in the way)
• Rema Patch Kit
• Kenda Replacement inner tube, I have two but I’m wondering if I can get away with one (Suggestions?)
• 2 ½ extra chainlinks from when I sized my 9 speed chain
• Cellphone
• Credit Card/Cash (40 dollars or so, should be enough cash right?)
• U-Lock and/or Wire lock (just for ducking in for rest-room breaks), I’m leaning more towards the wire lock since I can wrap it around my seatpost
• Sunblock (small tube)
• Don’t have them yet but would it be wise to carry another set of SPD cleats?

Every carry item must fit in an expandable saddle wedge (so far that isn’t an issue), and I may get a stem bag (the kind that mounts to the stem and crossbar) to put some snacks in. I have a touring frame, but I don’t want to have to fuss with racks or any packs that are too large. Obviously, the pump and bottle cages are frame mounted.

Also, snack recommendations . . . I’m thinking 3-4 cliff bars or similar? Something along those lines? If anyone is local and might be interested in a ride like this (within the next few weeks) PM me.
Thank you for the suggestions!

I'd also take 3 or 4 energy gels and a couple Power Bars. Take the lock and cable if you think you'll need it, but I never carry one on a century ride, supported or solo.

Remove the following:
• Small set of metric allen keys (just in case I can’t get leverage, or the rest of the MTB-3 gets in the way)
• Kenda Replacement inner tube - take one only
• 2 ½ extra chainlinks from when I sized my 9 speed chain
• U-Lock and/or Wire lock (just for ducking in for rest-room breaks), I’m leaning more towards the wire lock since I can wrap it around my seatpost
• Sunblock (small tube)
• Don’t have them yet but would it be wise to carry another set of SPD cleats?

I'm assuming since you are riding in town there are going to be mini-marts everywhere.
Add a LITTLE food (bars, gels, whatever you like. Buy the bulk of your snacks along the way. $40 is plenty.

Add whatever clothing layers you need for the changing weather conditions over the day. This might be nothing extra, or it might be a whole extra wardrobe, depending on the location & forecast.

I think having a route planned home would be a major i-dot or t-cross, unless you know the roads well. Don't plan on thinking clearly at the end if a century is a big deal for you.

have fun!

I'm assuming since you are riding in town there are going to be mini-marts everywhere.

Thanks for the suggestions, however, I probably head out towards the WI border or maybe starved rock, which are way outside of the city. Also, with mini-marts, I will be inevitably going through some *interesting* neighborhoods (until I get out of downtown). If I was to stop at a mini-mart, I would definitely need a lock, if for nothing more, than a 2-minute-buying deterrent.

I carry the following:

spare tube
patch kit
2 pedro's tire levers
CO2 inflater
multi tool
Ibuprofen tabs
electrolyte tabs
1/2 sized baggies of Accelerade powder
cell phone, cc, cash, route map in a baggie
small body glide (or other chamois creme)
cliff bars, gels, banana, fig newtons
pump
small packet of anti-biotic ointment (I've amasses quite a collection of these from organized rides over the years)
2 individual sized handy wipe packets
Little bit of duct tape (handy as short term repair of larger slits/gashes in tire - pressed inside the tire against the damaged area).

It all fits in a medium sized seat bag and the back of my jersey.

I wouldn't carry spare cleats. I've never really needed spare chains links. One time I shredded my tire beyond repair, so sometimes I'll carry a spare tire rolled up under my seat bag.

It's a century, not a 1200K randonnee or a several month tour ... unless your cleats are in imminent danger of wearing out in the next few minutes, you don't need to carry spare cleats.

You really don't need to carry too much on a century ... tire changing equipment, a multi-tool, a jacket, sunblock, a bit of food and water.

2 individual sized handy wipe packets


I should have added that to my original list, my wife, won't let me go anywhere on my bike without bringing a *full* container of CleanWell antibacterial spray. She would literally check my saddle pack before leaving to make sure I don't forget it.

If you're riding around urban areas, you can skip most of the food items, and just stop and eat when you get hungry. (I don't care for Clif bars, myself). If you have a cell phone and spouse that drives, you can omit some of the emergency stuff like the cleats. I go through a LOT of liquids on a long ride, especially if it's hot, but I don't try to carry it all with me from the start, either.

I recommend you pick up a RoadID. If you have a medical emergency, EMT's are trained to look for medical ID tags, it's much better than hoping they find your wallet and can figure out who to call.

I'd also bring a GPS as a back-up to your cue sheet / maps. It's not critical, but it will make it much easier to find resources like a convenience store, if you get in a jam.

I do this all the time in RURAL areas, and take the following:

Seat Bag:
2 tubes
tire levers
mini multi tool
money for food
2 CO2 carts
Cell phone TURNED OFF to save power for when I really need it

Jersey Pockets:
couple of gels and 1 cliff bar - rest of the food is at mini marts as "payment" for refilling bottles
CO2 inflator

Bike carries water bottles and lezyne mini pump as a backup to CO2.

And I also highly recommend a RoadID.

In reality - whatever you carry for a ride around the block - should be the minimum of what's needed for 100 more miles of riding.

Whatever you might need or want in addition to "basic" stuff - depends on the weather you plan for and your own preferences in eating and drinking. Only you can answer your questions.

+1 on the Pedros tire levers. They are beefy and hi-viz (yellow). I have broken wimpy Topeak levers in the past, on particularly difficult tire/rim combos.

A couple of small things that aren't critical, but don't take up much space, are a spare magnet for my cycle computer (lost one once on my MTB) and a presta/schraeder adapter (in the rare event that one has to resort to gas station air.)

Carry your spare cash in $5's. If you are out in the sticks on a Saturday and have to stop at a Ma and Pa mini mart for a $1.39 bottle of water, you will be more appreciated if you don't pay with a $20. When the "we need 5's" sign is on the counter, you'll become the coolest guy in town (despite your lycra shorts) when you trade them four 5's for a 20.

I also carry zip ties of varying sizes for emergency repairs. They work for securing a broken spoke, although I error on the side of caution, with 32 spokes F/R, and have yet to break one. I have been meaning to pick up one of those fiber fix (?) emergency spokes, as they seem to get good reviews.

I don't carry a lock with me. I know every park with restrooms/ballfield with Sani-cans within a 60 mile radius. I bring my bike in the restroom with me.

I don't carry all the spare cleat/chain stuff you mention. Early in the year I get new cleats/chain/cables,etc and have wheels gone over thoroughly (with additional truings at my LBS during the season).

John,
It may be worth your while simply to transport your bike out of Chicago to avoid the interesting areas. I agree, forget about the lock and extra tube. actually, on my unsupported centuries i concentrated on food and fluids and took along cash and cellphone. Most importantly, have fun.

You are overthinking this. Whatever you would take for a 40 mile ride, plus maybe 2 tubes instead of one.

I don't think you need to worry too much. For my own self-supported centuries I usually take:

2 tubes (overkill, but peace of mind)
2 20-oz. bottles
patch kit, tire levers, multitool
$ bills for emergencies
home-made clif bars
2 extra servings powdered drink mix
80-oz. camelback
frame pump
camera

Unless I need to pee, I don't stop except for traffic lights or to refill water bottles from my camelback. I do make sure to tell my sweetie where I'm going and when I should be back.

The main thing is to relax and enjoy yourself.

By no means an expert on centuries, but here's what got me by on Sunday (Disclaimer: Self-professed weight weenie :innocent:):

1 tube in duct-tape sleeve strapped under seat (no bag)
2 large bottles (water)
1 smaller bottle (Gatorade) in jersey
1 tire leaver (Park)
2 CO2 cartridges and tiny inflator
1 tiny patch kit
1 cell phone
1 I-pod shuffle
2 gels
2 bars
1 $5 bill
1 interac card

The ride was very rural, bordering on remote. I had a couple of stops for water in mind, but didn't need to stop. Bike is well tuned has new tires etc. so I was willing to take my chances without Allen keys or multi tool.

Cheers
kaNUK

Thank you for the suggestions, and I have revised my list accordingly:

• 27 oz water bottles (2)
• Topeak Road Morph Frame Mount Pump
• Rema Patch Kit
• Small allen key set (Much smaller than the park MTB-3, and I only need 4)
• Small crescent wrench (It’s tiny, about 4 inches long) & Tiny screwdriver with phillips and flat
• Kenda Replacement inner tube (1) & Tire Levers
• Cellphone
• Credit Card/Cash (40 dollars, 5 dollar increments)
• Sunblock (small tube)
• CleanWell Antibacterial Spray (My wife won't let me leave home without it)
• Two grocery bags (To cover my B-17 saddle in rain)
• Nunchucks

I haven't decided on food yet . . . but I'm sure a stroll through TJ's will fix that.

I ditched the multitool, because it is HUGE. I wouldn't need 90% of those tools anyway.

I would add a ziploc baggie for the phone and other stuff that needs to remain dry if it rains and a paper towel or two to blow my runny nose (for some reason my snot rocket skillz are weak).

It's a century, not a 1200K randonnee or a several month tour ... unless your cleats are in imminent danger of wearing out in the next few minutes, you don't need to carry spare cleats.

You really don't need to carry too much on a century ... tire changing equipment, a multi-tool, a jacket, sunblock, a bit of food and water.

I agree. When I was stepping up to a century and went solo I didn't have anything I did not have on a typical 30 mile ride. Oh perhaps a bit more food and made sure a second tube.

If I were to plan and worry I'd have been ready for a possible bee sting, being mildly alergic.

If you do not know the route/area well I'd add a map.

I'm planning a solo (unless I find some people to come along), unsupported, somewhat random, century+ ride out into the ex-urbs of Chicago. The plan is to ride 50-60 miles out (along some route that looks interesting) and then try to find my way back home. Because of this, I’m making sure I dot my I’s and cross my t’s. The following list is what I’m currently taking with me, does anyone have any suggestions or think I may be missing anything?

• 27 oz water bottles (2)
• Topeak Road Morph Frame Mount Pump
• Park MTB-3 Multitool
• Small set of metric allen keys (just in case I can’t get leverage, or the rest of the MTB-3 gets in the way)
• Rema Patch Kit
• Kenda Replacement inner tube, I have two but I’m wondering if I can get away with one (Suggestions?)
• 2 ½ extra chainlinks from when I sized my 9 speed chain
• Cellphone
• Credit Card/Cash (40 dollars or so, should be enough cash right?)
• U-Lock and/or Wire lock (just for ducking in for rest-room breaks), I’m leaning more towards the wire lock since I can wrap it around my seatpost
• Sunblock (small tube)
• Don’t have them yet but would it be wise to carry another set of SPD cleats?

Every carry item must fit in an expandable saddle wedge (so far that isn’t an issue), and I may get a stem bag (the kind that mounts to the stem and crossbar) to put some snacks in. I have a touring frame, but I don’t want to have to fuss with racks or any packs that are too large. Obviously, the pump and bottle cages are frame mounted.

Also, snack recommendations . . . I’m thinking 3-4 cliff bars or similar? Something along those lines? If anyone is local and might be interested in a ride like this (within the next few weeks) PM me.
Thank you for the suggestions!

Reagarding cash/buying power: this is your worst case protection. If you need to buy a ride home (get a Peoria taxi driver to take you to Chicagoland), or a hotel room and THEN a ride home, this cash/credit is your fuel. Assuming (the Starved Rock scenario) you may be in small rural town-land, being able to handle this with cash might be very important. Same for ID, health insurance info, possibly proof of driver-related insurance as well. Choose a universal credit card, Amex or Diner's might not be the best choices, compared to Visa. If you can draw money from an ATM, even better - bribe your way home.

I love your ride idea, I did this when I lived on the North side, usually heading up Sheridan Road to however far I could go. I also did much longerones in my first car - a blast! I did have a few serious (bike) flat tire situations. Patch kits plus multiple spare tubes is belt and suspenders - one of them is redundant. I'd say patch kit plus one tube.

There are a few additional items you might consider.

Park tools tire boots for fixing small tire slices. (dollar bills, tape or power bar wrappers also work)
Small (one application small) amount of insect repellant. (fixing breakdowns near a swamp sucks)
Muti tool should have chain breaker as part of it. (I use Ritchys CPR-14, a great tool, no longer made)

Since I usually do centuries and long rides by myself I hate having to call for rescue so I bring more
than enough to address most issues to come up. Usually I end up helping out some other
stranded cyclist found along the way. Usually its a flat and they have no spare, pump or patch kit.

Usually I end up helping out some other
stranded cyclist found along the way. Usually its a flat and they have no spare, pump or patch kit.

That's my main reason for carrying a multi-tool and 2 tubes instead of 1. Especially out in the boonies, I always ask someone stopped at the side of the road if they've got what they need.

The revised list is pretty good. I have done some long solo rides and at least one century but I have noticed that with few exceptions I keep the same materials in the bag. A word of advice is to not be afraid to stop for food, drink, or cool down as needed. Solo rides mean no one is else watching out for you.

Already mentioned, but a presta-schraeder adapter is a good idea even if you think you don't need one.

Already mentioned, but a presta-schraeder adapter is a good idea even if you think you don't need one.


One can become too pooped or pissed to pump.

Already mentioned, but a presta-schraeder adapter is a good idea even if you think you don't need one.

I just leave one of those things screwed onto the valve of all of by bikes, that way you'll never forget it.

I just leave one of those things screwed onto the valve of all of by bikes, that way you'll never forget it.

I used to do that until the adapter came off during a ride and I was stuck without one. Now I just keep it in my seat bag.

I do 100+ mile rides through rural areas frequently. (Once a week so far this season)

I carry:
2 tires leavers
a (very) mini tool
a (very) mini pump that can inflate to 90# at least
cell phone (turned off)
ID, debit card and cash
and since I've seen people double flat, I now carry two tubes.

Fueling and hydration are personal choices to some degree. I don't eat food on rides, I take 250 calories per hour of simple sugars in the form of gels and sports drink. The gels I pack from home (~3 for every 2 hors I'm going to be out). And I'll stop at a market at mile 50 to refill my bottles, usually with Gatorade. I ride 50 miles on two 24 oz bottles.

As for security:
I often bring my bike into shops/cafes with me if i have concern. It can feel like a bold move when I do it, but no one has denied me yet. I've also taken my front wheel off and carried it with me into a store i didn't want to bring my whole bike into, leaving the rest of the bike leaning against a pole (or similar) to perhaps give the impression that it is locked. (Also, no one can ride away on a one-wheeled bike)

Mostly i feel less threatened in the rural areas I ride (New England) and don't think twice about leaving my bike leaning outside a "country store"


my $0.02

On the century I just rode yesterday which was random and unplanned, I took with me:

Seat Wedge with:
2 tubes
Patch kit
CO2
Multi tool

Also:
Mini Pump
Two Water Bottles

In pockets:
Cliff Bars
$16

Stopped for breakfast at 45 miles and had a good time coming home with the wind:innocent:

Good Times!!

BlueJay 66