Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - What are necessary accessories for biking trails, paths, day rides?

I plan on riding mostly park trails, creeper trail, etc...what are necessary things I need to look at buying?

Is it definate that you should wear a helmet? (sorry if thats a dumb question)

Do I need biking shoes?

Backpack?

Sorry these may be stupid questions but im just getting into this!

Many, if not most, think a helmet is a good idea. I'm among them, but I recognize that there are those who disagree.

Cycling-specific shoes are only necessary if you want to wring the last bit of performance out of your ride, and they come at a cost (in addition to $) - they often require specific pedals, and they can be uncomfortable to walk in, or at least less than optimal to walk in. Having said that, I always use cycling shoes. Try your rides without them and see if you have any problems that shoes and pedals might address. If you're happy with your regular shoes and pedals, why rock the metaphorical boat?

Backpacks are the cyclist's storage of last resort, IMO, because when fully loaded they can raise your center of gravity unacceptably high. Besides, unless you're planning to haul groceries, a decent under-saddle wedge type of bag is all you need.

I would also not go anywhere without some provision to repair a flat, whether that's a patch kit or a tube, and a pump or CO2 cartridges, and a couple of basics like tire irons (not really iron), and a decent multi-tool.

Other necessities include water bottles and cages for them.

is there some type of under saddle bag you can get to keep the repair kit, etc?

is there some type of under saddle bag you can get to keep the repair kit, etc?

There are lots to choose from.

Agree with CraigB. I wear a helmet and gloves (had the rear wheel slide out on a turn and ground the palm off of my glove - it would have been my skin on the pavement had I not been wearing gloves).

Other than that, my under seat pack holds spare tube, patch kit with levers, multitool, spare chain link, nitrile gloves, 6" crescent wrench (the tool I find myself using the most when helping others on the trail), cell phone and small wallet w/ ID, credit card & cash. Water bottles in bottle cages w/ pump mounted along side.

Agree with CraigB. I wear a helmet and gloves (had the rear wheel slide out on a turn and ground the palm off of my glove - it would have been my skin on the pavement had I not been wearing gloves).

I forgot to mention gloves. Very important, I think. I rarely ride without them, except maybe to go around the block when I want to check out a repair I've done or a part swap. Otherwise I've got them on.

My list of necessary items (in order):

Helmet
Full water bottle(s)
Patch kit
Cycling gloves
Cell phone (for just-in-case)

Ok these are great lists! I didnt want to be the only one on the trail wearing gloves and a helmet, etc. I didnt want to look like I was over doing it haha.

Ok these are great lists! I didnt want to be the only one on the trail wearing gloves and a helmet, etc. I didnt want to look like I was over doing it haha.
Rule # 1 - Don't worry about what others are or aren't wearing; are or aren't riding; and are or aren't doing. Just ride and enjoy it.

Some day, you may want to try bike shorts, clips and straps, clipless pedals, even different styles of bikes, etc. but none of that falls under the umbrella of necessity.

Just getting into it myself, and I had a lot of the same questions.

My seat bag has a tube, patch kit, tire irons (levers), $5.00, Co2, and my cell.

I always ride with a helmet and gloves. I did go with the clipless shoes and pedals. I have SPD-SL clips, and love them. I also ride on a bike specific trail. I love them so far! But its only been a month....


What counts is have fun and be safe!

BD

My seat bag contains the usual patch kit, tube, tire levers, etc. It has a couple extras that I've found to come in handy:

1) a couple pairs of latex gloves -- keep your hands clean when doing any repairs
2) A sample pack of baby wipes -- good for post-repair cleanup, also for treating scrapes, etc.
3) Zip ties in a couple sizes for emergency repairs.

Having a couple $$$ in there serves 2 purposes: to spend if you need it, and you can use a dollar bill as an emergency boot for repairing a tire. If you've got room left over you can stick in an energy bar or two.

That will set you up pretty well for anything you're likely to encounter on the bike trail.

My list of necessary items (in order):

Helmet
Full water bottle(s)
Patch kit
Cycling gloves
Cell phone (for just-in-case)


And some basic first aid items. I take 4" gause pads and white tape in addition to ban aids. A simple fall can create a gash. Eye wash, tweezers and the like. :thumb:

I wear gloves more for the purpose of wiping debris from my tires. Clipless pedals are more comfortable IMO than platforms. The no slipping issue is a very important factor IMO. More so than expeciting to pick up 5 mph by going clipless.:D

My list of necessary items (in order):


Helmet
Full water bottle(s)
Patch kit
Cycling gloves
Cell phone (for just-in-case)



Good list. Also I would add source of air for tire repair. I prefer a pump but CO2 has its advocates too. Also, perhaps Cliff Bar or other munchies for longer rides.

I take my entire wallet w/ insurance info, ID, credit cards, cash.
cellphone w/ list of SAG or taxi drivers, other ICE numbers
park season passes
spare batteries for blinkie lights
CO2 and spare tube, tire irons
car keys
If temperature changes look inevitable, I'll bring a very light string rucksack or a small trunk bag.
On hot days 3-4 water bottles and electrolytes and power bar. Running out of H2O on a hot day out in the boondocks can be a medical emergency.

I plan on riding mostly park trails, creeper trail, etc...what are necessary things I need to look at buying?

Is it definate that you should wear a helmet? (sorry if thats a dumb question)

Do I need biking shoes?

Backpack?

Sorry these may be stupid questions but im just getting into this!

I would say, most important, a set of tire levers, a spare tube or two, mini-pump, water bottle and cage, camera. It's a good idea to carry some money and a cell phone if you have one.

Helmets are a great debate, some people say you need them, some people say you don't, I'm on the fence, nobody has scientifically proven that helmets prevent injury, it's all logical theory, that encasing a head in foam will prevent injury, the only way to truly prove it is to crash exactly the same way with and without a helmet and compare injuries. Unfortunately no safety organization wants to test this, and they would have a problem finding volunteers if they did.

If your riding over 30km (~19 miles), then you should add a pair of cycling gloves, a pair of cycling shorts, and a bicycle multi-tool.
If your riding over 50km (~31 miles), then add a second water bottle and cage, rack and a pannier, jacket or rain gear, chain tool, a couple of extra links, and a second spare tube or a patch kit, possibly some quick energy food.
If your riding over 100km(~62 miles), then you want to carry spare cables, wire cutters, tire boot, extra camera battery, one of those space blankets, bicycle lights.

Backpacks generally add weight above your centre of gravity, a rack and pannier(s) add weight close to the ground, below the centre of gravity, which provides better balance. Biking shoes, depends on the pedals, if you have pedals that require them, then they are required, if not, then generally you don't.

Unfortunately no safety organization wants to test this, and they would have a problem finding volunteers if they did.

If the job included health insurance, I'd do it.

Don't forget the know-how to change a flat.

I'm pretty new at this gig, too. I carry the following:

Water bottle in the cage.
Multi-tool, tire levers, patch kit, pump, and nitrile gloves in a seat wedge.
Map, munchies, cell phone, keys, some cash and a spare tube in a belly pouch, aka "butt bag" (it ain't pretty, but it works).

I'm kind of a boy scout when it comes to preparedness.

Here's what I've got:

Rear Blinkie on Seat Post
Headlight on Head Tube
2xBottle Racks,
2xBottles (or 1xBottle, 1xCoffee Tumbler)
Pump (mounted behind seat tube bottle rack)
Bell on Handlebars
Cyclocomputer w/Cadence (but no HR, gosh-darn-it)
Helmet w/ rear blinkie (I run it solid at night) & mount for forward flashlight.
Gloves
Clipless Pedals w/shoes
Fleece jacket rolled and strapped behind my saddle (will your riding clothes keep you warm enough if you break down, and are fixing something, walking or waiting for pickup?)

cycling bibs & jersey; add long-sleeve baselayer shirt, century wind jacket, leg warmers, etc... based on weather

In my seat wedge:

Patch Kit
Spare Tube
Spare Batteries (for blinkies and headlights)
Tire Levers
Multitool
Zip-ties (recent addition)
Handlebar bag:

flashlight to mount on helmet
reflective ankle straps
Spare clothes if it gets colder or rains (or empty space for the extra layers I'm wearing)
powdered energy drink mix, depending on length of ride (sometimes you can find water, but not gatorade)
food, depending on length of ride
cell phone, wallet, swiss army knife, lip balm, chamois cream

Something for self-defense - pepper spray, handgun, etc... This, IMO, is especially important on long rides. The first time you find yourself broken down in BFE, with coyotes circling (either the two or four-legged variety), and you'll feel mighty stupid if the best thing you have is a cell phone that has no signal and a tire pump that is good for exactly one solid hit before it breaks and REALLY leaves you stranded.

Last item? I know most cyclists aren't gonna go there. That's fine; each of us determine for ourselves what level of preparedness we take for situations that we fervently hope and in all probability will never happen.

As you can see, everyone's different. I often have at least one pannier on my bike for any ride, since I tend not to stick to trails and frequently run errands while riding. Water bottles, nutrition bars, patch kit (with levers), tube, emergency funds ("bus change"), tire pump, phone, camera, wallet, chapstick, fingernail clippers, car keys, some lightweight towels in addition to the handiwipes (and including a wet towel, for wiping sweat and road grime off my face and hands at the end of the ride).

By getting off the trails (which, let's face it, can get pretty damned boring after a while, at least around here), I've stumbled over historical sites I hadn't even known existed, seen things I'd never have seen if I'd been running that errand by car instead of by bike simply because of the necessities of route changes.

As you can see, everyone's different. I often have at least one pannier on my bike for any ride, since I tend not to stick to trails and frequently run errands while riding. Water bottles, nutrition bars, patch kit (with levers), tube, emergency funds ("bus change"), tire pump, phone, camera, wallet, chapstick, fingernail clippers, car keys, some lightweight towels in addition to the handiwipes (and including a wet towel, for wiping sweat and road grime off my face and hands at the end of the ride).

By getting off the trails (which, let's face it, can get pretty damned boring after a while, at least around here), I've stumbled over historical sites I hadn't even known existed, seen things I'd never have seen if I'd been running that errand by car instead of by bike simply because of the necessities of route changes.



Condorita? Right here,........ right now right now?:eek:......:D

Usually I have a multi tool and rear lights. I usually don't wear a helmet and don't carry a flat repair kit (although I do have them).

Personally my first choice is good flat resistant tires. If you do carry a flat repair kit get a spare tube, tire levers, and co2 pump. You could probably stick them in a water bottle.

Second choice would be a rear rack if you do plan on carrying items. You can bungee your backpack, or get some panniers for it.

I also carry a lock, wallet, and cellphone.

If the job included health insurance, I'd do it.

Some of the crashes will result in sudden and irrevocable death, still interested?

I see a lock was finally mentioned. See my pick to the left? Sometimes you just gotta go, and it's nice to have your bike still there when you're done.

Otherwise pretty much like others have said:

A good multi-tool, I can just about do a full overhaul with mine.

Knowledge of the bike. Tools and tubes are only as good as the user can make use of them.

Spare tube, patch kit, and two ways to pump up your tire.

If your bike has Presta valve tubes then add one of the Presta-Schrader adapters.

Some form of hand cleaner. If you're mechanically inclined and also inclined to help others you can take a pill bottle and fill it with waterless handcleaner like Goop or GoJo.

Another pill bottle can hold a little grease.

Learn how to adjust your derailleurs to set your bike up in singlespeed mode by shortening the chain in case you bend the derailleur hanger or if a cable breaks or if the derailleur spring or a pulley wheels breaks. Knowledge comes with time and effort and experience. Learn what you need as you go a little at a time.
I'll stop before I write a book.

On the 3 bikes I usually ride around town I have 3 front blinkies and 2 rear blinkies. The recumbent tadpole trike has 4 blinkies in front and 3 in back, plus blinking LED Christmas lights on the safety flagpole from top to bottom.

For tools, I carry tire levers, 2 spare tubes, chain tool, Cool Tool (old school multi-tool from the '90s), Leatherman clone multi-tool, vice grips, another bike-specific multi-tool, and a pump. I also carry spare chain links.

On my hybrid and the recumbent I have a rear rack with expandable rack trunk to carry everything plus a sweatshirt. The adult trike has a rear basket so I carry everything in a backpack bungeed inside the basket.

I see a lock was finally mentioned. See my pick to the left? Sometimes you just gotta go, and it's nice to have your bike still there when you're done.

Otherwise pretty much like others have said:

A good multi-tool, I can just about do a full overhaul with mine.

I'm new to adult biking. I've been thinking about adding a multi-tool to my kit. What do you recommend?

I plan on riding mostly park trails, creeper trail, etc...what are necessary things I need to look at buying?

Is it definate that you should wear a helmet? (sorry if thats a dumb question)

Do I need biking shoes?

Backpack?

Sorry these may be stupid questions but im just getting into this!


Personally I wouldn't cycle anywhere, other than around the block to check a minor tweak, without a helmet on. A helmet will make precisely no difference if you get run over by a truck but in a minor bump where your helmet hits the road you'll be glad it wasn't your head. Likewise I'd rather not bang my head on an overhanging branch but if I did I'd rather have something else to take the worst of the impact.

Biking shoes - some swear by them and others don't. Personally I've never worn them, I just wear regular trainers/sneakers (specifically a very old pair so I don't care how much mud and muddy water gets thrown over them).

I always used to carry a small backpack with basic supplies in it (water bottle, tube, multitool and maybe a snack). A large backpack can shift your centre of gravity but as a fellow Clyde I'd reckon a backpack with a couple of kilos of stuff in it (remembering a litre of water weighs 1kg) isn't going to meaningfully shift your centre of gravity. I don't like a backpack because it makes my back sweatier, simply because it reduces air circulation. Some day I plan to get organised and get a wedge bag to store the tube and tool, and a bottle cage to store the bottle.

If you're going somewhere nice you might look to find space for a pocket camera.

I always wear a helmet even though it's not a law here in PA.

I carry a lot of the items already listed: multitool, tube, patch kit, cleat covers (I use Speedplay pedals,) $5 in singles, presta to schrader adapter, GoJo hand wipe, pump, 2 water bottles on longer rides, and I just added a pen knife--Sunday's ride had a repair that would have been much easier if I had some kind of cutting tool.

I'm going to add the "personal protection" that was mentioned above. I actually mentioned to my wife on Sunday night that I need to add something to my "supplies" in case of an emergency--people or wild animals.

I'm new to adult biking. I've been thinking about adding a multi-tool to my kit. What do you recommend?

Mine is a Topeak Alien II. It's seen me OK for what I've needed to do so far, although to date I haven't had to do anything in the field. I found the tyre levers rather cumbersome to use although don't know whether that's because they are a bit cumbersome or because it was the first time I ever changed a tyre.

Get a saddle bag and put whatever you need to fix a flat in it, plus a pump or CO2 inflator. Make sure you know how to use the pump. Sounds stupid, but I've assisted people who didn't know how to attach the pump to the valve.

As for multi tools, a Topeak Alien II and Zinn's Art of Road/Mountain Bike Maintenance should help you do most field repairs. The Zinn book has a section on emergency repairs like dealing w/ busted derailleurs, broken spokes, etc.

Yep, Topeak Alien II here as well.

I use separate tire levers, just the cheap ones most LBS's sell for a buck or three. I had bought a better "unbreakable" tire lever once, I broke it on a tight tire/wheel combination.

While we're on the subject of tires and tubes, put a little air in the tube before putting it in the tire. That really helps place it and also helps keep it out of the way when popping the second tire bead over the rim. And always check for a pinched tube before pumping up the tire. On the road or trail, if you get a flat, remove the tube and keep it oriented with how it was in the tire then pump up the tube and find the hole(s). If the hole is on the outer side the check the tire in that area. If you didn't keep the tube oriented then you have to check two areas in the tire. If the hole is on the inner side of the tube then check the rim for a protruding spoke or a burr in the spoke hole in the rim. If you have two or more holes on opposite sides of the tube then it's probably a pinch flat, aka: snakebite, and you either hit something or need more pressure in your tires.

If you already knew all this then please excuse the lesson, but it seemed like a good place for it.

A decent pedal wrench is a nice tool to have at home. Also works well for self protection if you happen to have it handy. ;)

I'm going to add the "personal protection" that was mentioned above. I actually mentioned to my wife on Sunday night that I need to add something to my "supplies" in case of an emergency--people or wild animals.

Check your local laws (and those of the surrounding areas where you might be cycling) to make sure you're compliant with them. Some states and municipalities are different than others.

While we're on the subject of tires and tubes, put a little air in the tube before putting it in the tire.

I agree, but the key words here are "a little." All you want is enough to give some shape to the tube. Without the tire surrounding it to constrain its size, it doesn't take much air to inflate it to a larger size than will fit.

Wow, everything but the kitchen sink has been covered. :thumb:

You might give some thought to your cycling comfort is some chamois cream, whether you are using biking shorts or not.

Mother knows best stuff:
Wear some gloves, you will forever be grateful in the event of a fall/crash.

Wear a Helmet, you will forever be grateful in the event of a fall/crash.
End of Mother Knows best stuff:

Whatever you end up with for a tire/flat repair kit take a few minutes and do a dry run so you are comfortable with the actual mechanics of successfully busting the tire, replacing the tube, inflating etc.
In the event that you need to do the repair on the trail, you will at least know how as you have actually done it before.

Looks like you have plenty of information, but I will add what I have.

I always wear a helmet. My brother had a nasty accident a couple of years ago, his helmet was cracked and really scrapped up. His doctor said he couldn't say for certain that it saved his life, but it was sure obvious that it kept him from needing stitches on his head.

On me I have my Jersey with a Cliff bar in it, bibs, gloves, cycling shoes with Look pedals. If it's chilly I'll take arm warmers and put them in one of my pockets. You know just in case.

On my bike a cycling computer, a Blackburn Airstick pump attached to one of my bottle cages, I have two and on short rides I'll take one water bottle, for longer rides two bottles, one with a tab of Nuun in it.

In my saddle bag a Topeak mini 6 multi tool, spare tube, tire levers, some cash, ID, Blistex and cell phone.

Don't over think what you need. Take the bare necessities, and add as you learn what you need. After reading what everyone else has, I think I'll add some Nitrile gloves in there, I have a brand new pack sitting in my tool box.

All this talk about nitrile gloves and wet wipes. Don't you all know that one of the two reasons bike shorts are traditionally black is so you don't see the grease when you wipe your hands on them?

;)

Helmets are a great debate, some people say you need them, some people say you don't, I'm on the fence, nobody has scientifically proven that helmets prevent injury, it's all logical theory, that encasing a head in foam will prevent injury, the only way to truly prove it is to crash exactly the same way with and without a helmet and compare injuries. Unfortunately no safety organization wants to test this, and they would have a problem finding volunteers if they did.

Isn't that why they have crash dummies? They must test helmets the same way?

Helmets are a great debate, some people say you need them, some people say you don't, I'm on the fence, nobody has scientifically proven that helmets prevent injury, it's all logical theory, that encasing a head in foam will prevent injury, the only way to truly prove it is to crash exactly the same way with and without a helmet and compare injuries. Unfortunately no safety organization wants to test this, and they would have a problem finding volunteers if they did.
That's not the only way to measure such things. The New England Journal of Medicine did a year-long study of emergency room patients 20 years ago and had this to say:

we found that riders with helmets had an 85 percent reduction in their risk of head injury (odds ratio, 0.15; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.07 to 0.29) and an 88 percent reduction in their risk of brain injury (odds ratio, 0.12; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.04 to 0.40). We conclude that bicycle safety helmets are highly effective in preventing head injury. Helmets are particularly important for children, since they suffer the majority of serious head injuries from bicycling accidents. (N Engl J Med 1989;320:1361–7.)

That's more than good enough for me, especially considering how little it costs to wear a helmet.

That's not the only way to measure such things. The New England Journal of Medicine did a year-long study of emergency room patients 20 years ago and had this to say:


That's more than good enough for me, especially considering how little it costs to wear a helmet.

The problem is that study is more then 20 years old, helmet promoters have been pushing it since the ink was still wet, helmet detractors have been poking holes in it, just as long. There were arguments that the study had major flaws, and didn't count for some important factors. I don't believe that helmets do enough to make them legally required, but actually do wear one, gives me something to attach the mirror to.

I'm a heartless libertarian at, er, heart. My personal belief is that adults should be free to take whatever risks they choose. Ride without a helmet? Sure. Play in traffic? OK. Juggle chainsaws blindfolded while riding a unicycle on a tightrope through a ring of fire over bear-infested waters? Whatever. It's your life. This, of course, implies that, if you make risky choices and get hurt, that you alone are responsible for taking care of your injuries through whatever means you've devised - insurance, a pile of money you set aside, begging on the street corner, whatever floats your boat as long as you don't force other people to pay for the consequences of your actions. Or, for that matter, use the government as a surrogate to force other people to pay for the consequences of your actions.

Children, on the other hand, are not generally considered responsible enough to make informed choices, so I don't have a problem with helmet and other safety laws for them.

I'm a heartless libertarian at, er, heart. My personal belief is that adults should be free to take whatever risks they choose. Ride without a helmet? Sure. Play in traffic? OK. Juggle chainsaws blindfolded while riding a unicycle on a tightrope through a ring of fire over bear-infested waters? Whatever. It's your life. This, of course, implies that, if you make risky choices and get hurt, that you alone are responsible for taking care of your injuries through whatever means you've devised - insurance, a pile of money you set aside, begging on the street corner, whatever floats your boat as long as you don't force other people to pay for the consequences of your actions. Or, for that matter, use the government as a surrogate to force other people to pay for the consequences of your actions.

Children, on the other hand, are not generally considered responsible enough to make informed choices, so I don't have a problem with helmet and other safety laws for them.
+1. Same goes for seat belt laws.

On a similar note, back in my military days, I remember our CO telling an assembly that anyone who didn't wear a seatbelt was an absolute idiot. 1/3 of the guys there rode to work on a motorcycle....

I'm a heartless libertarian at, er, heart. My personal belief is that adults should be free to take whatever risks they choose. Ride without a helmet? Sure. Play in traffic? OK. Juggle chainsaws blindfolded while riding a unicycle on a tightrope through a ring of fire over bear-infested waters? Whatever. It's your life. This, of course, implies that, if you make risky choices and get hurt, that you alone are responsible for taking care of your injuries through whatever means you've devised - insurance, a pile of money you set aside, begging on the street corner, whatever floats your boat as long as you don't force other people to pay for the consequences of your actions. Or, for that matter, use the government as a surrogate to force other people to pay for the consequences of your actions.

Children, on the other hand, are not generally considered responsible enough to make informed choices, so I don't have a problem with helmet and other safety laws for them.
It's not about the money, material cost or any other libertarian, anti-government dogma. It's just money after all.

The real costs of one's choices or consequences of one's actions is with respect to their loved ones, families and dependants.

They are the ones that will shoulder the true costs and if that doesn't bother anyone, then don't wear a helmet, take any other reasonable safety precaution while riding a bike, a seat-belt when in a car or reading the labels on chemical items, etc..

It doesn't matter what the safety and test data shows us all, as there are many who refuse to accept the facts. Right or wrong, it doesn't matter to many.

crescent wrench... mine is missing from my bag. must remember to find another one...

helmets are cheaper than cat scans. Wear the helmet.