Fifty Plus (50+) - The essentials for my new bike?

I think I've got all the essentials I need for tooling around town on my new Trek.

I've got my helmet; an insulated water bottle & cage; and a wire basket & rack on the back for library books, groceries, or whatever else I have to haul around. I've got front and rear lights too.

For longer rides, I've also got a bike computer, a bicycle pump, spare inner tubes, adjustable wrench, and allen wrench set. (Perhaps I'll get a patch kit after I learn how to patch flats.)

After I lost a check from my pocket that I was riding to the bank to deposit, :notamused: I bought a small handlebar bag to safely hold my keys, money/debit card, phone, papers, etc.

With the essentials taken care of it was time for decorating, so I added red, white & blue streamers. :D

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Looks like you have all the bases covered.:thumb:

I think that your priorities are all screwed up. You should have bought the streamers first. It's your bike, it should make you smile every time that you look at it.


Seriously, how's the tushie? Picking the right saddle can make all the difference in the world.

Ride like the wind Nutmeg!!!

Now you just need two large canvas bags with 200 newspapers each on a wood frame on the back, go back in time to the fifties and you're good to go. ;^)

I love it!!

Only suggestion - keep the tire pump and tube with you at all times, not just for longer rides.

Mostly have fun and smile lots.

Lookin Good..

What? No bell?

I think that your priorities are all screwed up. You should have bought the streamers first. It's your bike, it should make you smile every time that you look at it.

Seriously, how's the tushie? Picking the right saddle can make all the difference in the world.

I did a lot of coasting on my first rides, so I could sorta stand up and get the pressure off my bottom. But on the last 15 mile ride a few days ago, I worked at pedaling more, and I found my bottom wasn't nearly as sore anyway. Guess I'm getting used to it. I still have not gone far, I know, but as I build up to longer rides I'll get some padded shorts probably.


( :lol: Anywhere else if someone asked about my *ss I'd be outta there!)

a wire basket & rack on the back for library books

That's the only required extra. Good job! :D

Tire irons?

:thumb:

Always using new tube when you have a flat can get expensive. If you use the glueless patches there is little to learn. Just scuff up the area around the hole, peal off the patch and press it on the hole area. I have patched many holes, and I have never had a glueless patch fail. They are in a tiny little box, easy to carry, and always ready. Tubes of glue can be messy and always seem to be dried out when you need them.

I would humbly suggest that instead of reserving your pump, tubes and tire irons for longer rides to take them on ALL rides. It is amazing how far a "short" ride is if you have to walk home with a flat tire.

What? No bell?

Forgot to mention the bell! :o I need it to get all the joggers out of the way on the Memphis Greenline. ;)

I ordered this one from Amazon but it hasn't arrived yet.

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Always using new tube when you have a flat can get expensive. If you use the glueless patches there is little to learn. Just scuff up the area around the hole, peal off the patch and press it on the hole area. I have patched many holes, and I have never had a glueless patch fail. They are in a tiny little box, easy to carry, and always ready. Tubes of glue can be messy and always seem to be dried out when you need them.

Oh! Thanks for the tip. I don't even know how to take my wheels off yet, much less the tires. (Though from reading this forum I think I got the terminology correct!) I asked at the bike shop if they had lessons and they said look on youtube. I was not happy at that answer. (They don't seem to have much patience with ladies, I've noticed.)

I hope to ride the beginner ride with the local bike shop next week and perhaps I'll meet some folks who are willing to teach me. I like to be prepared, so I want to know how BEFORE I need to know how.

I guess you are right, PatW and DnvrFox.

The pump mounts under my water bottle cage, so then I only need a little seat bag to hold the tools, tubes, and patch kit so I will always have them.

Thanks for the good advice.

What are tire irons? Aren't those for car tires?

Ride like the wind Nutmeg!!!

I think I'll make that my motto!

I'm a short, very round woman (at the moment). Wouldn't that be so funny for my bike license plate?

What are tire irons? Aren't those for car tires?

Tire irons=tire levers, they are made of plastic(or some such), or steel, but mostly you'll find the plastic ones. They are used to pry the tire off the rim.

I like your STYLE!

I love the streamers:D

Have fun and enjoy the rides.

Tire irons=tire levers, they are made of plastic(or some such), or steel, but mostly you'll find the plastic ones. They are used to pry the tire off the rim.

I like your STYLE!

Thanks! :o I figure if you can't be "hot" then you gotta go for style.

I'll be sure to get a patch kit with tire levers. Or they sell pink tire levers at the bike shop, but maybe red ones would go better with my bike. :)

Cell phone?

Hey! I'm surprised no one noticed I didn't mention a bike lock.

I did get one, a d-lock (?) type with a security cable too. Until it arrives I'm using my son's cheapie combination chain and it makes me nervous since it is so flimsy.

In my neck of the woods the streamers would have to be replaced with squirrel tails.

In my neck of the woods the streamers would have to be replaced with squirrel tails.

Ewww! I'll stick with my pretty streamers. :)


(I do have a cell phone, but that stays on me, not my bike.)

The only thing that bike needs is a happy and frequent rider.

The only thing that bike needs is a happy and frequent rider.

I'm doing my best to meet that need. :)

I rode 32 miles last week and 30 miles so far this week. First bike riding I've done in 40 years and I love it! I used to like riding around to look at the scenery when I was a teenager, but I'd forgotten about that.

I'm so glad my car broke down! Given the choice between riding the bus or riding a bike, I chose a bike. (Never considered walking--too slow!) Now I've rediscovered the old joy. :love:

Hey! I'm surprised no one noticed I didn't mention a bike lock.

I did get one, a d-lock (?) type with a security cable too. Until it arrives I'm using my son's cheapie combination chain and it makes me nervous since it is so flimsy.

I have both kinds of locks. The really good, secure D-locks (like a Kryptonite) tend to be heavy. But if you really want to lock your bike, that's what you need.

The "cheapie combination chains" are great to have, too. Some call them "cafe locks" or "coffee shop locks." Not enough to deter a determined thief, but if you're stopping for a cup of coffee -- and if you can sit by the window to keep an eye on your bike -- it's still good to have a cheapie lightweight lock to throw around your bike while you're on a brief stop.

Good ideas about the lock, thanks Bengeboy. I hate fiddling with the combination though. I'm looking forward to getting my d-lock that has keys. :)