Century ride Essentials
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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?
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?
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How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
#2
Senior Member
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?
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?
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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#5
Time for a change.
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Originally Posted by Machka
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.
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How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
#6
Senior Member
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.
#7
Time for a change.
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Originally Posted by howsteepisit
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.
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How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan