You can take a spare tube and patch kit if you want to, but just know that it's only purpose will be to get your back to the Start/Finish line without having to walk your bike. There's no way you're going to catch up to the peloton after even the fastest of changes, not without help. Buy a cheapo second set of wheels and put'em in the truck, or ride Gatorskins.
Sorry to hear about your wife.