Originally Posted by chaadster

Rather than carry everything, probably pre-ride checks and being "in tune" with your bike is easier to achieve. Preventative medicine, if you will.

I find that routine cleaning provides the opportunity to spot problems before they manifest out on the road. For example, while wiping grime away from crank arm and bottom bracket, I might notice a loose nut.

And what I mean by being "in tune" with your bike is paying attention to the little things, like the odd creak or slight wobble from the crank. Those things should prompt a little investigation, which may save a mid-ride breakdown.

Other little details in prep might help, too, like properly torquing bolts to spec with a torque wrench, and judicious use of light grip thread lock compound, e.g. Loctite blue 242.