I have one in my helmet, unless I'm beheaded in a very unfortunate accident (in which case, getting medical help would be a moot point) I should be OK....

as for the stilettos, what kind of pedals do you recommend ?

I don't know if any of you have ever seen or ridden w/Pansy Palmetto (i met her on BikeJournal) but I believe she has actually ridden w/stilettos. At the least, she was photgraphed on her bike, in a bikini, wearing stilletos, and she totally could get away with it because she looked really good! She's pretty amazing. (whoosh...........that is the sound of all the men reading this logging on to bikejournal to look up her profile)

And she looks good on that Schwinn!!!

Since you are going to be getting ready for your century ride - I might suggest a Polar bicycle computer that includes a Heart Rate monitor.

Jim

I was suggesting by analogy that a woman does not need a lot of equipment with a Serotta. i.e. Fredwina stuff. You might want to ask the clueless but not clipless gang what they would recommend for stilettos. Maybe Jimmy Choo https://www.jimmychoo.com/pws/Home.ice with Look Carbon titanium Keos? I do not know how well they would work but would look fantastic.

I'd go for a cadence computer, like the Cateye Astrale 8 or the Sigma 1606 (I think). I have both, and like the Sigma better.

Road Fan

Perhaps to be in keeping with a particular Seinfield episode (the Man-Bra concept by Kramer and George's father), I'm also wondering how to carry layered clothing that gets peeled as you heat up. Another possibility to compete with a fanny pack could be a handlebar bag. While foregoing the mandatory macho-persona that we guys must maintain ... I did read on a women's biking forum that the ladies liked the purse-like qualities that handlebar bags can offer.

Two drawbacks I suppose to a handlebar bag: (1) You may tend to carry too much stuff and add weight. (2) I suppose it could add to wind-drag, and reduce road efficiency (?) ... if others could expand on whether handlebar bags effectively reduces road efficiency because of wind-drag, it would be interesting to know.

One good thing about a handlebar bag, if it has external loops or rings ... you can mount stuff onto the handlebar bag. If you ride solo in new urban areas, I found a great thing from REI to put a folded map in ... the "Omniseal Wallet Holder". Transparent, waterproof, big enough to carry a pocket notebook with riding directions written on it ... and a hole to lanyard onto either your handlebars or your handlebar bag: < https://www.rei.com/product/492963 >

A mirror is an essential. I use the "Take A Look" that attaches to my glasses. It is easy to use and has saved my bacon several times. Enjoy the new bike.

Going off a bit of a tangent here, not sure if these books qualify as "accessories"...

• Bicycle: The History by David Herlihy
Interesting history of the bicycle, good for those long winter evenings when there's a raging blizzard outside and you can't ride.

• Effective Cycling by John Forester
John Forester opines on many different cycling related subjects. Included are recipes for homebrew chain lube and his treatise on MUPs & bike lanes. Not sure about his recommendation on using kerosene as a degreaser, my Dad preferred gasoline...

• Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance by Lennard Zinn
I like to do my own maintenance. There a lots of good books on bike maintenance, I just happened upon this particular one by chance as I desperately needed to update my Glenn's.

Hey, what's the matter with "Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance".

Just pullin your leg. Actually the two books are very similar and Zinn's style is easy to read.

If you want to carry all the things that people suggest for a bike- then you might aswell put the kitchen sink in somewhere so you can wash your hands after a repair.

All I carry on the bike is a pump- water bottle and a wedge that has a repair kit, 1 tyre lever, 1 tube and a small multi tool. In the pockets of my jersey I have my wallet- a cereal bar and mostly the camera and a phone.

Now if you are doing something serious- Like a singlehanded- unsupported trip across the desert- then you may need all these things- but all I want to do is ride. I will- subject to extra cereal bars and possibly clothing- Do centrty rides with nothing extra to this. Now the Tandem is a different matter. Tandem spares are not easy to get hold off and the Tandem breaks things. On that I don't quite take the kitchen sink but I do carry a lot of spares that are often needed

As To the accessories- A computer is all I have extra on the bike that I consider an accessory, and when the battery runs flat I do not even take that.

Here is a link to a complete list/suggestions:
https://www.oklahomabicyclesociety.com/ecnotes/ecn37.htm

My Mt Hood predates index shifting everything is covered in Glenn's. And the Road version of Zinn's was on sale.

I have a front light with blinky mode, a rear blinky, a $10 schwinn computer from Wal-Mart, a frame pump, and a wedge pack with basic tools and a spare tube.

I use the lights when visibility is impaired.

Alright.......On sale is a valid choice........

I've read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". Does that count?