jppe

So today I get out for what was going to be a longish leisurely ride. I got a late start and was out in rural NC which has terrific cycling roads but little else-unless you include cows, tractors etc. I discover I've forgotten all my food. It's amazing how hungry you can get so quickly when you don't have nourishment. So much for the longish ride.

A ride or two ago I'd forgotten to charge the Garmin and it went into low battery mode.

One of these days I'm going to drive to a cycling event only to find I've left my bike at home. I know it's going to happen. Maybe I'll go ahead and do it on purpose just to get it over with.

bobthib

The night before put all you stuff in one area (bike, helmet, shoes, kit, etc) and put you keys in your helmet. Worse case is you won't remember where your keys are, and you will miss the event. But so will your bike, so no problem!

bykemike 

I went for a 10 miler today..(laps on a bridge over the intracoastal waterway) and it cost me about 6 bucks a mile because I forgot my riding shorts and had to zip over to the LBS and pay full price for a new set.

I'm in the "I'm gonna forget my bike someday" camp

Mike

overthehillmedi

at least you got new shorts out of the deal.

The Weak Link

How many times have people in this old world pulled into their garage with the bike still on the roof rack?

Now THAT would hurt.

Allegheny Jet

This may sound anal but I have made a laminated credit card size list of items needed for a bike ride that I keep in the small basket my wife designated for keys, cell phone, wallet etc... The list includes everything from bike, clothing, bottles, to money in the seat pouch. Most times I don't need everything on the list and just eliminate that item as I build my ride's accessory equipment.

Allegheny Jet

Didn't the saddle feel cold when you left the house riding to the bridge?

Kurt Erlenbach

Worst I've ever done is drive 20 miles for a ride a find I forgot my shoes. I've also let my Garmin run down, but that's no crisis. I'll bet that somewhere out here in the internets we will find a story of someone who left their bike at home.

Kurt Erlenbach

That a good question. We need further explanation, Mike (but no pics, please). It is winter, after all.

stapfam

Worst I have done was to leave my gloves at a cafe when I stopped. !0 miles later I realised my hands were cold so went back to the cafe to find that someone had stolen them. My fault I know but finished the ride with cold and sore hands



Got home and had a shower and then sorted the clothing for washing- took out the wallet, camera and phone from the jersey pockets-----And the gloves.

Velo Dog

Forgetting the food can be a problem, but the Garmin? To me, if that spoils your ride, you're paying attention to the wrong things.

'47

Worst I've done is drive 120 miles for a bike ride along the ocean with my daughter. Got there and discovered I'd left my front wheel at home. She rode, I jogged......which made me recall why I left running for cycling years ago.

trackhub

I've already stuck my glasses in my shirt pocket, then gone wandering around trying to find where I've left them.

CB HI

Better than having them on the top of your head and asking everyone if they have seen them.

maddmaxx 

In the car racing days, we would never leave home without the checklist. It would have been awful to tow 500 miles only to find out that something essential was not in the truck. Still, it happens.

BengeBoy 

After a couple of bad experiences, I developed a checklist I keep on the computer. It has a special section for "cold weather/wet rides." If I'm leaving town for a ride I print it out and make sure I cross everything off.

BTW, I found a set of car keys this week that I lost 3 years ago. They were in the pocket of an old coat I never wear.

The Weak Link

It sounds pretty reasonable for a racer. I would think that training for a race, paying the entry fee, waking up early and arriving at the venue only to discover that I'd left the front wheel at home (which has happened to some of the boys at the racing forum) would rate right up there with forgetting that your bike was on the roof rack.

DX-MAN

I'm still trying to train myself to take care of the essentials list WHEN I think about it beforehand -- like when I think about, "Hey, the weather looks good for tomorrow's commute!" If I don't take care of it THEN, something gets forgotten.

Couple times, I've walked to the garage (about 50 feet behind the back of the house) from the front door, not wanting to wake up the rest of the house, and pulled the bike out, thrown a leg over, and...looked at my Nikes, instead of my riding shoes. That's only acceptable IF you're not already running late....

NOS88

When and/or if it happens, just act as if nothing is wrong and that you came as one of the volunteer support folks for this particular ride. Never, under any circumstances admit what you've really done.

roadrider63

My worst so far is forgetting my water bottles in the fridge. Drove 45 miles and had to stop at a gas station to find some bottles of water that fit my cages. It all worked out, just another story to tell.

Dan Burkhart 

Its always a comfort to know that one is not alone when it comes to declining faculties.
Not bike related, but just last week, I bought a time card for my pay as you go cell phone. I tried unsucessfully for a full hour to activate it until I finally realized I'd bought the wrong phone company's card. DOH!

gcottay

A perfect memory is only three steps away.

First you, uh, well, you . . .

Beverly

I beat you to it, jppe

A couple years ago when I was still working I did a lot of rides after work. I usually kept the bike in the back of the van and only had to take my cycling clothes each time. I had taken the bike out of the van for cleaning and forgot to put it back so there I was with everything but the bike

ParaWK4

I have heard stories of people driving to a ride with their bike only to find out they left the front wheel at home - I could see where that could happen.

TromboneAl

I have a sheet by the door with checklists for every kind of outing: Fishing, surfing, biking, general, etc. It's saved my butt many times, but a few times I've forgotten to check the checklist. Actually, here it is:

Combined Checklists

Fishing

Rods
Reels
Tackle Box
Towel
Fishing License
Money
Water
Fish Container
Stringer
Knife
Fishing Line
Hooks
Weights
Bait
Lures
Bobbers
Stringer
First Aid Kit
Sun Screen
Wear Old Clothing
Warm Clothing
Hat
Sun Glasses
Troutmatic Chair
Canoeing



Canoe
Paddles
PFD's
Sunscreen
Bathing Suits
Anchor
Dark Glasses
Hat with Visor
Surfing

Boards
Wetsuit
Gloves
Booties
Wax
Bathing Suit
Ear Plugs
Towels
Warm Water
Surfboard Lock
Sunscreen
Bike Trip

Lock
Lock Key
Water Bottle
Helmet
Library Card
Money
Change
Sunscreen On
Seat Pack Kit
Pump
Cell Phone
Camera
Energy Bars
General

Cell Phone
Walkie Talkies
Change
Camera
Books
Sunscreen