I got to a charity century ride once and realized I'd forgotten my cycling shoes. Rode the whole thing in my running shoes, with spd-sl pedals-on my single speed. Wasn't too bad. Only had about 3,800 ft of climbing.

I forgot my tire levers one time. Of course I got a flat, and I was on a road bike with these gawdawful tires that were difficult to get off.

It was a ride from Denver to Boulder CO in the spring, and while I was fumbling around trying to get the blasted tire off, the temperature dropped and it started to snow. I found a bike shop a little over a mile away, said screw it, and walked the bike there. I think it's the only time I've ever paid a bike shop to change a tube.

Helmet once, shoes once, water bottles twice, gloves a few times, but mostly my cell phone, several times.

Just yesterday I was a mile from home and realized I'd forgotten my new Stick Pod with all my stuff in it: spare tube, CO2 etc. Didn't feel like turning around for it and I did have my phone just in case so I kept on going. Got home no problems and made sure I put my Stick Pod on my shoes so I won't forget again.

Similar, but a fast group with a lot of climbing. It was bad, but I got some #5 points.

I've forgotten to take my shoes when taking my bike to start a ride and I've taken the wrong shoes with the wrong cleats for the bike I took a few times. The worst forgetfulness was when I loaded my bike into the back seat of my truck and forgot to put the front wheel inside...and then proceeded to back over my wheel. :(

I've forgotten my helmet until I got home and tried to take it off. I guess that eliminates discomfort as an excuse for not wearing it.

Forgetting shoes must be a common one, my friend and I went to a race and hour away and he forgot his shoes and had to watch from the sidelines. I recently brought the wrong shoes for my road bike with MTB pedals. In my youth I left my front racing wheel with a brand new silk tubular at the racecourse next to my car and drove home without it. Never got it back, it still irks me.

I forgot my shoes once. We had driven an hour so my wife could do a ride to prep for a bike trip. All I had were my keds. So... I biked using my keds, on pedals that had no platforms. Lucky it was only 25-30 miles. After that, I bought a set of platform adapters that will turn SPD pedals into platforms, and I leave them in the car.

Helmet a few times, I noticed as soon as I could feel the wind... differently. Quick U-turn, back to home.
Water bottles quite a few times. If I was planning on 90 minutes or less, I just went without.
Gloves. So, so many times.

Have never forgotten anything when driving to a start point, because I go into OCD mode and check the contents of the gear bag at least 10 times. I also only drive to a start point a handful of times year.

cool
 

It was -7 this morning should have wore pants under my snow pants. It was a little drafty.

Well, I can't remember half the stuff I forgot.... what's this thread about anyway? My biggies; helmet for quick local rides and keys in pocket for same.

Water bottle, helmet, gloves, lights and lock. Lack of a lock can really change your plans.

I never go anywhere without the ability to fix a flat, tools and tubes live on my bikes.

In many states its illegal to wear headphones while operating a car/motorcycle/bicycle. Check up on that where you ride to be safe.

S

After driving 4 hours to a charity ride, I realized that I brought shoes from two different pairs. Luckily, one was a left and the other a right and had the same cleats. Just started my own fashion trend that day. I have forgotten a lock when running errands, socks, helmet, water bottles, gloves, tools, tube, pump, money, and sunscreen (I have a massive collection of bottles now).

Clark Griswold reincarnate. :lol:

Helmet.

wonder if this counts ... (forgetting which way I was going) biking a round-trip on a long paved bike trail, surrounded by woods, I have on TWO separate occasions (approx a year apart), taken a "pit-stop" then proceeded to get back on the bike going the WRONG way. since everything looks the same it's weird what triggers my acknowledgement. one time it was a dead bunny (on the return trip) because I had not seen it doing the first segment, but saw it on the second segment. so when I saw it a 2nd time, I knew I was going in the wrong direction

The only thing I have never forgotten is my bike.

Oh, here's a good one: this last summer I rode to the grocery store one mile from my house and locked up my Saga. Went inside and got some items, came out and realized the lock's key was still at home. That's a long walk of shame in stiff MTB shoes with SPD cleats. No curse words satisfying enough for that, I wish I could say it was the first time that's happened.

I forget to bring my fast motor on every single ride...;)

I have forgotten the time on some good rides :)