My Top 10 Essentials For Every Road Ride
05-06-20, 05:12 PM
#1
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My Top 10 Essentials For Every Road Ride
With only three pockets to work with on a cycling jersey, it’s always great to focus on bringing only the necessities for long days in the saddle. The goal for every road cyclist is to be as fast and aerodynamic as possible, so packing jerseys smart is important so as not to be weighed down. Things tend to happen when you least expect it and being prepared gives peace of mind. I focus my essentials on three categories: nutrition, maintenance, and personal items. I wrote a post on my blog about the Top 10 essential items for every road ride. Have a look and share what you pack in your jerseys.
https://www.manualpedal.com/top-10-e...ery-road-ride/
https://www.manualpedal.com/top-10-e...ery-road-ride/
05-06-20, 05:16 PM
#2
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Looks about right. One addition I would consider is a few peel/stick patches in case you have more than 1 flat.
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05-06-20, 05:59 PM
#3
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Originally Posted by datlas
Looks about right. One addition I would consider is a few peel/stick patches in case you have more than 1 flat.
05-06-20, 08:04 PM
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No multitool?! 
05-06-20, 09:24 PM
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I don't see the point of carrying two tubes and a patch kit, or multiple CO2 cartridges and a pump.
As WhyFi pointed out, where's the multitool?
As WhyFi pointed out, where's the multitool?
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05-06-20, 10:00 PM
#7
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i thought beer and pizza or tacos/mexigrub were included in the 10 essentials. my bad.
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05-06-20, 10:23 PM
#8
Senior Member
Water, food, flat repair, jacket, cell phone.That covers the most likely things for a one-day ride.
After that, it's like religion, as far as what people decide is important.
After that, it's like religion, as far as what people decide is important.
05-06-20, 10:56 PM
#9
Non omnino gravis
All of the stuff below the food goes on the bike, because I ride more than one bike, and they all use different stuff.
The food is conditional-- I don't take any food at all under 50 miles or so.
My right jersey pocket has my phone.
My center jersey pocket has a Lezyne Roll Caddy, (which is a terrible saddle bag but excellent for a jersey pocket) and holds necessities that are not bike specific (tools, money, back-up USB battery pack, etc.)
My left jersey pocket holds food, if food is needed on that ride.
I see no reason to keep tire-related goods in a jersey pocket, as they are not needed +95% of the time.
The food is conditional-- I don't take any food at all under 50 miles or so.
My right jersey pocket has my phone.
My center jersey pocket has a Lezyne Roll Caddy, (which is a terrible saddle bag but excellent for a jersey pocket) and holds necessities that are not bike specific (tools, money, back-up USB battery pack, etc.)
My left jersey pocket holds food, if food is needed on that ride.
I see no reason to keep tire-related goods in a jersey pocket, as they are not needed +95% of the time.
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05-06-20, 11:25 PM
#10
staring at the mountains
phone, mini-pump, (sometimes) money in center back pocket. (sometimes) cleat covers in one pocket. (sometimes) food in other pocket.
tube, multitool, tire lever, and dollar bill in small saddle bag (older version of this one, svelte and out of the way: https://ride.lezyne.com/collections/...b-rdcaddy-v104)
tube, multitool, tire lever, and dollar bill in small saddle bag (older version of this one, svelte and out of the way: https://ride.lezyne.com/collections/...b-rdcaddy-v104)
05-07-20, 04:18 AM
#11
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Originally Posted by superdex
phone, mini-pump, (sometimes) money in center back pocket. (sometimes) cleat covers in one pocket. (sometimes) food in other pocket.
tube, multitool, tire lever, and dollar bill in small saddle bag (older version of this one, svelte and out of the way: https://ride.lezyne.com/collections/...b-rdcaddy-v104)
tube, multitool, tire lever, and dollar bill in small saddle bag (older version of this one, svelte and out of the way: https://ride.lezyne.com/collections/...b-rdcaddy-v104)
05-07-20, 04:47 AM
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Originally Posted by aplcr0331
Whats the dollar bill for?
05-07-20, 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by bung
Probably to use as a tire boot.
Yup, that's why I keep a $5 in my tool kit - I can use it as a boot, if necessary, or to buy some food if I didn't plan well with the snacks.
05-07-20, 09:06 AM
#15
Senior Member
Bike:
Garmin
Rear/front lights
Water bottles (2)
Fly 6
Saddle bag:
Inner tubes (2)
CO2 carriages (2)
CO2 inflator
Tire levers (2)
Multi-tool
Chain link
Dollar bills (2)
House key
Left back pocket:
Phone & $5 in rain sleeve
Center back pocket:
Wipes in plastic bag (Have you ever sit, take care of business and THEN notice there’s no toilet paper?)
Right back pocket:
Electrolyte powder (1-3 depending on length of ride)
Garmin
Rear/front lights
Water bottles (2)
Fly 6
Saddle bag:
Inner tubes (2)
CO2 carriages (2)
CO2 inflator
Tire levers (2)
Multi-tool
Chain link
Dollar bills (2)
House key
Left back pocket:
Phone & $5 in rain sleeve
Center back pocket:
Wipes in plastic bag (Have you ever sit, take care of business and THEN notice there’s no toilet paper?)
Right back pocket:
Electrolyte powder (1-3 depending on length of ride)
05-07-20, 09:12 AM
#16
Senior Member
I put things that can't get wet in a small dry bag that goes in one of the jersey pockets. I've had zip loc bags fail before. If it's a hot day, your sweat will soak stuff just like rain.
https://seatosummitusa.com/collectio...xoCdQAQAvD_BwE
You might be better off finding a hidden spot outside of your domicile for your keys and leaving them there instead of taking them on the ride. If you drive to your ride same applies for your car keys. Things tend to get lost in accidents. If one does occur and you are laid up in the hospital, someone can check on you pet, etc. If you use a form of Road ID/identification, generally best to wear it as a bracelet or necklace. That way, the EMTs will find it when checking for vitals.
https://seatosummitusa.com/collectio...xoCdQAQAvD_BwE
You might be better off finding a hidden spot outside of your domicile for your keys and leaving them there instead of taking them on the ride. If you drive to your ride same applies for your car keys. Things tend to get lost in accidents. If one does occur and you are laid up in the hospital, someone can check on you pet, etc. If you use a form of Road ID/identification, generally best to wear it as a bracelet or necklace. That way, the EMTs will find it when checking for vitals.
Last edited by seypat; 05-07-20 at 09:26 AM.
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05-07-20, 09:34 AM
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I don't carry a multi-tool either. I would also add a bit of cash, as well as a napkin or two.
05-07-20, 09:47 AM
#18
staring at the mountains
Originally Posted by bung
Probably to use as a tire boot.
Learned the hard way the one (and only) time I rode the Hotter-n-Hell Hundred. I flatted no less than 3 times because the hole in the tire was large enough that I punctured in the same spot over and over.
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05-07-20, 09:53 AM
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Here's what I carry in my saddle bag.
In my pockets I carry a cell phone, $20, ID and some food.
In my pockets I carry a cell phone, $20, ID and some food.
05-07-20, 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by aplcr0331
Oh?
TIL, I guess.
TIL, I guess.
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05-07-20, 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by DrIsotope
All of the stuff below the food goes on the bike, because I ride more than one bike, and they all use different stuff.
The food is conditional-- I don't take any food at all under 50 miles or so.
My right jersey pocket has my phone.
My center jersey pocket has a Lezyne Roll Caddy, (which is a terrible saddle bag but excellent for a jersey pocket) and holds necessities that are not bike specific (tools, money, back-up USB battery pack, etc.)
My left jersey pocket holds food, if food is needed on that ride.
I see no reason to keep tire-related goods in a jersey pocket, as they are not needed +95% of the time.
The food is conditional-- I don't take any food at all under 50 miles or so.
My right jersey pocket has my phone.
My center jersey pocket has a Lezyne Roll Caddy, (which is a terrible saddle bag but excellent for a jersey pocket) and holds necessities that are not bike specific (tools, money, back-up USB battery pack, etc.)
My left jersey pocket holds food, if food is needed on that ride.
I see no reason to keep tire-related goods in a jersey pocket, as they are not needed +95% of the time.
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05-07-20, 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Money works well. Just make sure you carry a one. I forgot once a had to use a twenty.
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05-07-20, 01:28 PM
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Yep, just keep that setup on every bike and you're good to go. If the bike has tubeless tires, swap out the patch kit for a plug kit. And, if you want to free up more pocket space, get an Apple watch and leave the cell phone at home.
Originally Posted by GlennR
Here's what I carry in my saddle bag.
In my pockets I carry a cell phone, $20, ID and some food.
In my pockets I carry a cell phone, $20, ID and some food.
05-08-20, 06:00 AM
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You are all missing the most important items.
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