What to take for casual ride

[drewla]

Hi All

Sorry for the really basic question but despite searching here and elsewhere, I've not really found a good answer.

For a casual summer Sunday afternoon ride, e.g. 15-20 miles on the canal towpath, what would people recommend I take with me? Ideally, I want to be as unencumbered as possible, but would experienced cyclists really take tools and waterproofs and spare tube etc?

 

[Garz]

Half a bottle of water in a cage.

 

[Bigtwin]

Seat/bottle cage bag with pucture kit, spare tube, some lube.

A pump.

Stash-away waterproof jacket/gillet.

Summat to drink.

Done.

 

[Will1985]

In the pockets:
Phone
Multitool (inc tyre levers)
Spare inner tube
Keys (I sometimes forget!)

On the bike:
Pump

 

[byegad]

I have on all of my rides, all of the time;

1. The necessaries to repair a puncture. Including any tools and a spare tube.

2. A multitool to adjust brakes and retighten any thing likely to slacken off in general use.

3. A waterproof top.

I'd say any ride where you can't walk home in reasonable time requires you to carry the basics for puncture repairs, The multi tool and waterproofs you can leave behind if you don't mind annoying minor faults developing and you don't mind getting soaked.

As I don't walk too well and hate getting wet and would rather tighten a loose accessory than listen to the rattle I carry them all.

Additionally I take a full water bottle and my mobile phone is always with me.

 

[bigjim]

1. The necessaries to repair a puncture. Including any tools and a spare tube.

2. A multitool to adjust brakes and retighten any thing likely to slacken off in general use.

3. A waterproof top.

banana?

lock?

money/c/card?

 

[PaulSB]

Always on bike:

Spare tube
p*nct*re repair kit
pump
tyre levers
CO2 canister
water

In pockets:

phone
money
banana
waterproof if it looks like rain
£1 shop reading glasses - no point in scratching the prescription ones

 

[purplepolly]

Wear shoes you can walk in and take spare inner tube/tools and a waterproof top. Don't wear jeans as they're horrible when wet.

If you really want to cut down on weight, get an emergency plastic poncho from a walking shop. They take up about the same room as a plastic carrier bag and cost maybe £2. Not great for cyling at speed but it'll be fine for a towpath.

 

[purplepolly]

lock?

yes if you're on your own or stopping for food/drinks
otherwise the other person can mind the bike during a toilet break.

 

[nigelnorris]

Both of my last two punctures have been blowouts which shredded the inner tube, resulting in having to ride home without a spare. Because of that I carry two spare inner tubes now, might be overkill but what they hey. And there's a ten pound note wedged down the back of my saddle bag that I have never touched, just in case of an emergency.

 

[D4VOW]

Phone
Keys
Money
Lock

It's all I ever take when out on a casual ride

 

[Randochap]

You don't need to carry too much on a short ride, but never leave home without a puncture repair kit and a pump ... and know how to use them.

On longer rides, take the kitchen sink.

 

[Banjo]

What to carry

I couldnt relax on a ride with no spare tube or tools. Other than that not much needed.


Even 5 miles is a long way pushing a bike.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Always in my saddle bag ( I have a carradice saddle bag so I can fit a lot in it ) :

2 x inner tubes
Allen key to fit every allen bolt on the bike
Adjustable Spanner
Tyre Levers
Cable Adjusting Tool
Pliers
Wire Cutters
PVC Tape
Those strechy gloves so I dont get oil all over my hands
Chain rivit extractor
Chain quick link
Sometimes a spare chain
If its a long ride a 1 litre spare bottle of water
Waterproof Jacket
Waterproof Trousers (dont know why as I have never worn them even when it rains)
Food of some description
Lock
Probably a load of other stuff I have forgotten about


On the Bike:

Pump
3 x Water Bottles
Lots of lights incase I am out longer than intended


In my Pocket:

Money
Debit card
Mobile Phone

And thats it, nothing much really.

 

[Bigtwin]

Jeez - you're riding an LBS not a bike.