I’ll start with the tools that I didn’t have with me today. My bottom bracket bolt backed out while I was riding and the crank arm came off and was hanging from my shoe. I found the bolt but ran into a small problem; the multi tool that I brought didn’t have a big enough hex head to fit the bolt. This is where Troy came in the first time. He had a Crank Brothers multi tool that you can pick up for $30 which comes with the bigger hex head.

The second mishap was a pinch flat I had toward the end of the ride. I think my rear tire was a little low on pressure which may have caused it. Now that I think about it, I didn’t have three things that could have potentially helped my problem. I didn’t have any sort of patch for the tube, an extra tube, or tire levers. Again, Troy came to the rescue and had a tube and tire levers for me to use. He had Park Tool tire levers with hooks on them that allow you to anchor one to a spoke while you’re working the other. You can pick up a Park Tool tire lever at Jenson USA for $2.95 (I’ll be getting some).

You can also get a Park Tool glueless patch kit at Jenson for $2.49. Also make sure you have an extra tube, you can pick an extra Presta or Schraeder tube for $2.50.

So that takes care of just what I was missing. You also want to make sure you have a good mini pump for the flat tire situations. Other things that will be handy on the trail are a good cell phone, especially when you are riding by yourself, some gel packs or protein bars for the long rides and of course you will need a good quality pack to carry it all in. I made it through the ride because I was riding with somebody who was prepared; make sure you are the prepared one next time you ride.