Don’t Leave Home Without It

January 31st, 2007 by Mike

When you are gearing up for a ride there are certain items that you do not want to leave home without.

Like…

Bike (most important)
Helmet (second most important)
Extra tube (the right size perhaps – been there done that)
A mini pump
Tire patch
Etc.

I’ve been known to hit the trail without much in my pack, it hasn’t bit me in the ass yet (because I usually ride with people who come prepared) but I’m sure it will. What are some things that you absolutely will not hit the trail without?

21 Responses to “Don’t Leave Home Without It”

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1 MTBikeAZ on Jan 31st, 2007 at 6:56 pm

I’ve gotten all the way to the trailhead only to find that I forgot my shoes! Riding clipless pedals without your shoes is no fun at all. I now have a separate bag that I keep my helmet and shoes in all the time. I never take them out of the bag except to ride — then they go right back in the bag. Let’s just hope I don’t ever forget the bag now…
2 Larry in AK on Jan 31st, 2007 at 8:04 pm

A multitool of some kind. The web address above gets the page of the Park tool I carry. It’s small and just enough to get you home when something comes loose.
3 Jeff on Jan 31st, 2007 at 8:13 pm

Water! I usually end up taking more than I need, because I usually end up riding farther than I had planned to. It’s also helpful to keep your absent minded friends hydrated!
4 Mike on Jan 31st, 2007 at 8:18 pm

I fall into the absent minded crowd. I’ve borrowed gel packs, tubes, pumps and more I’m sure.
5 nathan on Jan 31st, 2007 at 8:18 pm

SHOES!!!

i kid you not, missed a race last year because i forgot to bring shoes.
6 Tim Grahl on Jan 31st, 2007 at 9:33 pm

Both wheels…

Before a race in Dec there was a guy running around asking people if they had an extra wheel. He took it off, put his bike on his car and drove off leaving it in his garage.
7 Tim Rowe on Jan 31st, 2007 at 10:53 pm

Gloves. Come on. When you slide on gravel or bitumen, you’re going to destroy your palms/knuckles without them.
Shoes. Pretty hard to ride eggbeaters otherwise.
Drink bottle/water. Since my rides are usually >2 hours, and there’s no water anywhere I go, this is essential.
Typically I always take a trip computer as well. Mostly for pacing reasons.
8 SlowerThenSnot on Feb 1st, 2007 at 1:52 am

Small flask of Whiskey =)
9 Chris Jennings on Feb 1st, 2007 at 9:27 am

I to have gone to a race without my front wheel. Luckily it was only 30 minutes from home.
10 Chris on Feb 1st, 2007 at 10:40 am

duct tape!
11 David Schloss on Feb 1st, 2007 at 11:33 am

Please, let’s not forget cellphone and ID. Those two can, quite literally, save your life.
12 Gary on Feb 1st, 2007 at 12:40 pm

Pants. It’s no fun having to explain to your boss why you’re wearing bicycle shorts to a business meeting.
13 James on Feb 1st, 2007 at 1:17 pm

Nathan, you are not the only one. I missed a race many years ago back because I showed up with only one shoe. The other one apparently fell out of or off of my car and was sitting in my driveway when I got home.
14 jim g on Feb 1st, 2007 at 3:18 pm

first aid kit, tool kit, at least one spare tube, pump, camera, an emergency gu pack, and an extra layer (jacket or vest)
15 Bidwell on Feb 1st, 2007 at 4:20 pm

Got all the way to Wisconsin (from Iowa) and forgot my shoes- ooops. Otherwise it would be FOOD
16 Sajko on Feb 2nd, 2007 at 5:24 pm

Fire! For many reasons. A head lamp is not a bad idea. If you run tubeless, an extra valve stem and tire levers. Season is of course important, but in winter you will want arm warmers, helmet cover, extra gloves. Tire pump and suspension pump. Chain links and tool. Derailler hangar, duck tape and Ted!

All these things are of course assuming that you are out of cell reception and miles from Stokesville or Carpenters Markets.
17 Psychs on Feb 9th, 2007 at 5:04 pm

100miles, narrow twisty lanes, expensive UK petrol, to park up and find that you’ve left the key that opens the lock to the bike rack..

http://www.activebritsbiking.blogspot.com
18 BiBostin on Feb 9th, 2007 at 10:33 pm

1) Essential items apart from apparel for the conditions are a PUMP!!!! and a spare PUMP!!!! I forgot my frame pump and lost my mini pump from Camel Back pack. Walked 15 miles in SPD cleated “duck” shoes.
2) CASH - enough for a train, bus or cab home if you forget your pump.
3) Spare tubes x 2
4) Cell phone - cheaper to call her in doors rather than the Cab
5) Multi Tool, Chain tool, Tie Wraps, Tyre wall repair or duct tap wrapped around an Ikea pencil
6) Watch - so you know when it will be dark!!!
19 drool on Feb 13th, 2007 at 3:26 pm

For a day gig:

In my seat wedge:

Spare tube
tie wraps
patch kit
tire boots
kevlar emergency spoke
Crank Bros multi 19 tool
Leatherman Micra
tire lever(s)
spare SRAM links and a very short section of chain.

All that stuff will fit under a WTB Rocket V saddle in a Topeak seat wedge (Size M).

Elsewhere:

Frame pump
Water
Swiss army knife (little one)
hand sanitizer
snack stuff
Juice
Phone
Wallet
Compass

The stuff in the seat wedge never leaves the bike. I have the same stuff duplicated in both bike’s wedges so I don’t forget to move it over.
20 gwadzilla on Feb 17th, 2007 at 7:46 pm

yes
a short ride away from home usually tends to be a much longer walk
21 verizon-ring on Feb 21st, 2007 at 5:52 pm

Cool disign! verizon ringtones
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Don’t Leave Home Without It

21 Responses to “Don’t Leave Home Without It”

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