All that stuff I need to carry for a century?

potnoodlecp · June 2007

I'll be doing my first century in a few weeks and I got to wondering about all the stuff I need to take with me -

pump
puncture kit
spare tube (may not bother)
phone
multi tool
energy bars / food
waterproof
money

What's the best way to actually carry all this stuff? I normally mtb with a hydration pack on so bung it all in there but for this I have fitted road tyres to my cross bike and I don't want to wear the back pack.

Those little bags that attach to the saddle seem to be all there is but surely I wont get all that in?

Can't have a bar bag coz i don't think it will fit with my cross levers

alan_sherman · June 2007

I use a small saddle bag which fits:

2 tubes (quicker than trying to fit a puncture at side of the road)
park sticky patches (never know...)
Tyre levers
Multitool with sizes that actually fit things like cleats, bolts on the bike)
Chain tool
electritians tape
Spoke key

Then on the bike have a pump

And in jersey pockets have food, phone, credit card and money (not my full wallet), water proof /arm warmers.

On my carbon bike I don't even use the saddlebag and pump bracket - it all goes into the rear jersey pockets.

Cyclist, public transport passenger, pedestrian, driver, motorcyclist.
I get on OK with myself, so why can't we all get on with each other?

Greenbank · June 2007

I have a Topeak Aero Wedge saddlepack and inside that I have:-

p*nct*r* repair kit (glue, patches, 2 levers)
spare tube
Spesh EMT Sport multi tool
Leatherman mini (knife and pliers)
Small adjustable spanner
Chain tool
Spoke Key
Little bag of spares (nuts, bolts, SPD cleat, etc)
6 or so links of chain (I ride fixed)
Length of electrical tape wound round short pencil
Couple of zip ties
Latex gloves (useful for keeping hands clean when fettling)
2 Anti-septic wipes and a couple of plasters

Then put the following in jersey pockets:-

mini-pump
phone
energy bars/food
money
possible second spare tube
waterproof jacket (Paclite, folds up small)

So, if you don't have one already, think about getting a cycling jersey with the 3 pockets on the back. They may make you look like a bit of gimp but they're very practical.

--
If I had a baby elephant signature, I'd use that.

domtyler · June 2007

Don't worry about it too much, you are not circumnavigating the globe here. Just take the bare essentials.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Porridge not Petrol
________
NEW MEXICO MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

potnoodlecp · June 2007

hmmm I had forgotten about those pockets on the back of my jersey, so use to wearing a pack

greenback, what size topeak wedge do you have? they seem to have pump loops too so that would help

andy_wrx · June 2007

Won't you need a kettle, a camping stove and some water for your pot noodle ?

Seriously, medium size Topeak saddlepack holds
- 2 spare tubes
- AND p*nct*re repair kit (on basis that carrying it means I'll not need it...)
- tyre levers
- multitool
- spoke key
- chain tool
- couple of spare missing link chain connectors from chains I've replaced
- couple of zip ties, couple of rubber bands
- couple of ibuprofen
- minipump on straps outside bag

In jersey pockets
- phone
- bit of cash
- food : flapjacks & bananas usually
- sunglasses if necessary
- arm warmers if necessary
- light windproof or full waterproof, as forecast suggests
- cleat covers, although if pockets are full they can go up legs of cycling shorts !

Out on the TT bike, where I won't be more than 10/15 miles from home as the crow flies, 1 spare tube, pump, tyre levers, multitool & phone all fit in rear pockets

why is it sunny all week yet rains at weekends ?

ian_oli · June 2007

Err...
Dont forget bottle(s).

I prefer a pump that clips on to a fitting which goes on the bottle basses along with the bottle cage - you can get a longer pump and dont end up with it sticking in your back.

Get self-adhesive patches and forget the glue?

Blonde · June 2007

On 200km audaxes I take 2 x inner tubes, levers, puncture repair kit, chain tool, multi tool, tyre boot and zip ties. The only thing I have not yet used is the tyre boot. All this fits in small Brooks saddle gag - similar size to a small wedge pack.

I have a frame fit pump.

I put my wallet in my jersey pocket and stuff the jersey pockets full of food: cereal bars, bananas, cake, malt loaf. It really depends on whether or not you are intending to stop to top up water/food supplies or stop at a cafe to eat, as to how much food you will need to carry with you, but there are usually three pockets so you can get plenty in!

You can attach a waterproof or spare layer(s) underneath a wedge pack or saddle bag by using bungee cords or luggage straps, looped through the saddle rails.

Edit - Oops! no one spotted my <s>deliberate</s> typo! 'Saddle gag'; silences even the noisiest saddles! [:I]

ColinJ · June 2007

You can get a range of sizes from tiny bags to very big ones! Perhaps you need something like this?

Note the warning about carrying tools (or other big hard objects) in your back pockets - diy kidney surgery if you fall off!

Going through the other replies:

Self-adhesive patches. I stopped using them after too many punctures in the wet. I couldn't get them to stick properly.

I always take at least two spare tubes - one for me, and one for the inevitable person I come across who doesn't carry spare tubes (or puncture kit?)! I have had more than one puncture on a ride before now. I've also had tubes fail at the valve and a puncture kit won't help you there. One mate who was carrying tubes had two spares fail the same way as the original - they all split along the seams (faulty batch of lightweight Specialized tubes). I gave up both my spares to him, and then I got a puncture, so I had to patch my tube.

Yes, don't forget the tyre levers!

I don't like mini-pumps. Many times, I've had to lend my larger pump to people who can't get enough pressure out of their pump. If you are going to buy one, at least test it first to pump up a tyre from flat to a reasonable get-you-home pressure. Now imagine doing that when you are tired and caught out in a thunderstorm...

The guy with the faulty tubes used CO2 cyclinders. What did he do when he ran out of CO2? He borrowed my pump to pump up my spare tubes in his tyres! Even if you want the convenience of CO2, always carry a pump as well.

Zip ties - every one goes on about how useful they can be. I was doing the Spring Into the Dales audax a few months back and decided to carry a few ties, even though I'd never previously needed one. 4 hours later I came across a guy whose freewheel had broken at the top of a steep hill. He was trying to bodge a fixed wheel by tying his largest sprocket to his spokes with a piece of string. This was a job for Zip Tie Man!

Waterproof - if it is cold and wet enough to need a proper heavy duty waterproof - wear it! If you are riding in showers, take a lightweight water-resistant jacket. They pack down really small. If it is not too warm, keep it on and unzip it to regulate your temperature.

Definitely carry a chaintool! I've had to fix broken chains for people who didn't have the right tool. Also - learn how to use it back at home - if you push the pins out too far, you will never get them back in! You don't want to be doing this out on the road for the first time. I always carry a couple of SRAM powerlinks so I can just take out a broken link and replace it with a pair of them (also handy for taking the chain off to clean it).

Don't carry too much food - that's what money and shops are for.

Don't forget a map or GPS unit - I often take both.

Nobody so far has mentioned the most important stuff of all - a mobile windbreak in the form of a couple of big strong cyclists riding just in front of you at exactly the right speed - tuck in behind them!

PS Stuff often falls out of back pockets. I've seen all sorts of stuff lying in the road on big organised century rides - mobiles, wallets, armwarmers, MP3 player, several mini-pumps, and miscellaneous maps, route-sheets, love-letters, shopping lists...

A Miss is as good as a mile, especially if she cycles...

pbiggs · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by potnoodle
spare tube (may not bother)<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Do bother. Not all types of tube failure can be fixed with a patch. It's common enough to need a spare tube to justify carrying one always. Ultralight tubes pack up smaller than standard ones, so it won't take up much space if you take one of them.

Also carry a Park Tyre Boot (special patch) to fix a ripped tyre.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">What's the best way to actually carry all this stuff?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">You could get all that in one of the larger under-saddle wedge bags if your waterproof isn't too big.

By the way, a waterproof is going to make you too hot if the weather is warm. Better to just get wet. A string vest type base layer under your jersey will keep the chill off. A spare jersey may fit in your bag as well for when it stops raining.

~Pete

pauluscp · June 2007

Many riders get hung up about doing a century ride. It is no more in effort than doing a longish commute. Take your normal puncture repair kit with a couple of spare tubes and a pump, a good multi tool, mine is a topeak one with all the tools you would need, unless your frame snaps in half. Two water bottles and what ever food you are planning to take. You can always buy some food enroute. It has been mentioned before but a few cable ties might also come in handy.
Cable tie your pump to the frame,
Your repair kit and tubes can go in your saddle pack/bag.
Your food can be stuffed into your jersey pockets.
your phone/wallet can also go into your jersey pockets.
And lastly,

Enjoy your first 100 miler. Good luck.

So many roads, so little time!!!

Blonde · June 2007

AFAIK I have never lost anything out of a jersey pocket, (I only use them for wallet and food) though I imagine that if you put sharp tools in your jersey pockets you might loose them through the holes they'd made in it! I do remeber a crash once where the orange I had forgotten that I'd placed in my jersey pocket took a good deal of the impact. My back was fine but I couldn't fathom out what this odd sticky stuff all over it was! The moral: 'Oranges save lives!'... or something..

pbiggs · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by domtyler

Don't worry about it too much, you are not circumnavigating the globe here. Just take the bare essentials.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Depends if you have anyone lined up to come and rescue you. A 50 mile walk home would be a nightmare. A train or taxi might be useable but still that's going to be very inconvenient and expensive.

However I think some of the suggestions mentioned in this thread are over the top. One has to find a balance.

potnoodlecp · June 2007

ok the spare tube is back in

multi tool is topeak alien II, it has everything apart from a corkscrew which seems a serious omission, anyway its got a chain tool and stuff

soft stuff, food in jersey pockets rest of it in a topeak wedge (

waterproof i may have to strap on somewhere it only packs smallish

cable ties, i always used to carry them but gave up coz i never used them, i might start again

2 water bottle cages and bottles are going on

thanks for the suggestions

actually scrap all that I might just get ColinJ to follow me and he can fix everything

chriswcp · June 2007

Mobile phone, credit card and 5x20p in case you can't get coverage.

Always do 100 miles in a circuit with centre being your home.

Colinj: do you actualy use any of the stuff you mentioned or is it all to rescue other people? You should set up a company. Keep up the good work.

Greenbank · June 2007

Ah yes. Park Tyre Boot is usually in there as well (it hardly takes up any space at all).

On an Audax I'll carry a frame pump (Zefal/Truflo HPX) but for local jaunts my Topeak Micro Rocket (CB bling) will do. It's tiny but it can get up to decent pressure (100psi) but it is a tiring upper body workout.

It's a Large Topeak Wedge (and yes, the pump holder is useful), although it has velcro straps not buckles or clips like the pictures on Wiggle.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 5360006686

Got a meeting to go to in a minute but I'll take a photo of pack, and the contents, when I'm back. Fascinating I know; I hope you don't all burst with antipication and suspense.

--
If I had a baby elephant signature, I'd use that.

Blonde · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by chrisw

Colinj: do you actualy use any of the stuff you mentioned or is it all to rescue other people? You should set up a company. Keep up the good work.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54CpPlCnM4I

ColinJ · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Blonde

AFAIK I have never lost anything out of a jersey pocket, (I only use them for wallet and food) though I imagine that if you put sharp tools in your jersey pockets you might loose them through the holes they'd made in it! I do remeber a crash once where the orange I had forgotten that I'd placed in my jersey pocket took a good deal of the impact. My back was fine but I couldn't fathom out what this odd sticky stuff all over it was! The moral: 'Oranges save lives!'... or something..
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I knew a mountain biker who chickened out on a steep rocky descent once. His panic braking locked his front wheel and he flew over the handlebars, flipped over and landed flat on his back on rock. He had that same sticky back sensation and thought he'd done himself some serious damage. It turns out that he'd had 2 litres of carbo-drink in his camelbak and that had exploded on impact, protecting him from harm [8D]!

A Miss is as good as a mile, especially if she cycles...

ColinJ · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by chrisw

Mobile phone, credit card and 5x20p in case you can't get coverage.

Always do 100 miles in a circuit with centre being your home.

Colinj: do you actualy use any of the stuff you mentioned or is it all to rescue other people? You should set up a company. Keep up the good work.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Some of the places I go to don't have mobile coverage, telephone boxes OR many houses!

My mate (of tube-splitting fame) once crashed on a descent in the Forest of Bowland. He was looking East across towards the fringes of the Yorkshire Dales, enjoying the views of limestone-pavement-clad hills, when he ran out of road. He endoed and head-butted a dry stone wall. It completely freaked me out because he had a massive lump on his head and a big cut which was pouring blood. I certainly didn't rescue him [:0]!

He just wiped the blood out of his eyes and calmly got down to work. He had his own chaintool so he fixed his chain which had somehow snapped in the impact. He took the front tyre and tube off, slapped the rim against the road a few times to knock most of the kink out of it, and then used his spoke key to retrue the wheel enough to ride it 25 miles back to his car. It was miles to the nearest call box, a mile or two to the nearest farm, and I'm sure that we wouldn't have got a signal out there in those days, or maybe even now.

I think that you should be capable of dealing with most of what happens out on the road, and that means carrying a lot of things mentioned above. To have to walk miles in Look shoes because you can't fix a broken chain is daft, and in bad weather could even be dangerous. Obviously I wouldn't advocate carrying welding gear just in case your steel frame snapped. But yes, I have used all my tools/spares at one time or another for myself or to help another rider. I have also been helped by other riders from time to time. Once I was bonking so badly that I couldn't work out how to fix a puncture!

As for the Good Samaritan thing... A few years back, I used to ride regularly with another mate who never carried anything other than one bottle of water. He got away with it for weeks, then inevitably he got a puncture. I asked him why he wasn't equipped to deal with it and he replied "I don't want to weigh myself down with all that crap - I never get punctures.."! I pointed at his flat tyre. "Er, until now that is..." I was really annoyed with him and felt that he ought to be taught a lesson that he wouldn't forget so I felt tempted to tell him to walk home. I only relented when he told me that he'd phone his girlfriend and she'd have to drive 25 miles to pick him up. After that I inspected his spares and tools before we set off on each ride, and said I'd stop riding with him if he tried that again.

It is one thing to help kids, but another to have to help negligent adults. I don't mind if they are just unlucky, though. Having 3 faulty tubes was not my mate's fault. After using up his CO2 cyclinders on those, he started carrying a pump.

I try to be helpful, but not be a sucker. I believe in 'What goes around comes around' and 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' but I am not Bicycle Repair Man [;)]!

I have also both given and received food and drink in times of need.

I've even given and received pushes going up hills, though I'm not strong enough to do much of that.

Oh, incidentally, the Forest of Bowland and back is a nice century ride from where I live Hebden Bridge. At the furthest point I would be 40+ miles from home. If I did a circular ride I'd have to go through grotty built-up areas like Huddersfield, Leeds/Bradford, Bingley, Keighley...

If you do a circular century ride centred on home, you pretty much have only a choice of two rides - clockwise and anti-clockwise, through whatever happens to be there!

A Miss is as good as a mile, especially if she cycles...

Hugh A · June 2007

Things I take on Century rides (and most other rides going mmore then a mile or so from home)

Pump - Wese 'long mini' best one I have found which fits on bottle boss clamps - everyone borrows it when we're in a group and they get a flat - it saves waiting for half an hour while they struggle to get 60psi out of a lipstick tube

In seat pack:

Tyre lever - expanding one that you push round the wheel
Spare tube
Mini tool with chain tool and sticky patches
Electrical tape
Section of duct tape - mostly for tyre boot
zip ties
gel
cereal bar
œ1.30

In pockets:
Spare clothing depending on weather
Food depending on ride length
Money (if I have a zip pocket)
Phone - sometimes

I have used most of them at one time or another, most often minitool, tyre lever and pump, spare tube, patches, duct tape and of course money.

I'm sure I had one of those here somewhere

Greenbank · June 2007

Top Tip!

If you have Pitlock Security Skewers fitted then remember to pack your special unique key.

Fixing punctures in situ is possible, but quite annoying.

Fixing a complete blowout is impossible.

--
If I had a baby elephant signature, I'd use that.

bunnyman · June 2007

A baby elephant, of course!

Why is the last mile always the hardest mile ? - The Smiths

Chris James · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ColinJ

If I did a circular ride I'd have to go through grotty built-up areas like Huddersfield...

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

How dare you!

DLB · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Chris James

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ColinJ

If I did a circular ride I'd have to go through grotty built-up areas like Huddersfield...

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

How dare you!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

could be worse - could be Rotherham [;)]

*** Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're probably right ***

ColinJ · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Chris James

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ColinJ

If I did a circular ride I'd have to go through grotty built-up areas like Huddersfield...

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

How dare you!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Er, perhaps, I should rephrase that... [:I]!

I think that built-up areas these days are typically grotty places to be avoided wherever possible by cyclists, even though we have the right to be there should we so choose. Towns and cities often subject us to heavy traffic, bad-mannered drivers, broken glass in the roads, litter lying about, gangs of youths hanging around smoking skunk and drinking Special Brew, occasionally leaping out into the road, jeering, or lobbing empties at us. They are noisy, polluted, stressful places to ride compared to quiet lanes surrounded by green fields.

Of course, I could be wrong... [;)]

If I did a circular ride I'd have to go through built-up areas such as Huddersfield, Leeds/Bradford, Bingley, Keighley...

A Miss is as good as a mile, especially if she cycles...

Chris James · June 2007

Only kidding. I live In Emley and my circular rides tend to cover Holmfirth and the countryside around Barnsely - because they are not built up! I never cycle into Huddersfield and tend not to go North from my home as I will end up around Dewsbury.

I think we all prefer scenic rides.

Aidocp · June 2007

What's the best cereal bar to carry in your jersey? I tried a rice crispie bar with chocholate and glugose, after 40 miles it had melted, not pleasant. I'm now using Quaker Oats bars but I've never carried them in jersey that might free up some space for other things.

If I had a baby elephant, who would take it for walks?

andy_wrx · June 2007

The mags have reviews periodically which compare those produced specifically as energy bars, rather than as snacks, and these will say which contain the best sugars, which are quicker absorbed, etc.

But I'd argue 'the best' is the one you enjoy, like the taste of - I wouldn't choose to eat a Powerbar for instance because I just think they're awful taste, texture, etc and then make me feel queasy.

Some are a bit drier than others so you will need to drink more, but it's personal preference - whichever squirrel-sh*t bar you like.
The Traidcraft ones seem popular.

I would avoid chocolate though, if you're going to carry it in your pocket.

Small things - energy gels, fig rolls, for instance - can be stuffed-up your shorts leg and held in by the leg gripper, are then very conveniently to hand on the ride.
I would definitely avoid chocolate if doing this !

why is it sunny all week yet rains at weekends ?

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by domtyler

Don't worry about it too much, you are not circumnavigating the globe here. Just take the bare essentials.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Best advice of all domtyler !!

Do you know the five lamps ?

Aunty Rubbish · June 2007

Just thought I'd stick in my pennyworth in on top of everyone else's good advice.

It helps if you're properly organised. I use a wash bag for my emergency kit. It has pockets and compartments and rolls up into a sensible package. Means I never have to dig around for a tool or whatever. Also means I can carry everything I need in one easily transferred package, which is useful as I always use backpacks, even for century rides. So long as you don't overfill them and they fit you well you'll be fine.

Chuffy

Asterixcp · June 2007

My tourer has 3 sets of bottle bosses. The set under the down tube holds the bottle in which I keep most of the tools I carry.

i.e.
puncture repair kit
chain oil
tyre lever
multi-tool
small spanner for the parts the multi-tool can't reach
etc.

Who would nick a rather scruffy drinks bottle?

Pour vivre heureux, vivons le v‚lo..

All that stuff I need to carry for a century?

Comments

Categories