Self rescue procedures and precautions for solo winter rides?

MattFalle

exactly - grazie.

also, they are useless if ypu are wet and wrapping it around you like Dr Doittle above says because all you are doing is keeping the cold and wet in, like wrapping a turkey (pun at Dr Doolittle fully intended) in the fridge.

Get wet person

dry wet person

get dry clothes on previously wet person

wrap in tin foil blanket

blokey ain't going to be carrying wet and dry kit with him so all Dr Doolittle is suggesting is that he parcels himself up nice and wet and cold when there is a friggin' pub/shop/garage/farmhouse/housing estate 2 miles down the road.

homers_double

I usualy rely on solar power for my portable electric blanket but even my calculator is struggling in the depths of winter.

wallace_and_gromit

Pross said:

wallace_and_gromit said:

MattFalle said:

wallace_and_gromit said:

Space blanket is a good idea. They cost peanuts, weigh nothing and take up no space. And even if they are no use to you, there is a small chance you might encounter MF (or someone else equally patronising and full of their own importance) when equipped with one and be able to suffocate him/her, thus doing the cycling world a great favour.

go on then fam, how is he/you going to use it?

Is this a trick question? You wrap it round yourself like a blanket to keep the wind off your damp kit/body. It's not like a chain-splitter which can be challenging with cold fingers.

I think the point MF is making (in his uniquely robust style) is that space blankets don't have very good insulating properties and relying solely on one to keep you warm in wet and / or windy conditions isn't going to work. Their benefit is in reducing the heat your body loses rather than keeping out the cold. If you're already cold it's probably too late, if you're going to sit or lie around in the elements with no shelter and rely on the space blanket keeping you warm you'll be disappointed.

The point MF is making - perhaps inadvertently - is that he is a Grade A presumptious tw*t, who wouldn't look out of place changing his forum ID to "DK".

Who said anything about "...sit or lie around in the elements with no shelter and rely on the space blanket keeping you warm..." anyway? Certainly not me! Tbh, I thought my reference to "...keep the wind off your damp kit/body" was a bit of a hint that I was advocating their use to reduce heat loss via the evaporation of moisture, by acting as a barrier between the moisture and the wind, what with space blankets being impermeable and all.

Anyway, to whom do I submit the planned contents (and utilisation strategies thereof) of my saddlebag for approval prior to riding this weekend?

MattFalle

Nice dit fam.

And nice saddlebag btw. well PRO.

Ben6899

Blimey. Bloke asks for tips on what to carry because he can no longer rely on a lift home because his wife sadly passed away... and all we can do is bicker.

Jesus Wept.

To the original poster... carry two or three tubes; a proper pump; a chain breaker; a couple of quick links; a patch kit; and a tyre boot (and at this time of year I like to carry a travel flask of coffee in a bar bag - for comfort).

webboo

Shirley he needs one of those orange survival bags rather than a space blanket. He will also need to borrow a passing person of the female gender to get in said bag with him as female types retain heat better.

rjsterry

MattFalle said:

rjsterry said:

Can someone call him in for his tea?

no - he's out riding around the brutal Leics countryside.

Whoosh.

TheBigBean

Ben6899 said:

Blimey. Bloke asks for tips on what to carry because he can no longer rely on a lift home because his wife sadly passed away... and all we can do is bicker.

Jesus Wept.

To the original poster... carry two or three tubes; a proper pump; a chain breaker; a couple of quick links; a patch kit; and a tyre boot (and at this time of year I like to carry a travel flask of coffee in a bar bag - for comfort).

In fairness, the OP has received quite a lot of useful advice. Cake Stop is good for advice on random subjects. Its other specialism of pointless bickering (or in depth discussion, if you prefer) can't be buried for ever though.

Ben6899

TheBigBean said:

Ben6899 said:

Blimey. Bloke asks for tips on what to carry because he can no longer rely on a lift home because his wife sadly passed away... and all we can do is bicker.

Jesus Wept.

To the original poster... carry two or three tubes; a proper pump; a chain breaker; a couple of quick links; a patch kit; and a tyre boot (and at this time of year I like to carry a travel flask of coffee in a bar bag - for comfort).

In fairness, the OP has received quite a lot of useful advice. Cake Stop is good for advice on random subjects. Its other specialism of pointless bickering (or in depth discussion, if you prefer) can't be buried for ever though.

You have to dig it out though. And recognise it!

I'm familiar...

wallace_and_gromit

MattFalle said:

Nice dit fam.

And nice saddlebag btw. well PRO.

To paraphrase Winston Churchill, I may have a saddlebag on my bike, but in the morning I'll have removed it and you will still be a pretentious tw*t.

big_den

Thanks for all the responses to my original post.

Just been told to take my phone elsewhere by my daughter as I’ve been laughing so much at the robust banter!

Good points and advice and yes I know it’s only rural Leics but…

Only goes to show that cyclists are decent people.

Thanks everyone.

masjer

Cheers, if you've got any other questions or queries, don't be afraid to ask.

We will get it sorted within 12-24 hours and usually in under 100 posts with clear and concise debate.

Enjoy your riding!

johngti

masjer said:

Cheers, if you've got any other questions or queries, don't be afraid to ask.

We will get it sorted within 12-24 hours and usually in under 100 posts with clear and concise debate.

Enjoy your riding!

Under 100? That’s a bit optimistic isn’t it?

@big_den - the only thing I’d say is try to not over-think it all. Keep on enjoying your rides and maybe plan winter rides around routes where you won’t be too far from a major road.

Ben6899

And don't forget the pigs in- sorry - space blanket.

wallace_and_gromit

I've been wondering whether I'd inadvertently wandered onto the Nokak Djokovic fan boards, with "space blanket" the accepted code word for Covid vaccination. I honestly never knew anyone could feel so strongly about a few cubic centimeters of foil, but life is full of surprises!

N0bodyOfTheGoat

When I actually manage to go out into the real world rural sticks in the South Downs, my kit is very basic...
Mini pump
Punture repair kit
4+5mm hex key (or multi tool)
Tyre lever
Perhaps one spare tube (but rarely bother these days as I've had ~3 punctures up there in four years)
British Cycling card with £5 banded around it
Mobile with Lezyne Ally app running, connected to my Lezyne GPS unit, sending my location and activity stats to a selected few (Beacon on Strava is now free for all and does same thing)
Food, typically a bag of jelly babies, for planned 2-4hr rides

MattFalle

Why do you specifically carry the BC card?

rick_chasey

Insurance details innit.

MattFalle

So no credit or debit card?

MattFalle

and it may also because i'm tired, but why insurance details?

pinkbikini

big_den said:

Thanks for all the responses to my original post.

Just been told to take my phone elsewhere by my daughter as I’ve been laughing so much at the robust banter!

Good points and advice and yes I know it’s only rural Leics but…

Only goes to show that cyclists are decent people.

Thanks everyone.

Sorry to hear about your change in circumstances - must be tough. I've always found solo rides are a great way to be distracted from life's troubles.

You're right, cyclists are decent people, so perhaps join a few more of them when the time is right for you and you won't have to ride solo so often with a space blanket and a folder of written usage instructions!

Only thing I regularly carry that hasn't already been mentioned much is an 8-size spoke key - riding c.20 miles with broken spoke is a pain, and a few quick tweaks to release a bit of tension can make those 20 miles or so a little easier for you or any other rider that you might see riding along as though they're on a clown bike. You can easily fit it in the same pocket as the space blanket...

rick_chasey

MattFalle said:

and it may also because i'm tired, but why insurance details?

I used to carry it when I was commuting in London. Had a few close calls with supercars and thought christ, if I clip a wing-mirror whilst filtering of a supercar i'm on the hook for a lot of money.

orraloon

rick_chasey said:

MattFalle said:

and it may also because i'm tired, but why insurance details?

I used to carry it when I was commuting in London. Had a few close calls with supercars and thought christ, if I clip a wing-mirror whilst filtering of a supercar i'm on the hook for a lot of money.

Interesting. Never thought I would need on-road evidence of insurance. Surely claims get processed and settled, or not, post event. (I have the CyclingUK litigation cover but don't carry my membership card.)

Breast pocket = phone and credit card, always zipped up.

pblakeney

orraloon said:

rick_chasey said:

MattFalle said:

and it may also because i'm tired, but why insurance details?

I used to carry it when I was commuting in London. Had a few close calls with supercars and thought christ, if I clip a wing-mirror whilst filtering of a supercar i'm on the hook for a lot of money.

Interesting. Never thought I would need on-road evidence of insurance. Surely claims get processed and settled, or not, post event. (I have the CyclingUK litigation cover but don't carry my membership card.)

Breast pocket = phone and credit card, always zipped up.

I had my wife's phone number on my membership card to speed up the process in the worst case scenario. I now have one of those ID tags suck to my phone pouch.

rick_chasey

orraloon said:

rick_chasey said:

MattFalle said:

and it may also because i'm tired, but why insurance details?

I used to carry it when I was commuting in London. Had a few close calls with supercars and thought christ, if I clip a wing-mirror whilst filtering of a supercar i'm on the hook for a lot of money.

Interesting. Never thought I would need on-road evidence of insurance. Surely claims get processed and settled, or not, post event. (I have the CyclingUK litigation cover but don't carry my membership card.)

Breast pocket = phone and credit card, always zipped up.

Who's gonna believe the cyclist has 3rd party insurance?

wallace_and_gromit

pinkbikini said:

...a space blanket and a folder of written usage instructions!

Just to clarify, when I mentioned a space blanket, I'd assume that all Bike Radar folk would be able to read the instructions on the packet of said blanket before embarking on a ride, should they choose to pack one in their saddlebag or pocket. I must confess that I hadn't assumed there would be anyone as stupid as Falle who, based on this thread, I wouldn't trust to tie his own shoelaces without a YouTube video and a demonstration. Had I factored this in, I obviously wouldn't have suggested a space blanket, given their obvious usage complexities!

MattFalle

rick_chasey said:

orraloon said:

rick_chasey said:

MattFalle said:

and it may also because i'm tired, but why insurance details?

I used to carry it when I was commuting in London. Had a few close calls with supercars and thought christ, if I clip a wing-mirror whilst filtering of a supercar i'm on the hook for a lot of money.

Interesting. Never thought I would need on-road evidence of insurance. Surely claims get processed and settled, or not, post event. (I have the CyclingUK litigation cover but don't carry my membership card.)

Breast pocket = phone and credit card, always zipped up.

Who's gonna believe the cyclist has 3rd party insurance?

well they're just going to take your details, pass them onto their insurance company/the Police and take it from there, no?

I don't have BC membership but, if needs be, would just claim from household.

MattFalle

wallace_and_gromit said:

pinkbikini said:

...a space blanket and a folder of written usage instructions!

Just to clarify, when I mentioned a space blanket, I'd assume that all Bike Radar folk would be able to read the instructions on the packet of said blanket before embarking on a ride, should they choose to pack one in their saddlebag or pocket. I must confess that I hadn't assumed there would be anyone as stupid as Falle who, based on this thread, I wouldn't trust to tie his own shoelaces without a YouTube video and a demonstration. Had I factored this in, I obviously wouldn't have suggested a space blanket, given their obvious usage complexities!

are you still bleating on? it seems that, given your advice above, the usuage complexities of the space blanket were past your abilities, but crack on with the dits. They are, as Terry the Tiger would say, gggrrreeeaat. Or as the other Terry would say: Inshallah, all the cubs of the caliphate will have space blankets to hand.

tbh, we're all still agog as to why you'd carry one, but you do seem kinda special.

blimey fella.

oh nice saddlebag by the way. cracking mudguards as well - we're liking them very nice.

#saddlebag
#mudguards

rick_chasey

MattFalle said:

rick_chasey said:

orraloon said:

rick_chasey said:

MattFalle said:

and it may also because i'm tired, but why insurance details?

I used to carry it when I was commuting in London. Had a few close calls with supercars and thought christ, if I clip a wing-mirror whilst filtering of a supercar i'm on the hook for a lot of money.

Interesting. Never thought I would need on-road evidence of insurance. Surely claims get processed and settled, or not, post event. (I have the CyclingUK litigation cover but don't carry my membership card.)

Breast pocket = phone and credit card, always zipped up.

Who's gonna believe the cyclist has 3rd party insurance?

well they're just going to take your details, pass them onto their insurance company/the Police and take it from there, no?

I don't have BC membership but, if needs be, would just claim from household.

You're probably a bigger lad than me and can handle yourself.

I'm not really in a position to really defuse the situation with my presence, so I figured being forthcoming with something like that off the bat ("oh, he has third party insurance specifically for cycling, wonderful") can help defuse.

MattFalle

rick_chasey said:

MattFalle said:

rick_chasey said:

orraloon said:

rick_chasey said:

MattFalle said:

and it may also because i'm tired, but why insurance details?

I used to carry it when I was commuting in London. Had a few close calls with supercars and thought christ, if I clip a wing-mirror whilst filtering of a supercar i'm on the hook for a lot of money.

Interesting. Never thought I would need on-road evidence of insurance. Surely claims get processed and settled, or not, post event. (I have the CyclingUK litigation cover but don't carry my membership card.)

Breast pocket = phone and credit card, always zipped up.

Who's gonna believe the cyclist has 3rd party insurance?

well they're just going to take your details, pass them onto their insurance company/the Police and take it from there, no?

I don't have BC membership but, if needs be, would just claim from household.

You're probably a bigger lad than me and can handle yourself.

I'm not really in a position to really defuse the situation with my presence, so I figured being forthcoming with something like that off the bat ("oh, he has third party insurance specifically for cycling, wonderful") can help defuse.

can see your logic and yup, sounds groovy to me - a small thing to defuse any potential ugliness is always groovy curry sauce.

Tbh though, if you carried a space blanket you could always throw it over their heads and whilst they are blundering wondering wtaf is going on, escape on your bike, cackling insanely.