Spares to take on an all day ride

BorisSpencer wrote:

Powerlinks
Pads
Tube
Bike Multi-tool (including chainbreaker and tyre levers)
Leatherman type multi-tool (must include pliers)
Mini pump and puncture repair kit.
Couple of cable ties.
Duct Tape (wrapped around pump)
Space blanket (stuffed behind hydoback bladder)
One of those small packets of tissues.
Couple of moist wipes (nicked out of KFC)

as above, but I take at least 2 tubes
Mech hanger
Half a dozen links of a chain

All these stay in my camelbak at all times, sod's law dictates that if you don;t think you'll need something & you take it out of the camelbak you will need it.

If going off the beaten-track & self-guided, I'd consider a GPS - set a waypoint at the start. And only power it up if needed, or for the return. I still use my trusty Garmin GPSmap 60cs.

Clothes - we'll assume you are suitably attired!! And have a paclight/similar should it get windy/wet.

Mobile phone - probably the best emergency communication device around. *REMEMBER* even if you have no signal (for your phone carrier), during an emergency call your phone will latch onto *any* available phone companies network.

If you are starting from somewhere public (eg. a pub carpark), perhaps make yourselves know to the landlord. Say what you are doing. Where you are going. What time you expect to be back at. And, what time you should be back no later than.

Mini first-aid kit, and perhaps a spray-on plaster.

Some 'Nuun' tablets - although, I tend to resort to them on the hottest days of the year.

Some energy gels - just in case you need instant energy.

All of the above is sound advice, but sods law will dictate you wont need any of it if you take it, and will have a great day!.

On our recent Afan trip we took everything including the kitchen sink, and didnt need any of it, then had a fun morning at Swinley and had more mechanicals than you could shake a stick at, and a lot less prepared for it.

In my bag at ALL times:

MultiTool
Leatherman type knife multitool with pliers (Check deal extreme!!) - Mine's great for about £3!! - Saved a ride recently.
Park Tools tyre levers
Small roll of gaffer tape
First Aid Kit (Wilkinsons - £4 - bargain)
Pump
Inner Tube
Patches
Brake Pads
Waterproof Jacket
Spare Change
Phone (Fully charged)

If you can, grab a map of the area you will be going around, can be useful if your lost.

i carry far too much crap in my oversized saddle bag.

But what have I ever used

Lots of inner tubes ( plus levers, pump etc )
puncture kit on one occassion when I had more than 2 flats in a single ride
small pliers with cutter have been used a lot for tightening bolts, and on one occassion for fitting a new gear cable. Good for getting sharps out of tyres
8mm/9mm spanner for brake adjustment and mudguard nuts
*sharp knife for cutting various things back in shape
*4mm allen key on seatpost
*5mm allen key on headset and rear derailuer
small screw driver on rear derailluer
small bottle of oil on chain
*chain tool to try and fix stiff link ( it didn't ). Also to do single speed conversion after derailluer exploded
cable ties for reattaching mudguards
duct tape as a tyre boot
old bit of tyre as tyre boot
short ( 1/2" I think ) m5 bolts. Fixed mudguards, spd cleats...
insulating tape to hold on stuff like lights with broken fittings

* all these tools are part of topeak alien

What have I never used
spare bits of chain and powerlink ( although I did once give a powerlink away )
adjustable spanner (don't carry this anymore)
mudguard eyelet bolts - everything else has gone wrong with the mudguards
Big cable ties- they look handy but I've never used one
large screwdriver (don't carry any more)
chalk in the puncture kit

I carry all this stuff for long distance road rides.

mcbazza wrote:

If you are starting from somewhere public (eg. a pub carpark), perhaps make yourselves know to the landlord. Say what you are doing. Where you are going. What time you expect to be back at. And, what time you should be back no later than.

And if you're going to use a pub car-park, at least phone beforehand and ask if it's OK, and have the good grace to patronise the premises after your ride even if it's only for a quick half of shandy (whatever that might be, real men don't drink shandy. Or halves.).

Practice making simple repairs at home before you venture out too - it's okay carrying all the stuff with you but it won't amount to a hill of beans if you suddenly find that you can't fix a puncture or swap brake pads at the trailside. In the rain. When it's going dark.