Minimal Gear for solo riding.....?

Ben said:

Quoted message said:

D lock and flexi cable if needed

Na, if I'm out for a ride, I'm out for a ride not to stop.

Blimey, glad you can do a full day and knwo you won't need to stop.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

first aid stuff

Na, that's what a mobile and ambulances are for if it's serious. If it's not serious it can wait
till you get home.

Hmm, being a first aider, I prefer to carry a small amount of plasters, tape, dressings for those
non-critical situations.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

pen

You've got a mobile, you can make notes in sms messages.

But I can't leave messages for someone or write something down for someone to take away in case of
emergency.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

compass map

Na, road signs and a look at the map before you go out.

No road signs off road, and looking at a map before you go is no use if you get lost whilst out
and about.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

spare pair of socks

Nope, unless I'm going offroading somewhere in which case there is a complete change of clothes in
the car.

I don't have a car to load up with - I carry what I need.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Digicam

Na, to expensive to risk.

To risk what? As it happens mine is expensive, but tiny (Digi Ixus) so I like it out and about, in
the middle of my rucksack.

--
Dnc

Doesnotcompute said:

Ben said:

Quoted message said:

D lock and flexi cable if needed

Na, if I'm out for a ride, I'm out for a ride not to stop.

Blimey, glad you can do a full day and knwo you won't need to stop.

A 'full day' for me might be 2 hours, short break, 2 hours, short break, 2 hours. Short breaks would
be 10 minutes eating a mars bar, having a smoke and looking at the scenery. I won't be leaving the
bike anywhere and be going wandering about because I'm out to ride not sit around.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

first aid stuff

Na, that's what a mobile and ambulances are for if it's serious. If it's not serious it can wait
till you get home.

Hmm, being a first aider, I prefer to carry a small amount of plasters, tape, dressings for those
non-critical situations.

But plasters, small dressings etc are only suitable for such small injuries that you would probably
be better off leaving the wound open and heading home. If you're bleeding heavily and badly injured
then an ambulance or ring a mate for a pickup is the best bet IMO.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

pen

You've got a mobile, you can make notes in sms messages.

But I can't leave messages for someone or write something down for someone to take away in case of
emergency.

No, true. How about a pencil stub in your seat pack then?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

compass map

Na, road signs and a look at the map before you go out.

No road signs off road, and looking at a map before you go is no use if you get lost whilst out
and about.

Well, I agree with the first point and as you've guessed from my posts in ukrm I do a lot of
offroad. However it's fairly simple to find a major road and look at the signs on it. If you've got
even the most rudimentary knowledge of the geography of the area you're in, you should be able to
find your way back to somewhere you recognise.

Or maybe I'm just lucky that I have the ability to do that.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

spare pair of socks

Nope, unless I'm going offroading somewhere in which case there is a complete change of clothes
in the car.

I don't have a car to load up with - I carry what I need.

Why socks though? In case they get wet? If they do then the rest of you is probably pretty wet as
well. I find I don't mind getting wet as long as I'm warm.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Digicam

Na, to expensive to risk.

To risk what? As it happens mine is expensive, but tiny (Digi Ixus) so I like it out and about, in
the middle of my rucksack.

To risk me stacking big time and breaking it. I guess we just have a difference of opinion about
what constitutes a day ride. It looks like you're talking about a days touring (whether off or on
road), whereas I'm talking about a 4-5 hour semi-non-stop ride.
--
"We take these risks, not to escape from life, but to prevent life escaping from us." ***** replace
'spam' with 'ben' to reply *****

Spare gear (and brake, where appropriate) cable?

Dave Larrington - legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uklegslarry.beerdrinkers.co.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
bhpc.org.ukbhpc.org.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================

Doesnotcompute said:

It seems from the mixed replies that we all vary dramatically. Let me clarify a little further:

1) I'm talking about a full day of pleasure riding,
2) most of my pleasure riding is off road in areas I may not know well
3) I like having dry socks available if for some reason I'm going to be delayed, or indoors, or
whatever.
4) I'm riding a full sus MTB, not a road bike

okidoki, again *essential* is "me and the bike", but what I will generally *take* for a full day on
the MTB[1] would be...

me (plus clothes I'm in, typically padded shorts, MTB shoes, a wicking shirt and helmet) & bike

- rucksack *or* pannier(s)[2], depending how balancy it'll be
- light waterproof jacket
- tracksters (for if it gets colder, or riding through vegetation in tick territory)
- first aid kit[3]
- map and compass
- food
- water bottle (or bladder if I'm using a pack rather than panniers)
- padded mitts or gloves
- glasses, plus probably change of lenses
- wallet (cash, plastic and ID/donor card(!))

for the bike:
- spare tube & puncture kit
- pump
- multi-tool

[1] I would expect to be well away from "civilization" for the main part of the day, and any
immediate help. And not necessarily obvious which way nearest civ/help might be.

[2] there's no point in taking a rucksack for reasonable tracks like landy/forest tracks where you
don't need to throw balance around a lot. Just a way of making life less comfortable and
enjoying the day less. An SQR pack will fit on a full-sus MTB and save you carrying weight your
frame could without affecting the ride too much for the bulk of conditions people cycle.

[3] you say elsewhere:

Quoted message said:

Hmm, being a first aider, I prefer to carry a small amount of plasters, tape, dressings for those
non-critical situations.

Being a first aider is nothing to do with whether you want to carry a kit. Think back to the
training, and it's about stuff like priorities upon finding a casualty, not what to put in a kit or
how to use it (aside from bandages, but you can improvise them out of any fabric). Being a first
aider doesn't really make carrying a 1AK any more sensible or worthwhile, and also the case that
they have utility and value with no formal training at all. I ride an MTB on the understanding that
if I don't fall off at least once during the day then it probably wasn't worth bringing the MTB
along, so I clearly expect at least minor scrapes to be a distinct possibility. Not being able to
plug holes could really render the day quite unpleasant, so I'd prefer to have this sort of thing
along too. You can get away with a roll of gaffer tape for most things, but more specialised kit
will make life generally more comfortable. I see comfort as a *good* thing...

Moving onto your list, if you want to take a Digicam then do, but are you *really* suggesting it is
"absolutely essential"? Why take an empty carrier bag? If you need a bag, just use the rucksack or
pannier liner. I don't see the point in the socks either. Face facts that your feet will be soaking
wet most of the day and get on with it. And if you put the spares on then they'll be completely
disgusting within picoseconds of putting your shoes back on in any case. Pen in my case lives in the
1AK. I can't really see why else I'd want one. I only take a lock if I'm doing something like riding
in for a Munro bag which I'll have to finish on foot (and not always then). For a general cycling
day off road I wouldn't take one. If I was to make a habit of wanting to lock the bike off road I
wouldn't take a D: thievery is mostly opportunistic or seriously pre-planned, and dishonest people
are unlikely to take bolt cutters into the middle of nowhere just in case there's a nice MTB
abandoned by the track. Something lighter will probably suffice.

Pete.

--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

Peter Clinch said:

[1] I would expect to be well away from "civilization" for the main part of the day, and any
immediate help. And not necessarily obvious which way nearest civ/help might be.

Indeed - exactly the point I was making to previous poster.

Quoted message said:

[3] you say elsewhere:

Quoted message said:

Hmm, being a first aider, I prefer to carry a small amount of plasters, tape, dressings for
those non-critical situations.

Being a first aider is nothing to do with whether you want to carry a kit. Think back to the
training, and it's about stuff like priorities upon finding a casualty, not what to put in a kit
or how to use it (aside from bandages, but you can improvise them out of any fabric). Being a
first aider doesn't really make carrying a 1AK any more sensible or worthwhile, and also the case
that they have utility and value with no formal training at all.

I agree entirely, but the weight of a couple of sterile dressings, plasters and bandages is so
negligeable that the comfort benefit you mention later is worth it.

Quoted message said:

I ride an MTB on the understanding that if I don't fall off at least once during the day then it
probably wasn't worth bringing the MTB along, so I clearly expect at least minor scrapes to be a
distinct possibility. Not being able to plug holes could really render the day quite unpleasant,
so I'd prefer to have this sort of thing along too. You can get away with a roll of gaffer tape
for most things, but more specialised kit will make life generally more comfortable. I see comfort
as a *good* thing...

I agree, and scratches are expected and not a worry. However a cut, or small amount of gravel rash
wouldn't be enough to stop me riding if I could patch it well enough to keep it from getting
dirtier. If I have to improvise, then I'm likely going home.

Quoted message said:

Moving onto your list, if you want to take a Digicam then do, but are you *really* suggesting it
is "absolutely essential"?

I like having pics of where I've been, no it's not esential, but fun.

Quoted message said:

Why take an empty carrier bag? If you need a bag, just use the rucksack or pannier liner.

I've found many a use for empty Asda carrier bags before now, from First aid, to storing wet clothes
in my rucksack to just storing dirty rubbish that I can't offload to a waste bin. Again, what's the
weight/size of an empty, scrumpled carrier bag?

Quoted message said:

I don't see the point in the socks either. Face facts that your feet will be soaking wet most of
the day and get on with it. And if you put the spares on then they'll be completely disgusting
within picoseconds of putting your shoes back on in any case.

It's just a habit of mine to keep a small lightweight pair of clean socks with me. Looking after my
feet was something I learned in Cubs and Scouts and have come to value many times.

Quoted message said:

Pen in my case lives in the 1AK. I can't really see why else I'd want one.

Indeed.

--
Dnc

Doesnotcompute said:

I've found many a use for empty Asda carrier bags before now, from First aid, to storing wet
clothes in my rucksack to just storing dirty rubbish that I can't offload to a waste bin. Again,
what's the weight/size of an empty, scrumpled carrier bag?

Less than the weight of a decent liner for the bag, but that will keep your spare clothes and
lunch completely dry, even if you lose it crossing a river, and since it allows you to
compartmentalise the inside of your bag to "inside liner" and "outside liner" then you've covered
the bases already. A good liner is also handy if you want to put something horrible inside (like
your jacket after a downpour followed by a mudbath) without getting the horribleness to run off on
everything else. If you're carrying a Digicam in there, you might as well do a proper
waterproofing job and take a proper liner rather than an easily ripped carrier with vent holes.
Heavier, but does the job properly.

Quoted message said:

It's just a habit of mine to keep a small lightweight pair of clean socks with me. Looking after
my feet was something I learned in Cubs and Scouts and have come to value many times.

I don't see that the two go hand in hand (or foot in foot). When are you going to get a chance to
use them, or at least in any way that they don't become wet and grubby almost instantly? They're not
heavy or bulky, I'd agree, but pointless is pointless is pointless: I just can't see any use for
them if you don't have another pair of shoes along as well.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

"Doesnotcompute" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ben said:

Quoted message said:

D lock and flexi cable if needed

Na, if I'm out for a ride, I'm out for a ride not to stop.

Blimey, glad you can do a full day and knwo you won't need to stop.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

first aid stuff

Na, that's what a mobile and ambulances are for if it's serious. If it's not serious it can wait
till you get home.

Hmm, being a first aider, I prefer to carry a small amount of plasters, tape, dressings for those
non-critical situations.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

pen

You've got a mobile, you can make notes in sms messages.

But I can't leave messages for someone or write something down for someone to take away in case of
emergency.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

compass map

Na, road signs and a look at the map before you go out.

No road signs off road, and looking at a map before you go is no use if you get lost whilst out
and about.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

spare pair of socks

Nope, unless I'm going offroading somewhere in which case there is a complete change of clothes
in the car.

I don't have a car to load up with - I carry what I need.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Digicam

Na, to expensive to risk.

To risk what? As it happens mine is expensive, but tiny (Digi Ixus) so I like it out and about, in
the middle of my rucksack.

--
Dnc

Without being pedantic, if taking a pen to leave messages, you would surely need paper to write it
on which you don't include?! and surely a pen would stop working if wet? a pencil would be a better
option, but IMHO

I carry all my essentials in jersey ppockets, Small pump Inner tube Section of OS mapped scanned and
printed. its far smaller and lighter than carrying a full map of which hardly any will be used.
Phone £1 coin
1/2 mars bars depending how long the ride.

I'll only take a waterproof if the weather is looking bad, in which case i'l wear it with a light
base layer.

Bottle on bike.

Doesnotcompute tried to scribble ...

Quoted message said:

Why is it whenever I pack a bag for a days riding, I seem to end up with a full bag? I reckon I
must take loads of stuff I needn't, but can't think what.

So what are your absolute essentials for a days solo ride?

Mine goes something like this:

Small rolled waterproof jacket Mini pump 1 Tube 1 Puncture kit Alien multi tool D lock and flexi
cable if needed wallet and change mobile phone platypus first aid stuff pen compass map spare pair
of socks empty carrier bag food Digicam

Change of clothers if applicable.

that's all I can think of and already my shoulders are concerned!

My 'standard' items are a small frame mounted pump and a wedgie seat bag, (Mountian Bike) containing
a few 'Leeches', multi tool, 'decent' small screwdriver, sharp Swiss Army knife, chain splitter and
spare link, and a cloth. These are always on the bike except for when I race it.

For a long ride (I rarely stay out a full day) I carry water in one bottle and 'fizzy' drink in
another, few bars of something in a pocket, couple of quid, mobile phone and that's about it .. 😉

I regularly prep my bike and replace things (Try to anyway) before they break.

--
Digweed

Peter Clinch said:

I don't see that the two go hand in hand (or foot in foot). When are you going to get a chance to
use them, or at least in any way that they don't become wet and grubby almost instantly? They're
not heavy or bulky, I'd agree, but pointless is pointless is pointless: I just can't see any use
for them if you don't have another pair of shoes along as well.

Hi Pete

I can see the need. Imagine that DNC got an horrendous bonk and decided to take the train, hitch a
lift with a lorry or whatever. A fresh pair of socks would make the rest of his day far less
miserable,
pjA.

James

--
homepage.ntlworld.comLarrau.jpgOpen ↗

van Rossum said:

Without being pedantic, if taking a pen to leave messages, you would surely need paper to write it
on which you don't include?! and surely a pen would stop working if wet? a pencil would be a
better option, but IMHO

OHP pen will work on skin and metal and plastic, which a pencil won't.

Quoted message said:

I'll only take a waterproof if the weather is looking bad, in which case i'l wear it with a light
base layer.

People complain that waterproofs are too hot on a bike... which is actually a Good Thing if you need
to warm up on an Autumn ride which has got cold and you've just fallen in a burn or summat. I'd see
nothing wrong with leaving it behind with weather like we've had recently though.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

James Hodson said:

I can see the need. Imagine that DNC got an horrendous bonk and decided to take the train, hitch a
lift with a lorry or whatever. A fresh pair of socks would make the rest of his day far less
miserable,
IMO.

Lorries and trains tend to have heated cabs: just remove socks altogether, live in bare feet for a
couple of hours. That's what I'd do.

Pete.

--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

Peter Clinch said:

James Hodson said:

I can see the need. Imagine that DNC got an horrendous bonk and decided to take the train, hitch
a lift with a lorry or whatever. A fresh pair of socks would make the rest of his day far less
miserable,
IMO.

Just one example of where I've had use of spare socks. Another is getting caught out and crashing
out in a B and B, or friends house etc.

Quoted message said:

Lorries and trains tend to have heated cabs: just remove socks altogether, live in bare feet for a
couple of hours. That's what I'd do.

eeeek! nooooo! I'm not a fan of feet. Well I say that, they are very useful, especially for walking
and cycling and stuff, so I appreciated them lots. Moreson when immersed in socks and footwear 🙂

--
Dnc

Thomas Buck' tom at greysheep dot co dot uk said:

Yes, the woman's made a mistake when driving, but surely prison should only be a last resort,

I agree completely. There's no indication that this driver set out to mow down a cyclist.

But driving is a privilege, and a difficult skill. If you clearly can't do it right, then you
should lose the first until you demonstrate the second. I'm quite happy with an automatic long ban
for anyone who kills another, following a conviction for negligent driving (even a relatively
minor offence)

A low fine is insulting. The "school run" defence is farcical.

Doesnotcompute said:

eeeek! nooooo! I'm not a fan of feet. Well I say that, they are very useful, especially for
walking and cycling and stuff, so I appreciated them lots. Moreson when immersed in socks and
footwear 🙂

I appreciate mine lots too, but fact is since I stopped wrapping them up all day (bare feet at home,
sandals and no socks usual otherwise, if it's chilly I'll change into Tevas after I've walked into
work) they have got far tougher, more cold resistant and they have also got far less tendency to
smell bad. In short, they're healthier than they used to be. Socks all the time just gives a moist
environment where nothing can toughen up and noxious things like to grow. Looking after your feet
can mean things other than wrapping them up all the time.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

Arthur Clune said:

Doesnotcompute <[email hidden]> wrote:

: 1 Tube

In pocket

I put

1 x tyre boot 1 x set of park glue less patches 1 x spare tube (so that's two in total)

::boggle::

Do you puncture a lot of tyres? On my road bike I carry one spare tube, a set of plastic tyre
levers, a frame pump, and one water bottle. On one of my hill bikes I carry one spare tube, one set
of tip-top patches, one set of platic tyre levers, one set of allen keys, a frame pump and two water
bottles. On my other hill bike I carry one spare tube, one multi-tool, one box of tip-top patches,
one set of plastic tyre levers, a mini-pump and two water bottles.

Apart from that, I sometimes carry a rolled up light waterproof smock, and... uhhhmmm... that's it.
Oh, a camera, now and then. And sandwiches. It's not that I'm fanatical about weight, but frankly
what more do you need?

My theory is I can't be bothered to patch a tyre at the roadside so at the first puncture the spare
tube goes in. The reason there are patches in the bags on the hill bikes is because one conceivably
might puncture two tyres in a day... can't remember doing it, though.

Quoted message said:

: that's all I can think of and already my shoulders are concerned!

I'm not surprised!

Why carry it on your shoulders? I sometimes carry a helmet in a rucksack when I'm hill biking in
case I come across a downhill that's more than normally interesting, but that weighs nothing. For
road bikes a handlebar bag is very practical. On old style hill bikes it's amazing how much you
can get into a little triangular frame bag. And you can fit an underseat wedge bag on more or
less anything.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) jasmine.org.uk~simonOpen ↗

;; Friends don't send friends HTML formatted emails.

In message <[email hidden]>, Simon Brooke
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Arthur Clune said:

Doesnotcompute <[email hidden]> wrote:

: 1 Tube

In pocket

I put

1 x tyre boot 1 x set of park glue less patches 1 x spare tube (so that's two in total)

::boggle::

Do you puncture a lot of tyres?

Myself, no not really but you know what they say about buses.

<snip>

Quoted message said:

My theory is I can't be bothered to patch a tyre at the roadside so at the first puncture the spare
tube goes in. The reason there are patches in the bags on the hill bikes is because one conceivably
might puncture two tyres in a day... can't remember doing it, though.

I've certainly have punctured at least twice in one day, worse than that I knackered two tubes in
one day as well (first one was a blow-out, the second the valve snapped off)
--
Chris French, Leeds

Simon Brooke <[email hidden]> wrote:

: [re: my carrying two spare tubes, glues patche and tyre boots]

: Do you puncture a lot of tyres? On my road bike I carry one spare tube, a set of plastic tyre
: levers, a frame pump, and one water bottle.

No. I've had two punctures this year so far (grabs nearest wooden thing).

However, I often ride in groups so having a spare tube to lend out is handy. The glueless patches
and tyre boots are both very small, very light and just live in the (very small) underseat bag I
have on the bike.

I have once had more than two punctures in a ride (hedge cutting season and bad luck) and have no
wish to walk home, or cut a ride short becuase I've just used my only spare tube.

I never mend tubes normally, and if I have to use the glueless patches, that tube goes in the bin
when I get home.

Arthur

"Arthur Clune" <[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

Simon Brooke <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

: [re: my carrying two spare tubes, glues patche and tyre boots]

Quoted message said:

: Do you puncture a lot of tyres? On my road bike I carry one spare tube, a set of plastic tyre
: levers, a frame pump, and one water bottle.

Quoted message said:

No. I've had two punctures this year so far (grabs nearest wooden thing).

I once had two punctures in about 100 milliseconds. [1] As I was commuting, I only had one spare
inner tube. At the time, I hadn't had a p*n*t*re for over a year.

Quoted message said:

However, I often ride in groups so having a spare tube to lend out is handy. The glueless patches
and tyre boots are both very small, very light and just live in the (very small) underseat bag I
have on the bike.

Quoted message said:

I have once had more than two punctures in a ride (hedge cutting season and bad luck) and have no
wish to walk home, or cut a ride short becuase I've just used my only spare tube.

I once had three punctures before first control on an Audax ride. I packed. I could not get the
inner tube out of the wheel and I had to fix the tube in the pi**ing rain.

Quoted message said:

I never mend tubes normally, and if I have to use the glueless patches, that tube goes in the bin
when I get home.

I have seldom had a puncture patch fail, so fix tubes, usually indoors where it's warm, dry,
and well-lit.

[1] I hit a brick at about 26mph. Both tyres went down, bang-bang. Bike wheelbase was
about 42"...[2]

[2] 26mph = 457.6 inches per second

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden] Edgware.

you all seem to be carrying a puncture repair kit- just fill your inner tubes with that gel stuff, perfect!

what i normally take for a days riding:
bike
helmet- essential, ive broken 3 so far and know how good they are, dont go for a budjet 1 though- you may aswell not bother with 1 unless you spend at least 25 quid
water- in bottles on the bike
cycling shorts
cycling shirt
mobile- make sure its fully charged- sounds obvious but i often forget
🙄
wallet- for id purposes if i crash and to buy lunch and a pint🙂

thats it!!! i dont actually do a full day with this but go out for about 5 hours.

dailuggs said:

you all seem to be carrying a puncture repair kit- just fill your inner tubes with that gel stuff,
perfect!

Its still possible to get p**ct*re with slime and protection strips 🙂 I would not go far without
spare tubes even with slime installed.

Ivor Cave