W
Westie
Guest
"Westie" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
> "bomba" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > determined wrote:
> > > I bought my bike and am planning a low-key ride this weekend of about
15
> > > miles.
> >
> > Depending on the terrain you ride, 15 miles is not really a 'low-key ride' - especially for your
> > first time out. Even if you're fit, you're going to be using different muscles. The one thing
> > you don't want to end up doing is getting very tired or in pain when you're still a long way
> > from home. You want to leave yourself keen for more.
> >
> > > What are the essentials? Water I'm guessing is #1...
> >
> > Water's always a good idea. After you've really started getting in to it, check out
> > www.camelbak.com
> >
> > For that
> > > matter, what type of gear/accessories do I need to go along with the
> bike?
> > > What do I need in a repair kit? Is it neccessary to buy the funky
bike
> > > shoes? Padded bicycle shorts? All I bought is the bike, a rack for
my
> car,
> > > and a helmet.
> >
> > Right the essentials (IMO)... Kit: You want gloves - they help keep your hands soft, and will
> > offer protection should you have a hand / ground interaction. Full-fingered is good. Glasses - a
> > pair of clear wrap-around glasses are a great investment as they keep bugs, branches and bits
> > chucked up from the wheels from going in your eyes. No need to go Oakley or the like, just
> > something cheap'll do - some people here even use industrial goggles. Shorts - Not really worth
> > skimping here as you'll pay for it in pain.
> >
> > In the backpack: Bike tool - your LBS should be able to advise you Spare tube and puncture
> > repair kit Small medi kit (including any medication) Food - there's another thread around at the
> > moment on this subject. Bananas are a bad idea - they don't like being chucked around a backpack
> > with tools, etc. Mobile - I believe you folks across the pond call it a 'cell phone'. For those
> > of us in Europe, coverage is complete, so it's worthwhile, but obviously pointless if you don't
> > have coverage where you are. NB - only to be used in an emergency. Like ordering pizza.
>
>
> I don't get complete coverage but i always take it with me. You'd be surprised sometimes where you
> can get some little pockets of coverage even in the remotest areas. And should i have some tragic,
> unrepairable fault
or
> damage to myself, limping to the nearest point of coverage is usually much closer than limping to
> the nearest point of civilisation. Last time I did that was when I had a major sidewall tear (the
> bike, not me) and
everything
> that I tried fixing it with failed. The g/f found me happily sitting by
the
> roadside munching a Mars bar while I was waiting. I also live with the optimistic hope that should
> I be lying unconcious
lost
> at the foot of a ravine that the search party, knowing that I always carry
a
> mobile, would have some high tech piece of equipment capable of finding a rogue cellphone signal
> amongst the wilderness....
>
>
> > Cash - never know when you'll need to buy food, drink or pay for a taxi when you're stuck in the
> > mountains with hypothermia <ahem>... If there's a chance of rain, pack a mac. PCs and Solaris
> > boxes don't work so well. Arf arf...
> >
> > Planning on attending some classes on the basics like
> > > shifting properly, making repairs, etc soon.
> >
> > Bike maintenance is very important and fortunately, it's not rocket science. People here will be
> > able to guide you, as will your LBS.
> >
> > Don't forget to have fun and then come back on Monday and write a RR (ride report).
>
> I'll second the ride report! Let us know how it went! I'll add that water (bottles in a cage or
> pack is fine), a patch kit, plastic tyre levers and a spare tube (and knowing how to use them),
> and padded shorts would be on my list of very basic essentials. Oh, and if alone be sure to tell
> someone where you are going and roughly
how
> long you'll be.
> --
> Westie
>
Oh yeah, nearly forgot <blush>, a bloody bike pump. They handy, they are!
--
Westie
>
> "bomba" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > determined wrote:
> > > I bought my bike and am planning a low-key ride this weekend of about
15
> > > miles.
> >
> > Depending on the terrain you ride, 15 miles is not really a 'low-key ride' - especially for your
> > first time out. Even if you're fit, you're going to be using different muscles. The one thing
> > you don't want to end up doing is getting very tired or in pain when you're still a long way
> > from home. You want to leave yourself keen for more.
> >
> > > What are the essentials? Water I'm guessing is #1...
> >
> > Water's always a good idea. After you've really started getting in to it, check out
> > www.camelbak.com
> >
> > For that
> > > matter, what type of gear/accessories do I need to go along with the
> bike?
> > > What do I need in a repair kit? Is it neccessary to buy the funky
bike
> > > shoes? Padded bicycle shorts? All I bought is the bike, a rack for
my
> car,
> > > and a helmet.
> >
> > Right the essentials (IMO)... Kit: You want gloves - they help keep your hands soft, and will
> > offer protection should you have a hand / ground interaction. Full-fingered is good. Glasses - a
> > pair of clear wrap-around glasses are a great investment as they keep bugs, branches and bits
> > chucked up from the wheels from going in your eyes. No need to go Oakley or the like, just
> > something cheap'll do - some people here even use industrial goggles. Shorts - Not really worth
> > skimping here as you'll pay for it in pain.
> >
> > In the backpack: Bike tool - your LBS should be able to advise you Spare tube and puncture
> > repair kit Small medi kit (including any medication) Food - there's another thread around at the
> > moment on this subject. Bananas are a bad idea - they don't like being chucked around a backpack
> > with tools, etc. Mobile - I believe you folks across the pond call it a 'cell phone'. For those
> > of us in Europe, coverage is complete, so it's worthwhile, but obviously pointless if you don't
> > have coverage where you are. NB - only to be used in an emergency. Like ordering pizza.
>
>
> I don't get complete coverage but i always take it with me. You'd be surprised sometimes where you
> can get some little pockets of coverage even in the remotest areas. And should i have some tragic,
> unrepairable fault
or
> damage to myself, limping to the nearest point of coverage is usually much closer than limping to
> the nearest point of civilisation. Last time I did that was when I had a major sidewall tear (the
> bike, not me) and
everything
> that I tried fixing it with failed. The g/f found me happily sitting by
the
> roadside munching a Mars bar while I was waiting. I also live with the optimistic hope that should
> I be lying unconcious
lost
> at the foot of a ravine that the search party, knowing that I always carry
a
> mobile, would have some high tech piece of equipment capable of finding a rogue cellphone signal
> amongst the wilderness....
>
>
> > Cash - never know when you'll need to buy food, drink or pay for a taxi when you're stuck in the
> > mountains with hypothermia <ahem>... If there's a chance of rain, pack a mac. PCs and Solaris
> > boxes don't work so well. Arf arf...
> >
> > Planning on attending some classes on the basics like
> > > shifting properly, making repairs, etc soon.
> >
> > Bike maintenance is very important and fortunately, it's not rocket science. People here will be
> > able to guide you, as will your LBS.
> >
> > Don't forget to have fun and then come back on Monday and write a RR (ride report).
>
> I'll second the ride report! Let us know how it went! I'll add that water (bottles in a cage or
> pack is fine), a patch kit, plastic tyre levers and a spare tube (and knowing how to use them),
> and padded shorts would be on my list of very basic essentials. Oh, and if alone be sure to tell
> someone where you are going and roughly
how
> long you'll be.
> --
> Westie
>
Oh yeah, nearly forgot <blush>, a bloody bike pump. They handy, they are!
--
Westie