Newbie long ride question

Peewiglet said:

Tomorrow I'm going on an organised ride of 45 miles with a couple of
pals. I've not done that sort of thing before, and I'm wondering what
clothing/other stuff I should take, and how I should carry it. I asked
in the bike shop when buying a new pump and they suggested cycling
shorts and a short-sleeved top with little pouches in the back. I got
them both, but the pouches are small. Should I be taking waterproofs?
If so, where should they go? I do have a very flimsy and compact
waterproof that goes in a bumbag for running: is that the sort of
thing to take? Should I wear a bumbag or would it be uncomfy? Finally,
am I better with a waterbottle or a Camelbak (I have both).

I take a pump, spare tube and bottle, that's all. However, everything
on the bike is well bedded-in so no loose bolts, and the tyres are a
fairly loose fit so I can get them off with the QR levers.

For a longer ride I'd take more stuff.

Peewiglet said:

Tomorrow I'm going on an organised ride of 45 miles with a couple of
pals. I've not done that sort of thing before, and I'm wondering what
clothing/other stuff I should take, and how I should carry it. I asked
in the bike shop when buying a new pump and they suggested cycling
shorts and a short-sleeved top with little pouches in the back. I got
them both, but the pouches are small. Should I be taking waterproofs?
If so, where should they go? I do have a very flimsy and compact
waterproof that goes in a bumbag for running: is that the sort of
thing to take? Should I wear a bumbag or would it be uncomfy? Finally,
am I better with a waterbottle or a Camelbak (I have both).

Camelback for that length of ride and fill it right up. You won't get
enough water in a bottle. You should then be able to stuff the
waterproof in the Camelback. Otherwise bumbag will be fine. Pockets on
your top are good for money, phone, maps etc. Take something to eat or
money to buy something to eat on the way - dried fruit, maltloaf or
cereal bars are good - and don't forget at least one basic toolkit
including spare tyre, puncture kit and pump between you. I'd also take
a thin fleece or other top to slip on if you need. You can strap stuff
like that and the windproof to the back of the seatpost if you are
getting short of places to stow them.
--
Tony

"Don't argue the matter, the difficulties will argue for themselves"
-W.S. Churchill

Peewiglet said:

Tomorrow I'm going on an organised ride of 45 miles with a couple of
pals. I've not done that sort of thing before, and I'm wondering what
clothing/other stuff I should take, and how I should carry it. I asked
in the bike shop when buying a new pump and they suggested cycling
shorts and a short-sleeved top with little pouches in the back.

A good idea, a seat bag is even better (one which expands to take your
waterproof). Both is an even better idea. If you can't get one before
tomorrow a bumbag turned backwards (ie on your bum!) will be OK

.. Should I be taking waterproofs?

Assuming you are riding in the UK; definitely

Quoted message said:

If so, where should they go? I do have a very flimsy and compact
waterproof that goes in a bumbag for running: is that the sort of
thing to take? Should I wear a bumbag or would it be uncomfy? Finally,
am I better with a waterbottle or a Camelbak (I have both).

Up to you; I don't like carrying anything on my back but you may prefer
it.

have fun ;-)

On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 18:23:08 +0100, Zog The Undeniable
<[email hidden]> wrote:
[...]

Quoted message said:

I take a pump, spare tube and bottle, that's all. However, everything
on the bike is well bedded-in so no loose bolts, and the tyres are a
fairly loose fit so I can get them off with the QR levers.

Many thanks, Zog. I've got the pump and tube, with a bottle if
necessary. I think things are ok on the bike, but I suppose I'll soon
find out if they're not! :-)

Quoted message said:

For a longer ride I'd take more stuff.

A *longer* ride??! Ok, I know 45 isn't much to y'all over here, but
it sounds like an awfully long way to me!

Thanks again!

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 18:29:57 +0100, Tony Raven <[email hidden]>
wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

Camelback for that length of ride and fill it right up. You won't get
enough water in a bottle.

Ok, thanks - will do.

Quoted message said:

You should then be able to stuff the
waterproof in the Camelback. Otherwise bumbag will be fine.

Thanks again. Someone told me it would be uncomfy to wear a little
bumbag, but I've had it on for an hour or so now around the house
(just testing) and it feels v. comfy and weighs virtually nothing.
I'll wear it tomorrow.

Quoted message said:

Pockets on
your top are good for money, phone, maps etc. Take something to eat or
money to buy something to eat on the way - dried fruit, maltloaf or
cereal bars are good - and don't forget at least one basic toolkit
including spare tyre, puncture kit and pump between you.

Ok, thanks. I have a repair kit with a spare inner tube in a little
pouch behind my seat - got them this afternoon - and will carry the
other things as you suggest.

Quoted message said:

I'd also take
a thin fleece or other top to slip on if you need. You can strap stuff
like that and the windproof to the back of the seatpost if you are
getting short of places to stow them.

Hmm... Perhaps I can strap a fleece to the rack? I'll go down and
look. I think the seatpost is taken up with the repair kit pouch.

Many thanks for your help 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

On 11 Jun 2005 10:32:17 -0700, "MartinM" <[email hidden]> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

A good idea, a seat bag is even better (one which expands to take your
waterproof). Both is an even better idea. If you can't get one before
tomorrow a bumbag turned backwards (ie on your bum!) will be OK

I'll take the bumbag I think, as I've not got a seatbag (well, only
one just large enough for repair kit plus tube). I'll look for one,
though: it sounds like a great idea.

Quoted message said:

. Should I be taking waterproofs?

Assuming you are riding in the UK; definitely

I will then: thanks 🙂

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If so, where should they go? I do have a very flimsy and compact
waterproof that goes in a bumbag for running: is that the sort of
thing to take? Should I wear a bumbag or would it be uncomfy? Finally,
am I better with a waterbottle or a Camelbak (I have both).

Up to you; I don't like carrying anything on my back but you may prefer
it.

have fun ;-)

Thank you! I'm quite excited about it 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

Tony Raven said:

Peewiglet said:

Tomorrow I'm going on an organised ride of 45 miles with a couple of
pals. I've not done that sort of thing before, and I'm wondering what
clothing/other stuff I should take, and how I should carry it. I asked
in the bike shop when buying a new pump and they suggested cycling
shorts and a short-sleeved top with little pouches in the back. I got
them both, but the pouches are small. Should I be taking waterproofs?
If so, where should they go? I do have a very flimsy and compact
waterproof that goes in a bumbag for running: is that the sort of
thing to take? Should I wear a bumbag or would it be uncomfy? Finally,
am I better with a waterbottle or a Camelbak (I have both).

Camelback for that length of ride and fill it right up. You won't get
enough water in a bottle.

Depends if there's a tea stop. I only ever take one bottle if this is
the case, because the cafe will refill it with tap water :-)

You should then be able to stuff the

Quoted message said:

waterproof in the Camelback. Otherwise bumbag will be fine. Pockets on
your top are good for money, phone, maps etc. Take something to eat or
money to buy something to eat on the way - dried fruit, maltloaf or
cereal bars are good - and don't forget at least one basic toolkit
including spare tyre, puncture kit and pump between you.

Did you mean spare tube? Although there is a guy in Swindon CTC who
carries *two* folding tyres everywhere because he once lost a sidewall
and had to walk home!

My most minimal toolkit ever was a patch kit, tyre levers and a CO2
canister, for a track bike with nutted axles. It worked.

Peewiglet said:

Tomorrow I'm going on an organised ride of 45 miles with a couple of
pals.

The advice has been covered nicely I think, but do let us know how you
get on after the ride. ;-)

Jon

On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 19:20:19 +0100, Jon Senior

jon_AT_restlesslemon_DOT_co_DOT_uk said:

Peewiglet said:

Tomorrow I'm going on an organised ride of 45 miles with a couple of
pals.

The advice has been covered nicely I think, but do let us know how you
get on after the ride. ;-)

Will do! I expect sore bum and possibly other bits to feature quite
heavily in the trip report ;-)

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

Peewiglet said:

Will do! I expect sore bum and possibly other bits to feature quite
heavily in the trip report ;-)

If you can get hold of some before tomorrow, slather on some baby nappy
rash cream, Drapolene or Sudacreme, before you set off. It will help
save your bum quite a bit.

--
Tony

"Don't argue the matter, the difficulties will argue for themselves"
-W.S. Churchill

Peewiglet said:

Hmm... Perhaps I can strap a fleece to the rack? I'll go down and
look. I think the seatpost is taken up with the repair kit pouch.

Didn't realise you had a rack. Just strap it and anything else you need
on the rack in that case

Good luck and enjoy it.

--
Tony

"Don't argue the matter, the difficulties will argue for themselves"
-W.S. Churchill

On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 19:48:39 +0100, Tony Raven <[email hidden]>
wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

If you can get hold of some before tomorrow, slather on some baby nappy
rash cream, Drapolene or Sudacreme, before you set off. It will help
save your bum quite a bit.

Many thanks - I'll try that 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

Zog The Undeniable said:

Did you mean spare tube?

Yup.

Quoted message said:

My most minimal toolkit ever was a patch kit, tyre levers and a CO2
canister, for a track bike with nutted axles. It worked.

My most minimal toolkit is none, on my Brompton. The "toolkit" is a
mobile phone with Google Local to call a taxi.

--
Tony

"Don't argue the matter, the difficulties will argue for themselves"
-W.S. Churchill

Peewiglet said:

Thank you! I'm quite excited about it 🙂

which ride is it BTW? have been trying to find one to ride tomorrow but
there are none that don't involve a long drive; Matters Arising has
probably ruled out anything other than a quick local potter now anyway.

On 11 Jun 2005 12:44:36 -0700, "MartinM" <[email hidden]> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Thank you! I'm quite excited about it 🙂

which ride is it BTW? have been trying to find one to ride tomorrow but
there are none that don't involve a long drive; Matters Arising has
probably ruled out anything other than a quick local potter now anyway.

I don't know what it's called, but it starts in Lytham St. Anne's at
0830. Apparently there are two courses - 45m and (I think) 30m. Sounds
fun to me 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 19:49:41 +0100, Tony Raven <[email hidden]>
wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

Didn't realise you had a rack. Just strap it and anything else you need
on the rack in that case

Good luck and enjoy it.

Thank you 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

Peewiglet said:

On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 19:20:19 +0100, Jon Senior
<jon_AT_restlesslemon_DOT_co_DOT_uk> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The advice has been covered nicely I think, but do let us know how you
get on after the ride. ;-)

Will do! I expect sore bum and possibly other bits to feature quite
heavily in the trip report ;-)

Sore bum midge bites and skinny dipping....

Whatever next! :-0
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

in message <[email hidden]>, Tony Raven

(') said:

Peewiglet said:

Tomorrow I'm going on an organised ride of 45 miles with a couple of
pals. I've not done that sort of thing before, and I'm wondering
what clothing/other stuff I should take, and how I should carry it. I
asked in the bike shop when buying a new pump and they suggested
cycling shorts and a short-sleeved top with little pouches in the
back. I got them both, but the pouches are small. Should I be taking
waterproofs? If so, where should they go? I do have a very flimsy and
compact waterproof that goes in a bumbag for running: is that the
sort of thing to take? Should I wear a bumbag or would it be uncomfy?
Finally, am I better with a waterbottle or a Camelbak (I have both).

Camelback for that length of ride and fill it right up. You won't get
enough water in a bottle.

Camelback will be awfully sweaty tomorrow. And you can always refill a
bottle.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
;; We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other
;; languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and riffle their
;; pockets for new vocabulary -- James D. Nicoll

Tony Raven said:

My most minimal toolkit is none, on my Brompton. The "toolkit" is a
mobile phone with Google Local to call a taxi.

Ah...I remember when I had to carry 20p.