What you take on you rides depends one simple thing. How far will
you be from home? The further you are from home, the more items you
should carry with you to take care of emergencies.
If you intend to always ride from home and only go 5 miles at a
time, then you probably can get away with taking nothing but a cell
phone and a water bottle. If on the other hand, you want to go further,
then you will need to carry the following items.
Five to fifteen mile rides - At least one water bottle. To repair
flat tires, a seat bag for the following things. Tire levers, patch
kit, spare tube and a multi tool of some kind. On the bike, a pump.
Twenty to forty miles - All the items above and an extra water
bottle. I also carry a chain tool and a spoke wrench. Plan on carrying
some food if you are not familiar with the area you are riding in.
Forty plus miles. All the items above plus a spare tire.
What I carry on my rides represents the extreme. Not everyone will
go this far. First, I can be up to two hours away by car plus another
three hours past that by bike, in an area I have never been in before,
so I carry a lot. In the car, I have a work stand and a complete set of
tools to do anything I need to do. I also have a bag of tubes and a few
spare tires. Older tires which are not quite worn out yet. Spray lube
and grease. It’s a rolling bike shop equipped for most anything.
I have not turned back home because of any mechanical problems
including any guests I bring. On the bike I have a seat bag with four
inner tubes. I ride with a fanny pack that carries a multi tool, a
spoke wrench, a chain tool, a spare folding tire, a patch kit, one
brake cable, one gear cable, Velox rim tape, various small bolts, and a
first aid kit. I have used all these items on rides, but not the same
ride, and usually on other peoples bikes. All together these items may
weigh 3 pounds. A small load to carry into the unknown for peace of
mind.
Think about where you will be riding and carry accordingly.
Don’t be preoccupied about the extra weight it might be. Keep in
mind that the best rides you go on will be the rides you don’t
need any of these items and the worst rides you will go on are the ones
you need these items and left them at home.