What to Take on Your Bike Ride

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What to Take on Your Bike Ride

 

Heading out on a new adventure on your bike and are wondering what to pack for your next bike ride?

 

This article will give you information on the things that you need to carry for your ride—whether you’re gone for an hour or the entire day. This will help you avoid carrying a heavy bag full of things that you simply don’t need.

 

 

Essentials to Carry

 The following are the essential things that you need to carry for your next bike ride:.

1. Backpack
 

Purchasing a long-lasting backpack is necessary to withstand any damage or adverse weather conditions that may occur during your ride. Having a backpack is also convenient when riding because you do not need to attach fixings on your bike for holding the bag as you can just carry it on your back.

When purchasing a backpack, find one with cords that are not long so that they do not get caught in the tires, and for your visibility on the road find one with reflective panels.

2. Water bottle
 

To maintain your energy levels up on short and long rides as well as avoid dehydration, ensure that you have a water bottle with you. Bike rides can be draining especially during the hot, summer days.Attach a water bottle cage to your bike to make it easy to carry your water bottle and reduce the load of your bag.

 One large water bottle of about 750 ml is enough if you can refill it during your ride, otherwise, you can carry two of them.

Plain water is always good as you can use it to cool down or wash your hands.

3. Small first aid kit
 

Being rather safe than sorry is always better—which is why it is important to always carry a first aid kit with you whenever you go for a ride. First aid kits are not only for when you are involved in an accident but also when you meet a cyclist who is injured.

The following are the things that you need to have in your first aid kit:

  • Triangular bandage
  • Face shield
  • Gloves
  • Band-aids
  • Non-adherent dressings
  • Gauze
  • Saline solution
  • Pencil and notepaper
  • Adhesive tape
  • Antibacterial gel
  • Thermal blanket.
4. Sun protection

Shine, hail or rain, it is always important to protect yourself from the exposure of harmful UV rays. If you are bike riding, lather yourself in sunscreen especially during the summer. Pay attention to your ears, nose and the back of your neck

Carry a sachet of sunscreen with you and also wear some glasses and a hat for extra protection from the sun.

5: Energy snacks and electrolyte drinks

 

To keep your energy levels high, always carry an energy snack with you for your bike ride. Bananas are the best snacks for bike riding because the carbohydrates and potassium in them are great for fueling the muscles. Energy bars or a trail mix are also great snacks.

However, whenever you get a chance during your ride, eat some real food because sugary snacks can be sickening after a while.

Energy drinks also help in refueling the electrolytes lost in sweat, but they are not ideal. The benefit of adding some snacks is that they are easy and quick to eat, take a small space in the backpack and get you back up and riding once you take them.

6: Insurance:

No one hopes for an accident or an injury to happen, but it is always good to carry your insurance cover in case of anything. This will help you if you hit anyone while you are riding.

7: Mobile phone:

 If you are going for long bike rides in a remote area, ensure that you carry a fully charged mobile phone with you. You can easily get an accident especially if you are riding on an off-road trail. A mobile phone will allow you to call for emergency services if you are injured.
 

Your mobile phone will also come in handy when you want to take amazing photos of the scenery during your bike ride. Put your phone in a waterproof bag and place it in the seat pack or your pocket.
If you do not want to carry your smartphone, purchase a pay-as-you-go phone as it is cheaper and less risky if you break it!

8: Headlight:
 

Wearing a headlight will ensure that you get noticed especially if you are riding on a low-lit road. Riding in the dark is risky because you can hit any obstacles and get injured. Therefore, a headlight will help you see the road and avoid rough terrain and obstacles.

You can attach the headlight to your helmet and you can buy it at different strengths. Choose one that is suitable for your needs.

9: Cash or plastic:
 

You will need cash or card in case you stop for a meal during or after your ride. Take a card and a 20-dollar note, because you never know when you might need it. It is always good to be prepared.

10: Personal identification:
 

Unfortunately, if you are involved in an accident and cannot speak for yourself, the emergency personnel can easily verify your identity using your identification. In the case where you are stopped by the police for any traffic violation, you could be in a lot of trouble if you cannot produce your identification.

Spares and tools to take on a long bike ride

The following tools and spares can come in handy during your bike ride:

1. Spare inner tube:
 

Ensure that the spare innertube you carry is the right size for your pump and your bike. Carry two tubes if you an extra room in your seat pack.

2. Tire levers:
 

Take two good tire levers with you.

3. Patch kit:
 

This is one of the things that you may think you do not need until you do. If your bicycle tube is damaged, a patch kit will come in handy for a quick fix. A patch kit normally includes a few patches and adhesive for repairing the puncture.

Self-sealing patches are also known as ‘glue-less’ take a small space in the seat pack but the traditional glued patches take a longer time. However, replacing a punctured tire is necessary when possible.

4. Pump:
 

It may not be a good idea to carry a pump but it is necessary for the long rides. This is because you want to be prepared in case a flat tire happens. A mini-inflator or bike pump can be attached to the water bottle cage if it does not fit your backpack.

Mini-pumps are very portable but the long traditional pumps are easy to use. Mini floor pumps can also be used and racer-type bikes have compressed air cartridges. Ensure that you know how to use a pump before going for a long ride.

6. Multitool:
 

You may carry your multitool for weeks without using it but it will get you out of trouble if your seat post slips or your stem bolts loosen. It should have any Torx and Allen key sizes that your bike uses, plus a chain cutter and Phillips head screwdriver.

7. Chain ‘quick link’:
 

Chains do not break often, but when they do, they can be frustrating. You do not want to be messing around with a connector pin, a chain tool and a pair of pliers on the side of the road.

A quick link will help you get back on the road easily. Quick links can also be called PowerLink or MissingLink. Ensure that the quick link matches your chain.

8. Cable tires:
 

They can be used for different temporary repairs.

9. An old strip of tire:
 

If a tire gets cut, slit or a big hole punched into it, the inner tube will come out and this is when the extra strip of the tire comes in handy. This is a better option than the sticky gel wrapper. It will also fit easily in your seat pack.

Miscellaneous

 

Other things that you can carry for your bike ride (if you have the space) include:

1. Cycle computer:
 

Knowing the distance travelled is useful as it allows you to know the distance left to go. The most basic cycle computer will do the work.

2. Navigation aid:
 

This is a cue-card that has instructions written on it to help you if you take the wrong turn. Other alternatives to this include a smartphone, an atlas or a GPS cycle computer that has mapping.

3. Waterproof/windproof:
 

If the weather forecast is clear, blue skies then you are good to go riding without any worry. However, if the weather conditions can easily change from sunny to windy, you will probably need a waterproof.

You do not want to be shivering in the rain while fixing any mechanical damage on your bike.

4. Taking Only What You Need

 

To make your riding experience comfortable and fun, it is necessary to have all the essentials for the adventure. Ensure that your energy levels are always high by drinking water and eating a snack during the riding.

Riding with all the items listed above will make it smooth. Having the essential tools for your bike will be useful in the case of mechanical damage. Hopefully, the above article has given you the information that you need as you prepare for your next bike ride.