Minimal Gear for solo riding.....?

Drink,
Phone,
Pump full size
Tubes 1
Patch Kit
First aid kit
Alien Multi Tool
Phone
Energy Bars 3
Jacket (Not all) the time.
Toilet Paper a must.

Doesnotcompute wrote:

Small rolled waterproof jacket

Won't need that most days

It's tiny and weightless - sno problem

Nothing is weightless. I bet it weighs 150 to 250 grams. Every gram
counts in the religion of the Weight Weenie :-) Seriously, attention to
detail can end up making a difference if there are enough details.

D lock is a big old weight to carry. A small cable lock will do for
day rides when you're not expecting to leave bike long or in any
risky places, and D lock could possibly be left at destination for
commuting, etc.

True, however I'd rather take nothing than a crap lock - it's worth
too much to not use a decent lock.

A good bike is spoiled by carrying a heavy lock for recreational cycling.
My best bike is so expensive that I couldn't afford to replace it if I
lost it -- can't even afford to insure it -- yet I just carry a small
flimsy crappy cable lock on my day rides, and I bet many other people here
also do the same thing (or even take no lock at all). That's the risk we
take. I reckon the risk is very small when leaving bike at a garage when
buying a drink, for example - although I can understand wanting more
security in certain other situations.

Admittedly, it makes more difference on a lightweight roadbike than on a
mountain bike.

Also,with a Y shape frame, there's
nowhere really safe enough for a cable only.

There are always ways securing any bike with a cable lock - even if not
*completely* safe.

Anti-theft wheel skewers help - usually some on eBay. I'm pleased with
the TranzX ones I got. Note. Some take ordinary allen keys, some take a
special five-sided key, and I think some posh ones (Kryptonite?) use
proper unique keys.

~PB

Doesnotcompute wrote:

: Small rolled waterproof jacket

I use a Gore Winderstopper gilet in summer - smaller and lighter.

For winter I have a gore paclite jacket. Very, very expensive but goes
in a jersey pocket.

: Mini pump

One bike

: 1 Tube

In pocket

: 1 Puncture kit
: Alien multi tool

I put

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

in a (very) small underseat bag

: D lock and flexi cable if needed

No. If it's not where I can see it, I don't leave it

: wallet and change

If I think I'm having a cafe stop, I put a tenner in a old film box
(35 mm file boxes are ideal here)

: mobile phone

No. I want peace and quiet when riding

: platypus

Water bottles on bike, but this is on road

: first aid stuff

No, though if I'm off road I might

: pen
: compass
: map

No. Sometimes I'll put a map or some pages from an atlas in a back
pocket if I'm going somewhere new. Again, this is on-road though

: spare pair of socks

!!!!!!!

Why!

: empty carrier bag

Each to their own....

: food

Couple of tracker bars and/or a banana does me.

: Digicam

Very much no

: Change of clothers if applicable.

No.

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

I'm not surprised!

Arthur

Tim Downie wrote:

Small rolled waterproof jacket

Won't need that most days

It's tiny and weightless - sno problem

Nothing is weightless. I bet it weighs 150 to 250 grams.

Not necessarily. I've got a jacket that weighs 90gm (including its
little carrying bag).
(see http://www.montane.co.uk/products_fa...athersmock.htm)

That's not their lightest one BTW, you can go down to 65gm
(http://www.montane.co.uk/products_fastlite_aero.htm)

Blimey, my Coolmax string vest weighs more than that! I didn't realise a
waterproof jacket could be that light. Very good. My Lusso Aquawhatsit
weighs about 200g - but it was cheap.

~PB

In article , pLime
says...
Tim Downie wrote:

Small rolled waterproof jacket

Won't need that most days

It's tiny and weightless - sno problem

Nothing is weightless. I bet it weighs 150 to 250 grams.

Probably nearer 400g

Not necessarily. I've got a jacket that weighs 90gm (including its
little carrying bag).
(see http://www.montane.co.uk/products_fa...athersmock.htm)

That's not their lightest one BTW, you can go down to 65gm
(http://www.montane.co.uk/products_fastlite_aero.htm)

Blimey, my Coolmax string vest weighs more than that! I didn't realise a
waterproof jacket could be that light. Very good. My Lusso Aquawhatsit
weighs about 200g - but it was cheap.

As far as I know he Montane jackets aren't waterproof, just "weather
resistant" ie windproof and light showerproof---still bloody light
though. Montane's lightest waterproof is around 250g. My RAIDlite, which
claims to be the lightest waterproof in the world is 180g.

Colin

Tim Downie wrote:

Not necessarily. I've got a jacket that weighs 90gm (including its little
carrying bag).
(see http://www.montane.co.uk/products_fa...athersmock.htm)

That's not their lightest one BTW, you can go down to 65gm
(http://www.montane.co.uk/products_fastlite_aero.htm)

I've got the Featherlite too, didn't know about the Aero so thanks for
the tip. Pity they don't do them in LOUD colourways for the bike :-(

Only thing I don't really like about it is spare material on the arms
flaps a helluva lot (and noisily too) in a strong wind.

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 http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Ben wrote:

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.


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.


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.

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.


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.

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

Spare gear (and brake, where appropriate) cable?

Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
================================================== =========
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
http://www.bhpc.org.uk/
================================================== =========

Doesnotcompute wrote:

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 elsewhe

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 http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

"Doesnotcompute" wrote in message
...
Ben wrote:

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.


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.


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.

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.


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.

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.