JimF22003

I drive to the start of quite a few of my rides, including weekends out of town. I've been in the middle of a two-day trip and realized I needed a replacement tire, or something else that I need rarely but is hard to find or inconvenient to get to far from home. It occurred to me to just start keeping a stash of items in the car in case I need them so they'll always be there. This is the start of my list.

Spare Tire
3 or 4 tubes
Road Morph tire pump
Bike shorts (you never know)
Spare pair of shoes (since I have them anyway)
Any other spare bike parts that I happen to have around, such as pedals, extra tools etc.


Any other suggestions or things you do?

Machka 

Take a full floor pump. There's usually one in our van ... nothing expensive, but functional.

jesspal

Perhaps a chain, spokes, cleat bolts

deepakvrao

Plus one. I always have a floor pump in my car along with an old pair of shoes. Many a times, driven out without remembering shoes and these save the day.

mihlbach

A second bike

datlas 

Water. Recovery drink and/or snack.

FLvector

An extra pair of socks in case you forget to grab a pair that day. A bottle (or 2) of water in case you or another rider left theirs at home. Always good to have water in the car anyway. Sunscreen.

LowCel 

I always keep a pair of socks and and a couple of empty bottles. I also keep a box of 20 CO2's and a few tubes, that way I can replace them as soon as I get back to the car. If I wait until I get home I will most likely forget then the next time I flat I'll find out that I have empty CO2's.

rbart4506

I travel to stage races that are at times held in smaller towns with limited access to bike shops so I carry lots of stuff...

floor pump, that never leaves the car

In a large ziplock bag, that never leaves the car;
tires and tubes
chain
speedplay cleats
shifter and brake cable
2 spare RD hangers
co2

And a tool box full so I can pretty well do most repairs, this only goes in the car when we travel...

You may laugh, but it's saved my ass and the ass of team mates a number of times. When things break, the guys walk over to my car

Mikevt1

After an unfortunate incident on a weekend trip I've added a couple spare spokes to the list of items already mentioned.

hokie cycler

An extra helmet. Most organized rides require helmets and if no one has an extra and you forgot your, you're out of luck.

nkfrench 

Some group ride leaders I know carry a spare (used) helmet for the rider who shows up without one for a mandatory-helmets ride.
+1 on the floor pump. Mine lives in my car.

JerrySTL

I'm with Machka on this.

I also keep a spare helmet and pair of shoes as I've forgotten them before. I was at a major ride a few years ago and a guy there was almost in tears. He forgot his shoes. Well his bike had Speedplay X pedals like mine and he was about my size. I handed him my spare shoes and said that this was his lucky day!

I have a canvas tool bag with the most common bike tools.

Extra water bottles! I also keep some small packages of a powdered sports drink. People forget water bottles all the time.

Duct tape and zip ties.

Rain jacket, wind vest, full finger gloves, toe covers, and a few other items until the weather gets warmer.

Blinky tail light and head light in case I get caught in the dark, or like today, fog.

A roll of toilet paper. You wouldn't believe how often this comes in handy.

Looigi

I have a small duffel bag with lots of pockets and carry spare bike stuff (chain, brake pads, tire, tubes, RD hanger, spokes, zip-ties), tools, disposable gloves, rag, chain lube, road rash stuff, sunscreen, insect repellent, incidental meds like aspirin, ibuprofen, antihistamine, gels, water tabs... also spare gloves, toe warmers, arm warmers, knee warmers, beanie/riding cap, wind vest, etc.. It sits on small chest of drawers with riding apparel near my bike and I take it along in the car when taking the bike somewhere to ride/race. I leave a floor pump in the car since I have several.

Similar to:

MegaTom

Snax and some bottled water, always, and a "Go bag" just in case.

rubic

This thread has so much good advise. Thank you.

TrojanHorse

Yep. I keep the "gotta have it to ride" stuff in my helmet bag and I have a spare duffel with extra everything else, including cold weather gear.

I forgot my shoes once... I'm not interested in doing that ever again.

Ferrous Bueller

If you have the space: Spare wheels. They don't need to be good quality, but can make so many problems disappear like magic.
They're one of the perks of upgrading your current wheelset.

ThinLine

Floor pump, spare tubes/tire, Colt Gold Cup .45 ACP combat rigged and energy bars.

JimF22003

Great suggestions. Thanks!

BykOfALesserGod

To prevent forgetting things, I pack the car the day before. I know many people who like to pack the day of and end up forgetting things in their rush.

nkfrench 

Car adaptor+charging cable for my phone.
Running the smartphone mapping apps sucks the battery dry quickly.

For rides > 3 hours I ride with the cellphone cabled up to an aux battery, everything goes into a ziplock bag in my jersey pocket.

MinnMan

I know if I ask "What the H*LL for?" and you answer, then the thread will be kicked over to another subforum, so I am not asking that question. I know lots of people keep guns in their cars, so, well, OK. But is there a reason you keep a gun that is specifically associated with being ready to go out for a ride? Like maybe because a parking lot full of expensive bikes (or just parked cars unsupervised for several hours) is possibly a magnet for thieves in your area? If it's just how you roll, as it were, then there's no need to justify it here.

If the mods think I'm being provocative, then would delete this post if told. But I'm just curious if this is really a bike-related item or not.

digibud

+1 to first aide kit. Also an allen wrench that will fit your shoe cleats. Your normal bike tool may not have one small enough and I had a nasty accident once when my cleats loosened.

Seattle Forrest

Floor pump, many bottles of water, extra sunglasses, tool kit, several tubes, an inflator and several CO2 cartridges, change of clothes including socks, and that covers cycling.