Helldorado

How minimalistic will you go when it comes to packing (or leaving behind) tools and gear on a 50-ish mile long gravel ride? Assume that A) your destination is fully supported (i.e. there's a bike shop there should you need it), B) in between there's not much of anything closer than a 30 minute hike through the forest, and C) all of us will take a pump or CO2 inflator, tire levers, patch kit or plugs or spare tube. But what else do you absolutely 100% always take with you?

Koyote

How long is this ride exactly?

shelbyfv

If it's 50 and not 550 you sound good to go. If it's cold I might take some chemical hand warmers and one space blanket for the group in case someone wrecks and gets stuck out there for awhile.

Koyote

Add a few spare chain links, which will take up almost no space in your seatpack.

You didn't mention a mini-tool, but I'm presuming you (or someone in your group) will have one...Preferably one with a chain tool.

Tip: keep the plug kit (if you are running tubeless) in your jersey pocket, so it is quickly accessible if you need it. Better to shove the plug in fast, before your tire loses too much air.

CargoDane

Quite a difference between the two numbers. One is a great dayride where you can be somewhat sure of what the weather will be. The other involves carrying things to sleep in, something to cook with, and being prepared for varying temperatures and wind.

Helldorado

Fifty (50) American miles long.

CargoDane

Ah, then you should be good to go.

Koyote

You might want to ask a moderator to change your thread title.

shoota 

50 mile rides are a pretty common training ride around here. Take what you would on any normal ride plus an extra bottle and bar and if you have cell phone service you should be fine.

Helldorado

It'll be OK. I clarified the actual mileage in the body of the main post and subsequently.

Helldorado

Ah, but there's the rub: what do you take on "any normal ride?"

shoota 

Well I know what I take, what do you take? lol

Me: plugs, co2 or hand pump, multitool, two water bottles, appropriate food for the day, cell phone.

mstateglfr 

Tube, chain links, co2 cartridge, topeak road morph pump, 2 tire levers, multitool, credit card, license, ear buds, 2 water bottles, packaged food, mask.

Koyote

Add to the list a $20 bill. Just because.

twowheeldesign

This covers me too, if it is rainy or especially dusty, I throw in a small bottle of chain lube and a rag so that I don't have to listen to chain squeak after 30-40 miles

CargoDane

Large insulated Klean Kanteen
Insulated coffee mug in a bottle cage
One-handed tyre lever
two tubes in different sizes (because my wheels are different sizes)
Extra front tyre, but only a slim and lightweight Kojak tyre (20").
Phone
Patches+glue+tyre boot
Pump - Micro Floor Drive
Small ratchet set with various ratches
Small tub of Superlube grease
Spanner for the rear wheel (I have a nutted Rohloff)
At least one pair of gloves, up to three different pairs
Neck tube
Cap
Beanie if it's cool out for breaks or breakdowns
Thermarest Z-seat for breaks or breakdowns - also works to keep your butt dry in the wet.
Bike lights in winter because I don't want to worry about getting to my destination before dark if I have a problem with the bike or are otherwise running late.
Rain jacket.
Lock if I'm alone so I can lock it up and go inside somewhere to buy something to eat.
Wallet+ keys

I think that's it for what I carry on a daily basis. It's easier to carry it all because I can then be more spontaneous and go for a longer ride if I want or need to. The only thing I don't necessarily carry for an everyday ride is my coffee mug and Klean Kanteen.

Helldorado

Heavy, dude, heavy.

CargoDane

Not really. Ignoring the lock, and not counting the insulated Klean Kanteen and mug, I have probably 1-1.2 kg at most tied up in those things.

unterhausen

I would carry food because that would be a lot of climbing around here. Maybe not much food, but probably enough for a road century just in case.

katsup

Not really minimal, but I like to be self sufficient.

Tire Repair = Tube, mini pump, patch kit, 2 tire levers
Chain Repair = Chain links, chain cutter, quick link tool
Misc Repair = Allen keys, 3 zip ties
Skin Repair = Small first aid kit
Basics = Water, phone, wallet, snack
New = bandana (doubles as mask)

shelbyfv

Around here it's not uncommon for someone to pack a bit of Jack Daniels to share with the gravel group. In Washington you may have lighter, more compact options.

mack_turtle

50 miles is not a very long route. it's something that I'd prepare for and expect it to take up most of my day, but it's not like preparing for a multi-day trip. 50 miles is a LOT of pedaling for most riders, myself included, but it's not something that would require much special preparation. I really would not prepare for a 50 very different from how I'd prepare for a normal road/gravel ride, which is usually 20-25 miles for me. just bring extra food and water. most of the prep is preventative: make sure everything works on your bike, bolts are not coming loose, parts that need to move freely are lubricated, etc. start worrying about special prep for rides that might begin and end in the dark on the same day, or rides with extreme weather changes.

plenty of water, especially if you don't anticipate any place to stop and refill
lots of snacks, running out of fuel sucks
stuff to repair a blown tire at least twice: tubeless plugs, mini pump, CO2 stuff, patch/boot, tube as a last resort
mini tool, a spare chain link
keep a spare shoe cleat bolt someplace on your bike
cell phone and route loaded on some sort of device. if you can follow the route by memory, go for it. have the route pulled up and saved on your phone just in case you get lost
bike lights

Koyote

That's a good one, since I never check those bolts before a ride. And a spare bolt takes up virtually no space and weighs nearly nothing.

mack_turtle

if your bike has threaded holes for fenders and racks that you never use, just bolt a spare cleat bolt in one of the unused holes. cinch it in there with a dab of Loctite 242 so you won't worry about losing it. it will still be there when you or a riding partner need it.

Koyote

Genius.

Just this past summer, I couldn't get clipped in after stopping on a ride. Had lost one of the cleat bolts. That's a bigger problem with SPDs, since they only have two bolts.