Seattle Forrest

Maybe you forgot you had it in your pocket when you left, maybe it was something you brought "just in case" but never used. What was the most useless thing you brought on a ride?

indyfabz

Ugh. I normally walk around with my keys on an industrial strength carabiner. The thing is nearly 5" long and weighs a lot. Drove out to the start of a tour in western PA and forgot to take the keys off it and leave it at home. Had to tote that sucker across the entire state. Haven't made that mistake a second time.

memebag

Nipples.

woodcraft

2nd water bottle.

noodle soup

A helmet.

Most of the time they are useless, but I wear one on every ride.

WalksOn2Wheels

****

aplcr0331

Perhaps, anything 2 hours and under. But anything longer than that I like to have the 2nd one. But yes, you really only need one if there's any sort of quick stop along your route.

Wew lad, a rebel!


I pack light. But on every ride I have a water bottle, spare tube/CO2/small multi-tool that all fits in my middle jersey pocket, and my wallet.


Longer than 2 hours and I'll pack some jelly beans or some other snack. So my answer is I carry a lot less than most so I really don't have a useless item (unless it's my legs, they don't go fast enough for a long enough time). Some people load out like it's the apocalypse. I assume a lot more risk than most, and my wife or my son will come get me if needed. I'm no hero.

wphamilton

They're only useless if you don't wear them.

I'm just kidding, I just wanted to be the one to say that for once. I find them useful to carry in public, when my attire is more casual than is generally preferred in a particular venue, like a symbolic excuse. They are also useful for groups and events where you're barred from participation without one.

I'm going with second water bottle cage as the most useless item, since I can count on the fingers of zero hands the times that I've carried two water bottles.

Second place goes to my own legs, which get me around but still aren't up to the quality of the rest of the equipment.

bruce19

I think it's me.

wphamilton

Sorry for a double post, but I remembered that I carried one of those Mylar space-age blanket packs for a while. Just in case of a sudden unexpected hard freeze I guess. That probably qualifies as the most useless that I've toted.

Jadesfire 

A bike lock when I commute to work. Nobody at my work cares about bikes and there's a security camera in place anyway.

WalksOn2Wheels

mercator

About 15 years ago I had one of those nokia cell phones that I usually rode with in my back pocket.
We also had cordless home phones that were about the same size.
I'm pretty sure I only took the wrong phone out once, but it could have happened twice.

FlashBazbo

Action camera.

Anyone want to buy one? It can be your answer the next time this question is asked.

Zaskar

Paul. That guy is totally useless.

sdmc530

I too will vote for the camera...I put a GoPro setup on the road bike, use is VERY RARLEY!! Wish I had the few hundreds back from setting that up.

Harumph

Come ride with me here in Texas during July, August, and September. You could carry a case of water with you, it's not enough!

Harumph

A saddle bag.

TimothyH

Marlboro Lights.


-Tim-

bobwysiwyg

Same reason G. W. Bush vacations in Kennebunkport each summer.

noodle soup

Actually they are only useful when you have a wreck. It’s been 1400 rides since my last wreck, so it has been useless for 4 years.

I still wear it every ride, but it’s provided no benefit.

OmegaWolf

Fishing pole.

bruce19

How many calories did I burn?

Abe_Froman

A wrench for the 15mm axle nuts on my fixed gear.

The wrench wasn't 15mm....

seedsbelize 

A spare schrader tube, when I thought I had a presta. And needed it.