bragi

What do you think you need to carry with you when you roll out of the house and face your day? Some people apparently need nothing more than themselves, a small cable lock, and their bike. I am not one of these people; I'm more of a "more is more" kind of rider, one who approaches every ride like an opportunity to prepare for the Apocalypse. Or at least, bad weather. Here's what I have in my panniers on every ride:

1. rain gear (jacket and pants)
2. extra wool hat, sweater and gloves (except during June, July and August)
3. water bottle
4. repair kit (2 extra tubes, multi-tool, 2 extra spokes, tire levers, and Mini Morph tire pump)
5. 2 Bungee cords
6. 1 U Lock
7. 1 small spray can of deodorant
8. 1 extra pair of socks

I'm probably overdoing it, but I can't think of anything on this list that's totally superfluous, and the truth is I've actually used everything I carry on at least a few rides. For a while, I stopped bringing the repair kit, because flats are pretty rare, but then I got a flat late on a Friday night, and regretted my lack of planning on a very long walk home..

I'm curious: what, if anything, do you take with you when you ride, and why (not)?

Shawn Gossman

My bike is like a Swiss army knife haha... I have a bag on the front with an extra tube, tire repair kit, several tools related to bikes and trail bars to eat when I need to eat something. I carry about 6 water bottles in the 3-pocket in the back jerseys I wear. I have a portable air pump, front and rear lighting system, water bottle and a another bag with two cans of pepper-spray, one graded for dogs and another graded for humans. Once my fellow NRA brothers fights IL to allow conceal and carry, I have a special bag for my pistol. Never know when you will need that with all the crazy meth heads in my area. They rob you of your bike and kill you dead if they thought they could get money from it for their meth lol.

I also carry my cell phone too just in case.

wahoonc

I keep small seat bags on most of my bikes with the basics for on the road repairs and a cheap plastic poncho. Depending on weather and distance I may add a water bottle or a thermos of coffee.

My basic list is:

• Spare Tube
• Repair kit
• Multi tool
• Mini pump ( or frame pump)
• Plastic bag/shower cap
• emergency poncho

Aaron

dynodonn 

Basically the same various tire/bike tools repair kits previously posted, along with a small roll of tape, pocket knife and lighter( I cannot recall the number of times that smokers have asked me for a cigarette or a light, and now that I carry a lighter, nary a single request since, good insurance I'd say)

Smallwheels

I take lots of tools. Anything that I can work on can be done with the tools I carry. Everything else I carry is just part of my daily necessities. The weather is predictable where I live so I know at the beginning of the day how to dress.

DwarvenChef

Between my handlebar bag and my Camelpak...
Flat kit
Arm sleeves
gloves
TI spork (has come in handy to many times)
10' cable
electrolite tabs
Compact bike tool
mini wallet with extra ID
spare change (bonk insurance)
chapstick
sunscreen
City Map

I'm sure I've forgotten a few items but I like having basic needs covered

robbyrocks12345

Just for communting two waterbottles if it's under about 80 I put water in one and in the other a spare tube and a set of allen wrenches. I put a c02 thing in my jersey back pocet for inflating my tires. When it's colder I carry a smaller back pack to put layers of clothing in as I take them off, or if I need to bring my laptop or anything else with me. Cellphone and wallet in jersey pocket too. No lock, more cows than people where I live.

Caretaker

1 U-lock.

Newspaperguy

I've always got basic tools, patches and a pump. I'll carry a lock if I'm going to lock the bike, but not otherwise. I'll throw rain gear into the rack trunk if there's a chance I'll need it.

SkippyX

Every ride:
1. U-Lock
2. Cheap Schwinn foot pump
3. Tire Levers
4. Spare inner tube
5. Allen wrench set
6. Adjustable wrench
7. Two water bottles

Commutes (all of the above, but):
8. Work clothes
9. Work gear (pocket stuff)
10. Lunch
11. Two generic sport drinks.

Roody

In addition to the stuff I would also take if I ws walking, I also take a mini-repair kit (Allen wrenches, tire irons, chain tool), one tube, lights, and lock.

gerv 

I like your list, but have never taken arm sleeves.

Not sure what you'd need a spork for. Perhaps in case you suddenly decided to camp overnight? Or you visited McDonald's and they suddenly ran out of plastic spoons?

Please advise on the spork.

Artkansas 

Patch kit and pump are the only things I "take" with me in my panniers. The headlight and curly cable lock are always on the bike, and the rear blinkie is always on my helmet. I do wear a helmet, thick padded cycling gloves and leg bands around my pants.

I have two water bottles that get filled and used depending on where I am going. Sometimes I don't take them, but then riding around in yesterday's heat, I filled them both 3 times and emptied them.

Fasteryoufool

1. Under-seat tool bag with basic tools and a patch kit.
2. Frame pump.
3. Water bottle.
4. 2nd water bottle if it's a long ride, or very hot out.
5. Lock and cable.

If it's winter and I'm commuting to a job, I'll often pack a 2nd set of clothes in a plastic bag in my backpack just in case.

Shawn Gossman

I always wonder if I should take another pair of bike shorts and jersey with me as well. I have seen photos of bike wrecks where it ripped holes in the clothing where you don'r want holes to be LOL. I'd hate to be out 20 miles from my truck with the barn open for everyone because the door was torn off >_<

Any thoughts on taking more apparel?

SkippyX

Well, I ride in gym shorts and regular ol' cotton boxers. If all of that gets torn up in an accident I'll not have to worry about it, because I'll be covered up by a blanket as they load me into the ambulance anyways.....

FenderTL5

1. Under-seat tool bag with basic tools and a patch kit.
2. Frame pump.
3. shirt for the office
4. extra socks
5. cable lock (I park in a secure parking garage, next to a security booth)

I have an extra pair of pants, shirt, and shoes that I leave at the office.

Cyclepup

For me the bare necessities are: Water, purse, leash, camera, U-lock, and (usually) my pup! DH carries the tools, food, water, extra gear, leash, and (usually) second pup. If I'm riding alone then the repair kit and food transfer to my bike.

In winter/spring I'll add a jacket to the list.

kookaburra1701

I carry my tools, boots, 15mm wrench (only 1 bike has QR skewers) and spare tube in a Lezyne Caddy Sack. That and a Lezyne Micro HP drive is either in a pannier/seat bag (commuter/utility bike) or in my jersey (road bike.) My lock is carried either in a pannier or strapped to the rear rack. Lights and stuff stay on my bikes. I go out with as much water as my cages can hold. I wear safety glasses, clear or tinted depending on the weather. I also wear gloves for pretty much every ride. A habit from growing up on horseback, I guess.

There's always a Clif Energy Shot/Bar in either my jersey pocket or my seat bag/pannier. I've never actually consumed one on my rides - always seem to run across someone who needs it more.

I also carry a cargonet/bungies on my rack/panniers.

Singlespeed92

I was going to say "Probably too much",LOL<but I think you got me beat by extra clothing

Grim Ace

I either take a backpack or a saddle bag depending on whether I only need to carry my biking stuff or other things as well (sometimes both). On small rides I take nothing but my u-lock.

On longer rides (20+ km) I always bring:

-A U-lock + optional extra cord to use with it.
-Something water resistant if there is a high chance of rain or already raining
-Water bottle
-Multitool, extra tube, tire levers, mini pump
-Deodorant

On my commute (10 km) I only take a u-lock.

Zedoo

Phone
Camera
Tube and tools
Bottle
Visor that velcros to helmet.
Pencil and paper

Antaresia

My ride to work is only 4.7 miles.

Spare change & a bus pass, my rout follows public transit.
Water, but that's more for my work day than cycling.
Fine tip sharpie, in case I need to write down a license plate.
Plastic bag for my seat if it rains. I don't bring any additional rain-gear for myself.
Lights, bell, multi tool.

For long rides I add patch kit, pump, tire levers, cell phone, wallet, U-Lock, snacks, gauze and wet wipes. My friend usually brings sun screen too, but I usually just need the one application before we leave.

BadBoy10

Driver's License
Insurance Card (medical)
Keys
Cash
Blackberry
2 checks
Credit Card
Mace or Taser because work sites do not permit gun on premises


Most Wanted: functional bicycle rain coat/gear, shoulder style messenger bag, better riding clothing (professional and weather proof), weather proof professional shoes

gerv 

I have to confess that the things I carry change quite a bit. It's important to go through the bag to weed out unnecessary items.

It usually happens on some May day when the temps are at 85F, I reach for something in my pannier and pull out my balaclava.