rydabent

Here in the snowbelt in the winter, I watch a lot of videos of trail rides all over the country. I see two types of cyclist on these rides. One is the rider that has No visible trace of tubes. patch kits, or pumps. I guess they rely on help from other riders. The other type is the rider that has his whole bike loaded down with bags. They look like that if someone invited to to a cross country ride, they could say lets go. For just an out and back ride, I just dont understand either one.

I ride with a trunk pack, that should have enough tools, tubes, patch kits, mini pump, and other emergency parts that should get me home 99% of the time without walking.

Iride01 

You have problems with people doing their own thing? If these persons were many miles away from any source of help and out of contact with civilization of any sort, I might agree that they should take some other stuff for emergencies.

What I really have a problem with is people I see with no water bottles on their bike or person out in areas that must be twenty or more minutes away from anything on the hot days we have here.

But still, it's their decision. Get over it. Maybe you'll get a opportunity to be a hero and come to their rescue one day.

zandoval 

I often shudder when remembering the rides I have made with no tools or back up.

Pure Idiocy...

PeteHski

I am pretty sure you wouldn’t be able to visibly tell that I was carrying all those things.

asgelle

Well let me help your understanding. For the person with no visible trace of equipment, perhaps the answer is as simple as that word visible. Tubes, patch and pump are present but out of view. As for loaded down with bags, since you didn't mention having x-ray vision, for all you know, those bags were empty. I know several riders who do long distance self-supported rides and don't bother taking their panniers off. But by all means keep projecting your prejudices on others.

JochenRindt

I rode for years without any tools, patch kit, spare tube, or pump. At the time I was living in my hometown and there was always a friend or an in-law I could call and ask them to pick me up. Fortunately, it only happened twice in nine years. Now that I live elsewhere, I would never even considering riding without tools. Looking back, I can't believe how irresponsible I was. And I also feel more like a proper cyclist now.

base2 

I have everything I need to fix almost every possible necessary repair all stuffed into a single standard 24oz water bottle. On the rides where I think I may need 2 water bottles, the fix-it kit water bottle goes in the center back pocket on my jersey.

In the shoulder seasons, if rain is likely, I'll often carry a pannier with a full compliment of likely weather gear. But if I'm on one of my non-rack equipped bikes, I'll wear long sleeves and layers. If I get too warm, I'll remove the jacket & tie it around the stem and the tops of the handlebar.

I've even been accused of wearing the occasional backpack. But, that's never been independently confirmed.

Am I the over-prepper or the no-prepper?

rosefarts

It's a video. That means cleanin up real nice for the camera. The poor sucker with the camera has the repair kit.

It really is that simple.

tomato coupe

Two type of cyclist I just dont understand

I suspect there are a lot more than two types of riders you don’t understand.

AirPhantomPhoto

Ahh, gone are the days of youth when I used to ride from Noank CT to Mystic CT (about 5 miles/9 klicks one way) to play with friends, or rode from Oberursel Germany to Frankfort Germany (about 13 miles/20 klicks one way also) when I was stationed there. And in the days of no cellphones, stick a couple coins in your sneaker/boot & hope you can find a payphone that works.
And no tools, no pumps, no patch kit.

Nowadays I feel like I need to loaded down with a kit, pump, tools to even think I might be able to fix an issue. More likely calling family to come get me instead, LOL as I wouldnt have a clue how to try to fix my bike.
I've helped some local triathlons with the ham radio clubs, way too many times I've/we've had to relay messages for SAG to come help experienced bikers with their bikes. I dont know if they are required to carry stuff on their bikes per the rules, or not, or if its just faster to hope SAG can get them going again. I've looked at a couple local race/rides that do, may not know how to fix it but got to have the supplies.

Me, I'll just ride without & hope for the best. (fingers crossed) LOL

Eric F 

Just because people don't do things your way doesn't make them wrong. It's too bad you have trouble understanding that, and are so judgmental about other people's preferences.

I ride with a small pouch in my jersey pocket that carries what I need to address most issues I might have to deal with on a ride. You might not even notice it. Also, some modern frames have internal storage compartments. You wouldn't be able to see the tools unless you were able to physically inspect the bike.

I'm not familiar with riding with a lot of bags on my bike, but I would imagine that installing them and removing them regularly might become a pain in the @$$. If I did a lot of rides where they were needed, I can imagine I might leave them on, even if they were empty.

CAT7RDR

Wear SPD shoes/cleats or Chuck Taylors and hike-a-bike if you run into problems and do not have the tools or care.
Once rode/walked 5 miles because of a broken chain but lucked out because I was able to coast about 4 of the 5 miles downhill.

squirtdad

lots of reason for the first that people have touched on above

for the second it is likely they are bikepacking and have their camping gear, food, clothes etc....

genejockey 

If you see me riding on a rainy day, you may not see the spare tube, levers, multitool, pump, and CO2 inflator in my pockets, but I assure you, they're there.

hazetguy 

https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...s-cycllst.html

cweb99

DeadGrandpa

It all comes down to what degree of self-reliance one is comfortable with. I don't like the idea of having a mechanical issue and being unprepared to solve it. What if my emergency call relatives or friends are out of town or otherwise occupied? What would we do if we were on a self supported tour, what should be in my emergency repair kit? I go on every ride ready to fix anything that might reasonably be expected to fail. I've carried less than that and have been lucky, but if you go that route, sometimes your luck will run out when it's least convenient. I think that proves God has a sense of humor.

Polaris OBark

Come on. He can see through your tires and determine if you are running tubeless.

wheelreason

Chamba es chamba. ¿Cómo se dice tubeless es stupido?....

cweb99

no Nintendo bro

NumbersGuy

One type of rider I just don’t want to understand….. rydabent

aplcr0331

I’m kinda new to riding with only 18,000 miles ridden…but those were all without any tools…or $20 bills. No saddle bag or handlebar weed bag either.

My spare tube, tire lever, CO2 inflator, and CO2 cartridge are all right here in this little guy.


This mini-pump goes in my jersey pocket next to it.



That’s all I ever need and all I’ve ever carried. It takes all kinds out here…

dedhed

​​​​​​https://www.acg.aaa.com/aaa-membersh...e-service.html

rsbob 

I don’t seek to understand. Instead, I seek to accept. (This goes much farther than cycling)

Besides, what they choose to do or not do is of zero concern.

rydabent

Actually I cannot tell you how many cyclist I have stopped and helped because they were riding with no equipment to repair their bikes. I am old, was a repair tech for 50 years, and I have the time, and am in no hurry to get home.

But again I dont understand how they think they can ride with nothing.