Re: What is the absolute MUST to carry on a trip

[Brian Thompson]

Much of this depends upon the terrain. I was riding on a logging road
in northern Montana a few months ago and blew my rear derailleur
hanger. I walked back :-(

Otherwise:
Water (prefer Camelback MULE)
Clif Shots
Spare tube
Crank Bros toolkit
Patch kit
Pump
Road Rash cleaning kit
Lightweight shell
Spare rear derailleur hanger

More food and clothing depending upon the altitude, weather and
duration.

Cheers,
Brian

On 27 Jun 2003 14:45:01 GMT, "G-Man" > appears to
have written:

>I have a Topeak Toolbar, patch kit, extra tube. Is there anything else to
>carry besides water? Doing like a 45 Mile RT ride this weekend.
>
>I'm new to this!
>
>G-Man

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[David Kunz]

Brian Thompson wrote:
> Much of this depends upon the terrain. I was riding on a logging road
> in northern Montana a few months ago and blew my rear derailleur
> hanger. I walked back :-(

Break chain (why I always carry a chain breaker). Remove DR, shorten
chain and put on middle/middle or granny/3 (or so) depending on terrain.
Pedal easy if the chain's not snug. I've gotten home that way.

>
> Otherwise:
> Water (prefer Camelback MULE)
> Clif Shots
> Spare tube
> Crank Bros toolkit
> Patch kit
> Pump
> Road Rash cleaning kit
> Lightweight shell
> Spare rear derailleur hanger
>
> More food and clothing depending upon the altitude, weather and
> duration.
>
> Cheers,
> Brian
>
> On 27 Jun 2003 14:45:01 GMT, "G-Man" > appears to
> have written:
>
>
>>I have a Topeak Toolbar, patch kit, extra tube. Is there anything else to
>>carry besides water? Doing like a 45 Mile RT ride this weekend.

I skip the Clif Shots in favor of the clif bars -- for me, they work a
lot better (sustainable energy vs. quick energy -- the shots are kinda
like putting gas or dry leaves on a fire instead of a log :)). Fruit
bars -- like fig newtons -- work well also.

I'd add/modify...
Any decent multi-tool(s) that cover your bike. I personally don't like
the big "kitchen sink" models. Too hard to actually use. I carry a
couple smaller ones. (The Topeak may cover this) Make sure that it
covers your bike -- hex nuts if needed, all sizes of hex keys needed.
I'll also add that the ones with ball hex heads are great for running
bolts in and out, but tend to strip a bolt if it's tight -- so I avoid
them for my travel tool kit.
Small chain breaker (if not part of the multi-tool).
Quick master link (much easier than mending a chain on the run).
Tire levers (if not part of the multi-tool -- if they are, make sure
that they're actually usable).
Gatoraide in the flasks on the frame (2 or more for 45 miles, depending
on how hot it is). Never drink water alone -- you need to replentish
fluids. I usually mix my own from powder at 2/3 the normal strength or
dilute premixed about the same.
Duct tape wrapped around a dowel or an unsharpened pencil, etc. -- it's
amazing what this'll fix in a pinch :). I've even used it to limp home
when I blew a tire (combined with wrappers from my cliff bars, that
plastic's stronger then you may think :)).

AND, check the glue in the patch kit. Nothing's worse than needing that
patch and finding the glue's dry. A trick that I pick'd up here is that
once opened, squeeze any extra air out of the tube before putting the
cap on. This helps keep if from drying out on you.

David

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[R15757]

chain breaker a must, with extra links
pump
tire levers
all necessary allen wrenches
spoke wrench
lunch in addition to energy gels or bars
about 2 liters of water or more per 35 miles of trail

helmet
full-finger gloves
sunglasses
sunscreen (on your body)
rainjacket
for actual mountains: long-sleeve polypro type thing and tights, wool socks and
polypro skull cap

water filter and/or pills.

a little lube is nice
a few extra spokes are nice
maps can be nice
cell phone to call the medivac chopper

Robert

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