What's in the bag?

We do this class in practice, but we thought it might be nice to also post it here, as a guide for our team members, friends and parent, as they prepare their own "bike bag" of necessary items for a safe and fruitful ride.

I personally use a Camelbak "Mayhem" bag.  It's designed for downhill events, and I find it works great for me when I need to have room for taking care of a group of riders.  If you only need to take care of yourself, you can carry much less.  I am one of those people who like to be prepared.

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Here is the list of what I carry in the bag:

- Water (in bladder, and two bottles for folks who run out, or don't bring any)
- Multi tool
- Tire levers
- Chain break
- Chain lube
- Napkin, toilet paper (Mountain money)
- ($10 - $20, in case you need to buy something.
- Leatherman tool (maybe overkill)
- Bike pump (a good one, or CO2 if you prefer)
- First aid kit (including in emergency kit)

  • First aid handkerchief

  • syringe (and saline water) for cleaning wounds or eyes

  • Gauze bandage

  • Tape

  • Regular bandaids (lots of shapes and sizes)

  • pain killers

  • imodium

  • Alcohol wipes

  • - Clif bars (or similar)

- food/snacks for you and friend.
- extra tubes
- Cell phone
- Eye Glasses (Some nifty ones that are small and light and packable these days)
- Vehicle keys (you need them to get home)
- Few zip ties
- Roll (or partial roll) of electrical tape
- Bottle opener

Tried and true, size and type bag for in the car.

Tried and true, size and type bag for in the car.

Road bag

(In the car, all the time)

- Extra underwear and change of clothes.
- Extra bike clothes. (warm stuff)
- Hat (for cold weather or "helmet hair")
- Larger selection of commonly needed tools.
- Bike shoes
- Helmet
- Shock pump (for suspension bikes)
- Shoe cleats (replacements)
- Extra tubes
- Extra peddles
- Gloves
- Any other parts that your bike might routinely need.
- more Clif bars
- Extra (emergency bottle) of water.
- Other items you may need (medicine, epi-pen, etc).
- Extra "mountain money"
- Tooth brush, soap, hygiene stuff

 This is just what I have found works for me.

Moab, a few years back.

Moab, a few years back.

Destination cycling bag

If I am doing destination cycling, I adjust my supplies accordingly. Each big ride or trip can have different necessity items.

Typically, a destination bag will include a good selection of A.V. Tools and gadgets I might want to recorded and capture my experience. Lots of cords, adapters, Go Pro, fixtures, bike lights and all things electrical and needing power go in this category. Seems like lots to parts are needed to keep all these electrical wonders working…but it’s worth it.

If I'm going deep into a wilderness area, especially alone, I will likely pack a pistol.  It's a tool (in trained hands) and it's good for signaling others, securing food, scaring off sick of aggressive animals, or maybe even protecting yourself from another person.  Like I said, I personally like to be prepared.

If you are changing altitude a lot, on an epic ride, make sure you have room and have prepared for putting on clothes or taking them off as you go.  This Moab ride in the photo, started out at 40° and was well over 100° by the end of the ride.  Be prepared.