This installment of Bike Essentials comes from Janine Pleasant: Personal Trainer, Triathlon Coach, and Event Manager. She has completed over 100 triathlons from sprints all the way to a full Iron distance events. You can learn more about her by following this link to Tri Hard Fitness.
Seat Bag Contents: Left to Right
Patch kit for backup in case I blow the spare tube.
Benadryl and EpiPen for allergies.
CO2 canisters and inflator.
Spare tube.
Tire tools.
Cash for food, drinks, cab…
Make sure you can actually get the tires on and off the wheel. I currently have a set of heavy-duty “cross” tires that are more or less impossible to change outside of a shop. The shop actually made a mild suggestion that I should consider a different set of tires.
Frank makes an important point here. In fact, when you are picking tires it’s a good idea to ask your friends and your LBS how easy the tires are to get on and off. And yes, you should practice changing tires, both the front and back, before your next triathlon or cycling event.