Welcome to a new recurring feature here at SBS: Bike Essentials. The premise is simple: I ask triathletes, cyclists and mountain bikers what they carry on rides and why. First contestant: me. My main ride is Masi Vincere aluminium frame road bike with triple chainring and 11-26 rear cassette.
Seat Bag Contents: Clockwise from top:
Latex gloves: Because every time I changed a flat on the rear tire my bar tape got dirty.
Topeak Hexus II Multi-tool: Because the tiny multi-tool I was carrying just wasn’t getting the job done and Timmy at Rocky Top Bicycles recommended it.
Tire levers: Because tires.
Planet Bike CO2 Bike Tire Inflator: Recently went with CO2 instead of my frame mounted pump. Still looking for a small pump. I’m a belt and suspenders kind of guy.
Spare tube & patch kit.
Money: Because chocolate milk ain’t free.
Bento Box Contents: Clockwise from top:
Spare rechargeable batteries for my 1-Watt Planet Bike Blaze LED headlight. I set it on strobe for daytime safety. I set it on high for those rides that started too late in the day, and I’m pedaling back in the dusk.
Spare CO2 cartridge.
Honey Stinger Waffles: Because they are delicious. I also use Shot Bloks. Lately I’ve been trying to move to more real food options like pitted dates and mission figs.
Smuckers Uncrustable reduced sugar PB&J sandwich: Because convenient for longer rides.
Lens wipes: Because sooner or later those sunscreen fingerprints turn your sunglasses into a kaleidoscope.
Crystal Light green tea peach mango drink mix: really just to add some flavor to my water bottle. After reading Waterlogged by Timothy Noakes, I’ve gotten away from electrolyte supplements like Gatorade. It’s been a good move for me.
Don’t Leave Home Without
Always with me on my bike: my iPhone, my Road ID wristband and two water bottles.
I never even thought about latex gloves on the bike even though I keep them in my truck and gear bag. I usually have wet wipes on the bike.
Wet wipes: that’s a great idea. I’ll add them to my bag.
Gotta check out those PB&J’s.