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i think i may be carrying too much stuff,when riding my road bike.

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  • December 17, 2012 at 2:51 pm #17475
    racefaceec90

    apologies in advance.i have always carried too much stuff when riding my bike for any distance (starting with my mountain bike ).
    just come back from doing a ride on my new road bike (about 27 miles i think),really enjoyed it,but my back is dead (here’s the reason :\”>

    http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h365/racefaceec90/DSC00844_zps4f700a4f.jpg

    i was wondering how you all carry what you need,when riding your bike? how do you also take a u lock with you when you want to stop somewhere for a coffee say?

    i know i’m a big numpty (it’s my own fault 😉 but do you have a special acme hole you can put everything in 😀

    i mean how do you carry all your food/water when you’re doing 100 + miles e.t.c 😕

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  • December 17, 2012 at 4:22 pm #709005
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    therevokid

    for complete pump overkill
    for complete pump overkill …. lezyne do a mini that’ll
    do Co2 AND manual 🙂
    All my other gear goes into a single waterproof pouch that
    fits a jersey pocket – job done 😀

    December 17, 2012 at 4:17 pm #709003
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    mattyb95

    Assuming you’ve been eating
    Assuming you’ve been eating normally in the days leading up to a ride, you probably have enough energy stored to manage an hour to 90 minutes without needing extra fuel on the ride. My Saturday club run is 26 miles and takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and I just take one bottle with water and then mobile and a fiver in jersey pocket, 1 gel just in case and then a saddlebag with CO2 cartridge and chuck, spare tube, patch kit tyre levers and then my house keys.

    When I go on longer rides, I take a bigger saddle bag with all of the above plus an extra tube and a mini tool, add on a frame-fit mini pump and then 2 bottles with energy drink and more gels, bars and even spare drink powder in a zip lock bag in the jersey pocket.

    If I know I may be out in the dark, the lights just go on the bike rather than being carried. If I’m going home to home, I try to dress appropriately and if it rains then just grin and bear it knowing I’ll be home soon enough which avoids taking too many extra layers like waterproof trousers. If you must take a lock, look at ones for snowboards, they are small, pocket sized ones with a small retractable cable. Should be enough to deter the opportune thief if you are just inside having a cuppa and can generally see where the bike is.

    Assuming you aren’t too far from the beaten path, cash and a card can help in food emergencies so what you have been packing is really too much.

    December 17, 2012 at 4:10 pm #709001
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    davidw07

    For a 27 mile ride at this
    For a 27 mile ride at this time of the year, provided you’re hydrated and fed before you start, you should need no more than one water bottle in a carrier. For hotter weather and longer distance (up to 50 miles) a second water bottle in a carrier. Anything longer, you are going to have to fill up en route.
    Leyzne do great mini-pumps which fix to a bottle carrier and I use a co2 canister carrier which also fixes to the bottle carrier
    I use a small saddlebag which holds two tubes, tyre levers, co2 head and multi-tool.
    Your greatest weight is the lock. I think you will have to compromise in terms of risk. I use a very light and cheap combination wire lock which also goes in the saddle bag. Any serious thief could cut it in seconds, but it will deter the opportunist whilst you go inside and buy your coffee – then drink it with the bike in sight.
    With regard food, a ride isn’t a picnic, so plan to stop and buy food or Mars bars at places which suit the ride. All you should carry is a gel or energy bar in case of suddden energy loss.
    If you do not plan to be out in the dark, don’t carry proper lights. For emergencies at this time of the year (puncture at dusk) carry two small single bulb LED lights.
    Take a measured risk on clothing – you can’t cover all eventualities, but forecasts are pretty good these days. I’ve got a cheap weather station with an outdoor sensor so I know how cold or warm it is when I’m getting ready – it helps in not overdressing or underdressing
    Please whatever you do DONT contemplate panniers unless you’re camping with no chance of contact with the civilised world!

    December 17, 2012 at 4:03 pm #708999
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    racefaceec90

    i’ll travel light (as for the
    i’ll travel light (as for the fast part,am as quick as a snail nowadays (even on a road bike).the journey took me about 3 hours 20 minutes (i know :”> that did include stopping at sainsbury’s in melksham (about 10-15 min).so 3 hours for 27 miles :”(

    i don’t let that put me off though,as i love riding the bike (when i do ride) 😀

    onwards and upwards as they say 😉

    December 17, 2012 at 3:56 pm #708997
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    axisofweasel

    No worries, good luck with
    No worries, good luck with it!

    I know the feeling though with gear creep. I do a lot of ski touring and if i take a bigger bag than absolutely necessary i end up taking the kitchen sink.

    Force yourself to only take what you can carry in your pockets and be ruthless. Travel light and travel fast!

    December 17, 2012 at 3:46 pm #708995
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    racefaceec90

    the embarrassing thing is
    the embarrassing thing is that i didn’t eat/drink any of it (i had a bowl of porridge oats before). i had a bottle filled with water (and barely drunk 1/4 of it).i always ride home to home.will have to re-sort out my riding gear deffo 🙂 thanks for your tips by the way 😀

    December 17, 2012 at 3:39 pm #708993
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    axisofweasel

    That looks like a huge amount
    That looks like a huge amount of kit for 27 miles?

    Firstly i just don’t take a lock, simple enough if your out in a group but if you’re out solo i’m lucky enough to have a bike friendly coffee shop handy. I tend not to ride where i’ll get stuck in the dark but i just leave my lights clipped on.

    Everything else fits in jersey with exception of water.

    Pocket 1: Phone, credit card or tenner and key in sandwhich bag. Jacket stuffed on top.

    Pocket 2: Minipump, tyre levers, tool and tube, with elastic band. Usually i stuff a wrap or two in there wrapped in parfoil, nice and easy to open on bike.

    Pocket 3: Food, usually the Skratch labs rice cake stuff. Again wrapped in parfoil.

    Are you carrying drinks in sports bottles or as they are? 2 bottles on frame will do most big rides but can always refill or buy a big bottle to refill mid ride. (Incidentally are you not absolutely buzzing with that much red bull stuff?).

    Shouldn’t really need anything more than that?

    December 17, 2012 at 3:38 pm #708991
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    Gkam84

    WOW, things will change for
    WOW, things will change for my on a trike, I can carry what I like and not feel it.

    But upright, for 27 miles? A pump, spare tube, a bottle with something in it half full. Lights if its dark and my phone.

    For 100 miles I would add some food, maybe a small lock, but nothing that chunky, thats an “all day” commuter lock in my eyes, not a pit stop one.

    December 17, 2012 at 3:30 pm #708989
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    Al__S

    How much of the drink did you
    How much of the drink did you actually, um, drink? Unless it is really hot you’re not going to need more than an 800ml bottle for a 27 mile ride (otherwise you’re going to be stopping for a piss constantly).
    Food: forego the variety. Gells taste/feel wrong, but mars bars or similar are easy to stash.
    If you must carry a pump, make it a compact one (i have a superb one I picked up in Halfords- own brand “bike hut” but works beautifully) strapped to the frame; the hardcore would suggest anything other than a CO2 cannister is overkill.
    Look at the weather forecast, dress appropriatly rather than carrying extra gear.
    If you’re riding from home to home, then unless you’re going shopping on the way back do you need to carry the lock?
    The ultra-hardcore Velominati rules frown on carrying anything more than a single bidon and only what will fit in the pockets of a jersey

    December 17, 2012 at 3:29 pm #708987
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    mpt68

    if your going to take all
    if your going to take all that have you thought about some panniers.why dont you put your drinks into 2 bidons then they are on the bike in the bottle cages. everything else will just fit in your jersey pockets apart from the lock

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