Okay, just another couple days of heat and humidity and then a break, hopefully. We get hot days here, but usually not so humid and I am a wilting flower 
I was going to go for a ride this morning, but I couldn’t didn’t want to face the sweating under the helmet, so I just took a 2 mile walk instead before breakfast.
Tish asked more about the contents of my bike bag. We each have a bag that attached to the back of the bike on a rack. You can see those bags in this pic:
I can’t stand to wear a pack on my back while riding, so we loooove the Topeak bike rack system. There are interchangeable components as well if we ever want to buy any of them.
The contents of the ride vary a bit depending on the length of the ride and where we are going. For all rides short or long – this is what goes in the bag:
Phone/wallet, tube, pump, tire lifters. Always have these (which I haven’t needed yet this season, knock on wood).
Longer rides get these things added to that:
Anti-chafe gel (I hardly ever use this, but you never know after 50 miles if you might want it.). John also brings ibuprofen in a little jar in his bag. Good to have on hand.
Bike lock – I hate carrying this lock because it is heavy, but when we stop for meals or walking, the bikes get locked up (not that a lock helped much in Montreal… ).
Sunscreen in my smaller container.
My hat for hiding my helmet head when we stop for meals/cupcakes/ice cream. Gotta look pretty, don’t you know.
Various snacks like dried pineapple, dates, bars. Sometimes a whole lunch packed if that is on the agenda.
The good stuff:
Napkins are tucked in the side pocket as well, usually extras from when we have bagels, but you never know when you might use one at any other time.
All of this stuff makes the bag heavy – probably 5 pounds. It is extra weight to lug along, but we don’t have a team car or sag wagon when we are out riding.
Something we ought to carry would be a tiny first aid kit or at least some band-aids. I used to have a travel size bottle of hand sanitizer, but I cracked the bottle.
I normally just carry one water bottle and fill it up at stops, but when it is really hot or we are going out for a long time, I will bring the second just in case. Yesterday I really needed it!
You do have to plan ahead for longer rides to think about water stops, potty stops, food stops, weather, timing (being back by dark later in the season). It’s pretty second nature for us now and most of this stuff stays in my bag all the time.
Being prepared is a good thing 😀
Thank you! I guess it’s always the added convenience of having something vs the extra weight. I often ride with DH and end up taking a lot less because we share what we take. We have a small insulated backpack that I don’t find uncomfortable. It keeps our drinks cold, which I like. I hadn’t thought of taking anti chafe stuff, but that’s a great idea. I do take bandaids because I’ve experienced falls where they were needed. The only other thing I take is sunglasses. I don’t really like to wear them, but will put them on if it’s very bright out.
I didn’t even think to mention sunglasses because I never have them off my face LOL! Even on cloudy days I wear them as the breeze makes my eyes water, not to mention I still squint on cloudy days.
I live about 2.4 miles from work and keep thinking I should bike in, but don’t know that I want to go through all the hassle of packing a new set of clothes, worrying about my hair under the helmet, etc… I keep hoping the temps will drop a bit and I can just bike in on Fridays when we can wear casual clothes and I have a half day. I can handle a little helmet hair if it doesn’t last the whole day!
See – I would bike in every day with that distance because it really only takes about 15 minutes tops to go that far. Hair is a problem, but wearing it up is always an option 😀
This may be overkill, but you never know……I carry a can of pepper spray in my bag which attaches to the front of my bike.
No pepper spray here, but I would like to see someone try to mess with this lady lifter 😀
I can’t believe that all fits in there!
I actually have my bike in the back of my car to get it in for a ‘tune-up.’ If I EVER get to riding longer distances like you guys, this will be a very helpful reference!
I think being prepared is something I always strive to do so I think it’s smart you do the same.
Taipei is humid in the afternoon but thankfully the early mornings and late nights are manageable.
Have a wonderful day!
Lori, this is totally off topic, but I love the photo of your bike and John’s bike under the shade of the tree relaxing by the water….side by side….just like you and John.
Thanks, Mom. 😀
I’ve had rack bags on my Amazon wish list for about 3 years now. LOL One of these days… 🙂
For now my handlebar bag holds my bike lock, keys, sunscreen & stuff. I carry wallet, book, lip sunscreen and such in my sling sack. And if I need to haul something more, I have a small duffel I can bungee onto my rack and make do. No more than I ride, it works for now. (Actually, I’m not riding at all right now because my rear tire bit the dust. 🙁 )
Fun to see what you carry in your bag.
I always think what I need to bring on my longer runs: how much gels and how much water. I need to have enough water on me because where I run there are no possibilities to fill my water bottles. I carry this thing with water bottles around my waist because I hate holding things in my hand during runs.
Oh and … I love your Mom’s comment.
Lori – you should see what is in my gym bag – it is a workout in itself!!! 😉 OK, you inspired me to do a post of all the things I carry in my gym bag! 🙂 YES. pays to be prepared! 😉
Great post! I like seeing what people have. We are currently out of tubes but usually I carry a spare. I have sunscreen, bike pump, tire repair kit, etc. I bring 2 water bottles with me on long rides. If we are biking somewhere to eat I bring the lock but it’s a pain. I hate wearing a backpack too.
My husband calls me the “grown up Brownie/Girl Guide” ’cause I’m all about being prepared.
see? I can not ride a bike and yet I think I WANT A UNICYCLE.
Im a crazy misfit 🙂