Long(ish) ride...what to take?
Discussion
In 9 weeks time, i'm cycling from St David's in Wales, to Lowestoft (West to East)
It's about 400 miles and i've got 4 days to do it.
I'm staying in premier inns (or similar) each night, so not taking tents or suchlike, but do need to travel as light as possible.
What have others taken? How many tubes and tyres? What liquids shall I take? Any tips welcome!
I've not done any training yet, but i'll worry about that later, I haven't been on my bike since October (50 miles) due to injury. I did get back on my MTB this week, did a whole 8 miles!
It's about 400 miles and i've got 4 days to do it.
I'm staying in premier inns (or similar) each night, so not taking tents or suchlike, but do need to travel as light as possible.
What have others taken? How many tubes and tyres? What liquids shall I take? Any tips welcome!
I've not done any training yet, but i'll worry about that later, I haven't been on my bike since October (50 miles) due to injury. I did get back on my MTB this week, did a whole 8 miles!
Put together a "base" list then tailor that up according to your training
If it was me:
Inner tube x 4
Patches
Levers x 4
Electrical tape x 2
Small pliers
Multi tool
Spare multitool
spoke tool
spare spokes
Chain links (although I don't carry them)
pump
spare pump
cable ties (Velcro ones are better I find)
pen knife
tweezers
Batteries & Spare batteries & spare lights
Ive fixed most things m, even a snapped frame with the above
The trick is preventative maintenance and making sure everything is top notch before you leave, I would:
Ensure all cables are new
Chain and cassette are good condition
Good quality puncture proof tyres and check the right PSI every day
no play in headset or anywhere else on bike
If it was me:
Inner tube x 4
Patches
Levers x 4
Electrical tape x 2
Small pliers
Multi tool
Spare multitool
spoke tool
spare spokes
Chain links (although I don't carry them)
pump
spare pump
cable ties (Velcro ones are better I find)
pen knife
tweezers
Batteries & Spare batteries & spare lights
Ive fixed most things m, even a snapped frame with the above
The trick is preventative maintenance and making sure everything is top notch before you leave, I would:
Ensure all cables are new
Chain and cassette are good condition
Good quality puncture proof tyres and check the right PSI every day
no play in headset or anywhere else on bike
I have to be honest, that list is a bit excessive imho. Its the UK not Mongolia, there are bike shops all along the route so anything serious can be managed until you reach a shop. In fact, plan the route to take in the odd town so you can stock up along the way. In 9 weeks time there will be close on 12 hours good daylight hours so lights arent really necessary, even at 10 mph avg speed (which is really, really slow even for an unfit bloke on an old clunker mtb! 
) you will have plenty of time to fit in 100 miles in a day, a nice long lunch and a break on the way. Thus spare lights and batteries really arent necessary. I havent snapped a spoke in thousands of miles of mtb and road riding and I dont ride 36 hole wheels on the road, I dont see the need for spokes and spoke tool personally. Again if a spoke breaks, head for the nearest town and ask them nicely whats happened, if you explain the ride I'm sure even Evans would fit you in the hour.
I'd personally take the following;
2 x spare tubes, you can buy more en route if you need them
2 x levers
parktool self adhesive patch kit
pump
lights
multi tool with chain splitter
Chain split links
Half a biro wrapped in duct tape for emergencies
Spare gear and brake cable
A few reusable plastic zip ties, velcro ones are ok but not great in the wet
All of which will fit in a large saddle bag. You can then have a small bag on your back for clothes etc
Spare pump and spare multitool is a bit overkill, again its stuff you can replace on route if you have too but again I havent had a pump or multitool fail or break whilst on a ride, so I wouldnt bother carrying extra weight. If you are that worried, take a co2 canister which takes up less space. I'd be wary of fitting new cables immediately before a long ride, I prefer stuff thats had time to bed in and new cables may stretch and bugger up the indexing.
I wouldnt worry about food and drink, just enjoy it, petrol stations have everything you need and so long as you find a good meal in the evening, take it steady and eat normal food. Unless you have a desire to knock out the miles very quickly then lounge in the luxurious surroundings of the Premier Inn, plot a nice route that takes you off main roads and have fun.
I'm in Bristol, give me a shout if you want some company along the way!
) you will have plenty of time to fit in 100 miles in a day, a nice long lunch and a break on the way. Thus spare lights and batteries really arent necessary. I havent snapped a spoke in thousands of miles of mtb and road riding and I dont ride 36 hole wheels on the road, I dont see the need for spokes and spoke tool personally. Again if a spoke breaks, head for the nearest town and ask them nicely whats happened, if you explain the ride I'm sure even Evans would fit you in the hour.I'd personally take the following;
2 x spare tubes, you can buy more en route if you need them
2 x levers
parktool self adhesive patch kit
pump
lights
multi tool with chain splitter
Chain split links
Half a biro wrapped in duct tape for emergencies
Spare gear and brake cable
A few reusable plastic zip ties, velcro ones are ok but not great in the wet
All of which will fit in a large saddle bag. You can then have a small bag on your back for clothes etc
Spare pump and spare multitool is a bit overkill, again its stuff you can replace on route if you have too but again I havent had a pump or multitool fail or break whilst on a ride, so I wouldnt bother carrying extra weight. If you are that worried, take a co2 canister which takes up less space. I'd be wary of fitting new cables immediately before a long ride, I prefer stuff thats had time to bed in and new cables may stretch and bugger up the indexing.
I wouldnt worry about food and drink, just enjoy it, petrol stations have everything you need and so long as you find a good meal in the evening, take it steady and eat normal food. Unless you have a desire to knock out the miles very quickly then lounge in the luxurious surroundings of the Premier Inn, plot a nice route that takes you off main roads and have fun.
I'm in Bristol, give me a shout if you want some company along the way!
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 18th February 19:05
I'm more on Pablo's wavelength but I would take more than 2 tyre levers. I've struggled to get tyres off sometimes with only two, and I've broken more than two in my time. Two tubes should see be enough for one day, you can patch them at the hotel at night or buy more the next day. Definitely take time to check a puncture properly - really check the tyre inside and out for thorns / flint etc. It's easy to rush it and have to do it all over again 10 seconds down the road.
By coincidence today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1gv6Y5NSno
As per Pablo's list, but I'd add a couple of tried and tested gels that you know your body is happy with, just as emergency bonk rations. A couple of hydration tablets are useful. If you have space in your luggage then a massage ball (tennis ball sized thing) would be my luxury item for a multi-day ride like that.
Kinda hard to snap a mont blanc in half
(the biro is to wrap the tape around..)
Agree with pablo (see, again!). All you *really* need is a credit card
Wear the same kit, embrace the stink (or just wash it in the travel lodge sink).
I'd tape a couple of spokes of each flavour you need to the frame just 'cos it's a pain to walk if one goes somewhere silly, and there's a decent chance bike shops might not have what you need. That said, I do have spare spokes kicking around. If the wheels are inexpensive shop bought / came with the bike, you could always take the view that in the worst case you buy another wheel.
(the biro is to wrap the tape around..)
Agree with pablo (see, again!). All you *really* need is a credit card
Wear the same kit, embrace the stink (or just wash it in the travel lodge sink). I'd tape a couple of spokes of each flavour you need to the frame just 'cos it's a pain to walk if one goes somewhere silly, and there's a decent chance bike shops might not have what you need. That said, I do have spare spokes kicking around. If the wheels are inexpensive shop bought / came with the bike, you could always take the view that in the worst case you buy another wheel.
How often do people really snap spokes? Never broken any on road or XC mtb, never been on a ride with anyone who's broken one either.
I'd take :-
2 inner tubes
Park tools pre glued patches, the tiny pack.
2 tyre levers - check before you go, you may find you can get tyres on and off with hands, if so ditch the tyre levers
Pump, check it'll do high pressure.
Multi tool
Chain joiner links
That's all, as said check the bikes in good order before you go and should be no need for anything else, if there is buy on route.
I'd take :-
2 inner tubes
Park tools pre glued patches, the tiny pack.
2 tyre levers - check before you go, you may find you can get tyres on and off with hands, if so ditch the tyre levers
Pump, check it'll do high pressure.
Multi tool
Chain joiner links
That's all, as said check the bikes in good order before you go and should be no need for anything else, if there is buy on route.
Steve vRS said:
Pablo, what is the biro for? Would a Mont Blanc fountain pen be better? This is PH after all.
Since fitting the 50mm carbon clinchers, I have young women throw themselves at me whenever I am out riding so need something to take down all their phone numbers.... As we only ever seem to ride in biblical downpours, and thus I use the zondas, you have yet to witness this phenomenon. Spokes, rarely but it's a complete PITA when they do. 2 occasions I've been riding with others who have, one mavic, one shimano, both factory wheels (I do ride quite a lot mind)
If you have spares, its no big deal to tape a couple along the frame somewhere. If you don't, then I'd not worry about it.
Shorts - nope, why would you think that? Sure, if they were totally salt encrusted or sopping wet, not ideal.. but worst case, just rinse them in the sink and dry on the radiator.
If you have spares, its no big deal to tape a couple along the frame somewhere. If you don't, then I'd not worry about it.
Shorts - nope, why would you think that? Sure, if they were totally salt encrusted or sopping wet, not ideal.. but worst case, just rinse them in the sink and dry on the radiator.
400 miles is about 3 weeks of commuting. I'd be surprised if I punctured once in that time.
I'd take a couple of spare inner tubes (maybe 3?) a couple of gas canisters and a pump if I could be bothered, along with some levers obviously, and a multi-tool.
The biggest thing I'd want to have confidence in my tyres, so if in doubt I'd fit some good ones (I run Duranos during winter, GP4000's in summer) and I'd take my debit card. Cant see what else you might need (apart from food etc)
I'd take a couple of spare inner tubes (maybe 3?) a couple of gas canisters and a pump if I could be bothered, along with some levers obviously, and a multi-tool.
The biggest thing I'd want to have confidence in my tyres, so if in doubt I'd fit some good ones (I run Duranos during winter, GP4000's in summer) and I'd take my debit card. Cant see what else you might need (apart from food etc)
A guy I know did the end to end by posting clothes to the hotel in advance and getting them to post the old ones back to his house. Seems like a fine idea to me.
I would take a very minimal tool kit/spares - 100 road miles is really not very far at all.
e.g. 1 tube, puncture repair kit, tyre boot, multi tool, sram quick link, pump. mobile, cash. Same as any training ride.
And yes, make sure it is roadworthy before you go. If you are changing gear cables on it they were knackered before you left home....
I would take a very minimal tool kit/spares - 100 road miles is really not very far at all.
e.g. 1 tube, puncture repair kit, tyre boot, multi tool, sram quick link, pump. mobile, cash. Same as any training ride.
And yes, make sure it is roadworthy before you go. If you are changing gear cables on it they were knackered before you left home....
S10GTA said:
400 miles is about 3 weeks of commuting. I'd be surprised if I punctured once in that time.
It's much easier to prepare for if it's something you do all the time. If the OP is doing it on a bike they have confidence in on predictable surfaces in sensible locations the planning is more straightforward.For me it'd be more or less usual commuting kit unless especially remote: 1 tube, puncture kit, 2 levers, 2 Allen keys, pump, lights, replaceable link perhaps.
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