Forum

Following on from a newbie saying Hi, i thought it might be usefull to get list together with your help for the things that are our "essentials" in it for when heading out on a ride.
* Edit* now with Added Links using CRC as much as possible for ease, but use you LBS as much as possible to show support

In no particular order

Helmet http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=225
Gloves http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=1543
camel pack http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=244
Water http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=247
tools http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=241 vage i know but look at the multi tools
inner tubes http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=184
tie wraps http://www.screwfix.com/p/multicoloured-cable-ties-200mm-x-4-8mm-pack-of-200/20957
Tape http://www.screwfix.com/p/insulating-tape-black-19mm-x-33m/68918
food (inc sweets) http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=2317
Phone
Money (even if its just enough for a phone box)
Torch / Batteries (if night riding)
map / sat nav
Chain speed link http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=871
Pump http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=262
Chain tool http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=10185
Whistle
Goddles / Glasses http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=606 or http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=609
Wet Wipes (this is what small dogs are for or ramblers)
Rubber gloves (if your a girl)
Puncture repair kit http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7973
Matches / Lighter (if out in the wilderness)
Jacket / Layers http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=357 and http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=664
Waterproofs http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=1095

Tyre levers
Water purification tablets
compass

Any other essentials we should add to the list? I'm trying to remember what i have in my camel pack?
I'll add it to the list on each reply

Glasses of some sort to protect from insect / grit / mud etc.. A must!

Also, 'tools' should include chain tool / breaker or whatever it's called

Glasses - Stop cr@p getting in your eyes.
Whistle
Map
Pencil
Wetwipes - Handy if changing tyre and get dog sh!t over your hands
Plasters
Friends - still looking
Rubber gloves get from hospital.

Lighter - great emergency puncture kit
2nd pair of gloves - incase 1 gets wet / damaged etc.

Bike! (sorry)

Piece of wire or similar, can be handy for a number of things including holding the ends of the chain together while fixing it. My Topeak tool comes with something like this.

Not essential but I also have:
Small hollowtech II tool incase cranks losen or creak
Full set of Allen Keys
Victorinox penknife
A few spare spokes the right size for your wheels
CO2 cartridges plus inflator (handy if your knackered and have to inflate the tyre)
Enough suitable clothing to keep you wam when stationary (multiple thin layers that you can remove as required is best)

As above jacket. should you be using PT
Hat gets cold after a ride waiting for train.

No one said hand saw\snips yet cutting branches back.

A piece of wire / twig
got to be careful with penknives etc as can be seen to be "blades" innit Bruv. but if going on an adventure i would whole hartedly recomend taking on or a letherman. I take mine when ever we go on holiday 5* or not. Wife always questions me but i've used it loads of times
Hollowtech tool, i didnt know they did a smayy one, interesting.
CO2 cartredge saved my race on sunday

Ah that's because my penknife has a saw. As well as pliers, scissors, screwdrivers and a load of other bits I never use.

This is the hollowtech tool I mentioned, all you need is that and an 8mm allen key. This is the multi tool I have.

Ok so lets modify this further by making the points and links. Once I sit down after work ill set about it

Good idea. I think a thread like this should qualify for being 'sticky'. Not sure if Jon already has this feature or it needs a phpBB mod.

I have a can of the inflate/tube repair stuff (was £1 from pound shop), think it should repair small punctures, used it in Les Gets, although tyre did die about half way down the red run so not 100% sure of whether it works ok.

I carry one of those that I got in LIDL or ALDI but the first and only time I tried one was on my first Epping jaunt... One of the others got a puncture and we tried it as the quick fix... but it didn't seem to work properly and we had to stop not long after to change the tube over.

Don't forget tyre levers. I also have a presta adapter in case my pump doesn't work and I have to use another or a garage pump. Also I do take a spoke key to true the wheel if neccessary. Obviously you need to know how to do it or you could completely mess up your wheel.
Summer riding sunscreen is a must. In about July when the mossies and midges are out Avon skin so soft repels them like no bodies business (it's what the SAS use to stop the buggers biting, especially those Welsh midges)

Zip ties.. u can fix anything with enough zip ties!