The most necessary items to bike are obvious: a good bike, bike shoes, bike clothes, bike pants, and a helmet. But necessary is not the same as essential. You need more to remain:
- Comfortable
- Safe
- Efficient
In other words, happy riding requires more comforts than the basic essentials. Here is a small list of other items I use to remain a happy rider.
Riding Computer
A good riding computer is fun and interesting, especially if you like stats. You get to see all sorts of interesting information about your riding, including your speed, distance, average speed, and so on. As riding computers get more sophisticated, you get more sophisticated metrics and technology.
Personally, I have a fairly inexpensive, limited-metric computer because I prefer simplicity.
That being said, you can also use your smart phone as a riding computer simply by downloading any one of the many apps. It’s free, or very low price, though the downside is that phones are bulkier than riding computers and you run the risk of destroying your phone if it falls off. Any smart phone is more expensive than a riding computer.
Lights
Having had many close calls while cycling, I am paranoid about safety. Flashing lights are useful in the night time and the day time. They are useful on the front of your bike and the back of your bike. They are useful strapped to your helmet and your jersey.
I’m not a riding lighthouse or anything, but I do have a light that faces forward on my handlebars, one facing backwards connected to my seat, and a reflector attached to my helmet.
Cycling Chamois Cream
Chaffing is extremely painful and will ruin a ride, as well as any rides you plan on having in the days proceeding becoming chaffed.
Chamois cream is an absolute god-send for long bike rides, especially early on in the season when you are not used to riding in the saddle for hours on end.
CO2 Containers
CO2 containers and the associated inflator make changing punctured tires easy and convenient. For one, they allow you to pressurize your tires much faster, easier, and accurately than a hand pump.
Ever sat on the side of the road and tried to get 90psi or 110psi out of your hand pump? If so, you know how frustrating or impossible it is to do it. CO2 does in in a moment. Secondly, the containers and inflator takes up a small amount of space and allows you to have extra space on your frame where your hand pump might otherwise go.
Carrying Sack With Essentials
Lastly, I have a small sack that attaches to the bottom of my seat. What do I keep in here?
- 2 spare tubes
- 2 CO2 containers and inflator
- Tube changing sticks
- Handyman bike tool
With these items around, I’ve never been stranded.
Thanks for reading and happy cycling,
Barton Haynes