Cycling is a pleasurable sport. But as time changes, so do the situations. Let’s face it, we all like to see ourselves a little bit harder than the overall population. Our willingness is to push our bodies through pain and suffering, knowing that we’ll come out the other side feeling better.
However, it doe not mean that you’ll embrace all pain. Long weekend rides are demanding enough as they are. Besides, you are not sure what to pack for a ride? There are essential items that you should bring along with you when on a bike ride.
Let’s look at them!
Water Bottle
The essential thing is to make sure that you always have a water bottle to avoid dehydration. It will keep your energy levels up on long or short bike rides. People usually underestimate thinking how draining a bike ride might be, especially during hot summer days. What you can do is buy an Arundel mandible carbon bottle cage at an online bike store. It will make it easy to attach to your bike and lighten the load of your bag.
Backpack
Buying a durable backpack is vital to withstand adverse weather conditions or damage on your rides. It proves handy as it is convenient to wear on your back. Now you don’t have to worry about attaching fixings to your bike to hold your bag.
When purchasing a backpack, a tip is to find one with reflective panels. This will ensure you are visible on the road and one without long cords that can get caught in your tires.
Sun Protection
You probably know how the weather is changing. Rain, hail, or shine, make it important and ensure you are protecting yourself from harmful ultraviolet rays. When going on a bike ride, especially during summer, slather yourself in sunscreen. Pop on a hat, and wear some sunglasses to keep yourself safe.
Small First Aid Kit- A Must Have!
It is always better to be safe than sorry. That is why you must carry a first aid kit every time you ride. A first aid kit is not only for any accidents you might be in, but you also have a kit at hand if you encounter any injured cyclists. You can carry the below items as a basic first aid kit for riding.
- Gloves – To protect you, in a case while giving first aid to anyone bleeding
- Face Shield – If there is a requirement to give CPR to anyone, it’s good to have a barrier to prevent infection
- Triangular Bandage – You can use this as a sling or a pad to stem bleeding
- Crepe Bandage – To create pressure on wounds, reduce swelling, or hold the padding in place
- Non-adherent dressings – To cover abrasions
- Bandaids – For minor wounds
- Gauze – For cleaning wounds
- Saline Solution – It will help you clean wounds
Energy Snacks And Electrolyte Drinks
Who will not love a snack? There are a variety of the best snacks for a bike ride. One of them is bananas! Their carbohydrates and potassium are great for fuelling your muscles and a trail mix or energy bars. It is important to pack on a long bike to keep your energy levels up.
Energy drinks can also help refuel any electrolytes which you lose in sweat. To make it easy, we suggest Tailwind nutrition to help you with endurance, rebuild, and recovery. Plus, you can shop all the essentials on our official site and get the best products under one roof.
The benefit of bringing along some snacks is that they don’t take up much space and are easy and quick to eat. Therefore, they will get you back up and riding in no time!
Mobile Phone
Make sure you get a charged mobile phone along with you, especially for long bike rides in remote locations. Off-road trails are notorious for accidents. Having your mobile phone will allow you to call emergency services if you are in any trouble. Another bonus of bringing your phone is to take incredible photos of the places you visit on your bike ride.
Patch Kit
A patch kit is among those things you never think you’ll need until you do. It is usually filled with the essentials and contains adhesive and a few patches to get the puncture repaired for the ride home. These are within reach for any damage to your bicycle’s tubes that requires a quick fix. However, it will be best to replace a punctured bike tube when possible.
Pump Or Mini Inflator
It may not seem reasonable to carry a pump in your bag, but it’s vital for any long bike ride. You never know when a flat tire can happen, and you want to be prepared if it does. A mini bike pump or inflator is small enough to fit your pocket. Else you can attach it to your bottle cage with some clips. Keep in mind not to just pack a pump without knowing how to use it.
Pro-Tip* To keep your bike more secure, you can use K-edge products to solve specific issues. Give yourself some peace of mind and be confident in choosing the best way!
So, what are you waiting for? Whenever you plan for a long bike ride, ensure to keep this list by your side. Prepare before and enjoy the rest!
