In My Saddlebag

By Andy Rice.

A brief guide to being prepared for club runs and other day rides.

Essentials for a Club run

• Your VCC ID tag fixed to your bike (if you're a paid-up member and have not received yours, please contact Mick)
• Cash - at least £5 for your tea and cake!
• 2 spare inner tubes
• Puncture repair kit
  • Tyre boot patches
  • Tyre lever(s)
  • Var (bead jack) if you struggle getting the last bit of bead over the rim
• Pump – that actually works!  Options are:
  
  • Mini/pocket
  • Frame-mounted
  • Mini-track
  • CO2 Inflator

‘Cos you never know what might happen

• Multi tool with a chain tool
• Spare chain link
• Phone
• Cash - £20 note for emergencies (and a tyre boot if desperate!)
• Credit card – for bigger emergencies (or buying everyone tea and cake…)
• Cable ties – six small ones will fix quite a lot of things

Nice to have just to be prepared

• Rain Jacket
  • Light weight, for unexpected showers, wind protection
• First Aid kit, including:
  
  • A couple of dressings, small bandage, tape, antiseptic wipes, steri-strips, plasters
• Disposable gloves – blood and oil protection
• Map or photocopy of where you are going (phones don’t always work)
• GPS (Garmin or similar)
• Cleat covers for the tea stop
• Bars or gels