Whether you’re planning on a short ride at your local trails, or an extended foray into the forest, there are some items you should always ensure you bring.The last thing you want to happen is to be stuck way out in the wilderness, and have to cut your adventure short due as a result of being unprepared. Here’s a short checklist for items that could prove very handy mid-ride.
1. A backpack! This one is pretty simple- you’ve gotta carry all your stuff with you! A good mountain biking pack, like Ergon’s BE1 Enduro pack, is lightweight, comfortable to wear, and provides enough storage space for water and essential items. The BE1 carries 1.5 liters of water, has external helmet straps for climbing, and has a 6.5L carrying capacity for the basics you’ll need on your next deep-woods adventure.
2. A helmet. Well, this one is pretty obvious, but you’ll still see folks riding their local trails helmetless. Consider a helmet like IXS’ Trail RS for a light, well-vented, and comfortable lid.
3. Snacks. Always snacks. Becuase running out of energy on a long ride is the worst, and also becuase snacks are awesome.
4. First Aid Kit. Scrapes and scratches are inevitable when you’re mountain biking, so carry some basic first aid with you just in case an unscheduled dismounting interrupts your ride. If you ride in an area where the flora or fauna can cause rashes or other reactions, having some Bactine is a great idea.
5. Pump and Tube. Flats happen to the best of us. It doesn’t matter if you’ve recently converted to tubeless, or if you’ve got your trail tire pressure perfectly figured out, you can still get a flat if something goes wrong. Keep a tube pump and tire levers in your pack just in case.
6. Multitool. Mid ride adjustments. Tightening components on the trail. Adjusting your cleats. Straightening your bars after a tumble. There are a bunch of reasons you’d want to carry a multitool with you. It’s pretty much a must-have. You can carry your multitool in your backpack, or attached to your waterbottle holder with Topeak’s Ninja Cage, which includes a super-awesome Mini tool.
7. Phone (and case). Whether you’re using it to stay in touch with civilization, or to map and record your ride, a phone is an invaluable asset for your mountain bike rides. If you want to track your progress, keep an eye on how fast you’re going, or follow a map, consider the Topeak RideCase, which will allow you to mount your smartphone securely to your handlebars.
8. Water! Even more important than snacks. Bring more water than you think you’ll need, but a good rule of thumb is 20oz of water per hour of riding (just over a liter every 2 hours). If you don’t want to weigh your bike down with that much water, use your Ergon backpack to hold up to 1.5 liters of water.
We hope this list is useful! Don’t feel bad about adding or amending this list to suit your particular riding style. If you’re looking for more advice or suggestions, head on over to your local Live to Play Sports Dealer, who can point you in the right direction!
