| There have been times when I have been so excited | | | | is also good to have along in case your spare tube |
| to get out on my mountain bike and hit the singletrack | | | | also goes flat. Believe me, it happens! |
| that I have forgotten to bring along an essential bicycle | | | | Water: |
| tool or something else that is important, like food or | | | | Having water along is a necessity. Hydration |
| sunscreen. Not having the right bicycle tools or gear | | | | backpacks are handy but a couple water bottles work |
| can not only make your mountain bike ride | | | | fine too. |
| uncomfortable, but can be a safety issue. | | | | Energy Snacks: |
| A hydration pack works well for keeping all your | | | | Mountain biking burns a lot of calories. Try to eat a |
| bicycle tools and gear organized, which is basically a | | | | good meal before riding and wait an hour or two after |
| backpack that has a water bladder with a tube | | | | eating before hitting the trail. It is also important to bring |
| connected to it. Another option for carrying your tools | | | | some food along when riding, such as energy bars, gel |
| and gear is to get a bicycle seat bag and a couple of | | | | shots, energy drink powder, fruit, and other lightweight |
| water bottles if you have room on your frame for a | | | | snacks. |
| couple of water bottle holders. | | | | Sunscreen: |
| It is always a balance between how much weight you | | | | Being out on your mountain bike for hours means |
| want to carry with you and what needs to come | | | | being exposed to the sun for prolonged periods of |
| along on the trail. It's good to get lightweight gear, but | | | | time. Do not forget to protect your skin. Chapstick with |
| make sure it is also functional and that you know how | | | | SPF is also great for protecting your lips. |
| to use it before you get stuck in an emergency on the | | | | Cash and ID: |
| trail. | | | | It is a good idea to bring an ID and a little cash. You |
| Multi-Tool: | | | | never know when you may need it. You can also use |
| This is a good item because it reduces the weight of | | | | a dollar bill to temporarily patch a sidewall cut in your |
| carrying a bunch of tools. It should have various sizes | | | | tire. |
| of allen wrenches, hex wrenches, and both types of | | | | First Aid Kit: |
| screwdrivers. Many multi-tools also include a chain tool | | | | It is important to bring along a first aid kit with basic |
| and a spoke wrench. If your multi-tool has all these | | | | essentials like bandages, medicine packets (such as |
| tools, you do not have to worry about bringing these | | | | ibuprofen, antibiotic ointment, and corticosteroid cream), |
| tools separately. | | | | and antibacterial wipes. |
| Chain Tool: | | | | Warm Clothing: |
| A bicycle chain tool is necessary for repairing a broken | | | | Be prepared for changes in weather, especially in |
| chain. A couple extra links and pins for your chain are | | | | areas of high altitude. I have often run into cold or rainy |
| also important to have along. | | | | conditions after beginning a ride in sunny hot weather, |
| Spoke Wrench: | | | | so now I always bring lightweight rain gear and extra |
| If you wheel starts wobbling, this can be unsafe and | | | | layers of clothing. Cycling leg warmers and arm |
| cause your bike to malfunction. A spoke wrench is | | | | warmers are convenient because they are lightweight |
| useful for tightening up the necessary spokes to | | | | and easy to keep stashed in a jersey pocket, seat |
| straighten out the wheel. | | | | pack, or hydration backpack. |
| Flat Tire Gear: | | | | An extra pair of cycling socks is also good to have |
| A spare tube and tire levers are important to take | | | | along in case your feet get wet. For cold weather |
| along on your mountain bike ride. There are many | | | | conditions, full-finger mountain bike gloves and a cycling |
| different types of tire pumps on the market that | | | | cap are good to have along since our head loses heat |
| attach right to the bike frame. CO2 cartridges are | | | | quicker than any part of our body in cold weather. |
| great for quickly filling the tire with air. A tube repair kit | | | | |