What do I take along on rides? Pack to get home.

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What’s inside this week:
1. Get home - What to pack for a self supported ride
2. Gadgets.
3. Shorts.
4. MTB vid of the week.

Pack for your ride.

In 1922, a French engineer named Émile Leray found himself stranded in the Moroccan desert when his Citroën 2CV broke down. With limited supplies and no chance of rescue, Leray ingeniously repurposed parts of his car to construct a makeshift motorcycle. After spending days in the desert, he managed to ride out on his creation, turning a dire situation into a remarkable feat of survival and engineering.

This incredible story highlights the importance of being prepared for the unexpected—whether in the desert or on a bike ride.

I’ve been mountain biking (and sometimes walking home) for around 20 years and here’s my essential packing suggestions for every type of MTB adventure, long or short:

1. The urban commute

2. Short trail rides <20km

3. Longer trail rides >35km

4. Long days on the trails (Outrides)

1. The Urban Commute:

Since working from home is a thing, and my once-a-week office is 35km away on the N2, I don’t ride to work anymore unfortunately. But when I stayed in Paarl, I rode to work intermittently. If you ride trails on the weekend and to work during the week like I did, this is what I would recommend:

1. Tubeless plugger and plugs. Glass, thorns, nails, screws and shards of metal are your worst enemy on a commute, so keep your sealant topped up and a plugger in your pocket.

2. Depending on how far you ride, water is always a good idea.

3. Then visibility and safety are where my focus would be, Bar mounted bullet spray and a semi-decent red rear light would finish off the essentials list.

    

   

   2. Short Trail rides <20km

For shorter trail rides, chances of catastrophic equipment failure are there, but it is a shorter walk back to the trail head than when you go on an outride off the beaten track.

If you like to rawdog it, this is where I would take the chance, provided your bike is in decent condition.

1. Water - I always take water, even for shorter trail rides.

2. Tubeless plugger

3. CO2 cartridge and inflator nozzle

4. Compact multi-tool for trail-side fixes

   

   My Slugplug Dual lives on my seat stay. Quick access when you need it and out of the way for anything else.

3. Longer Trail rides > 35km

I prepare for longer trail rides a bit more meticulously than for shorter rides. I start with the basics and add a few items for more eventualities.

1. Hydration - water or electrolyte mix. For longer rides its a good idea to start taking electrolytes.

2. Tubeless plugger

3. CO2 cartridge and inflator nozzle

4. Compact multi-tool for trailside fixes

5. Snacks. A granola bar, sandwich or a pack of winegums can do wonders to keep your energy levels up.

6. Sunscreen. Longer time in the saddle means more sun exposure.

7. Valve core and valve core tool.

8. Chain breaker and chain quick link.

   

   I keep a compact 9 function multi tool on my Kinetic cage storage tray.

4. Long days on the trails.

Packing for full days out on the bike can be a challenge. From suntan lotion to cramp tablets, here’s what I pack for a day out.

1. Hydration - water or electrolyte mix. For longer rides its a good idea to start taking electrolytes.

2. Tubeless plugger

3. CO2 cartridge and inflator nozzle

4. Compact multi-tool for trailside fixes

5. Snacks. A granola bar, sandwich or a pack of winegums can do wonders to keep your energy levels up.

6. Sunscreen. Longer time in the saddle means more sun exposure.

7. Valve core and valve core tool.

8. Chain breaker and chain quick link.

9. Chafing cream. Because chafing = not fun.

10. Plasters - 2 or 3 could help with blisters and cuts or grazes.

11. Cramping tablets or Rennies - these also help for cramps.

12. Toilet paper. A few squares of white gold for dire shituations.

13. Small chain lube like the Luberetta.

14. Cable ties. You’d be surprised at how often I’ve needed cable ties when out and about.

Saddle bag or back pockets, in-frame storage cavity, a camel back or a fanny pack, whatever you ride with, packing the right combination of accessories can be the difference between a ride home and a hike out to the trail head.

Gadget of the week:

Ryder Dropper Post saddle bag.

This semi-hard shell, water resistant saddle bag is designed to be compatible with dropper posts. Remove the front velcro strap (it is still super secure) and your full dropper post drop is usable.

Great for taking essentials, this neat saddle bag is good looking and can be used for both mountain and road bikes.

Q. What’s my favorite pack fillers?
A. As much as I advocate for taking the essentials, the reality is that I just don’t pack the right stuff for every ride. I do have a couple of favorites that I try to remember.

Since I’m always working on- and with tools and on bikes, taking my CO2 adapter around to test new bombs, seat tyres, or check o-ring wear, and similarly use the same tyre lever at home that I take along on rides, I end up with these at home when I need it most… more often then I’d like to admit.

Every now and then I hit pack nirvana, and this is it for me:

1. Slugplug dual with extra slugs

2. Extra valve core and a cut off nutcracker (this makes it more compact and improves usability).

3. One plaster. I usually start with more, but they get lost.

4. Goggles OR sunglasses. Prefer goggles for downhills, but decent riding sunnies are great for up and down.

5. A Multi tool if there’s not one on my bike (normally an In Bar Groove Tool or on-cage mounted multi tool).

6. Sweets. Just because. I like Milk bottles or Senties.

7. Cash. Coffee, sweets or trail fees sorted.

8. Rennies. Because cramps suck.

9. Co2 inflator nozzle and 2×25g cartridges. Have needed this wayyyyy too much.

   

   That’s how my pack looks today.

About the author:
Hello, I’m Francoin, an Industrial Designer in the cycling industry based in Somerset West, South Africa.

Tools, lights, accessories and bicycle design is my daily graft.

This newsletter is to share some of the experience & industry insight that I pick up along the way, with fellow cyclists. If you are new to the sport, or been riding for many years, I plan to give you something of interest in every edition.

Thanks for subscribing and Happy trails!

FV

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