RASDak: What to Bring (a mechanics perspective)

We are less than a month away from the 7th Annual RASDak bike ride across South Dakota.  This is also the 7th time that Spoke-n-Sport will be loading up our Sprinter Van with gear to serve the cyclists that are pedaling across the state.  

The full list is below.  I wanted to highlight a few things.

Don't Bring Everything On the Ride
It's true, you don't need to bring everything on RASDak.  Every year we see people riding across the state with a bag on their bike full of gear.  Locks, clothing, extra parts and alternate pairs of sunglasses.  Keep it simple.  You won't need to lock your bike.  Don't bring a full tube of sunscreen.  Bring travel sizes or divide up a bigger tube into smaller sizes.  All that extra weight from gear will make it harder to get up those hills.  All that weight from a larger rack and bag will make those hills seem never ending.  Keep your gear on your bike.  A backpack will be uncomfortable on those longer days.  Remember, there will be support out on the road.

Plan Your Day
Check the weather before you leave in the morning.  There are days that it's definitely going to rain.  There are days it's definitely NOT going to rain.  Pack accordingly.  Give yourself an option of a light pack-able wind breaker or a rain coat.  Leave the rest with your luggage.  Pack the gear ON your bike. Don't tie it around your waist.  Around your waist could lead to it being caught by your rear wheel and causing an accident.

Spare Parts
Cyclists are pretty great and usually willing to share a tube or two along the way if needed.  Just bring the essential parts for the day and not ALL your tubes and tires.  A tube, patch kit, tire levers, and a pump.  Keep your spare tire with your luggage.  Keep those other extra parts with your luggage as well.  If you're running disc brakes, bring an extra set just in case there's a long wet day.  Better yet, if you start the week with fresh pads and tires, the odds of you needing those the week of are GREATLY reduced.  Even better yet....get your bike looked at BEFORE RASDak.  90% of the repairs we do are preventable.

Every Night
When you're done riding for the day, don't just park your bike.  Check it over.  Check the tires for cuts or holes and weird wear marks.  Make sure your chain is clean and lubed (always wipe off excess lube).  Check your brake pads and make sure they are wearing evenly.  Take a small loop around the camping area and listen for knocks or squeaks.  This can make or break your next day of riding.

Ask a Mechanic
Not everyone has a bike store in their hometown but if you do, be sure to ask this question.

• I am doing a week like bike ride.  What parts should I replace now so that my week is a success?

It only takes one broken part to ruin a week of cycling fun.

Here's a list of things you should think about packing to take with.

• Bike
• Helmet
• If it’s over 3 years old, think about upgrading to something newer and more comfortable.
• Sunglasses
• Cycling sunglasses sit further up on your nose so that you don’t have to bend your neck as much to see through them.
• Gloves
• Make sure they fit and you grabbed yours and not one of yours and one of your teenagers gloves.
• Cycling Clothing
• Fresh shorts for every day.
• Rain gear

• Hydration Pack or Bottles
• One for water
• One for mixed drink (sports drink!)
• On Bike Bag (Underseat or even a small frame bag)
• Tube
• Make sure it’s not the tube that has a hole in it from your last ride.
• Make sure it’s the right size.
• Tire Levers
• Wrap one of your levers with duct tape or electrical tape for emergencies
• Patch Kit
• Make sure the glue hasn’t dried up.
• CO2 or Pump
• Or attach a pump elsewhere on the bike
• Multi-Tool
• Make sure it has the right sizes of allen / torx bits.
• A multi tool with a chain tool is a good choice.
• Zip-Loc bag.
• In case it rains it is nice to have a bag to put your phone and or wallet in.  
• Nutrition
• Map / Cue Cards
• Mobile Phone
• Lip Balm
• Sun Screen
• Bike Cleaning
• Rags
• Chain Lube (small bottle)
• Day Time Bike Lights
• White Blinky on the front
• Red Blinky on the Rear
• Extra Batteries or cable to charge with
• Lock
• Never know where you will want to bike to at the end of the day.
• Something light but effective
• Keep with your luggage.  Don’t bring on the ride.
• Bike Computer
• If it is a wireless computer you should change your batteries every year.
• Bring a spare battery if keeping your mileage is important.
• Bike Parts
• Tire
• Tube
• Disc Brake Pads (so many kinds of brake pads and we can't stock them all)