Never leave home without it!

Happy 2013 everyone!  I don't know about you all but I am very excited to begin this new year.  2012 was a good time, I learned a lot but it was also hard, it took me down -- literally -- then allowed me to build myself back up again.

One memory which I can't seem to shake happened as the year was drawing to a close.  Something all cyclists fear.  No, not being hit by a car, worse than that, it was a never ending string of flat tires...

Talk about a series of unfortunate events!

Five flat tires in 16 miles.  Yes, you heard me right, I didn't stutter.  I'm a little embarrassed to say it and the fact that I kept going in order to flat five times might offer you a glimpse into my own insanity but yes, it happened to me.  It was supposed to be an 'easy' 70 mile mountain bike ride that my friend Cliff and I were going out on but instead it was a tumultuous day of starting, stopping, buying more and more tubes -- and slime even! -- and finally having to call in a friend to be rescued as we (me) were stranded along a river beside a Naval Reserve Base.

But enough of that, that is a story I don't want to think about let alone tell.  But it does raise the question:  What do you never leave home without?

My buddy Tony T fixing a flat
while out on a gravel ride.
Photo Cred: Steve Reisman

Myself, I never leave home without one tube, a way to inflate said tube, a tire lever and a small hex set.  That's the minimal, for roadie rides.  If I'm riding with a group I'll bring another tube and maybe a chain breaker.  For mountain bike rides I'll add zip-ties (probably the single best thing you can EVER have in your kit), my Gerber multi tool and a lighter.

I've put that ride behind me but it has definitely reacquainted me with the Boy Scout I once was, from now on I'll always Be Prepared! 


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