Everyone Should Have
You never know what kind of trouble you may run into out on the trail and you should be prepared for any and every emergency. One rule of thumb is to pack more equipment the farther away from help you plan to be. No matter what level of mountain biking you are planning on attempting in a day, there are several must-have considerations to take with you on the trip.
Everyone who uses the outdoors should remember to take along a first aid kit, and mountain biking is no exception. There are several first aid kits that are designed specifically for bikers, and can fit easily under the seat, in saddlebags, or in a small pack. Make sure that your kit includes tensor bandages, bandages, band-aids, antiseptic, moleskin, and any medications you may need (and some Tylenol, just in case).
A small tool kit is also a great thing to bring along on your mountain biking trip. Again, there are a wide variety of tool kits available, choose according to your trip and your basic needs. These kits will also fit handily under the seat or in saddlebags. Basic tool kits will include necessary repair items in case of a flat, such as a tire iron, and a patch kit. Many will also have room for a tube. The kit should also have an Allan key or small wrench for any minor hardware repairs and a chain breaker. Your kit should also include some paper towels (or a piece of cloth), a tire gauge, a Swiss army knife, and some strong tape (hickey tape or even electrical tape can be used).
Remember to bring along a small pump for your mountain biking trip. You can get pumps in almost any size, and they can come with convenient mounts for on your bike. Smaller pumps can fit almost anywhere, under the seat or in saddlebags, and many repair kits will also include a small pump.
Finally, bring along a spare chain. Experienced bikers know how easy it is to break a chain on the trail, and there is hardly a more vital piece on your bike. A broken chain that can’t be repaired can cause unwanted problems regardless of where you are biking if you didn’t include a spare in your emergency equipment packing.None of this equipment will add much extra weight on your trip, but being properly prepared will surely take a load off in the event of an emergency.
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