Cycling Essentials – Don’t Leave Home Without ‘Em

As I continue the transition to OBTRTA (One Bike To Rule Them All), I’m still sorting out what and what not to carry. As such , I went out for a ride last night without any tools, tubes or anything.

We weren’t more than a couple of blocks from our starting point when I noticed Tom’s rear tire was low. Luckily, David had a pump, so we were able to take care of that.

The more we rode, I noticed that I could stand to make a slight adjustment in my seat angle, but without any tools, I was stuck.

The real trouble came on the leg home. After tacos and beer at Jefferson Social, we realized that even though it was the second longest day of sunlight of the year, we were going to be getting home in the dark. Luckily, Dave and Tom had some basic lights, but I definitely felt a little naked without any blinkies.

Luckily, we made it home without incident, though moving off of main roads into the neighborhood streets of St. Bernard did add some extra miles and hills to the end of the ride.

Long introduction to basically say that if you’re going for a ride, go prepared. Here are some essentials from Blackburn and Cadence to keep you safe and prepared:

Blackburn Designs 100 Front + Central 20 Rear Lighting System – MSRP: $64.99

Central 100 Front Light 

• Micro USB charging connection
• Extruded Alloy Shell
• 3 modes:
• High: 100 lms
• Low: 50 lms
• Blackburn Strobe: 50 lms

Runtime:

• High: 3.2hrs
• Low: 7 hrs
• Blackburn strobe: 21 hrs
• LED fuel gauge/charge indicator

Central 20 Rear Light

• Micro USB charging connection
• Extruded Alloy Shell
• 3 modes:
• High: 20 lms
• Steady Flash: 20 lms
• Blackburn Strobe: 20 lms

Runtime:

• High: 25 hrs
• Steady flash: 42 hrs
• Blackburn strobe: 76 hrs
• LED fuel gauge/charge indicator
• Silicone mount, 1 size fits all

Blackburn Designs Airstik 2-Stage Mini-Pump – $29.99

• Lightweight aluminum barrel and shaft
• Switchable high-volume and high-pressure modes for faster inflation with less effort
• Lightweight aluminum barrel and shaft
• Presta-specific head
• Rebuildable internals
• Includes cage mount
• Available in 2 colors, black or white
• 84 grams
• 160psi max pressure

Blackburn Designs Toolmanator 12 Multi Tool – $29.99

• 12-function multi-tool
• Slim, extra-rigid one-piece aluminum frame
• Hardened, forged and drawn chrome vanadium tool bits
• Highly resistant to round-out
• Extraordinarily rigid, won’t distort under high torque
• 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm Hex Keys, Torx T25, T30, bladed screw-driver, 10s chain breaker and 14/15 gauge spoke wrenches

 

Cadence Collection Saddle Bag – $36.00

• Available in Classic Black & Navy/Blue
• Perfect for tubes, Co2 cartridges, patch kits, and tire levers
• All stitched to military specifications
• Made in USA
• Black Ballistic Nylon
• With Mil-Spec nylon webbing
• YKK Brand Zipper
• ITW cam buckle