Make a List and Check it Twice July 11, 2008

There's nothing worse than being miles and miles from home and stranded on a bike. If you're lucky, you took your cell phone with you and you can call for a pickup. Central Texans like to think of themselves as self supportive. We can do anything. After all we have Lance Armstrong, seven-time winner of the Tour de France living among us, as well as other champions of sport. We are descendants of the Alamo, so we should be able to at least ride from point A to point B on a bike without too much trouble. But there are many factors at work when you choose to commute to work by bike. At least 27,000 bike commuters each day are thinking about what they should take on their daily commute to work.

It's embarrassing to call for help. It's worth taking a little more baggage and hauling it back and forth than to call for an extraction. It'll definitely make you go over the list of what you take on your commute and check it twice. Cyclists are notorious for removing every last gram of weight from their bike and things they carry on the journey. While a quarter weighs 5.670 grams, it would be wise to take a few of these coins along even if you have a cell phone. Cell phone coverage is not 100 percent nor is it 100 percent reliable. An old style pay phone and a couple of quarters at a convenience store may be the difference between you walking zero miles or five miles.

GoodHealth.com has shopped at several of the local bike shops and asked a couple of commuters what they pack for their daily bike commute. Here are the items they advised taking along in order of importance.

Money and Identification. Money gets you products and services. More important, you can eat, drink and be merrier than if you had none while waiting for someone to pick you up if you have some money. Your best bet is to take a credit card, some cash (but not too much), and some coin. Identification is needed in case there is an emergency and to verify you're the credit card owner.
Helmet. The helmet protects our internal information server called a brain. A ding here and there and things can get pretty scary. Yes, it can contribute to a bad hair day. Yes, it will make your head sweat a little more. But the alternative is not much alternative at all.
Patch Kit. A tire patch kit comes with everything you need to fix a flat tire. It'll have an aluminum abrasion scratcher, a patch and maybe some glue. The new non-glue variety allow you to fill the tire and ride off immediately. The patch kit is teeny-tiny and weighs almost nothing. Some people decide to take a spare tube, but this will definitely weigh more and require more storage space. Although tire levers, which help remove the tire, could be another item, they are included here because if you can't get the tire off the rim, you can't use the patch kit.
Air. You can carry different forms of air for the tires. Stand up pumps are the most reliable but are impractical for carrying on any trip over one mile. Pumps made to attach to a bike for commuting have varying results. If you choose to purchase one of these you should try it on a tire similar to yours in the store before purchase. Also try out the new compressed air mechanisms that are available as an alternative to the pump. There are three or four different compressed air types and each has its own way of getting the air from the canister to the tube. Be sure to check with the bike shop to determine how much your specific tire needs in terms of grams. A typical canister holds 16 grams of compressed air. These come in threaded and unthreaded varieties.
Seat Bag. This bag attaches itself underneath the back of the seat and to the seat post. The seat bag's purpose is to be out of the way yet store all the critical items you decide to carry such as tire levers, compressed air, patch kit, multi-tool, cell phone and money. As this bag may cover your rear reflector, you'll want to make sure it has reflective properties or can have one added. You'll also want to make sure it's large enough to carry all of your items.
Multi-tool. A 15 - 20 piece tool kit should include an 8/9 speed chain tool; 4 sizes of spoke wrenches; 2,2.5,3,4,5,6, and 8mm hex wrenches; 8 and 10mm open wrenches; 2 Phillips and 1 Flathead screwdrivers; and a Torx T-25 wrench. You would definitely be able to fix 90 percent of the non-tire problems with this one tool.
Bell.While this item isn't near the top in priority, it does come in handy to let people you're approaching that you are close by. Rather than yell, "Hey buddy, I'm on you're right," a little ringa-dinga-ding will do the trick.
Liquid Refreshment. You need to stay hydrated on these hot days. The longer your trip the more bottles you'll need to carry, especially if there are no places to refill a bottle along the route.
Backpack/ Panniers. Sometimes there's just more than will fit in a small seat bag. No matter how many times you plan your trip, you just have to take your spare clothes with you or maybe a laptop computer or a book or magazine. Whatever it is, it needs a little more room. Backpacks work well but take a look a bike messenger bags as well. A little more aerodynamic, these bags provide as much room as a conventional backpack but are made for cyclists. Panniers are the two bags you see suspended on a metal rack above the front or rear tires. It looks like luggage attached to the bike. These are used by people who have a lot to carry with them.

Items to Store at Work

While you may be feeling good about the amount of gas you just saved or the number of miles ridden, your coworkers will be less than enthused if you sit down at your desk without refreshing yourself a bit. Here are listed a few items, in no particular order, that will make a pleasant environment for both you and your coworkers.

Change of Clothes. Bike shorts and tops are for riding, other clothes are for business. Plus, even if your work place is okay with shorts and t-shirts, you just rode a bunch of miles. You owe it to others to change the sweaty clothing for something fresh and clean. Rather than pack the clothes on your trip, take them with you when you drive in one day. Do the same thing with your dirty clothes. You shouldn't have to ride with your laundry.
Sun Screen. While you may be travelling to work during the morning hours before the UV Index is too high, the ride home may be entirely a different story. Prevent sunburn with a small tube of lotion.
Wash Cloths, Moist Wipes. Unless you want to smell like a baby, you'll want to choose the citrus variety or even maybe the unscented ones. If you want to be a little greener, use your own wash cloth and a bar of soap that you can store for multiple uses.
Plastic Bags. Plastic bags can be used for may purposes but the main one is to store sweaty clothes and cleaning cloths. You don't want the cubicle farm to smell like a locker room. Using bags that have plastic zip liners will make the sweaty smell stay within the bag.
Aromatic Enhancement. This covers everything that will make you and your stuff smell better. From deodorant, perfume, cologne or just a spray shot of Febreze, you'll need something to improve the aroma around you and your things.

You can take nothing with you and risk the chance that you won't get a flat or someone will stop to help you with your situation. You can also take everything with you and struggle to get your stuff from point A to point B although you're ready for every situation like a cycling MacGyver. Commuting bliss lies somewhere in between, making sure you are covered on most of the repair situations without having to call for a pickup.

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