An adventure bike ride with companions or alone is a thrilling and unforgettable experience. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned bike rider, having the proper gear will always enrich your riding experience.
This post will walk you through the must-have bike ride essentials that will improve your experience and help you create amazing memories.
I’ve categorised the essentials into four categories: personal, safety, bike tools, and documentation.
- Personal
- Hydration: Staying hydrated is crucial, especially during long rides. Always carry a water bottle or invest in a hydration back, such as a hydration pack or a bottle cage mounted to your bike frame.
- Snacks and Nutrition: Always carry energy bars, dry fruits or fresh fruits along with you considering the duration of your ride, as it will help you maintaining the energy level during your ride.
- First aid kit: Keep a habit of carrying a compact first aid kit with essential supplies such as band-aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, paracetamol, anti-diarrhoeal tablets, and adhesive tape can come in handy for minor injuries or discomfort.
- Clothing: While packing, make sure you have comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing to enjoy your bike ride. Pack an additional set of clothes if necessary, but avoid carrying unnecessary weight with you as it will increase the load on your bike. It is usually a smart idea to include a lightweight rain jacket.
- Rain Jacket: It is always a good idea to keep a lightweight and packable rain liners with you on a bike ride as you cannot predict the weather changes.
- Safety
- Helmet: Safety should always be your topmost priority while riding. Select a helmet that meets safety standards, provides proper ventilation, and fits securely on your head.
- Money: It is a good idea to carry some cash, as you may visit many areas where card and UPI payments won’t work due to lack of network coverage.
- Bike Tools
- Bike maintenance kit: Punchers and small mechanical issues are frequently encountered during bike rides. Carrying a compact repair kit will help you to get over such situations. Your repair kit should include a spare tube, tire levers, a multi-tool, a mini tyre inflator, and patch kits or puncher kits. Learn basic bike repair techniques so you can tackle frequent problems on the road.
- Phone/GPS Mount: Make sure your bike has a sturdy phone/GPS mount to hold your phone/GPS devices as you ride.
- Phone: Always keep a habit of keeping your phone and other electronic devices charged and easily accessible for emergencies or navigation.
- Power Bank: Also carry a power bank in your bag. It will help you to keeps your devices charged on the go.
- Bike lights: If you plan to ride during low-light conditions or at night, make sure you install lights on your bike for better visibility and safety. Install a front headlight that lights up the road ahead, as well as a rear light to make yourself visible to vehicles approaching from behind.
- Reflective gear: Wear reflective clothing or accessories to make yourself more visible to other road users approaching from behind.
- Bike gloves: You should have a good pair of bike gloves since they provide padding, fall protection, and improve grip while decreasing vibrations.
- Documents (Personal identification and emergency contact details): Carry an ID proof and attach a tag to your bike with your name, contact information, and emergency contact information as this will be extremely useful in emergencies such as accidents, etc.
I hope this blog helps you plan your rides. Remember to pack considering the duration and conditions of your journey. It’s also a good idea to be familiar with local rules and regulations regarding riding bikes and safety equipment.