Mountain Bike Essentials

Pack these items before you take to the trails.
Pack these items before you take to the trails.

Thanks to Timmy Waites, head honcho at Rocky Top Bicycles for helping me put together this installment of bike essentials. The photo above shows his recommendations for a casual, couple-hour mountain bike ride. Starting at the back of the photo and moving left to right we have: water bottle, seat bag, fuel (Braaap bar and Shot Bloks), tire levers, CO2 cylinder with adapter, 4 to 5 extra chain links, master link, spare tube, bike multi-tool with chain breaker or bike multi-tool and chain breaker.

Timmy's single speed mountain bike
Timmy’s single speed mountain bike.

For longer more epic rides Timmy suggests adding a hydration pack, headlight or flashlight, more food (more than you think you’ll eat), a small first aid kit, space blanket, whistle and a map of the area. Add another spare tube and CO2 cylinder and you should be good to go. Tip: a couple wraps of duct tape around a CO2 cylinder makes a handy tire patch. Hiking staples like a compass and matches or a lighter don’t weigh much so why not put them in that hydration pack. Always check the weather before you go out on a longer mountain bike ride. Finally it’s always a good idea to take that cell phone, and tell someone where your going and when you expect to be back.

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