Hello & Happy Thanksgiving, Internet!
I went for a fat bike ride the other night. It was off the cuff and I had 15 mins to grab all my gear and head over to my friends house so we could get a ride in after work but before dinner. The idea was to spin on trainers in my living room after work, because it was going to be quite chilly with upwards of 20 mph winds. However, it didn't take much motivation on either side to do anything to avoid the trainer. So, out into the cold, dark, windy night we went....
Luckily I had my lights charged & mounted, and my Osprey still 75 % packed from last weekend's mountain biking outing. I was set up for success, but made sure to pack a few extra things due to the dropping temps and wind. Freezing temps & below = not the time to forget something.
After the ride, I drove home and started unpacking all the bags of crap in my car (I mean, all my awesome gear). As I was sub-sorting my gear into piles, I thought it would make a kinda fun blog post if I took pics of all this gear and wrote about it. So - starving, cold and sweaty, I took a few extra minutes to click some pics.
Here we go: this is my "what to pack for cold rides" slash "mini-gear review" post!
So first off, I mentioned I grabbed my "Osprey", and by that I mean this hydration pack here. Osprey makes several different models of hydration packs, and within those models there are various sizes as well. I happen to own the Osprey Raven 14 (the women's specific version of the Raptor 14), which I picked up at Gus' Bike Shop. Did you know if shops carry a brand, they can order stuff for you in different sizes and colors? Yup, just ask! I had to have this in green. It was worth a short wait.
This is one of the larger bags, and most of the time it's bigger than I need for something like a warm mountain bike ride, when I'd grab my small Camelbak. HOWEVER, if I'm snowshoeing or hiking or bike commuting when I've forgotten to stash stuff at work the day before - or in this case taking a fat bike ride where I may want to stash an extra layer, this is the weapon of choice.
It's loaded with lots of features like a 3 L easily removable hydration reservoir, a helmet grabber (that plastic thing right above the Osprey logo), easy access pouch, compression straps, hip belt w/ zipper pocket for my chapstick. Lots of thoughtful features. Anyway this is what it looks like packed with a bunch o' crap.
See that large tube in the front? That's a spare Surly fat bike tube. They are HUGE! Also the pump sticking out the side there is a Topeak Mountain Morph. More on that later.
Women's specific ergonomic straps, plus the mouthpiece is magnetic and stays put! Note my chapstick in one of the hip belt pockets.
So first off, I mentioned I grabbed my "Osprey", and by that I mean this hydration pack here. Osprey makes several different models of hydration packs, and within those models there are various sizes as well. I happen to own the Osprey Raven 14 (the women's specific version of the Raptor 14), which I picked up at Gus' Bike Shop. Did you know if shops carry a brand, they can order stuff for you in different sizes and colors? Yup, just ask! I had to have this in green. It was worth a short wait.
This is one of the larger bags, and most of the time it's bigger than I need for something like a warm mountain bike ride, when I'd grab my small Camelbak. HOWEVER, if I'm snowshoeing or hiking or bike commuting when I've forgotten to stash stuff at work the day before - or in this case taking a fat bike ride where I may want to stash an extra layer, this is the weapon of choice.
It's loaded with lots of features like a 3 L easily removable hydration reservoir, a helmet grabber (that plastic thing right above the Osprey logo), easy access pouch, compression straps, hip belt w/ zipper pocket for my chapstick. Lots of thoughtful features. Anyway this is what it looks like packed with a bunch o' crap.
See that large tube in the front? That's a spare Surly fat bike tube. They are HUGE! Also the pump sticking out the side there is a Topeak Mountain Morph. More on that later.
Women's specific ergonomic straps, plus the mouthpiece is magnetic and stays put! Note my chapstick in one of the hip belt pockets.
The little green twist light clipped on there didn't come standard. I got that from roadid.com, it's one of the little supernova lights, and it's a bright little bugger. Be seen by bears. Also, not pictured, I just got a road ID that I had custom inscribed with "Powered by tacos"
P.S. sales today at RoadID: https://www.roadid.com/C/HighViz
Check this out, the bottom of my bag has a roll out tool pouch! This is what I was carrying:
- VeloChampion multi-tool with chain breaker, spoke wrench & built-in tire lever
- Big fat Pedros ergonomic green tire levers. Why not carry the best when you have the luxury of space?
- Park Tools VP-1 Vulcanizing Patch Kit (for like, if I was out of options and had to really get serious)
- Dollar bill (for use as a patch between tire & tube - energy gel wrappers or scraps of trash also work)
- Park Tools GP-2 Glueless Patch Kit - these suckers are self-sticking. You get 5 patches and a little square of sandpaper to rough up your tube just a bit before sticking it on. Been having good luck with these as a temporary quick fix to get home. The pack of 5 is the size of a quarter. I don't leave home without one!
- Cat's tongue individual wrapped towel (for wiping grease off hands - such a luxury when you have the space to pack extra things!)
You will want these things when freak things happen like your friend runs over a seemingly harmless little stick when it's 37 degrees, dark and 20 mph winds.
So back to the pump - the Topeak mountain morph can mount directly to your bike frame several different ways. It converts as below w/ a little fold out foot pad, handle and flex hose. It can handle Presta, Schrader & Dunlop valves by switching around little bits in the nozzle. It worked really well the other night. CO2 is often faster & less weight to carry, but I like the idea of having infinite air.
Fully "morphed" pump. Also note the Osprey hydration reservoir to the right.
So back to the pump - the Topeak mountain morph can mount directly to your bike frame several different ways. It converts as below w/ a little fold out foot pad, handle and flex hose. It can handle Presta, Schrader & Dunlop valves by switching around little bits in the nozzle. It worked really well the other night. CO2 is often faster & less weight to carry, but I like the idea of having infinite air.
Fully "morphed" pump. Also note the Osprey hydration reservoir to the right.
Folded up & locked, configuration for throwing in my pack or frame mounting:
You're gonna want some lights too! I always carry two - one on my bike pointed more towards the ground, so I can see what I'm about to run over, and one strapped to my helmet, so I have a light that moves where I'm looking. Also, if one goes out, I have redundancy.
I'm currently using a Cygolite Expillion 850 lumen light on my helmet:
Both of these lights recharge via micro USB - so I can charge them wherever I am - work, car, home. Another little tip - don't run your lights full strength unless you have some particular need (e.g. race, gnarly section of trail where you want a little more light). This will drain the batteries fast. So, my 1500 lumen light I'll run on the 750 lumen setting and it will last 2-3 hours, instead of 1 hour at 1500.
What else did I bring? I had on my new favorite wind blocking long sleeve Craft baselayer! The front is Gore windstopper fabric, and with a 20 mph wind this thing was my friend: craft-active-extreme-2.0-windstopper-crewneck-base-layer-womens
Got a new softshell jacket from Garneau at the KMC Cyclocross Festival that I'm rather fond of, and some clear lenses in my Oakley Quarter Jackets (yeah, the kid's frames work best for my face) for night riding. Why bother with cycling glasses at night? I wear them to keep the wind, dirt and rogue sticks out of my eyes. There is always something trying to poke your eye out on the trail.
Pearl Izumi tights. Lots of nice reflective bits. No chamois cause Pearl's Chamois and I aren't friends. Garneau wool socks.
Oh my, this is a large pile of stuff! From left to right-ish:
Besides all that, I like to keep a can of seltzer in the car, a warm pair of socks, a down jacket and fuzzy lined slip on clogs for the drive home.
That really is a lot of stuff to think about, for an hour a half bike ride! Forget some of the essentials, though, and you'll be pretty miserable.
I'm currently using a Cygolite Expillion 850 lumen light on my helmet:
I also have a Barfly mounted Light and Motion 1500 lumen Taz on my bars.
Both of these lights recharge via micro USB - so I can charge them wherever I am - work, car, home. Another little tip - don't run your lights full strength unless you have some particular need (e.g. race, gnarly section of trail where you want a little more light). This will drain the batteries fast. So, my 1500 lumen light I'll run on the 750 lumen setting and it will last 2-3 hours, instead of 1 hour at 1500.
What else did I bring? I had on my new favorite wind blocking long sleeve Craft baselayer! The front is Gore windstopper fabric, and with a 20 mph wind this thing was my friend: craft-active-extreme-2.0-windstopper-crewneck-base-layer-womens
Got a new softshell jacket from Garneau at the KMC Cyclocross Festival that I'm rather fond of, and some clear lenses in my Oakley Quarter Jackets (yeah, the kid's frames work best for my face) for night riding. Why bother with cycling glasses at night? I wear them to keep the wind, dirt and rogue sticks out of my eyes. There is always something trying to poke your eye out on the trail.
Pearl Izumi tights. Lots of nice reflective bits. No chamois cause Pearl's Chamois and I aren't friends. Garneau wool socks.
Speaking of chamois - get yourself some good chamois butter! I am currently using Mad Alchemy's LaFemme Chamois Cream. It is good stuff!
Oh my, this is a large pile of stuff! From left to right-ish:
- Vanderkitten long sleeve thermal jersey: I packed this in case I needed an extra layer. I didn't but I was happy to have it just in case.
- Lake 303 boots: The big guns of winter cycling. They are not cheap but they will change your cold weather cycling world, if you've got the coin. Equipped with boa closures and SPD cleats. Put on some thick wool socks, stick toe warmers to the top of your socks, slip your feet in these puppies & you will be smiling all day long with warm, dry feet.
- Kask helmet w/ Cygolite Expillion: I already talked about this stuff above
- Purple Craft ear warmer: I prefer to wear something over just my ears until it's below 20 degrees, when I'll switch to full beanie. That's just me, personal preference. I hate when my head overheats.
- Cutaway iamnottedking hyperfunctional neck gaiter: This little guy is soft and silky, and can be worn many different ways: balaclava, just ears, just neck, pulled up from neck to cover mouth. Stashes in a pocket hardly taking up any room. I own 4 or 5 of these because I use them so much in the cold weather.
- Pearl Izumi Elite Softshell gloves: I find these are warm enough for me in the 20s-30s range. Below that and I just switch to snowboarding gloves.
- Nutrition stuff: I love the Skratch raspberry & orange chews! They have a sugary texture on the outside. Also pictured: Justin's maple almond butter & Untapped maple syrup packet.
- Hand/foot/body warmers: I always keep these around - the body warmers are pretty ridiculous! If you really have no body heat of your own I suppose you could stick one of these inside your jacket. I use the toe warmers all the time.
- Garmin Edge 810 bike computer, because: data
Besides all that, I like to keep a can of seltzer in the car, a warm pair of socks, a down jacket and fuzzy lined slip on clogs for the drive home.
