akmal's bike park

akmal's bike park

Wednesday 3 September 2008

riding paraphernalia

This is a list of things that I always bring with me (or wear) for any ride - road or offroad.
  • Bicycle
  • Handphone
  • Helmet
  • Gloves
  • Shoes - for now: a pair of futsal shoes
  • Spare inner tube
  • Pump
  • Multi-tool - a cheap one from Tesco
  • Tire levers
  • Tube patches and glue - also from Tesco
  • Long nose pliers
  • Chain tool - yet to have spare links to complete
  • Water - at least a bottle (750ml) for short trips i.e. to work. For offroad: 100 Plus - 1.5 to 2 liters
  • Identity Card
  • Cash - without coins
  • Headlight & Taillight - for road and night rides
  • Reflectors (on jersey)
  • Wet lube
  • Cable ties (assorted sizes)
  • Plastic bag
The list above is based on the one found in KLMBH site - a must for every rider participating in any Bash.
I added some more, after extensive reading from few other sites. Also, from personal riding experience and tips from other riders.
There are also some items left out - perhaps not needed, and there are tools that I just don't have any idea how to use.

Safety First. Helmet, reflectors and lights are the important ones. Other than that, the items stuffed inside my bladder bag are needed during emergency situation. There's no need to carry extra weight.

Some riders may prefer to stay lean, thus they carry very minimal emergency/spare items. Fine, if nothing happens. If something does happen (and according to Murphy's Law, it will), they'll turn into bloodsuckers, although they are actually very nice people. I've been to offroad rides where a guy didn't even bring his own water, but he put his supply in another rider's bag. It's plain evil, no excuse for that.

I bring with me my IC for safety purpose. Once we rode up into 'Bukit Radar' in Plentong. It is a Malaysian Air Force base. While going uphill, there were army men going up and down too. I thought their perplexed faces were because looking at us crazy people cycling up the hill a la Le Tour de Langkawi. It turned out that they were actually alarmed because civilians are not allowed to go up there. While taking a breather when we got up at a point (beyond which, is restricted area), 2 army personnel came down to us and began questioning. To confirm that we are Malaysians (and not spies from foreign countries), we were asked for our ICs. Gladly we showed ours, and soon we went down off from the restricted area.

So, bring the essentials for safety and emergency. Pack light if you can, but never to leave anything important behind. You might regret not bringing along a tool just to save 200 grams. Heck, I know a guy who brings with him all sorts of spares, he's like a bikeshop in the trail. Actually, I do feel safe when he's around. Me, a bloodsucker, maybe?

2 comments:

jafa @ the panjang said...

akmal,
i dont think that area is restricted to civilians. if so, they shud put up a signage somwhere b4 the climb, not at any point close to the base. its just some or certain people trying to show off their power (if any).

haha.. all sort of spares? but hv u met a mobile supermarket in a middle of nowhere?

akmalhizam said...

spares - i'm referring to Ayub.
mobile supermarket? bagos tuh...
but honestly i was surprised during our plentong ride when we stopped by an old shack to replenish 100 plus. rm1.70 for a can is very cheap that time. i would sell at rm2.
;)