What to Pack for the Ride

Here are a couple vital items that may not seem obvious at first, but...


Your Bike Shoes

If you are riding clip-in pedals, please double-triple-extra check that you have packed your bike shoes. If you own multiple pairs, make sure they are the right shoes for this trip.  Every trip someone forgets their special shoes, and...


Flip-Flops or Sandals

When we visit the amazing Glenwood Springs pool, the deck can get VERY hot, depending on the weather.  You may want to bring a pair of flip flops to wear poolside.


A Pair of Sneakers or Similar

When we go mountain biking you will NOT be wearing your bike shoes -- the mountain bikes do not have clip-in pedals. Besides, you're not going to want to wear your bike shoes ALL the time!  If you are hiking in Arches National Park sneakers are fine.  You do NOT need hiking books (but of course you can wear them if you wish).


Helmet

You must wear a hard bike helmet at all times on the ride when you are pedaling.


No helmet/no ride/no exceptions.


Really.



Water Bottles

Bring TWO water bottles with you or you will dehydrate and die. Have a nice day!


If you prefer to carry a Cambelback or similar hydration pack instead that’s fine, but NO ONE should be out with just one water bottle.


Gear

EVERYONE should have these items with them on the bike at all times while pedaling:


• A cell phone


• A small tire patch kit


• Inner tubes that fit your bike  For this six-day trip I would pack at least six inner tubes in your luggage.  You should have TWO inner tubes with you on the bike at all times. If you are riding an unusual wheel (650cc, recumbent, sew-up) you should REALLY stock up -- we won’t be anywhere near a shop that will have that stuff. Yeah, if the flat-tire gods are with you, you won’t use a single extra tube on the entire trip and that’s great -- you can stash them away for next time.


IF you are riding that unusual size wheel, you should have an extra TIRE in your suitcase too -- we will NOT be able to find a replacement if a tire goes bad, and on every trip we see at least one tire go bad.


• A small tire pump or CO2 inflator. (If you're using CO2 you know who you are -- pack the cartridges in the luggage that we will drive to the ride for you. The airlines may not let you bring them on board in checked or carry-on luggage).


Even if you don’t know how to use this gear you should still be carrying it.  If you get a flat (and ALL bicycles get flats...) you can be back on the road in 10 minutes if you are carrying this stuff.  It can be an hour or longer (MUCH longer) if you aren’t carrying the right gear.


Lock

If you are headed off on your own you may want to bring one.  When you’re traveling with the group we’ll have someone to watch your bike whenever we dine or drink, so you won’t need to lock-up then. Popping into a store or just a second?  You can probably get a friendly cyclist to watch your bike for you.


GPS for Your Bike

Fun but NOT required.  We will have digital files available for your Garmin and your smartphone.


All Your Charging Cables

No; we do not have an extra charger for a 1997 Blackberry, and we don't know where to get one.


Bathing Suit

Vital. Don't forget that we are going to the extra-cool Glenwood Hot Springs and you will need a bathing suit there.


Sunscreen

We have some but you may wish to bring extra.  Your call.


Alarm Clock

You may not want to put your life in the hands of the hotel’s wake up service.


Clothing

Dress is always casual on this trip, but you're not going to want to wear your bike clothes ALL the time.


At least once we dine in a restaurant that is STILL casual, but a bit nicer, so you may not want to wear that T-shirt with the chain grease stains on it.


When we go rafting down the Colorado you'll want a bathing suit or shorts and a T-shirt.  You do NOT want to wear jeans or a heavy sweater.  When we leave the river you'll want something simple and dry to put on.