In the Bag?

[txr]

I rode today at FATS and while riding Skinny CCW I came up on two young riders who I saw leave the parking lot on a BMX bike and a mountain bike. Well, with about two miles left to the parking lot I came up on them pushing their bikes. I stopped to ask them if they were doing ok and turns out the BMX bike had a flat. I offered help to change out the tube but as it turns out I did not have an adjustable wrench in my pack to take off the axle nuts. Go figure, I got stuff to help myself out but not anyone else. I felt bad I could help them so when I got back to the parking lot I drove down the FS road to where it crosses above the SKULLS on the stump on the connector and gave them a lift back to the parking lot. Just made me wonder what people carry with them to repair/fix trailside. I carry two extra tubes, tire levers, a handheld pump (frame pump in the camelback), a tire guage and a Park Tool MTB-3 multi tool, and regardless of the ride length I carry a full 100oz of water just in case. Anyways, what does everyone carry on their rides? Me, I will be seeking out a lightweight adjustable wrench now. As well as a small first aid pack which I will get from work.

Tom

[imnav8r]

Sounds like your getting yourself equipped to join the Bike Patrol Tom! I like it that you and other riders care enough about themselves and others to want to offer assistance to those in need. Thank you for doing what you did!

I carry a lot of repair tools and first aid gear with me when I patrol. For me to list them would take too long. Plus I have an extra bag of gear I keep in the car in case I need it. I think my backpack weighs close to 10 lbs by the time I have the hydration pack filled with water and ice. It's designed to take the weight off my back and shoulders plus it has an "air gap" to allow ventilation between it and my back to keep me cooler when I ride. It's been a very comfortable backpack so far.

A word of caution my friend...if you happen upon a rider who needs mechanical assistance, if possible do not make the repair yourself. Instead, only offer the use of your tools and advice on how to make the trailside repair. And even then, only if you know how to make the repair. If not, don't try to wing it. By offering to provide the use of your tools and advice on how to make the repair, you won't be held liable if something happens down the trail that could result in an injury due to your repair efforts. This way you are protected under the Good Sumaritan Law.

The same can be said for First Aid assistance. Always make sure the scene is safe before attempting to render First Aid. Once you've done that, then it comes down to assessing the extent of the injury and acquiring consent to assist if possible from the victim. If a victim is unconscience, then consent to assist is implied under the Good Samaritan Law and you can only provide First Aid up to your comfort and training level. If the victim is conscience, then you may offer to provide assistance if not declined. If the injured rider is able, it's better for you to offer the bandages and have them apply them under your guidance rather than you do it yourself. Of course, if the injured rider is unable to render aid to themselves, then if permitted, you may render First Aid up to your comfort and training level. If you haven't done so already, please take a First Aid/CPR training class so you'll feel more comfortable and confident in rendering First Aid to others.

This is part of the training all Bike Patrollers receive for the reasons mentioned above. If you'd like to become part of the Bike Patrol, let me know and I will get you on the roster for the next class. If not, then please know that you and anyone else who is willing to help an injured or mechanically disabled rider are greatly appreciated.

Be safe!

[imnav8r]

Okay since you asked "What's In the Bag?" Here is a list of the things I try to keep stocked in my Bike Patrol backpack.

TOOLS:
Park multi-tool, chain tool, allen wrenches, Phillips & flat head screwdrivers, adjustable wrench, spoke wrench, air pump, CO₂ cartridges, patch kits, tubes (both presta & shrader), duct tape, zip ties, cables, tire boot, tire levers, carabiners, flashlight, velcro strap, & Torx T-25 wrench.

FIRST AID:
rubber gloves, cravats, glucose gel, safety pins, adhesive bandages, knife (Swiss Army-type)*, lighter*, kling roll, small notebook*, ink pen*, ice pack, 4” x 4” bandages, incident report sheets*, bug repellent*, 5” x 9” bandages, trauma scissors, compass*, adhesive tape, pocket mask, trail maps*, wire (SAM) splint, 1-4 oz. eye wash, water purification pills*, 4-oz. tube antibiotic cream, 4-oz. bottle sunscreen*, antiseptic towlettes, space blanket, ace bandages, tongue depressors, signal mirror (old CD works great)*, whistle*, camera*, & binoculars*.

* non-First Aid specific but useful to have!

Here's a karma for your good deed!

[wooglin]

Tube, patch kit, CO2, pump, multi tool, tire boot. More when I'm doing a big ride far from civilization.

Carrying a crescent wrench on the off chance you run into someone who needs one seems a bit much to me. A live and learn moment for the kid who needed one.

[dgaddis1]

Use to carry two tubes, now just one. Mostly it's for other people as my tires are now tubeless.
CO2
Hand pump
Multi tool
Dedicated chain tool (the one on my multi tool sucks)
Small roll of duct tape
A few extra chain links
small adjustable wrench

[brianW]

tube, patch kit, few extra links, tape, Kitchen sink, tire levers, pump, cool tool (multi-tool) adapter for presta (in case someone needs it)

ok one of them is not in my pack

[wooglin]

Jul 21, 2009 19:40:05 GMT -5 brianW said:

cool tool

Sweet. :thumbsup:

[Timothyjames]

Hah! you really can't beat yourself up for not having an adjustable wrench Odds are I won't be taking apart my fork mid-trail and I can't ever say I've seen anyone bmx FATS. Mini-Tool leatherman, couple allen wrenches for seatpost problems and cleat tensioners and random derailleur mishaps. I've broken my current chain 3 times and far beyond logic i still don't carry a chain tool

[txr]

Jul 21, 2009 11:58:52 GMT -5 imnav8r said:

Here's a karma for your good deed!

John, thanks. Thats cool. I wondered what those were ;D ;D As for giving assistance either mechanical or first aid wise, I have worked on bikes for years and used to work in a shop back home. As for first aid...its been about 8 years since I have been certified but TRULY understand the idea of giving assistance in the form of advice first. Trust me no one needs to be sued for doing a good deed and I dont plan on that. Anyways, thanks again for your kind words and the Karma.

Tom

[nitro]

I have saved myself lots of hassle by having a couple of SRAM Chain Powerlinks in my pack. It much easier to save a broken chain.

[imnav8r]

No problem Tom. Glad to hear you know the deal. See you out on the trails!

JL

[bgredjeep]

I carry 1 tube, a small patch kit, a pump, a CB multi tool (includes chain tool and 8mm allen) and a short length of extra chain.

I tried to account for any times I've been stuck out on the trail without the right tool and cover those items. This includes my buddy's crank bolt backing out and the arm falling off (8mm allen wrench) at the bottom of skinny, and me snapping my chain at the start of Deepstep and scootering it down the road to get back to the trailhead where I was lucky enough to be able to borrow a chain tool from another rider (after waiting about 20 mins for someone who had a chain tool).

I also have a pump and a cheap bike tool kit (HF brand I got for my birthday) that I keep in the truck in case I need more serious work handled.

[azdrawdy]

Speaking of first aid, have any of you read this post off main SORBA's forum?

www.sorba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=28221

[imnav8r]

Thanks for posting the link MD.