A few of you out there have asked what I take with me on an overnight Brompton adventure, so I thought I thought I would let you know what works for me.
The first thing to highlight is that what works for me might not for you or others who do the same. What I take now is a far cry from what I did when I first started out on these!
Lights
One of the most important pieces of equipment are lights. Even though I have a good dynamo setup, I personally beef this up. At the front I have an Exposure Toro. I have had this for a few years now and it has yet to let me down. It can pump out possibly 600 - 700 lumens for over 9 hours. It is more than you really need but at 02:00 in the a.m. on a country lane in the middle of nowhere and an absence of any street lighting, it definitely comes in handy! (I have been know to also take a meaty Lezyne Mega Drive 1800i front light and it is almost a match for the Exposure Toro and in some ways better).
On the rear I use a small SeeSense rear light, the power of which can be dialled down via a phone app to make the battery go further. It is a great little light and when I get back to London, it has enough power left to turn it up to the full daytime, flash setting.
What to wear
Some people take lots of items of clothing for all eventualities. I simply have a quick glance at the weather forecast and then ignore it, preferring to stick my head out of the front door to see what I think.
Colder weather - bib tights, baggy shorts over that, merino base layer, cycling jacket, Proviz gilet and lightweight boil in the bag waterproof, gloves, just in case.
Warmer weather - bib shorts, baggy shorts over that, merino cycling jersey, Proviz gilet (light version) if chilly, boil in the bag waterproof just in case and gloves.
Snacks
Normally, one water bottle and a couple of peanut bars. If I know that there won't be anywhere to buy a snack I will take some sort of sandwich.
Toolkit
In addition to a Brompton Toolkit sitting in the frame, everything I need is usually carried in a small zipped pouch that includes:
- 2x inner tubes
- Tyre boot
- Titanium 15mm/10, spanner
- Spare chain CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHY!!!!
- 2x CO2 cartridges and valve connector
- Rubber gloves
- Small Park Tool multitool
I have found that I don't really need a huge amount more.
Phone
I always take my iPhone with me which in addition to being a phone, acts as my camera. I usually take a small portable charger and connecting wires just in case. This also gives a boost to my Wahoo if it ever needs it.
Wahoo
The Wahoo goes with me everywhere and for me at least as been the device that I have finally got on with enough to navigate with. I have had lots of different one by Garmin but for me they just weren't as good.
Miscellaneous
I don't really carry a huge amount of cash with me on these rides but I do carry a hole in the wall card. I also cary a small, fountain pen...just in case! I carry most of this in a Carradice Zipped Roll saddlebag but I have been know to also take my Mini O Bag. Unless I really needed to carry lots, one of my many Brompton front bags would stay at home.
That is just about it. As I said, this works for me and I will be making sure that I have all of these items for Friday, as there is another night ride. I am looking forward to it already!
Stay safe out there people!!
Very useful, thanks. Enjoy the ride!
ReplyDelete