Bike Around the Buttes checklist

I haven’t ridden a century (100 mile bicycle ride) in quite a few years, but tomorrow morning I’ll try to complete Bike Around the Buttes on my recently-upgraded Takara Tribute. Since I haven’t done a ride like this in years (decades?), I thought I would make a pre-ride checklist. Then, after the ride (when I’ve figured out all the things I forgot), I’ll add comments to this post so that I’ll be better prepared next time. And perhaps some other intrepid rider will get some benefit out of this as well.

  1. Bike (duh!)
  2. Computer
  3. HRM
  4. Gatorade bottles, 2
  5. “Morning Rush” coffee cup
  6. Bento box: fig- and apple newtons
  7. Camelbak (w/ stuff I don’t want to leave unattended at rest stops)
    • Bladder!
    • Wallet, cash
    • Cell phone
    • Truck keys
    • Swiss army knife
    • Ipod, remote, ear buds
    • Camera?
  8. Rack pack
    • Spare tube
    • Pump
    • Patch kit
    • Tire levers
    • Hex wrenches
    • Phillips screwdriver
    • PB&J sandwiches, 2 (quartered)
    • Food bars, 4
    • Gatorade mix, 4 (scant ¼c for 24 oz bottle)
    • Bananas, 2
    • Extra zip-lock bags, 4
    • Chamois Butt’r
    • Lip balm
    • Rain jacket (weather looks questionable tomorrow)
    • Rain gloves (“)
    • Ear/head warmer (“)
  9. Riding shorts, shirt
  10. Gloves
  11. Sunglasses
  12. Mirror
  13. Cleats
  14. Cleat covers
  15. Socks
  16. Sandals (for easier walking pre- and post-ride)
  17. Helmet
  18. Bandana/sweat band
  19. Floor pump
  20. Coffee
  21. Directions to ride location

Don’t forget to charge the cell phone and Ipod the night before! Also, wash out the Camelbak bladder and water bottles.

About Jim Vanderveen

I'm a bit of a Renaissance man, with far too many hobbies for my free time! But more important than any hobby is my family. My proudest accomplishment has been raising some great kids! And somehow convincing my wife to put up with me since 1988. ;)
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5 Responses to Bike Around the Buttes checklist

  1. jim says:

    Of course I forgot a few things, but not much!

    1. Some way to hold the route map–perhaps two small binder clips?
    2. A pencil or pen would have been very handy.
    3. Sunscreen! Even though it was overcast all day, I got sunburned on my arms.
  2. Pingback: SonicChicken weblog » Blog Archive » Century checklist

  3. jim says:

    I ought to be sure to clean my sunglasses the night before a ride.

  4. Warboss says:

    Don’t forget your protective helm.

  5. Dawn says:

    My husband used his GPS on bike mode around the mountains. He said it was easy to slide in and out of his pocket, but he wished he’d put it in a ‘front’ pocket.

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