Accessories for me

This can be a very expensive section!

The added extras you need for both your wardrobe and your bicycle can go on and on.  For me, starting from the top I wear a helmet.  This can be a heated-debate situation as research does not show conclusively that a helmet is a good thing to wear. Indeed in some cases it has been shown that it can cause more damage than good.   Some people feel quite strongly about this for a whole host of reasons and so I don't recommend voicing an opinion one way or another.   I don't mind what other people do.    I wear one because it's my head.

In the winter and on cooler days I wear a buff - a fabric collar rather like a neck scarf but doesn't come undone.   

 

       It was on this ride to Paris that I learned what hard work it was to cycle with a rucksack!

For long rides I also wear cycling glasses.  These are shaped to stop air and grit from going into my eyes - they are prescription and reactolite.  I need to be able to see road signs and potholes along with my watch and computer without hesitation.  Mine are from Optilabs in Croydon, Surrey who also do mail order.  

I always wear gloves. Always.  In the summer they are fingerless and in the winter Goretex with an extra pair of liners.  

Overshoes for wet or cold rides really make a difference - if you are wearing cycling shoes.  They are not 100% waterproof as eventually, in torrential rain and wet roads your feet will get wet.  But they do make a difference.

Woolen socks also help and in the winter there are a brand Sealskinz which have an internal plastic liner to stop water from getting to your toes.  Again, eventually they will get wet.  Carrying spare socks in the winter or in the wet is a great thing to do, your feet will really appreciate it!  

                             This is what I had to do before I bought my Sealskinz!

Overtrousers are also great for both cold and wet rides. It is amazing how much warmer you are.  In the deep winter days and nights I wear overtrousers all the time, over two pairs of leggings.

Moneybelt - mine is from Runners Need and it means that my most valuable possessions are on me rather than my bike.

 I am sure I will be adding to this page shortly!

Accessories for the bike

A Potentially Never Ending Page!

Lights (red at the back of the bike, white at the front)

These are paramount and there are a myriad of options available.  It is not just about seeing where you are going but about being seen by others.  In a town under street lighting there is probably less of a requirement to have laser-burning lights but you do need to be able to see potholes, rubbish, pieces of glass and all the other things that could give you a puncture or bumps and drains which are best avoided.

A dynamo light takes power from your wheel rather than batteries, but this is expensive as you need a special wheel to be built.  A top of the range option worthy of consideration though.  

Battery operated lights require batteries that work.  I keep a spare set of batteries on my bike at all times. I also have two sets of front lights and rear lights on my bike so that I dont end up with no lights.  This may be excessive but I'd rather have too many than not enough.

Unfortunately all lights need to be easily removable because if you are leaving your bicycle outside they will potentially be removed.

Cateye are popular, Exposure are top of the range, I just bought two Moon lights as I like their shape and they are very bright although they need recharging. 

Placing your lights is worth consideration - for example on the seat post is only ok if you never wear long jackets.  Staying visible is crucial.

Computer

If you like to know your mileage, calories, cadence (pedal spins per minute), heart beat or where you've been and where your going there is a computer for it.  I have a basic Cateye on my bikes that tell me the first three above although as part of a fitness drive I now have a Polar FT7 wrist watch which measures my heartbeat. 

Garmin are the number one computers for routes and stats.  They have GPS and are sophisticated computers that can practically put the kettle on!   There are also many Apps on smart phones that offer useful cycling stats but they also drain the power to your phone.  Being contactable is probably more important! 

These are options and not essential.  Lights are essential.

Water Bottle and holder

Dehydration is not good for you.  It is amazing how much water is used by the body when cycling, even moreso on cold days than warmer ones.  Making sure you have and that you drink water on your bike (replaced every day) is another essential.

Mudguards

The one at the front protects the chain from mud and debris on the road.     The one at the back protects your back from mud and debris on the road.  However, if they are not fitted correctly they can cause punctures by rubbing on the tyres and if they come off on a group ride they are extremely hazardous to the people behind you. 

Locks 

These vary in price and security but if a bike thief wants to steal your bike, eventually he/she will.  Adding protective barriers like two locks, keeping it inside, keeping an eye on it if it's on the street will all help.  Your insurance company probably have a minimum recommendation to use.

The police operate a Bike Register which they use as a reference when recovering stolen bikes.  Contact your local police force for details.  

Basic Kit

Spare inner tubes, tyre levers, a pump, a puncture repair kit, a set of allen keys, a lock (or two), a flapjack/dried fruit and nuts/snack, extra layer, disposable gloves

 A Track Pump

This means that you can make sure the pressure in your tyres is exactly what it should be (embossed on the tyres) 

Luggage

From handbags to holdalls and panniers to purses the luggage is dependent upon what where you are going and what you need to take with you.

Although this is listed under Accessories for the Bike, in order to assess the sort of luggage you may need here is a reminder of my recommendations for your basic cycling kit.  A pump, a puncture repair kit, tyre levers, allen keys, lights, spare inner tubes, a small rag, a water bottle, an emergency windproof layer, a pair of disposable gloves and a flapjack.  I also have Lypsil, a nail file and a lipstick!

                                 
                                          Proof! My Basic Kit for every time I ride my bike!

Not forgetting my mobile and my house keys!  Beyond that are a myriad of options depending on where you are going and so the requirements change all the time.

When I first started cycling I used to have a very large bumbag in which I kept most of the items shown in My Basic Kit above. For a couple of longer trips I also had a rucksack even though I have always disliked them as they always look scruffy to me.  

Little did I know how much the luggage attached to me rather than my bike was dragging me down and how uncomfortable it was.  I now have 99% of my luggage attached to my bike leaving only a small wallet around my waist for keys, cash and lipstick.   

The range and type of bags available is enormous. There is pretty much a style for everyone.  My collection is a real variety and I tend to swap them about depending on where I am going and what I am wearing - the waist wallet really helps in making sure I don't leave home without my essentials!  

                                               
The main consideration I give the luggage I have bought is how waterproof is it, how big is it and is it easy to fix to my bicycle.                                    

There are a whole range of bags for the handlebars but they can really affect the aerodynamics and the steering of your bike. I put one on my bike and didn't like it.

If you are trying to travel light, small saddlebags for the basic cycle kit mentioned above are another alternative particularly if you are thinking about wearing a cycling top which will have a series of pockets.