Biking - a bit more equipment

While running is my preferred sport since “all you need is a good pair of shoes,” I have recently, and once again taking up biking. I my mind this just means I can get stranded much farther away from home than I can when I run.

The equipment load is much more cumbersome, but quite necessary. Since I don’t want to be stranded and I don’t want to have to call someone every single time I get a flat tire.

Along with the aforementioned necessities from a run including:

• Sunglasses


• Sunscreen


• Fluids: water and/or sports drink carried in the bike cage


• RoadID


• Music


• GPS


• Cell phone

Biking requires more than a few additional pieces of equipment. Of course the bike, but the helmet is essential. The bike shoes are also pretty cool, and now required in my opinion.

The clothing should be the same dry wick material as the running clothes, but one requirement: the bike shorts. If you have ever biked more than 45 minutes without the padded “diaper” bike shorts, you will be sore. They are one of the more important pieces of clothing in biking. Gloves are also pretty important. Otherwise you will get some blisters on your palms.

As for not getting stranded: an extra tube, tire wrenches, and a mini pump or a CO2 inflation system are ultra important. You can’t count on calling someone to come get you every time.

For the GPS – I use the same one for running and biking, but many people use one mounted to their bike. I haven’t gotten that far.

Seems like a lot – it is. I have finally gotten to the point where I don’t have to turn back when I’m half a block away to go get something that I forgot. Usually something pretty big, like my helmet or sunglasses.

Trust me, it is all worth it after a good ride.

Today’s accomplishments: Bike ride: 31.01 miles; 2 hours 18:29 minutes; 4:28 min/mile average pace.