Organize and conquer in style

One of my greatest OCD issues is making sure that everything is organized and available when I go riding. If you want to see my face squish and contort, wait for the time that someone I'm riding with has a flat and then tells me that they don't have a patch kit or tube replacement, after I've asked them if they need me to bring anything. Most of the time when riding with certain people I always carry an extra tube and latex gloves, knowing that they tend to be a little absent minded or disorganized and will have forgotten some items. I've found that my saddle bag has been bursting on these occasions and items end up in my jersey pocket.

Now I am by no means a person that goes overboard with taking things with me but I want to make sure I don't get left high and dry. Here's a list of items always in my bag:

- 1 or 2 spare tubes(depending on length of trip and which bike)

- 1 pair of latex gloves(nothing worse than changing a flat, getting your hands dirty and then     sticking to the bars)

- 2 tire levers

- 2 CO2 cartridges (sometimes 3 depending on length of trip)

- multi tool

- Phone

- $20 bill

- $2 in change

- house keys

Like most people that are addicted to pushing the pedals will ride to where they need to go above and beyond any mode of transport. If I have to hit a store across town, I jump on my hybrid and go. One of the annoying parts is having to always un-velcro the saddle bag to take it with me. Then restringing through the saddle bars when I jump back on. My annoyances have been answered by Trek.

This little beauty has an attachment that you fasten to your seat rails. On it is a cleat that you slide and lock your bag onto. The bag has a velcro strap to stabilize the bag further to your seat post.  Press a button to disengage and your bag is in hand. There is access to the bag through the two sides as well as the back. Inside is a clip for your keys and even a little pouch with a zipper for your change. This was definitely made by someone who understand that not all bikes are used for going from A to B without some stops on the way. I then found out they they have produced a smaller bag with the same construction for weekend road warriors. I put my order in for one.

Because I spend a great deal of my free time tooting around town on either my Hybrid or fixed gear I tend to wear regular shorts instead of my road kit. I can still end up doing 80-100kms in a day but at a different pace. I've found that two things tend to happen. The first is that I go through the seat of my shorts pretty quickly. The second is my butt feels the riding distance when not in my kit shorts. Yet again, another company has come to my rescue; CHROME

Now many people know of CHROME because of their awesome bags with swanky buckle connectors. They've been in the clothing line for a while now and of course like everything they do, it's centered around cyclists. These pants come to about mid shin, so no more tying the bottom and have spandex throughout. This makes them stretch and easy to ride in. The butt and delicate area is reinforced and super soft.  Pockets everywhere and have the hipster feel to them. They aren't cheap, but if like me you're going through at least 2 pairs of shorts and/or pants every season, then they aren't expensive.

Yesterday was a good day of riding and shopping. I found a solution to my bag issues and a new pair of pants/shorts.