What's the most useful item you have taken on a trip.

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Brian-TQY
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Re: What's the most useful item you have taken on a trip.

Post by Brian-TQY » Sun Jan 25, 2015 10:55 pm

I know it's not the Dakar but how about a backup service van. ;)

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LeVelo
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Re: What's the most useful item you have taken on a trip.

Post by LeVelo » Sun Jan 25, 2015 11:25 pm

Earplugs. If you're bunking with your vindaloo&guinness-loving mates it's one pair for your ears and one pair for your nose :lol:

Mark112233
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Re: What's the most useful item you have taken on a trip.

Post by Mark112233 » Sun Jan 25, 2015 11:28 pm

Thanks guys it looks like a sense of humor has to be high on the priority list.

stevew
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Re: What's the most useful item you have taken on a trip.

Post by stevew » Mon Jan 26, 2015 12:26 am

ally wrote:Yes. Kettle and stove. Look for a stesco stove. Runs on petrol and a lovely compact bit of kit. Saves two lots of fuel:)
Where can you get one of those Stesco stoves? Had a google but only seem to be able to find "collectors" ones. Surely the Chinese must have come up with a version :P

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ally
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Re: What's the most useful item you have taken on a trip.

Post by ally » Mon Jan 26, 2015 1:51 am

There are two on eBay at present. Little coil stove in a tin

Although I normally prefer meths stoves for simplicity and safety the coil stove is a very safe and easy alternative

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stesco-vintag ... 3cf161d473

Sorry not a linked URL, struggled to insert from tablet

There is a cheaper on, this has slightly better pics

If your ok carrying a little meths as discussed make your own stove or buy one for just a couple of quid, the stesco though is one of my favourites when biking

:)

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Ventura
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Re: What's the most useful item you have taken on a trip.

Post by Ventura » Mon Jan 26, 2015 7:15 am

Mark112233 wrote:?.....what is the most useful item you have taken on a long distance trip.
Mobile phone and credit card is top of the list!

If your going as a group then agree what each of you are taking in the way of spares and tools.
No point in duplication.
I always pack a spare chain and clip link on any trip now, following a bad experience in the very north of Scotland.
No fun when your in the middle of nowhere and the chain has just slithered into a ditch after parting company with the bike at speed! :o :shock:


V.

Mark112233
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Re: What's the most useful item you have taken on a trip.

Post by Mark112233 » Mon Jan 26, 2015 8:51 am

Thanks Ventura
I'll pop a chain on my list.

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ericry
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Re: What's the most useful item you have taken on a trip.

Post by ericry » Tue Jan 27, 2015 12:47 pm

I always carry the following in my tank bag (on bigger bikes) - not sure what I'd bring on a Cub - maybe add spare tube abd tyre levers ??

-Leatherman multitool - decent pliers and knife, other bits not so good !
-a small tyre pressure guage (Draper digital)
- a Motion Pro toolset http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/15153792 ... 108&ff19=0
- a few cable ties
- a roll of duct tape
- small Draper Expert adjustable spanner ( Stock No.52680)
- small stubby hammer - for hitting encouraging thing (starter motors etc) and driving in tent pegs etc
- small multi-meter - useful for troubleshooting electrical problems quickly - check battery is charging etc.
- plug n go tubeless repair kit - maybe not so useful on a cub with tubes !!
- small 12v compressor - (cyclepump.com)
- baby wipes - cleaning hands or as toilet tissue in an emergency !
- couple of bits of blue shop paper towel - as above
- a small torch - most things happen at inconvenient times !
- a paper map - Mary Garmin can bring you interesting places !!
- a phone - for ET to phone home or phone breakdown service
- Breakdown service numbers
- cash and credit card

I've found good maintenance and a check on oil, air, brakes etc before going on a spin helps.

Eric.

Leiba
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Re: What's the most useful item you have taken on a trip.

Post by Leiba » Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:15 pm

ericry wrote:
- a small torch - most things happen at inconvenient times !
- Breakdown service numbers
Make that a head torch = hands free
And I have my relevant emergency numbers stuck to the underside of the seat just in case some thing happens to my phone. ;)

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ericry
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Re: What's the most useful item you have taken on a trip.

Post by ericry » Tue Jan 27, 2015 1:44 pm

I have a head torch but its a bulky old one I got for free and takes about 4 AAA batteries so not bothered with it - the one I bring is a Lenser P3 which takes 1 x AAA battery so is nice and small and spare battries are easy to get - some small modern head torches use small batteries that can be hard to find.

A rubber band or some duct tape fixes it to my head perfectly !!

When I'm camping I also carry a small round led light - has about 10 led bulbs in it at takes 2 x AA batteries (about £5 in Tesco I think) - comes with a hook that I can hang up in the tent roof so it shine downwards.

I keep a copy of my insurance papers in my jacket pocket (and my original tax discs, only copies on the bikes) so have the breakdown number on that - touch wood in last 8 years since I returned to biking I've never had to use them !

Eric.

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