If you're talking about the gear bag that you drop off in the morning and it gets delivered to Tent city in Hamilton that's one thing, a small gear bag (or saddle bag) that is attached to you bike is another thing.
Gear Bag: Year one I used a large 90L backback, it worked well but like any backback takes a bit more care in packing after you take everything out to make sure it fits again. For year 2 I picked up a cheap duffel/hockey style bag. It had more than enough room.
Here's my top list of items.
1. Running shoes, comfy ones.
2. Shorts, T-Shirt, Underwear, Socks, Sweatshirt (can cool down in the eve)
3. Cycling Shorts for day 2 and another jersey. I actually take my RTCC jersey to the shower with me and hang it out to dry on top of tent. (Day 1 95%+ are wearing the RTCC jerseys and about 50% on day 2. There's something nice about showing up at the finish looking like a team of 3000, even though you had to give the stinky jersey a quick wash in the shower).
4. Depending on forecast a pair of pants or warmer layers and/or some rain gear.
5. Sleeping bag and I used a thin self inflating air mattress. Some people actually bring full size double 6 inch thick air mattresses with battery operated pumps!
6. Pillow
7. You can hang out in the beer tent but we liked hanging by the tents so we brought little fold up chair things that use the air mattresses (Check MEC online, they have all this stuff. Or if you're a camper you probably have it already too).
8. Toiletries. Year 1 one of the sponsors was handing out little toiletry bags with soap, shampoo and toothpaste. Either I missed it or they didn't do this year 2. So at the very least I'd recommend Soap, Toothpaste and Shampoo.
9. A towel! The shower facilities are these mobile trucks that are just phenomenal, but you gotta bring your own towel.
10. I brought a few bike maintenance things in my duffel bag in case anything happened day one. Extra inner tubes, C02 cartridges etc. in case I had a double flat on day one.
11. Sunscreen is available as are things like aspirin etc but it's much easier if you bring your own instead of waiting in line.
Bike Saddle Bag:
For me this list is much smaller as I like to ride light.
1. 2 inner tubes (I personally perfer to just replace tube and not mess with patch kits, so much easier and you can spend more time enjoying the ride).
2. Patch kit (just in case I get more than 2 flats or if I come across someone who forgot theirs.
3. Tire Leevers
4. Pump
5. My girlfriend actually carries the pump and I bring CO2 cartridges which I prefer, again faster and easier. The pump is just more for backup.
6. Mini tool kit that allows me to do any emerge adjustments along the way.
In the jersey I've got gels/energy bars. They provide all kinds of snacks n foods along the way but I always like to have my own stuff just in case.
You can travel lighter and you can travel heavier. They don't weigh or measure your main gear bag so I figure it's better to be better prepared than to find yourself wishing you'd packed that extra shirt etc.
Phillh covered it pretty well, but I do have a couple additions for the bike seat bag. Most of these apply to general riding and may be less critical on the organized ride:
1. A $5 or $10 bill - just in case. Can also be used as a tire liner if you get a puncture. 2. A couple of quarters - for a pay phone. 3. Some kind of identification - and emergency medical/contact information.
Good call, missed those key items! You can also bring along a "tire boot" which helps if you get a large puncture or slash in the tire. It allows you to fix the tire and prevents a replacement tube from popping out the large hole. (keep your cash for ice cream haha). Emergency info is always a must, I have some cash and contact info in my saddle bag that is always in there. Another handy safety item is to bring a cell phone, naturally to be used only when stopped and pulled off to the side ;)
Emergency contact. Crap. My brother was always that. I'll use my cousin. I have NONE of this stuff, can't change a flat and the official ride bike maintenance is not even IN Hamilton, the dates planned. I will pray hard I don't get one.
I'm saving all of your advice. This is why I keep telling friends, who won't sponsor me, that I need a sleeping bag, etc. Disability pension...i'll just hit army surplus I guess.
Will start on collecting this stuff.
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Never Give Up; Never Surrender! Strength in Numbers. Livestrong!
Only flat i ever had was using city slicker tires. The mechanics at the local shop are jerks. The one guy insisted last year that I smashed the derailleur. I hadn't. I was under warranty, and he billed me 42 dollars. I had words with him and didn't return to the shop for nearly a year.
I have the basics, I just figure on taking a few spare tubes, pump, and hope for the best. I don't speed and keep an eye on the road pretty good. But extra tubes will come with me.
__________________
Never Give Up; Never Surrender! Strength in Numbers. Livestrong!
Thanks. I don't have the hand/grip strength to get the damned tire off. Left hand really weak. Braking is about it. I just gave up guitar because chording wasn't possible.
The tires are 2 inch and seem to be sturdy. Though I swear they are totally different than the exact same year/model stolen in November. Now they aren't Kenda Nevetal, made in USA but Jalla, made in Taiwan. Tread smaller, wheel less, well, flat. I think better for the road, however, so it works out. I've never had a flat on big tires (knock on wood). I carry a repair kit and could figure it out. It would take forever, but I could do it.
First trail ride: April 2nd. Woohoo!!!
__________________
Never Give Up; Never Surrender! Strength in Numbers. Livestrong!
one thing i would add to Philh's comprehensive list is instead of the bulk of a pillow, i would bring the pillow case and just stuff it with your dry clothes and use that as a pillow. do it all the time on camping trips.
Also...A FLASHLIGHT, maybe even a utility knife, like a leatherman....likely wont need it for much, i suppose they will be very organized and provide you with almost everything, but could be useful.
With the weather forcast being what it is, another little item/tip is to have a zip-lock bag or two. Use it to put your cell phone and ID in to make sure they stay dry while in your jersey pocket (or wherever you might stick them), second bag is just in case you loose the first...
