For local rides, I generally take the following gear. Longer rides or when I am away from home, I generally carry more gear. Do yourself a favor and get a saddle bag that will give you plenty of room. Why subject yourself to fighting those super small bags to save a few grams.
Most bike shops carry a full line of bike tools from Park or Pedros. Both are good. I am familiar with the Park tools not to say that any others are just as good. Consult with your local bike shop (LBS). This is a great light and small multi-purpose tool sufficient for local rides. Unlike most smaller tools, this one has allen keys that go up to 8 mm.
While a lot of multi-tools have a chain tool, they tend to get big, heavy and the tool is cumbersome to use. I prefer the CT-5 since it is light and is easier to grip.
These are perfect since they are plastic, light and durable. They conveniently stack-on together for storage in you saddle bag and they come as a set of three. While most difficult repairs can easily be done with two levers, it is nice to have an extra for that difficult tire or if you lose one during one of your road repairs which is common.
4. Spare tubes
First and most importantly, pre-powder your tubes with some baby powder and store into a plastic bag. This makes both installation and removal easier. While most bike mechanics swear it is not necessary to pre-powder your tubes, I find that it both makes subsequent removal a lot easier and the tube tends to seat into the tire/wheel better during installation reducing a chance of a pitch flat. Some tube manufacturer’s sell pre-talced tubes but the ones that I found are super light and easily flat. Unless you have a sag mobile, don’t get these light tubes unless you like to repair flats. Consult your local bike shop (LBS) for recommendations. Also, make sure you get tubes with long enough stems that you can easily attach your pump/Co2 chuck.
This is a must. Should debris in the road puncture a large hole or slit, your tube could blow out of the hole/slit. Remember, these tubes are under a lot of pressure and when you ride, you are placing more pressure onto the tire. If you find a large hole/slit, use one of these boots. In a pinch, some cyclist use paper currency or power bar wrappers. If you use currency, try to use a one dollar bill because the U.S. Treasury uses higher thread count paper on one dollar bills since they are handled more.
Should you have a need to do a road repair of your tube, I prefer the pre-glued patches. Quick and easy! Try fixing a flat in the dark or rain using glue. I admit the older glue and patch method is better but I prefer to save that for repair my flat tubes when I get home. Trust me, you will not regret have a pack.
For convenience, CO2 cartridges are great but keep in mind you only get one shot per cartridge. After you use up your CO2, you are stuck. Therefore, carry three cartridges. I don’t have the greatest hand dexterity and strength, therefore, I prefer using the threaded CO2 cartridges. Also, I prefer 16 gram cartridges to insure more than enough air to inflate even a 32 mm tube and to allow for mistakes. The 12 gram cartridges generally will not be enough to full inflate a 23 mm tire to max pressure.
Most people use 12 gram cartridges because they are easy to get at sport shops and a lot cheaper. Be careful buy cartridges from your LBS unless you want to send them on a nice vacation during the off season. Use eBay and you will find some great deals on 16 gram threaded cartridges. Go in with a friend or two and buy a box of 50. There are several regular sellers that routinely have bulk deals with “Buy it Now”.
I find this inflator tool to be the best for me. It uses the threaded CO2 cartridges and the inflator attaches to the tube by threading onto the stem. This makes handling everything easier. Best yet, it has a large turn-valve that you can slowly turn to first inject a small amount of air into the tire to check for proper tire seating before fully inflating the tire. And if you have some spare air, you can easily store the inflator/cartridge in your saddle bag to use maybe to partially inflate the next tube prior to installation into the tire/rim.
9. Quick Link
Should you either break or jam you chain, you could find yourself up the creek without a paddle if you do not have the means to do some type of road repair. Even experience cyclist will drop a chain and risk breaking it. On longer trips or always from home, I even carry a spare piece of chain, but that can be a bit too much for everyday. Overall, the best thing is to have a chain tool (Park CT5) that will allow you to remove the damaged section and then use a Quick Link to join the ends of the chain together. Be careful and consult you LBS since there are different links for chains. Be prepared to spend a few dollars since they can range from $5 – $15 bucks. Well worth it when you break your chain.
While this will allow you remove the damage section of chain, you will need to be careful not shifting your bike gears into the big combinations that require more chain. Again, consult your local bike shop for tips.
Longer Rides
The above gear will get you by for most situations/rides near home. When doing longer rides or further away from home, you may want to consider the following.
1. Frame pump
2. Leatherman/Swiss Army multi-purpose hand tool
3. Extra tube
4. Two extra CO2 cartridges
5. Small amount of duct tape.
6. Small first aid kit including items for road rash.
7. For areas with bad roads, even consider carrying a spare tire!
A great bike service reference from Park Tool is the Big Blue Book. This book is an invaluable reference for beginners.
1 - I don’t want to ride alone
When I bought my first bike I had no how important it is when it comes to how you fit the bike. Of course there is the “round the block” rider, then the person who rides a beach cruiser once a year on the board walk. I learned the hard way that any riding other than what I mentioned above requires a proper fit on the bike. The “science” of the bike fit totally fascinates me and other than wanting to start a women’s ride group, I’ve wanted to become certified in bike fitter. 
My week at Pac Tour Wisconsin was fantastic. The week started with a ride to Sharon, WI in the rain! Cookout lunch at Susan & Lon’s home in Sharon. Gorgeous scenery. I chose not to ride on Monday, it was pouring rain as the ride left out of Beloit. It did clear up for the group to have a great ride. Tuesday we rode to Waterford, WI the home of Waterford Bicycles. Had a picnic lunch and a tour of the factory by none other than Richard Schwinn himself. If you ever have a chance to tour a bike factory, do it! Wednesday, 109 miles to New Glarus Woods. I thought Wisconsin was flat. Not! It turned out to be a beautiful day. Friday I did my second full Century of the week! I finished the week with a total of 425 miles for the week. Thank you to Lon, Susan, Roger, Fred & Jim and all the fellow cyclist I was able to meet from all around the world. Your influence will stay with me always.
I’m one of those people who has lived all over the United States. I’ve been in the US Army and have driven an 18 wheeler cross country. I’ve met some very interesting people. Not until I started riding a bicycle did I really start to meet the people who would help be the bicyclist that I have become and the bicyclist I hope to be someday. And, it’s not just about riding a bicycle. The gentleman that I am about to introduce you is the most genuine, humble man you will ever meet. His name is John Delutis. 
Have you ever gone into a business and you just don’t get that warm fuzzy feeling?
Today is March 2nd. Although the weather has not been the best, is after all…. WINTER! BUT, I want winter to go away.
When will spring get here??? We went out for a nice winter ride this week!
