Things You Take On a TRAIL RIDE

pojp58:
Ok, need a little help here. I mostly ride tracks.  Now and then we will ride some trails but when we do we dont get to far from our staging area, couple miles this way then we come back and then go a couple miles the other way.

Now I could probably guess at what I should take along with me on a long ride but im the type that would take to much and by the time I got done packing everything I would need a 450 of bigger bike just to haul me and the 300 puonds of accessories.

Now there are alot of trail riders here and my question is. And remember, I don't ask much from you all.lol

What should you, in your honest opinion, take on a day of trail riding? The most important things to you that will make your day as worry free as posable.

One more thing, think East Coast.

Ok if you don't go far then there are few worries.
But for me, on an average trail ride I carry
Camel Back 100 oz. of water in it.
Power bars For nourashment
Flashlight,
Tool as follows, 8mm,10mm,12mm,14mm combo wrenches 1/4" socket wrench with 8mm,10mm and 12mm sockets Phillips screwdrive regular screwdriver,Motion pro Axel wrench Tire Iron combo wrenches, (front and Rear Size)Tube snake, Core removing tool
C02 Bottles and inflator, Pliers
Front Tube,(can be used in the rear if necesary)
GPS To remember where I have been.
First aid
Pen and paper, to leave notes for those that may be looking for you.
Tow strap
electric tape and zip ties, Spare Nuts and Bolts
That mostly covers it.
For longer trips I carry more sometimes even clothes for when you arrive at your destination
Camera, Gotta show off all the cool places you have been!
Oh yeah, Cell Phone and Money, Both can get you out of trouble or at least get a message to loved ones.
I think that these things apply to any where but for you east coaster, make sure you have a jacket in case you get stuck outside at night. I always wear one here in California, It can get cold at night in the high desert.
Tim  

I am probably asking for trouble but I don't carry much because I can't stand to be loaded down by a ton of crap. I can't even stand to wear a chest protector so a backpack or drink system is out of the question. If I could figure out a way to pack stuff on my bike without it being in the way I'd go that route. I carry a plug wrench and spare plugs with me if I venture very far away from the truck, but thats it.
I'm a firm believer in pre-ride checks and plenty of maintenance....has kept me out of trouble for 15 years. Most things that break on the trail can be limped back to the truck somehow with a little imagination.
I wish I could carry more stuff with me but everytime I've tried to bring a pack along it always ends up stashed in the bushes along the trail somewhere within a mile or two of the truck because I can't stand it any longer. On our ATV's its a different story, I bring along probably everything thats been listed here plus some.  

haligan I use my airbox to store the tools, spare plugs, zip-ties, ducktape, etc.  You are right about a lot of rides, especially here in NW Montana, where it is hard to find a trail that is longer than 30 miles.  But I like to wear my riding pants with the deep front pockets, because I take two cameras along, plus my remote control for the helmet cam.  I keep my camelback light, with just water and snack bars, for the same reason you mention.  When it gets loaded down with tools and stuff I too want to get rid of it.  
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NW Montana
Where the pavement ends and the fun begins  
2005 KTM300exc

I am the same way haligan, I do not like chest protectors and carrying alot of stuff either. I Cashe alot of stuff on the trails lol.  
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DIABETES SUX!

I'm glad I'm not the only one. The airbox to carry stuff is a good idea and I think I'm gonna start using that. I just have to remember to carry a 12mm so I can get my seat off to access the airbox. LOL After the ride I went on yesterday (OMG dusty) I think I'm going to try to find a drink system that I can force myself to get used to. Being 15 miles from the truck with nothing to drink sucks!  

I've always just carried a back pack full of stuff...It's heavy if you're not used to it, but if you ride with it continually, you get used to riding with it...it's actually weird for me if I don't have it now, I feel naked. hahaha

I've just been in too many situations where other people didn't have the right stuff and my dad's tool kit and supplies kept us from sleeping in the desert over night. haha  
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"Only the desert has a fascination to ride alone in the sun in the forever unpossessed country away from man. That is a great temptation."
--D.H. Lawrence