From cash to sunnies, make sure you always take the right gear with you on your training rides. – By Cherise Stander

When I start a ride, it takes me ages to get ready – because getting ready for a bike ride is about so much more than just the bike. You need all the essentials before leaving the door: helmet, gloves, glasses, etc.

Here’s a list of the kit I never leave home without:

Helmet
Obviously number one. Never go riding without a helmet – it could save your life.
Sunglasses In addition to protecting your eyes from the sun, they keep out all the unwanted bugs and dust. If it’s raining, I always keep my glasses on, because there’s nothing worse than getting something stuck in your eye!

Gloves
Be it on road or trail, I wear gloves, in case I decide to invest in some ground. If you crash you’ll probably try to protect yourself with your hands, so gloves will save you from losing skin. I also find that I have better grip on my handlebars when wearing gloves, so I’m more in control of my steering.

Energy Bar, Phone and Money
You need some insurance in case the wall you hit doing intervals is just too big to get through, and you need cash for a Coke or two before making your way home. You also don’t want to be the one who can’t cash up when the group stops for coffee.

Saddlebag
Inside I carry a tube, tyre levers, multi-tool and CO2 canister. Also, it’s good to have some sort of identification on you or somewhere on your bike, in case of an accident.

These are the basics you should never leave home without. Happy training!

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