Ebike Check List

[kitchenman]

Has anyone come up with a memory aid to help remember all the things you need to before starting a journey. Would be particularly useful for commuters who are often rushing so as not to be late for work. SCUBA divers have them to help remember stuff ... Big Women ARe Fun was one I think I can remember .. Bouyancy, Weights, Air, Releases and Final check ..

Reasons why as follows:
Three miles into a recent commute I realised I had no goggles which you really need now that the weather is warmer. It was about the same time that my head started to really hurt as if something was digging into it from underneath my helmet. So.. my candidate for the list is:
Goggles on face (not up on your head hollywood style!)

During the winter I rode to work without a helmet - plain forgot ...

Keys - had to wait outside for my daughter to come home before I could get in and have a shower ...

Identity Card - had to stand around in security filling out the "I forgot my identity" card (not a very nice sight for people arriving!)

Gloves (in winter) - my hands were freezing! ...

Switch on devices! - Have three cameras at the moment. No point if you don't switch them on!

Clothes - underpants - going commando at work does add a bit of excitement to an otherwise dull day but you do have to remember not to stretch! ..

Now let me see is there something I've forgotten to tell you that I've forgotten?

 

[Scottyf]

Mine is just...

Helmet
Gloves
Outdoor coat
Keys
Charged battery
Lunch
Aftershave
Dehoderant
Shower gel
Pump (most of these are on the bike already and i never take them off.)
Spare clothes
Phone
Wallet

 

[martx007]

As above plus small tool set of spanner, allen keys (handlebars came loose once) and multitool

 

[kitchenman]

Thanks that has help get my brain working again this morning after another bad nights sleep ...What about:
Bike Computer
Reading Glasses (perhaps you dont need them yet or your in your denial phase - I spent 2 years there!)

 

[kitchenman]

As above plus small tool set of spanner, allen keys (handlebars came loose once) and multitool

Yes. Certainly tools. I use my spare water bottle holder and fill a water bottle with .. hang on ..

 

[Marchant]

Spectacles, testicles, wallet & watch.

 

[flecc]

As an aside kitchenman, your post illlustrates one reason why cycling isn't almost universal in Britain as it is in the Netherlands.

They don't need a list there, they just get on a bike and cycle in the same way as we walk about, no special arrangements, just doing it routinely all the time.

They have chainguards so they don't have to have cycle clips or shorts, skirtguards also. They commonly ride at moderate speeds so don't need goggles. They don't bother with helmets.

In short, their sensible bikes are usually tailored to modern human personal transport needs. We in Britain too often tailor ourselves to suffer the needs of less than ideal bikes and usage.
.

 

[Scottyf]

Sorry forgot the tools bit.
I have a load of them I carry with me.

I'd always have a bike with a chain guard as I don't really wear any special clothing other than helmet and gloves and to be honest since cycling to work I'd destroying Jeans around my crotch!!!

I'd like to say becasue of my huge package but I'm not kidding anyone.
Its just the friction of my legs on the seat. Its gotten than bad in some instances its gone through to my pants.

I may have to invest in some shorts...

 

[morphix]

my list

When I go on longer rides, the essentials I always try to remember are:

- Wallet/Money
- Still camera for taking photos (check bat and card space)
- Mobile phone (never want to be stranded without one)
- Handkerchief (always get runny nose when riding)
- Latex gloves (very handy if chain comes off or needs adjusting)

 

[Scottyf]

- Latex gloves (very handy if chain comes off or needs adjusting)

Or commiting crimes!

 

[kitchenman]

When I go on longer rides, the essentials I always try to remember are:

- Still camera for taking photos (check bat and card space) - what yet more cameras!
- Mobile phone (never want to be stranded without one) - I've got one with a camera in!
- Handkerchief (always get runny nose when riding) - and cleaning all the camera lenses

 

[steveindenmark]

Spectacles, testicles, wallet & watch.

It was a good film Marchant

I have a small insulated ice bag which always sits on the back of the bike. I bought it in a fishing tackle shop.

It always has the following in it.

Small cycle pump
Tyre repair kit, including spare tube
Small set of tools.
A bag of coins
Energy bars x2
Rain legs
Clear orange tinted cycling glasses.

All I need to add is my keys and wallet.

Although the bag is small I can still get a rainbjacket, a t shirt and a pair of jeans in there.

It was an excellent buy. I think it may have been intended to be a bait bag.

Steve

 

[wharfitude]

As I'm perfectly capable of forgetting everything, I have all the essentials draped over the bike in the garage - helmet, trouser clips, reflective waistcoat, gloves. Tools, puncture repair outfit, lock and rain jacket are permanently in a locked Bikebox pannier, securely fixed. I keep the water bottle on the bike, filled. It may be a bit stale if you've not been out for a while but that's better than finding you've got no water at all.

Of course all these precautions don't always work - I'm just back from my first shirtsleeves ride of the spring, and my phone was in my jacket back at home. No breakdowns or emergencies, luckily!

 

[kitchenman]

Checklists and order become even more important when you have more than one ebike or more than one battery. For example, this morning I set off on my adventurous commute feeling all excited about trying out my new kit only to realise 2 miles in that I was using the wrong battery! .. I have two. One was charged up all ready to go on the kitchen table. The other almost totally discharged in readiness for a 5 hour conditioning charge. I have now updated my checklist to read:
Battery (The right one!)

 

[flecc]

Has anyone come up with a memory aid to help remember all the things you need to before starting a journey. Would be particularly useful for commuters who are often rushing so as not to be late for work. SCUBA divers have them to help remember stuff ... Big Women ARe Fun was one I think I can remember .. Bouyancy, Weights, Air, Releases and Final check ..

Looking through the long list of all the items mentioned and their initial letters, it seems a handy and genuinely useful mnemonic will always be impossible.

 

[yselmike]

tools and repair kit are always in a small saddle bag,pump rain jacket and trousers always in a pannier bag
on the bike with a extra icebreaker fleece hat and extra waterproof gloves and a couple of emergency
lights so I can be seen.
The bike sits in the hall so I only have to remember my wallet ,mobile and keys got a extra charger at work.
Has to be that way got a head like a sieve.

 

[flash]

As an aside kitchenman, your post illlustrates one reason why cycling isn't almost universal in Britain as it is in the Netherlands.

They don't need a list there, they just get on a bike and cycle in the same way as we walk about, no special arrangements, just doing it routinely all the time.

They have chainguards so they don't have to have cycle clips or shorts, skirtguards also. They commonly ride at moderate speeds so don't need goggles. They don't bother with helmets.

In short, their sensible bikes are usually tailored to modern human personal transport needs. We in Britain too often tailor ourselves to suffer the needs of less than ideal bikes and usage.
.

Nice theory flecc and I am the a great supporter of this philosophy, but unfortunately here in the UK you need your helmet body armour etc due to our dangerous roads and lack of suitable cycle paths.

I have been to the funerals of 2 close friends who have been killed (probably criminally) whilst riding their bikes in the UK this year. They have both been cycling every day for more than 30 years. Cycling been their main transport.

 

[NRG]

Agreed, the Dutch cyclist is more protected with their cycle paths, great video posted by Tim in this thread highlights how they had the will to stop the deaths and push for change...

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/10085-dutch-bike-industry-fined-heavily-price-fixing.html

 

[flecc]

Nice theory flecc and I am the a great supporter of this philosophy, but unfortunately here in the UK you need your helmet body armour etc due to our dangerous roads and lack of suitable cycle paths.

I have been to the funerals of 2 close friends who have been killed (probably criminally) whilst riding their bikes in the UK this year. They have both been cycling every day for more than 30 years. Cycling been their main transport.

Well, at 75 years old I've been cycling most of the 65 years since ten years old, even during my time in the army, and I haven't a single mark of any kind resulting from that. The same applies to my lifetime of driving and motorcycling.

You can draw your own conclusions from this, but it does refute that we all need helmets and body armour as you claim. The harsh reality is that all cycling protective gear is utterly useless against engine powered tons of steel. The only protection that works is housed inside the upper dome of our heads, but it only works effectively if we use it.

 

[kitchenman]

Well, at 75 years old I've been cycling most of the 65 years since ten years old, even during my time in the army, and I haven't a single mark of any kind resulting from that. The same applies to my lifetime of driving and motorcycling.

You can draw your own conclusions from this, but it does refute that we all need helmets and body armour as you claim. The harsh reality is that all cycling protective gear is utterly useless against engine powered tons of steel. The only protection that works is housed inside the upper dome of our heads, but it only works effectively if we use it.

I try to use it ... but sometimes no matter how hard I try I just cant seem to stop failing! ... I think its because I like it. I hope it encourages others not too ... it a service .. an important service that I am performing ... (did I say failing ,,, sorry.. I mean't falling) ...