DIY Tips

[GCharles]

As the end of the year approaches and lots of folks are planning their first long distance trip for 2011, I thought it would be nice to share DIY tips with everyone.  I have been tweeting about this topic and thought I would bring it here as well.  An example:

I use lots of Olive Oil on my long distance treks, but hate carrying glass bottles.  So I discovered the the .5 and 1 liter Platypus hydration bladders work great.  They are BPA free, compress down to nothing as you use up the oil, and are virtually indestructible.  Plus, a little warm water and soap washes them out after you are worried that they might be getting  little grimy.  So, how about you, any tips?

I will compile a list and put it up on my wabisabiyourlife.com site as an example of how you can save money by doing it yourself.

Happy Holidays,

Glenn

[johnsondasw]

Good idea, to share tips!

Helmet starting to stink from hundreds of sweaty rides ?  Bring it into the shower with you, shampoo your hair, put the helmet on and rub it around gently (so as not to unglue all those little padding patches), take it off and rinse it and it's good for many more rides. 

Another one, always carry some zip ties.  Once, the little guide on the chain stay for the rear derailleur (sp?) just broke off during a ride.  It was easily reattached in place with a zip tie.  this was a couple of years ago, and it's still holding. There have been other times it's been handy to have a zip tie, too.

[roadrunner]

We can probably all benefit from others' experience and ideas.

Finding multiple uses for items cuts down the amount of stuff (and weight) to carry. 
a. Sunscreen does a decent job of removing greasy chain-residue from hands and legs.
b. A small squeeze-bottle of dish soap works for bathing and washing hands and clothes.  Refill it with hand soap in restrooms.

A 7" spike is handy for making holes for tent stakes in hard ground (using a rock as a hammer).

[Awf Hand]

I found that putting my powdered Gatoraid mix in little baggies -premeasured for my drink bottles- in my fanny pack means I don't have to dig in panniers when I stop for a quick drink/refill.  I'll just refill the baggies each morning while my coffee water heats.

[Tandem4Rider]

I found that putting my powdered Gatoraid mix in little baggies -premeasured for my drink bottles-

I use a baby formula container for the same purpose.  I find it pours the powder more cleanly - no waste.

I might add, though I'm not sure it is that original or the type of info being sought; to repair flats.  I cut old tires to about 8-10cm lengths to insert over the hole in the tire until I can replace them.  I find they protect far better and are much faster than using the patch kits.

[BrianW]

Carry a Thermarest or other self-inflating sleeping pad in a stuff sack? Always pack it with the valve facing the open end of the stuff sack. That way if it somehow inflates itself, creating a tight fit, you can easily let air out and then remove from the stuff sack.

[DaveB]

Some flashlights have a nasty habit of turning themselves in your pack leaving you with dead batteries just when you need it.  Reverse the battery in the light or remove it and pack it separately to keep that from happening. For a sliding switch, tape the switch in the off position. 

[indyfabz]

Letting cold water from the tap warm naturally and putting your pots in the sun before cooking can help save fuel.

If you store items inside your cooking pots, line the pots with something like a bandana to prevent surface damage.  Learned this the hard way.

The wind will usually dry wet/damp clothes quickly if they are attached outside the panniers (secure them tightly) or put in a front pannier with an outside mesh pocket.

Oh...Don't tug on Superman's cape.

[bogiesan]

Wear your bike clothes to the shower.
Bring several pairs of earplugs.
Duct tape.
A good first aid kit, sure, but more important is knowing how to use it.
Got one of those meal saver vacuum-bag systems? You can find tons of useful things to do with that sucker. You can reduce an entire wardrobe of clothing and other soft items to a compact brick. You can repackage your food items and emergency gear into watertight bags.

david boise ID

[waynemyer]

I see a lot of talk on other sites about cleaning up after working on the bike.  I'm of the mindset to not get greasy in the first place.  Pack six to ten latex gloves in a ziploc back, squeeze out all the air, and stick it in your tool bag.  It takes up negligible additional room.  Take the gloves off inside-out and pull over any dirty, greasy trash you may have.  Instant self-contained waste receptacle.

[litespeed]

A roll of Gorilla Tape beats duct tape like a drum. It's much stickier, stronger and more durable. I once patched a ruptured seam on my sleeping bag compression bag. It's still there after many years.

For good, cheap, light tent stakes go to the gutter department of your builders' supply store (Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.) and buy a package of aluminum gutter nails.

Forget the flashlight and just pack a headlamp in your handlebar pack. I bought mine at WalMart.

Pack spare Ziplock bags.

I never go anywhere (except airplanes) without my swiss army knife - "tinker" model.

Always have your passport with you. You never know....

[Shane]

I have a list of my handy things HERE I would of course like to add the already mentioned Tie wraps and baby wipes, always good hygiene even if you dont have water.....

Shane

[GCharles]

Awesome list, thanks for all the replies.  I hope this list helps out everyone getting ready to head out on the trail.  Happy New Years to all!!

Glenn

[Voyageur]

Howdy GCharles...

Great thread. In the past I too used lots of olive oil.  I find hand lotion is much better... 

[knolltop]

Awesome list, thanks for all the replies.  I hope this list helps out everyone getting ready to head out on the trail.  Happy New Years to all!!

Glenn

+1!!