Do you carry one?

[popeyespal]

A friend has asked me to take an item she gave me on the upcoming tour. I have my dog-tags from back in the day that I planned on wearing full time but that was as much thought as I had given the idea until she asked.

There is an inventory list over on the Bicycle101 guy's site that has a spot for "lucky charm/totem".

Have any of you carried good luck pieces or mementos? What's the most unusual thing you seen or heard of?

[bogiesan]

My riding partner died a few years ago; that's Erich behind me in my avatar photo. I carry a small container of Erich's ashes.

Being asked to take someone else's fetish is a bit weird. I mean, would you accept someone's little trinket for your own bowling game?

david boise ID

[Tandem4Rider]

No good luck pieces for me - don't believe in it, but that is a different topic I won't get into.  Momentos, not really - the only thing I'd take is pictures of the family, but they travel with me (me and wife on tandem and two little boys in a trailer, thus tandem4rider).

Have I seen anything?  You bet.  To each their own, though.  I don't see the need to ride with a boa wrapped around my neck, but if another chap does - that's his business and doesn't affect me in the slightest.  Goes for everything else I've seen or heard of as well.

Carrying something of your own is one thing, being asked, as David from Boise has suggested - that is a bit weird (for me), but again that is your business not mine.

Whatever you carry, enjoy the ride.

[popeyespal]

I apologize for the confusion.

She gave me a gift AND asked me to take it on the trip. It is not an item she wants me to take for her own purposes per se.

It is a very small, 6 inches tall, teddy bear that she has named Henry. She wants me to take him on the trip as a sort of guardian/totem.

[psemler]

On my tours i bring "Platty," a small stuffed animal platypus. 2 years on an trans-am, he accompanied me. I was solo so I often took pictures of him -- at the CO passes, in the KS corn fields, eating a banana on Hwy 50 in NV. there was something comforting about bring a stuffed animal. Also, he rides on my rear rack and people like to see him in towns. a good conversation starter.
I plan on taking him from Austin to SD for my tour April 1.
hope the crazies in the SW don't shoot at him (me).
I also bring prayer beads, tibetan prayer flags, livestrong wristbands, and other stuff.
when I ride AIDS Lifecycle from SF to LA you wouldn't believe what the riders bring along. If you can see photos of that event you'll know what I mean!

[Eaton]

I carry a laminated picture of my wife.

[lonerider]

On tours, nothing that I don't need.

On commutes at night I have a bell that I attach to the bike that constantly rings to warn deer of my arrival. Almost hit them a number of times and figured out how to avoid it. Best accessory I have.

[coreyd]

when I ride AIDS Lifecycle from SF to LA you wouldn't believe what the riders bring along. If you can see photos of that event you'll know what I mean!

I've ridden AIDS LifeCycle a few times before...and will attest to some of the absolutely insane things people bring with them on the ride.  While it may seem impractical to haul around the extra weight of unneeded "tokens" you can't imagine the kind of spirit it brings to the community during the ride.  They can often be a great conversation starter or, in an odd way, a good motivator going up a long hill after an 80+ mile day.  There were times that the insanity of riding all those miles got to my brain, but seeing not only my own token, but some of the other people's fun trinkets really got me through some of my toughest moments.  So yes, to each his own, but for me I won't ride without one!

[valygrl]

Do I carry one?  No. I don't name my bike either. 

Should you?  Only you can answer.  If your friend's gift/request doesn't appeal to you, I don't see why you can't handle it like any other unwanted gift - smile and say thank you, then get rid of it any way you see fit.  If she's going to expect to see pictures of it on your bike, you'll have to let her down easy somehow.  If the idea of carrying the item doesn't make you happy, don't do it.

[GVDave]

For good luck, I have pepper spray hanging from my handlebar.  Haven't had to use it, but I've
had it in hand a few times approaching sketchy dogs.

[Gus Riley]

Same here; pepper spray, and a dog dazer.  The pepper spray is a second line of defense after the dazer.  In 1.000 miles of tour I have used the pepper spray three times....the dazer around 25 times.

[Westinghouse]

Just keep your fingers crossed.

[gnarlydog]

I always wear my St. Madonna Del Ghisallo medallion when I ride. Hoping for a little Divine intervention on the uphills.