what 3 things should you not leave home without

[Possum]

Extended Weekender away (on the bike of course) 2 nights 3 days... what 3 things should you not leave home without?

I'm having trouble packing...
Poss

[Ratmick]

Pack light.

1. Toothbrush & Toothpaste (and maybe a comb)
2. Money & Visa Card
3. Sense of humour

The is assuming the bike gear is covered...

If you'd like a more comprehensive list:

4. Underwear x2
5. T-Shirt x2
6. Pair of Socks x2
7. Spare pair of Draggins jeans
8. Sunnies
9. Thermal long-sleeved top/bottoms (The weather in Victoria in February is hot - my arse it is, it was 3.9 Celcius in Woodend Sunday morning)
10. If you are that way inclined, moisturiser/shampoo etc.
11. Mobile phone

Mick

[Aahzap!]

keys - to start your bike
wallet - to fill it up
phone - to let the missus know when you get there you won't be home for a few days

[6maniac]

1. W/w gear - you KNOW it will rain if you DON'T take it.
2. Can cooler - every time I go away I forget to take one so I now have an impressive collection from some very obscure towns !
3. Date roll - do I need to explain ?

[aardvark]

phone - to let the missus know when you get there you won't be home for a few days

And the phone charger!

I often spend time away from home up towards the NT/WA border for work. Other than clothes, money and the other obvious things, I always make sure I have:

1) Phone and charger
2) Toilet paper
3) Panadol

[smek]

puncture repair kit... cos it could just make your day

[javaman]

This is my list for anything more than a daytrip:

Underseat:
Gaffa tape
Pants rain suit
Bicycle pump
Tubeless repair kit
Basic tools (screwdriver, plier)
Spare $100
Tissues
Flashlight
Zip ties
Panadol + Imodium + Bandaid
Bicycle chain lock

On bike:
water bottle
shoo roo
nsw & vic map

Bag & pockets:
Notebook + charger + ethernet cable + console cable
Camera + charger + usb cable
HP + charger
GPS + batteries
radio ?
Plastic bags
Ear plug
Chain lube
Clothing
Umbrella
Waterproofing gloves
Neck Warmer
Spare key
Hat

[Strika]

Most have already replied with close to what I take, but here it is anyhoo.
This is all the bike related stuff:
1.Puncture repair kit with Co2 bottles and valve adapter (Negates the need for a pump)
2.St John's Ambulance First Aid Kit (Especially on group rides as someone nearly always piffs it!)
3.Wet Weather gear (as it WILL rain if you don't take it!!!)
4.Chain Lube (I know you said three things, but unless you have a shaft drive, then it's a must!!)

As most newer bikes come with a workable tool kit as standard, I havn't listed that!

This is all the stuff I take almost everywhere nowadays anyhoo:
I always top up the credit card (more if I rode the beemer) but it's not bike kit as such, nor is my cash, wallet, mobile phone and charger! Naturally, clean clothing is a must although Gos may disagree!!!

[red_dave]

1. Olympic grade Ping Pong ball
2. Jagermeister
3. Jar of Mayonaise

[mike-s]

*blink*blink*


ahh pongy, where art thou.

[Smitty]

1. Olympic grade Ping Pong ball
2. Jagermeister
3. Jar of Mayonaise

bag of donuts........

[robracer]

This is my list for anything more than a daytrip:Hat

an old biker dude once told me to lay everything you want to take out on the floor, then halve it
then halve it again & thats what you need to take

[seraph]

shit y'all take some excessive baggage...

credit card, mobile, insulin. beefed up toolkit under seat. wets. If I'm headed somewhere scary, like Victoria, I take my teddy bear to keep me company. -J.

[Black Magic]

* The bike
*yourself
*American Express (don't leave home without it )

[seraph]

been thinkin about this, and it's all fine and dandy bragging about how little we all pack when we're touring, but I guess I'm presupposing that you know a few of the tricks... doesn't really seem fair considering that this was a genuine question, so my apologies for the flippant comment earlier.

OK, the first thing to know is that there are more than a few ways to pack for a long bike trip, but since you're going for 3 days it's a bit easier. You basically have 2 options: either A) take everything you'll need to maintain the levels of comfort you're used to at home, or B) switch into touring mode, along with its associated discomforts and piratey smells.

For option A, pack:
- changes of underwear, socks and clothes for every day you're travelling
- warm clothes or thermals to wear if weather goes to shit
- alternate shoes to wear after you've docked for the day, either thongs or outdoorsy shoes, or decent shoes to get into an RSL, pub or nice feeding ground
- wet weather gear
- backpack food (muesli bars, apples, chocolate bars, etc - you may be a while between decent meals)
- camera, notebook, phone, gps, ipod, etc - and chargers for everything
- map
- toiletries - deodorant, shampoo, soap, toothbrush + toothpaste, random grooming things, small first aid kit
- towel
- substantial tool kit that includes tyre repair kit + spare lightbulbs + fuses + gaffer tape, cable ties + a mini maglight
- chain lube
- litre bottle of oil
- sleeping bag
- clear visor if you normally wear a tinted one
- disc lock or some other visible deterrant for thieves
- cash + credit cards, stored separately

for Option B, pack:
- single change of clothes and knickers (wear one, wash the other lot and dry on bike)
- wet weather gear (doubles as unattractive warm gear)
- phone
- compass or map
- deodorant + toothbrush - the rest you can buy on the road if you need it
- substantial tool kit that includes tyre repair kit + spare lightbulbs + fuses + gaffer tape, cable ties + a mini maglight
- small can of chain lube
- disc lock
- cash + credit cards, stored separately

All of option B gear can fit in one small back pack (with a camel pack insert) and under a seat cowl. I usually have room for my teddy bear too. Everything else you think you might need, I'll put money on it that you can beg borrow steal or buy it if you really really need it.

Hope that helps. Have fun! -J.