I’d like to think
that I carry only
what’s absolutely necessary.
My first aid kit with
gauze and bandage
wraps, my satchel and
saddle bag on
the back rack, and
a back pack with
the chest strap.
I bring only the essentials.
House key, Allen key,
key for bike lock,
bike lock,
zip-lock with snacks,
seeds for lunch
nuts for crunch,
an apple for fuel,
and a banana for when I’m tired.
I really don’t like carrying a lot,
So I pack only the things I’d regret
not having with me when
I leave the house.
I carry a case for my contacts,
a case for my sunglasses,
a case for my regular glasses,
spare bungie cords,
extra lights,
replacement shoelaces,
and 3 more shirts;
2 short sleeve for sweat
and a long sleeve for later.
I would carry a towel but then
I wouldn’t have enough
room for my earbuds,
bluetooth speaker
a toothbrush,
toothpaste.
and floss for
when I’m not lazy,
I have my foam roller always,
and an umbrella sometimes,
my thermos ready for
iced coffee or hot tea.
The more I bike with bags,
the more I admire
other people
biking with bags,
and when somebody passes me
on my bike
with more bags
on their bike
I always wonder about
the things they’d be ready for.
I can imagine panicking
at the scene of an accident,
and having to apologize
to a poor soul,
in pain and on the ground,
as this other, well prepared savior
goes the extra mile
and calmly pulls out
anti-venom for
the victim’s snake bite
from an easy-to-reach place,
out of the crevice of
another zipper
I didn’t have.
