What to include depends completely on what style of riding you are doing, the weather and the distance you are covering.

Short ride?

Maybe consider if you will actually fix a puncture or if it would be simpler to just walk the bike home. I would still recommend having your phone, lights (if necessary) and wearing a helmet. It’s worth thinking about if spending time preparing will put you off riding or take too much time - forcing you to take the car. If that’s the case there is a lot to be said for sticking your helmet on and going and hoping for the best.

Medium Ride?

This is the kind of ride where you’d be calling for a lift or getting a taxi home without the right puncture equipment. For these kind of rides you should bear in mind your own confidence, competence and limitations; there is no point taking equipment with you that you have no idea how to use. Always try and familiarise yourself with how your tools work before you need them for real.

I might include these items in a road-riding saddle bag:

• phone (charged) in waterproof bag

• personal medication

• mini first aid kit (basically something to stop heavy bleeding and anti-histamines)

• snack and £10/20

• spare tube (app. size)

• pump

• multi-tool

• patch kit

• tyre levers

• disposable gloves

• emergency lights

If we’re feeling fancy you could also include:

• rear mech hanger (specific to your bike)

• mini bike lock

• spare disc brake pads (if suitable)

• quick link for chain

• valve core tool (if suitable)

Long ride?

If you are riding for a long time, such as a whole day or multi-day trip you should aim to include all of the previous list in addition to:

• extra snacks

• more than one tube

• more cash

• an extra warm/waterproof layer somewhere (for those roadside fix sessions)