I often see fellow cyclists asking this question in forum moderation. To save resources, I’ve created this separate thread. Since this is a “throwing out the first brick” kind of post, I’ll toss out the first brick—everyone, please protect your heads. No headshots without warning.
I will categorize and organize the widely agreed-upon tips to showcase on the homepage. ----- I shared outdoor experience here and would appreciate some likes.
1.How do you handle laundry changes on long-distance cycling trips? I think if I wash clothes at night at the inn, will they be dry enough to wear the next morning when I set off?
Answer: After washing clothes, wrap the wet clothes in a bath towel, layer them, and sit on them for a few minutes. They’ll be about half-dry. Just air them out a bit and they’ll definitely be dry by morning. The same goes for cycling pants. If your lodging doesn’t provide a bath towel, I usually carry a large sports towel. Use it the same way.
2.On long-distance cycling trips, how do you keep your phone waterproof and moisture-proof when using it in the rain?
Personally, I prefer a flip phone. I use top-tier gear: a condom. Put it on and tie a tight knot. It doesn’t affect making or receiving calls. Of course, wipe off any oil before use. The same method can be applied to other electronic devices.
3.Do you need to bring multiple pairs of shoes for changing on long trips? What if your shoes get wet?
I only bring one pair of shoes. Again, I use top-tier gear: thick sanitary pads and garbage bags. The pad has adhesive backing. Stick it inside your shoe to absorb moisture, and it won’t crawl around in there either. Wrap the garbage bag outside your shoe and secure it with tape for waterproofing.
4.Are there any other uses for sanitary pads?
Since it’s top-tier gear, of course it has more than one use. Aside from the well-known regular use, it has plenty of other applications. Because sanitary pads are sterilized at high temperatures, they can absolutely be used for emergency first aid in the wild, such as bandaging, pressing to stop bleeding, cleaning wounds, etc. You can also fix them on your elbows or knees as makeshift elbow/knee pads. When you run out of water in the wild, you can use them to soak up water from rocks or leaves for drinking, or use them to filter mountain stream water. You can even stick one inside your underwear as a makeshift cycling pad. And so on—as long as you can think of it.
5.Condoms are top-tier gear, so they must have other uses too, right?
Of course. For example, storing small items that need to be waterproof, inflating them after falling into water to serve as emergency floatation devices (tie them around your upper arm), using them to extract liquid, blocking blood flow on snake or insect bite sites, cutting them flat and placing them over the bite, then sucking the venom through your mouth, using them as elastic bands, substituting for watch straps, and more.
6.If an adult falls into the water and there’s no lifebuoy nearby, is there a relatively safe way to rescue them?
The simplest and most effective method: take a pair of thick, intact long pants, soak them completely in water, securely tie the two pant legs together with a rope (like shoelaces), fill them with air, then securely tie the waistband. That makes a relatively safe lifebuoy. Once again, this method is only suitable for emergency rescue. Any use of this method as a plaything may lead to serious consequences.
7.Are there any other uses for a headscarf?
Of course. Aside from the usual uses as a scarf, face mask, dust shield, hat, or towel, the headscarf has at least the following uses.
Eye mask—no explanation needed. Sleep during the day with your eyes covered, feels more secure.
When a lady goes swimming, wearing just a bra and panties is too indecent. Wearing cycling clothes in the water is uncomfortable afterward, especially cycling pants—they stay damp and feel awful. Use two headscarves, one for the top and one for the bottom, and you’ve got a makeshift swimsuit—of course, assuming you’re already wearing panties.
8.Does a bra have other uses?
Of course. It can be used for filtering drinking water, making a face mask, etc.
9.Does our water bottle have any other uses?
Of course. Seal the cap tightly and securely tie it with a rope, or stuff it into your clothes or pants and fasten it properly—it becomes a great water flotation device. Never assume you can rescue a grown man who can’t swim on your own without any flotation aid in the water. Cut the water bottle in half, and use the bottle neck part as a funnel, or directly as a tool to suck out snake/insect venom—squeeze out the air from the plastic bottle, place the mouthpiece over the wound, then release it to create suction and draw out the poison.
10.If you accidentally get a skin abrasion and don’t have external anti-inflammatory medicine, can you use internal-use antibiotics like Norfloxacin?
Of course. Norfloxacin is a broad-spectrum oral antibiotic with good anti-inflammatory effects (it’s one of my essential medications when traveling).
11.How can plastic bags not be among the top-tier gear on a trip?
Several plastic bags filled with air and tied securely inside your pants can be used for emergency aid. This method is obviously not as safe and reliable as using a plastic bottle.
In cases of water scarcity, you can place it over the tips of green plant branches to collect water; in humid mountainous areas, you can simply dig a pit, lay a plastic bag over the opening, or place some plant branches and leaves inside the pit. Place a cup or other water container in the center of the pit, cover the pit with the plastic bag, and put a small stone in the middle. By the next morning, the container will contain clean, drinkable water.
Other uses include: cutting three holes in a large garbage bag and wearing it as a raincoat; using it to store liquid substances such as water; wrapping it around your calves and shoes for rain protection (don’t wrap it too high, or it will restrict breathing); using it to waterproof a backpack; storing wet clothes and towels, occasionally even fruit; and on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, using it to hold water for washing your face, washing clothes inside the bag, or soaking your feet (as hostel basins are often too dirty—just cover them with the bag and use it that way).
In emergency situations, a plastic bag can be moderately inflated and stuffed inside your clothing for warmth. Stuffing it with newspapers can achieve a similar effect.
12.Aside from carrying essential items, is there any other use for the cycling backpacks we use?
The cycling backpack itself comes with a PVC board or steel plate, which naturally serves to protect our spine, making the backpack one of our protective gears. Additionally, a cycling backpack with sufficient capacity can serve as a very safe emergency flotation device. Fill it with sealed empty water bottles, carry one at the front and one at the back, secure them firmly, and it’s good for both rescuing others and crossing rivers. It requires little preparation time, and its effectiveness and safety far surpass those of a makeshift lifebuoy made from long pants.
13.What should I do if my sleeping bag’s insulation rating isn’t enough while camping?
No worries. One solution is to huddle together with others—if you’re alone, take 5–8 suitably sized stones, heat them up, then remove them and wrap them in cloth or dry moss. Be careful not to make them too hot, or they could cause burns while sleeping. Place one under your feet, two around your knees, one or two around your waist and abdomen, one under each armpit, and if necessary, two around your shoulders and neck. That’s it—you’ll sleep just fine. GOOD NIGHT.
14.What should I do in case of a flat tire in the wild, when I have no spare tire and cannot patch it?
An experienced rider once told me that in a pinch, after a flat tire, you can stuff the outer tire with fine dry grass or dry moss before reattaching it—the material must be dry, as wet material lacks elasticity. He rode over 20 kilometers like that, and neither the outer tire nor the rim was damaged. I haven’t tried it myself, so I don’t know how effective it is—but just keep this trick in mind. If anyone has tried it, let me know. I didn’t want to list it originally, but since someone asked, I’m including it here for backup. It’s not yet confirmed experience.
15.How to start a fire in the wild: You can use a TT bottle or a plastic bag filled with water, utilizing the convex lens principle to focus sunlight and ignite flammable materials. (I picked up a small jade from the mountains.)
Alright, that’s all the tips for now. Anyone feeling overwhelmed? Good thing I’ve also prepared an emergency first aid and hemostasis kit with thick sanitary pads.
Source: Bicycle Network