My rides where I take a pack is usually between 23 miles and 49 miles depending on which way I go. I carry a camel back of water, extra plug, plug wrench, 8 and 10mm wrenches, trail maps with the coordinates of suitable air evac points penciled in. On the longer rides I carry an MSR fuel bottle filled with fuel for the bike. I don't bring food because I'm riding not picnicking and I don't bring alot of tools because if I need them the chances of me fixing on the trail are slim. I do have a GPS mounted on my bars, I personally could get lost in my own yard, during daylight hours and my yard is only a couple acres. I ride in a national forest and there are almost always a few types to be found who can help out. There types are as follows.
1. The Conestoga Wagon: This guy has everything, spare plugs, tubes, a chain, water, fuel, duct tape, wrenches, sockets, pliers, screw drivers, enough food for an over-nighter, a couple beers, tow strap, a sat phone, GPS, Emergency Beacon, road flares and I am probably leaving some of out.
2. UTV Drivers: These guys love loading your bike into the back and strapping it efficiently in place. They always have straps and also a system for making your bike fit. They have done it before. These guys love to help. All they ask in return is a conversation on the way out about how much you can do with a UTV, how fun they are to drive. They typically are looking for complements which show that they are accepted as equals by the bike and quad community.
3. Quad Guys: These guys can go alot of directions. It can be someone enjoying the scenery on a utility quad. Someone with a lifted quad, snorkel equipped, with tires the size of a top fuel dragster who enjoys floating his machine across bodies of water. A GNCC type out there putting in training. The nuclear family on a variety of machine sizes. Then you can also run into the more nefarious quad types, these guys usually have hunting boots and combination of old riding gear from the 1990's and civilian attire. Their mounts can differ, but they are almost always clapped out, plastic stitched with zip ties, front fenders cut with a sawzall to make it look like a race quad. They will generally be covered randomly in stickers they got for free with product purchases, promotion hand outs etc.. The best part is they will always help you. Quad guys can find a way. If they have to use their clothing combined with yours to produce a tow rope they will!
