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Cycling can be a little intimidating at first but you really don't need anything all that fancy to get started. In addition to the obvious items like your ID, your phone, some spare money and/or a credit card, we have compiled a list of 10 items that every cyclist should take with them when they ride.

• Helmet -- Cycling can be a dangerous activity if you aren’t prepared with the correct safety equipment. The easiest and most effective way to protect yourself is with a helmet. If you are buying your first helmet, check out our learning center video on how to properly fit a bicycle helmet.

• Water -- Whether you are commuting to work or tackling your local 50-mile loop, cycling is a workout and it is important to stay hydrated while you ride. You can either carry a water bottle in your handy dandy water bottle cage or pick up a hydration pack to conveniently carry other items as well.

• Tire Lever -- at one point or another every cyclist gets a flat tire and getting the tire off of the rim is the first step to getting back to your ride. Tire levers are specially designed to pry the bead of your tire over the lip of the rim without damaging either part. It works best when you have at least two.

• A Spare Tube -- after removing an old deflated tube, it is much easier to simply replace the tube with a spare than it is to attempt to fix it with a patch. Carry at least one spare road tube or mountain tube so you can get back to enjoying your ride as quick as possible.

   

• A Pump or Co2 Inflator -- after you install a new tube in your tire, it is important to carry a frame pump or a Co2 Inflator to get it re-inflated to the proper PSI. If you have never used Co2 before, check out our learning center video on how to use Co2 to inflate a bicycle tire.

   

• A Patch Kit It is always a good idea to carry a patch kit as a back up in case you get a flat in your spare tube or you forget your spare tube altogether. You can use a kit with a tube of glue for a more permanent fix or glueless patches for a quick and easy solution.

   

• A multi-tool is essential for making minor repairs or adjustments to your bike while out on the road or trail. There are multi-tools that can do anything from adjusting loose bolts to repairing a broken chain. If you're in a pinch, you don't want to be caught without your multi-tool.

   

• You need something to carry all of your tire repair essentials and maybe even your phone so throw it all in a seat bag. The seat bag will conveniently carry everything and is neatly tucked away underneath your saddle so that it won't interfere with your riding.

   

• Long days on a bicycle saddle can be hard on your derrière but luckily there is a brilliant invention to alleviate some of this pressure; the chamois pad! Road cycling shorts and bibs and mountain biking shorts have integrated chamois pads to keep you comfortable longer and therefore riding longer.

• Eye Protection -- finally, if you want to stay safe on a bicycle you need to protect your eyes from the sun's blinding rays and also from dust and debris that can be kicked up on the road or the trail. Never leave home without a pair of sunglasses or goggles.