Some people like those itty bitty bags that carry the most minimal flat kit and nothing else. That's great for a bike that you want to behave like a sports car. You wouldn't want to burden a race horse with a mule's load!
But my bike is a mule. A workhorse. And he carries my comforts and securities.
So what's in there anyway?
Well, here is a "surprise search" of the current contents of my TailRider.
First of all-- I've got a bright triangle hanging off the back of it. 
The east side pocket houses my 'tool kit': - spare tube
- tire levers
- ginormous multi tool
- temporary spoke fixer-doodle
- a box filled with other doo-dads:
- tire boot (temporary patch for a cut in the TIRE, not tube)
- spare chain link
- spare bolts
- little roll of velcro
- AAA batteries for my red lights
The west pocket houses the battery pack for my Down Low Glow and another spare velcro strap. Sometimes there are snacks in here, too. :)
Open it up, and the first thing you'll see are the spare clothes I decided to bring with me that day. Almost always that includes my Showers Pass rain jacket in case of a downpour. I also like a second set of gloves in case I over/underestimated the weather or if my first pair get soaked. Sometimes I might even have a spare hat, booties, or some other layer of clothing. 
Under that, I keep a bus schedule and maps. Even though I have an iPhone, it's nice to have a hard copy so I don't rely on cell towers and battery life.Oh! And my pump is in there, too-- to complete my tool kit.
In the lil' side mesh pockets are other treasures-- like snacks and a copy of my health insurance card.
I don't have a chain guard, so I have these metal bands to keep my jeans out of the way of the chain. They're quick and a bit more casual looking than the yellow velcro sort.
Chamois butter! Or anti-chafe lotion for your butt. Sometimes reapplication is necessary, so these lil' packets are handy.
And of course, PLAYING CARDS. For when you meet up with a friend at a coffee shop and you feel like a few rounds of Gin Rummy.OTHER THINGS I'VE CARRIED:
- Spare front flashing light. *I rely on my rechargeable light most of the time, but I've had an AA-battery-operated light in my bag for back-up.
- More snacks. Clif Bloks or Fun Size Snickers bars.
- CO2 cartridge & applicator-- I have a sizable pump for infinite air, but sometimes in the rain, dark, or sketchy neighborhood-- it's nice to fix a flat faster.
Is this a gross over use of the Hipstamatic iPhone app? Yes, but I lost my Photoshop in my hard drive crash-- so bear with me!
