That One Ride That Rewired My Brain 🧠

Throttle Talk Friday means real talk—and this one’s personal.

It was mid-July in Arizona. Blazing heat. Rear tire blew out like a shotgun blast.
I pulled off to the shoulder, saddlebag full of good intentions... and zero actual tools.

No patch kit. No pump.
Just a sweaty bandana, a half-eaten protein bar, and my bruised ego roasting on the roadside.

Ended up hitching a ride in a Prius with a guy named Gary who wouldn’t stop talking about his cat’s gluten allergy.

Lesson learned: if your saddlebag sucks, your ride will too.

👊 The 7 Saddlebag Must-Haves (Iron Sage Approved)

1️⃣ Tire Plug Kit + Mini Pump 🔧
Plug it. Pump it. Ride on. Or sit and melt. Your choice.

2️⃣ Multi-Tool (with pliers + hex heads)🛠️
Things rattle. Be the rider who tightens it up, not the one waiting for a tow.

3️⃣ Duct Tape + Zip Ties 💥
Hold your bike—and your dignity—together long enough to get home.

4️⃣ Flashlight or Headlamp 🔦
Nightfall doesn’t care if your hands are full. Go hands-free.

5️⃣ First Aid Kit 🩹
Even minor scrapes need a fix. Bonus points for burn cream and painkillers.

6️⃣ Backup Charger ⚡
Dead phone = no GPS, no music, no lifeline. Don’t risk it.

7️⃣ Cash + Paper Copies of Docs 💵
Tech fails. Paper still works. Throw it in a Ziploc and forget it—until you need it.

💡 Pro Tip

Wrap a few feet of duct tape around your flashlight handle or tire lever. It saves space and works like a charm.

I also carry a bandana soaked in peppermint oil—works as a cold compress and wakes you up when your brain starts going soft from the heat.

🗣️ Continue the Conversation in the Chrome and Clutch Community

We’re building the Ultimate Community-Powered Saddlebag Checklist—and I want your input.

🔥 I’ve posted a downloadable Saddlebag Checklist PDF inside the Chrome and Clutch Community.
✅ Print it. Tape it to your garage wall. Use it every time you roll out.

Then, jump into the thread and tell us:
What’s the smartest or weirdest thing YOU keep in your saddlebag?
Ever zip-tied a broken fender? Used floss to fix a throttle cable? We want your war stories.👇

🏴‍☠️ The Road Always Rewards the Prepared

You don’t leave for a ride without your gloves, your lid, or that familiar hum in your chest…
But how many times have you needed a tool right now and come up short?

The Skull Keyring Tool ain’t just for show.

It’s got:

• A bottle opener (because every campfire story needs a cold one)

• A flathead & Phillips driver (for quick fixes on the fly)

• A badass stainless steel skull that doubles as a statement piece

And right now, when you grab 2, we’ll throw in a 3rd one FREE.
Toss it in your gear bag. Give it to your riding buddy. Keep one for your keys, one for the bike, and one in the glove box.

You ride smart. You ride prepared. Now you can ride with a little extra edge.

No judgment here—just lessons earned in sweat, busted knuckles, and bad decisions.

Share your best tip. Learn a new one. This is how we ride smarter—together.

Ride smart, ride strong,
Blake "Iron Sage" Rivers

P.S. What’s your “saved-by-my-saddlebag” story? Or the one thing you wish you’d packed? Share it in the Community thread—we’re all ears and elbow grease.