I don’t want to labour the point, but this does tie in nicely with the old folk nails idea. It’s just riding a bicycle in one of the most developed and densely populated countries in the world. I’ve been riding from before the time of multitools, camelbaks, mobile phones, quick links, and so on, and have as many broken down miles from anywhere stories as anyone else.
Busted freewheels, destroyed rims, broken frames; if its that bad you walk, or get a bus, or hitch a lift, or sit in the nearest farmyard until your dad gets home from work to pick you up.
Whatever, carry what makes you feel safe, but don’t pretend its extreme adventure; people have been riding there for 60 odd years..