Bike Marathon shopping list

A bike marathon needs more than bikes, water and a start line. This shopping list covers the practical equipment for registration, route control, rider safety, timing, repairs and the finish area. Buy or reserve items early if they need printing, delivery or electrical access. Use your final participant count to calculate bib numbers, safety pins, medals and refreshment supplies, then add a small spare quantity for late registrations and damaged items.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 40
Waste binsqty 8
Start arch
Stage sectionsqty 4

Sports equipment

Route arrowsqty 80
Bib numbersqty 120
Safety pinsqty 300
Medal ribbonsqty 120
Bicycle standsqty 20
Bike pumpsqty 4
Repair standsqty 2
Tool casesqty 2
Spare inner tubesqty 20
Tire leversqty 10
Bike pump adaptersqty 10
Cable tiesqty 200
Reflective vestsqty 20
Traffic conesqty 30
Crowd control barriersqty 12
Warning signsqty 20
Stopwatchesqty 6
Walkie-talkiesqty 12
Clipboardsqty 8
Pensqty 40

Equipment

Laptop
Printer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Mobile chargersqty 8
Mobile speakersqty 2
Microphone
Megaphonesqty 2
Coolersqty 8
Water jerry cansqty 10
Serving jugsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Work lightsqty 4
String lightsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving tongsqty 10

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 4
Ice packsqty 30

First aid

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Disposable glovesqty 100
Disinfectant gelqty 4
Bandagesqty 200

Decorations

Buntingqty 10
Sponsor bannersqty 12
Tableclothsqty 10

Cleaning

Broom setsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Spa Red - 48 bottles
- Isotonic sports drink - 120 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Orange soda - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Honey - 2 jars
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Bananas - 15 kilos
- Apples - 15 kilo
- Oranges - 10 kilos
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Dates - 5 kilos
- Muesli bars - 150 pieces
- Energy gels - 150 pieces
- Raisins - 4 kilos
- Currant buns - 150 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Wholegrain rolls - 100 pieces
- Cheese - 5 kilos
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Muesli - 4 kilos
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilos
- Raisins - 2 kilos
- Vegetable soup - 15 liters
- Tomato soup - 15 liters
- Soup croutons - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 250 grams
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs

Tips

Order bib numbers, safety pins and medal ribbons at least 2–3 weeks before the ride if they require printing or delivery. Buy 5–10% extra bibs and pins for late entries, replacements and mistakes.
Plan route marking by counting every turn, junction and danger point on the pre-ride. Keep at least 10% spare route arrows, warning signs and cable ties so volunteers can replace missing or damaged markers.
Set aside one repair point for every 50–75 riders on a long or remote route. Each point should have a repair stand, tool case, pump, adapters, tire levers and spare inner tubes in the sizes used by participants.
Prepare communications for every staffed route section, not just the start and finish. Allocate one walkie-talkie per key coordinator plus 2–3 spare units, and give volunteers reflective vests before they take their positions.
Check power and printing before event morning. Test the laptop, printer, extension cords and power strips the day before, and print a spare set of registration or start lists in case the connection or printer fails.

Frequently asked questions

How many spare bike marathon bib numbers should I order?: Order 5–10% more bib numbers than confirmed participants, with a minimum of 10 spare numbers for a small event. This covers late registrations, damaged numbers and numbering errors.
How many route arrows do I need for a bike marathon?: Count every turn and decision point on the route, then add at least 10% spare arrows. A junction may need 2–4 signs depending on approach directions and visibility, so confirm the quantity during the full pre-ride.
How many repair stations are needed for a bike marathon?: Plan roughly one staffed repair station per 50–75 riders when the route is long or remote. Place extra coverage near the start, finish and sections where riders cannot easily reach outside assistance.
When should I buy or reserve bike marathon equipment?: Reserve tents, tables, barriers, start structures and repair equipment at least 3–4 weeks before the event. Order printed bib numbers and route signs early enough to allow one correction round before event day.

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