What you need for a bike orienteering tour

A bike orienteering tour needs more than bikes and a printed route. You need visible markings, checkpoint equipment, safety gear, communication tools and supplies for participants at the start and finish. Plan quantities from your final registration list, then add spares for damaged maps, flat tyres and missing equipment. Drinks, cups and catering are easy to arrange too late, especially when dietary requirements are still being collected.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 60
Waste binsqty 6

Sports equipment

Route bikesqty 2
Bike pumpsqty 4
Bike repair kitsqty 3
Spare inner tubesqty 12
Bike helmetsqty 6
Safety vestsqty 12
Compassesqty 30
Route mapsqty 70
Checkpoint stampsqty 6
Bib numbersqty 70
Route ribbonsqty 10
Conesqty 30
Route arrowsqty 80
Reflective markingsqty 50
Clipboardsqty 8
Stopwatchesqty 6

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Megaphone
Speakerqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Battery lanternsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3

Cleaning

Washing-up bowlsqty 3
Dish brushesqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Broom setsqty 2
First aid kitsqty 2

Decorations

Start flagsqty 2
Prize trophiesqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 6 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon - 6 pieces
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Muesli bars - 80 pieces
- Energy bars - 60 pieces
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White sandwich rolls - 60 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Paper napkins - 8 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Disposable rain ponchos - 20 pieces
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces
- Ballpoint pens - 50 pieces
- Waterproof markers - 12 pieces
- Tape - 12 rolls

Tips

Prepare one route map and one bib number per participant, plus at least 10% extra for replacements and late changes. Keep participant lists on clipboards at registration and at the finish.
Provide one safety vest for every checkpoint volunteer and route marshal. Pack route arrows, ribbons, cones and reflective markings separately so volunteers can place them quickly along the course.
Allow one bike pump and one bike repair kit at the start, then place additional repair support where the route is longest or most remote. Bring spare inner tubes in several sizes used by the participating bikes.
Count reusable cups, plates and cutlery against your confirmed registration total, adding around 10% extra. Chill drinks before participants arrive and keep a separate supply for checkpoint volunteers.
Test walkie-talkies, the megaphone, speaker, extension cords and LED lamps before loading the bikes and route materials. Pack battery lanterns as backup if the finish or a checkpoint may run into low light.

Frequently asked questions

How many route maps do I need for a bike orienteering tour?: Prepare one map for every registered participant and print at least 10% extra. For 40 riders, that means 44 maps, with a few copies reserved for lost or damaged sheets.
How much drinking water should I buy for a bike orienteering tour?: Plan at least 1 litre per rider for a short tour, and more for warm weather or longer routes. Add extra drinks for volunteers and keep the supply split between the start, checkpoints and finish.
How many spare inner tubes should I bring?: Bring at least two spare inner tubes for every 10 participating bikes, with additional tubes matching less common wheel sizes. A group of 40 riders should therefore start with at least eight spare tubes.
When should I prepare the route signs and checkpoint supplies?: Sort arrows, ribbons, cones, reflective markings, stamps and checkpoint lists at least one day before the tour. Load them into labelled bags so each volunteer can collect a complete checkpoint or route section quickly.

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