What to buy and bring for a bike pilgrimage

A bike pilgrimage needs more than bikes and a mapped route. You will need supplies for the start and finish, rest areas, route marking, participant identification and basic roadside repairs. Plan purchases around the confirmed participant count, then add consumables for volunteers and unexpected delays. This checklist also covers equipment that is easy to arrange too late, such as offline power, spare inner tubes, lights and emergency blankets.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 50
Bicycle racksqty 6
Waste binsqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Power banksqty 6
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Mobile phonesqty 4
Speaker

Sports equipment

Spare bicyclesqty 2
Bike pumpsqty 4
Spare inner tubesqty 12
Tire leversqty 8
Multi-toolsqty 6
Bicycle lightsqty 10
Safety vestsqty 12
Helmetsqty 6
Ratchet strapsqty 8
Bike locksqty 10
Route card holdersqty 8
Reflective route arrowsqty 40
Route signsqty 20
Conesqty 20
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Pilgrim stampsqty 2
Stamp cardsqty 50
Wristbandsqty 60
Route mapsqty 60
Clipboardsqty 4
Pensqty 20
Name stickersqty 60
Breakdown formsqty 30
Emergency contact cardsqty 60

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Platesqty 60
Soup bowlsqty 60
Knivesqty 60
Forksqty 60
Spoonsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Water jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving plattersqty 10
Ice packsqty 30
Food containersqty 12
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2
Lunch bagsqty 60

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Hand broomsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Toilet paperqty 24

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 8
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 60 liters
- Sparkling water - 24 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Cola - 6 liters
- Cola Zero - 6 liters
- Iced tea - 6 liters
- Isotonic sports drink - 12 liters
- Coffee - 1,5 kilogram
- Tea - 100 bags
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Lemon tea - 40 bags
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Whole wheat wraps - 40 pieces
- Young cheese - 4 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Vegetarian spread - 1.5 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 1 kilogram
- Jam - 1 kilogram
- Lettuce - 1.5 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 8 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Raisins - 2 kilograms
- Unsalted nuts - 2 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 5 bags
- Vegetable soup - 12 liters
- Tomato soup - 8 liters
- Vegetarian soup - 6 litres
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Olive oil - 1 liter
- Balsamic vinegar - 500 milliliters
- Mayonnaise - 1 liter
- Ketchup - 1 liter
- Mustard - 500 milliliter
- Salt - 500 grams
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 100 grams
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Sugar sachets - 200 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Coffee stirrers - 200 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Food-safe gloves - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Wound gauze - 4 packs
- Disinfectant - 4 bottles
- Disposable gloves - 4 boxes
- Cold sore balm - 2 tubes
- Sunscreen - 6 bottles
- Mosquito spray - 4 bottles
- Duct tape - 4 rolls
- Cable ties - 200 pieces
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces
- Markers - 12 pieces
- Color markers - 2 sets
- Disposable paper cups - 100 pieces

Tips

Buy food and drinks only after registrations close, then add a small buffer for late arrivals and volunteers. Keep coolers ready for rest areas rather than relying on one central supply point.
Prepare route arrows, signs, cones and route card holders before the day. Pack them in separate, labelled bundles so volunteers can mark the route without searching through the vehicle.
Set aside a repair kit for every support vehicle or rest area: include a bike pump, spare inner tubes, tire levers and multi-tools. Test the pumps and check that replacement tubes fit the bikes being used.
Charge power banks, mobile phones and walkie-talkies the evening before. Bring bicycle lights even for a daytime ride, because delays, shaded sections or changing weather can make riders less visible.
Pack helmets, safety vests, emergency blankets, wristbands, stamp cards and pilgrim stamps together with the participant materials. Count them against the confirmed list at least one day before departure.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a bike pilgrimage?: Plan for drinks, food, participant materials, route signs and basic repair supplies. You should also have helmets, safety vests, bicycle lights, power banks and emergency blankets available for the group.
How many spare inner tubes do I need for a bike pilgrimage?: Bring at least 1 spare inner tube for every 5 to 10 participating bikes, with a minimum of 2 tubes for a small group. Confirm the sizes before shopping because one tube size will not fit every bicycle.
When should I prepare the bike pilgrimage shopping list?: Create the first list about 2 weeks before the pilgrimage, when the route and rest areas are confirmed. Do the final quantities and food shopping 1 to 2 days before the start, after checking participant numbers.
What repair equipment is needed for a group bike ride?: Take bike pumps, spare inner tubes, tire levers and multi-tools, plus spare bicycles if the plan includes them. Check every tool and pump at least 1 day beforehand, and divide the equipment between support points if the route is long.

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