What you need for a bike puzzle rally

A bike puzzle rally needs more than bicycles and printed questions. Participants follow marked route points, solve puzzles, and may need help with a puncture, low battery, or changing weather. This shopping list covers the practical supplies for registration, checkpoints, refreshments, scoring, and the start and finish area. Plan quantities from your registration list, then add a small reserve for damaged signs, missing equipment, and unexpected repairs.

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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 30
Tableclothsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Reusable platesqty 80
Reusable cutleryqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Serving jugsqty 8

Catering

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Drink dispensersqty 4
Serving traysqty 8
Bread basketsqty 6
Groceries
- Wholegrain bake-at-home rolls - 70 pieces
- White bread rolls - 50 pieces
- Butter - 2 tubs
- Young cheese - 2,5 kilogram
- Back ham - 1,5 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted sticks - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Muesli bars - 80 pieces
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Oranges - 40 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Lemonade - 6 bottles
- Spa Blue - 10 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 3 packs
- Paper towels - 6 packs
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Gauze compresses - 4 packs
- Disinfectant - 3 bottles
- Sunscreen - 6 bottles
- Insect repellent - 4 bottles
- Gum - 6 packs
- Chocolate bars - 60 pieces

Equipment

Kettlesqty 3
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 6
Megaphonesqty 2
Laptopsqty 2
Phonesqty 4

Sports equipment

Bike pumpsqty 4
Bike repair kitsqty 4
Spare inner tubesqty 8
Reflective vestsqty 12
Bike helmetsqty 6
Bike locksqty 6
Reserve strapsqty 6
Bottle holdersqty 6
Towelsqty 12

Paper goods

Route mapsqty 35
Puzzle sheetsqty 35
Answer formsqty 35
Participant listsqty 4
Game rulesqty 35
Clipboardsqty 35
Pensqty 50
Markersqty 24
Envelopesqty 40
Name stickersqty 80

Route signage

Route arrowsqty 40
Conesqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 6
Cable tiesqty 100
Waterproof casesqty 40
Directional signsqty 20

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 8
Whistlesqty 8

Lighting

Battery lampsqty 12
String lightsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Balloonsqty 80
Balloon pumpsqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broomsqty 3
Litter pickersqty 3
Bucketsqty 3

Tips

Prepare one printed puzzle sheet and one response form per participant, plus at least 10% extra. Keep spare copies in waterproof folders so a lost or wet sheet does not stop a team.
Pack one bike repair kit, pump, and a suitable set of spare inner tubes for every volunteer vehicle or staffed checkpoint. Check tube sizes against the bicycles used by participants at least one week before the rally.
Provide one reflective vest and one helmet for each volunteer working near a road or route point. Put the vests beside the route signs before setup so they are not left behind at the start.
For the finish area, count one reusable cup per participant and add 10% spare cups. Use coolers, serving jugs, or drink dispensers so the drinks can be set out before the first riders return.
Charge phones, power banks, laptops, and the megaphone on the day before the rally. Bring extension cords and power strips only where the venue permits them, and keep route information available offline if mobile coverage is unreliable.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a bike puzzle rally?: You need printed puzzle and response materials, route signs, refreshments, serving equipment, volunteer safety gear, and basic bike repair supplies. For planning, buy or prepare one participant pack per registered rider plus 10% extra, and one repair setup per volunteer vehicle or checkpoint.
How many drinks do I need for a bike puzzle rally?: Allow two to three drinks per participant for the first hour, then one additional drink per person for each further hour, depending on the weather and route length. Add 10% extra cups and drinks so late arrivals and spilled servings are covered.
How many bike repair kits are needed for a cycling puzzle rally?: Plan on one pump and one repair kit for every volunteer vehicle or staffed station, with at least one spare inner tube for every 10 participating bicycles. Check the required tube sizes before buying them, because a mismatched tube is not useful during the rally.
When should I print the bike puzzle rally materials?: Print the final puzzle sheets, response forms, maps, and signs three to five days before the event, after registrations and the route walkthrough are complete. Keep a separate set of at least 10% spare copies and check every page before packing.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.