What to bring for a bike ride

A group bike ride needs more than bikes and helmets. Plan supplies for registration, route marking, mechanical problems, changing weather and a proper rest stop. For food and drinks, prepare enough for the full group and keep water, fruit and sandwiches easy to reach. This checklist also covers the items people often arrange too late: printed route maps, spare inner tubes, power banks, safety vests and shelter for the start or rest area.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Registration desk

Sports equipment

Safety vestsqty 8
Bike helmetsqty 6
Pumpqty 2
Tire repair kitsqty 4
Spare inner tubesqty 8
Bike tool setsqty 3
Ratchet strapsqty 6
Route arrowsqty 30
Route mapsqty 50
Bib numbersqty 50
Pensqty 12
First aid kitsqty 2
Thermal labelsqty 4

Equipment

Megaphonesqty 2
Power banksqty 4
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 2

Catering

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Groceries
- Still mineral water - 60 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 24 bottles
- Sports drink - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Wholemeal white bread - 12 loaves
- White casino bread - 6 loaves
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Whole grain cookies - 6 packs
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Snacks - 3 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Herb cheese - 1 kilo
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 kilos
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 dispensers
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 60

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving traysqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermometer

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 2
Cleaning bucketsqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 12

Lighting

LED lampsqty 4

Decorations

Arrow sign standsqty 15

Tips

Prepare two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add extra water for the route and rest stop. Cool drinks before participants arrive and use thermos flasks for hot coffee.
Pack at least one tire repair kit and pump for every 10 to 15 riders, plus spare inner tubes in the most common bike sizes. Keep a bike tool set at the starting location and another with the support vehicle if you have one.
Print one route map per rider, plus 10% extra, and prepare route arrows before the day starts. Put the signs out only after checking the route again so they match the final course.
Set aside one safety vest for each route marshal and keep first aid kits and thermal blankets at the start and rest area. These are easy to forget when the focus is on food and registration.
Finish shopping at least one day before the ride, and check power banks, extension cords and power strips the same evening. That leaves time to replace missing supplies instead of discovering them at the registration table.

Frequently asked questions

What food should I buy for a group bike ride?: Buy sandwiches, fruit and small snacks for every participant, with extra portions for approximately 10% more people than registered. Ask about dietary requirements before shopping and keep food covered until the rest stop.
How much water do I need for a bike ride?: Start with at least 1 litre of water per rider for a shorter ride, then add more for warm weather or limited refill points. Keep extra drinks at the start and planned rest area rather than relying only on riders’ bottles.
How many spare inner tubes and repair kits should I bring?: Bring at least one repair kit and pump for every 10 to 15 riders, plus two to four spare inner tubes for a small group. For larger groups, add one spare tube for every 10 riders and carry a basic bike tool set.
When should I buy supplies for a bike ride?: Buy non-perishable supplies two to three days before the ride and fresh food and drinks the day before. Check the final participant count and dietary requirements before making the last shop, ideally 24 hours in advance.

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