What to Buy and Bring for a Bike Tour

A bike tour needs more than bicycles and water. This shopping list covers rider supplies, route marking, start and finish setup, basic repairs and safety equipment. Plan quantities from your final participant list, then add a small buffer for volunteers, damage and late registrations. Buy or hire items with lead times—especially tents, tables, catering, route signs and repair support—at least one to two weeks before the ride.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 12
Bicycle racksqty 10
High tablesqty 4
Tableclothsqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Mobile phonesqty 6
Power banksqty 6
Handheld megaphone
Thermos flasksqty 4

Sports equipment

Route signsqty 35
Route arrowsqty 60
Bib numbersqty 100
Wristbandsqty 100
Water bottlesqty 100
Bike pumpsqty 3
Spare inner tubesqty 20
Tire leversqty 6
Multi-toolsqty 4
Bike glovesqty 4

Safety

Traffic conesqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 6
Reflective vestsqty 20
Flashlightsqty 8
First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Disposable glovesqty 2
Rain ponchosqty 20

Communication

Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Route mapsqty 100
Information boardsqty 4
Clipboardsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Thermometer

Cleaning

Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Waste binsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Sparkling water - 30 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Isotonic sports drink - 40 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Bananas - 10 kilograms
- Apples - 10 kilograms
- Oranges - 8 kilogram
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Raisin buns - 100 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 4 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilograms
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Gluten-free rolls - 10 pieces
- Vegan toppings - 2 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Pepper - 1 can
- Salt - 1 tin
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs

Tips

Plan water and refreshments per rider, not per registration. Allow at least two water bottles per participant for a longer ride, plus extra drinks for volunteers at the start, finish and any staffed stops.
Prepare repair supplies for the group rather than only the lead cyclist. Have at least one pump, multi-tool, set of tire levers and spare inner tubes at the start, and place additional kits with route volunteers on longer routes.
Print route signs and arrows only after the route and alternative route are confirmed. Sort them by installation point in separate bundles so volunteers can place signs without stopping to interpret the plan.
Set aside one bib number and wristband for every registered rider, then prepare at least 5% extra. Keep a few blank or spare items at registration for replacements, late changes and damaged materials.
Charge mobile phones, power banks, flashlights and the handheld megaphone the day before. Pack extension cords and power strips with the start/finish equipment, and keep first aid kits, emergency blankets and disposable gloves easy to reach.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a bike tour?: Bring water bottles, bib numbers and wristbands, route signs and arrows, pumps, spare inner tubes, tire levers, multi-tools and basic safety equipment. For the event base, allow for tables, chairs, bicycle racks, coolers, phones, power banks and first aid kits.
How much water should I buy for a bike tour?: Start with two water bottles per rider for a longer ride, then add extra drinks for volunteers and the finish area. Buy at least 10% more than the calculated total if there are no reliable refill points on the route.
How many spare bike parts should I bring?: For a small group, keep at least two spare inner tubes, one pump, one set of tire levers and one multi-tool at the start. For larger rides, add a repair kit for roughly every 20 to 30 riders and arrange additional support for long or isolated sections.
When should I buy supplies for a bike tour?: Buy consumables and printed materials at least one week before the ride, after registrations and dietary requirements are nearly final. Reserve tents, tables, catering and bike repair support two to four weeks ahead, depending on availability.

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