What to buy for a charity bike ride
A charity bike ride needs more than bikes and sponsorship forms. You will need supplies for route marking, rider identification, roadside repairs, refreshments and a workable start or finish area. Buy or gather most consumables 3–7 days before the ride, then check equipment and printed materials the day before. Use your confirmed participant count to scale cups, drinks, food and bike numbers, while keeping repair and safety equipment available for the full route.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tentsqty 2
- Tablesqty 8
- Chairsqty 40
- Bar stoolsqty 4
- Waste binsqty 8
Sports equipment
- Bike numbersqty 100
- Safety vestsqty 20
- Route arrowsqty 35
- Conesqty 20
- Pumpqty 2
- Tire repair kitsqty 4
- Spare inner tubesqty 12
- Bike tool setsqty 3
- Ratchet strapsqty 12
Tableware
- Reusable cupsqty 150
- Platesqty 120
- Cutlery setsqty 120
- Coffee cupsqty 80
- Serving plattersqty 12
- Serving spoonsqty 8
Catering
- Coolersqty 6
- Thermos flasksqty 6
- Water jugsqty 8
- Buffet warmersqty 4
- Groceries
- Spa Blue - 12 crates
- Sparkling mineral water - 4 crates
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 3 nets
- Bananas - 12 kilograms
- Apples - 12 kilograms
- Oranges - 8 kilogram
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White buns - 100 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 80 pieces
- Young cheese - 5 kilogram
- Aged cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 8 kilograms
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 150 pieces
- Raisin buns - 100 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Pepper - 1 can
- Salt - 1 pack
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Aluminum trays - 100 pieces
- Food storage bags - 4 boxes
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces
- Highlighters - 2 sets
- Pens - 30 pieces
Equipment
- Kettlesqty 3
- Extension cordsqty 4
- Power stripsqty 4
- Handheld megaphone
- Power banksqty 6
- First aid kitsqty 2
- Flashlightsqty 4
- Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Lighting
- LED lampsqty 8
- String lightsqty 4
Decorations
- Start arch
- Tableclothsqty 10
- Buntingqty 6
- Sponsor postersqty 20
- Banners for charityqty 4
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 4
- Chef's knivesqty 4
- Scissorsqty 4
- Serving tongsqty 8
- Measuring cupsqty 3
- Aluminum foilqty 2
- Cling filmqty 2
- Food containersqty 12
- Cash drawersqty 2
- Donation boxesqty 2
Cleaning
- Bucketsqty 4
- Spongesqty 12
- Dish brushesqty 4
- Towelsqty 20
- Broom setsqty 3
- Dustpan and brushqty 3
- Toilet bucketsqty 2
Tips
- Plan one bike number and wristband per registered rider, plus at least 5% extra for late changes or damaged items. Pack them in registration order so volunteers can hand them out quickly.
- For drinks, allow 500–750 ml of water or other non-alcoholic drinks per rider for each planned rest stop, then add 10% extra. Reusable cups, water jugs, coolers and thermos flasks should be ready before the first rider arrives.
- Prepare one visible route arrow for every decision point and carry spare arrows, cones and tape in a support vehicle. Mark junctions at least 2–3 hours before the start, after checking the route in person.
- Set aside at least one pump, two tire repair kits, one bike tool set and spare inner tubes for every 50 riders. Keep a small repair point at the rest area and give route volunteers a way to contact the event team.
- Count tables, chairs, waste bins, extension cords and power strips for the start and finish area, not just the catering setup. Test kettles, LED lamps, megaphones and power banks the day before; pack ratchet straps if anything travels by vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
- What should I buy for a charity bike ride?
- Plan supplies for four areas: route safety, rider check-in, refreshments and repairs. Typical items include bike numbers, safety vests, route arrows, cones, cups, water containers, food-service equipment, pumps, tire repair kits and spare inner tubes.
- How much water do I need for a charity bike ride?
- Allow 500–750 ml per rider per rest stop, plus 10% extra for warm weather, spills and volunteers. For 100 riders at one stop, that means roughly 55–83 litres; increase the amount if the route is long or there are multiple stops.
- How many spare inner tubes should I bring for a bike ride?
- Bring at least one spare inner tube for every 10–15 riders, with a minimum of 5 tubes for a small ride. Carry several common sizes and keep them with pumps, tire repair kits and bike tool sets.
- When should I prepare the charity bike ride supplies?
- Buy non-perishable supplies 1–2 weeks before the event and confirm quantities after registration closes. Do the final equipment check, pack route materials and test electrical items the day before, then place drinks and chilled food on site on the morning of the ride.
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