What to buy for a company bike ride

A company bike ride needs more than bikes and helmets. You will need supplies for registration, route marking, rest stops, catering, repairs and the finish area. Plan quantities around the number of registered riders, then add a small reserve for drinks, food and common mechanical problems. The list below covers the practical items to buy or bring, including equipment that is easy to overlook until someone gets a flat tire or forgets a light.

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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 60
Beer tablesqty 4
Bicycle racksqty 6
Clothes racksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Platesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Mobile phone chargersqty 2

Sports equipment

Bike repair standsqty 2
Bike pumpsqty 4
Spare inner tubesqty 12
Tire leversqty 6
Multi-toolsqty 4
Bike chain oilqty 2
Spare bike lightsqty 12
Safety vestsqty 12
Water bottlesqty 60
Helmetsqty 6
Route mapsqty 70
Bib numbersqty 70
Conesqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 4
Route signsqty 35
Plate holdersqty 35
Cable tiesqty 100
Rain ponchosqty 20
Blanketsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Bread knivesqty 3
Pliersqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cooling platesqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2

Decorations

Company flagsqty 4
Start/finish banner
Tableclothsqty 8
Arrow bannersqty 6

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Washing-up basinsqty 3
Dish brushesqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopqty 2
Bucketsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea assortment - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still mineral water - 10 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White bread - 4 loaves
- Whole wheat rolls - 70 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 8 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 packs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Aged cheese - 1 kilo
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilo
- Vegetarian spreads - 6 tubs
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Red bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 70 pieces
- Bananas - 70 pieces
- Oranges - 40 pieces
- Muesli bars - 80 pieces
- Energy gels - 50 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Salted nuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilo
- Carrots - 2 kilos
- Cucumber dip - 4 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Pasta salad - 8 kilo
- Vegetarian pasta salad - 4 kilos
- Mixed green salad - 6 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes for salad - 2 kilos
- Cucumber for salad - 2 kilo
- Feta cheese - 1 kilo
- Vegan cheese - 1 kilo
- Salad Dressing - 4 Bottles
- Sandwiches for buffet - 70 pieces
- Vegetarian quiches - 8 pieces
- Vegan vegetable pies - 4 pieces
- Gluten-free quiche - 2 pieces
- Brownies - 60
- Vegan brownies - 12 pieces
- Gluten-free cookies - 2 packs
- Whipped cream - 4 aerosol cans
- Chocolate - 2 kilos
- Napkins - 250 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Aluminium trays - 30 pieces
- Food storage containers - 20 pieces
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per rider for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each additional hour. Keep extra water bottles available for anyone who arrives without one.
Bring at least one spare inner tube for every 10 riders, plus several bike pumps, tire levers and multi-tools. A repair stand and chain oil are easy to forget when checking the catering order.
Prepare one printed route map and one participant list for each supervisor, plus a few spare copies at the start and finish. Keep digital route files available as a backup if paper copies get wet.
Match plates, cutlery, cups and serving equipment to the registered headcount, then add 10 percent for unexpected guests, damaged items or second servings. Check coffee cups separately from reusable drinking cups.
Pack safety vests, spare bike lights and mobile phone chargers before the event day. These are often missed because they are not part of the food setup, but they matter when the route runs late or visibility changes.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a company bike ride?: Allow two to three drinks per rider for the first hour and one additional drink per person for every hour after that. Add at least 10 percent extra, especially in warm weather or when rest stops are far apart.
How many spare inner tubes should I bring for a group bike ride?: Bring one spare inner tube for every 10 riders, with a minimum of three for a small group. Pack tire levers, pumps and multi-tools as well, because a tube alone will not fix a puncture.
How many printed route maps are needed for a company bike ride?: Print one map for each supervisor and one for every planned rest point or support vehicle. Add five to ten spare copies at the start and finish in case maps are lost or damaged.
When should I buy supplies for a company bike ride?: Order catering and check quantities at least 7 days before the ride, once registrations and dietary requirements are known. Buy or gather repair, safety and route supplies no later than 2 to 3 days beforehand.

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