What you need for a cycle race

A cycle race needs more than bikes, riders and a start line. You’ll need equipment for marking the course, directing traffic, registering participants, recording times and managing the finish area. Plan furniture and power supplies around the number of riders and volunteers, not just the audience. Small items such as spare inner tubes, race number holders and power banks are easy to overlook, but can stop the event from running smoothly when something fails.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 30
Beer tablesqty 8
Party tentsqty 4
High tablesqty 4
Crowd control barriersqty 40
Bicycle racksqty 12

Equipment

Laptopqty 2
Printer
Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 14
Power banksqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 6
Megaphonesqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Markersqty 12
Calculatorsqty 2

Sports equipment

Race bib beltsqty 120
Bib holdersqty 120
Spare bike pumpsqty 4
Spare inner tubesqty 20
Route arrowsqty 80
Course ribbonqty 10
Traffic conesqty 30
Flagsqty 20
Finishing cloth
Stage blocksqty 3
Medalsqty 12
Cupsqty 12
Starting bell
Clipboardsqty 15
Safety vestsqty 20
Rain ponchosqty 20

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 150
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Coffee potsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6

Catering

Water dispensersqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Ice packsqty 24
Drink cratesqty 8
Waste binsqty 12
Prize table

First aid

First aid kitsqty 3
Neck and Wrist Bracesqty 6
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Disposable glovesqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Battery lanternsqty 6
Spare batteriesqty 24

Decorations

Start-finish banner
Stage backdrop
Buntingqty 8
Directional signsqty 20

Office supplies

Printer paperqty 2
Pensqty 30
Notepadsqty 10
Envelopesqty 50
Tapeqty 12
Cable tiesqty 300
Scissorsqty 6

Cleaning

Litter pickersqty 6
Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Dish brushesqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Paper towel dispensersqty 4

Groceries

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Spa Red - 60 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Isotonic sports drink - 120 bottles
- Coffee - 5 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon slices - 6 packs
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Sandwiches - 180 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Ham - 5 packs
- Cheese - 5 packs
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 4 tubs
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Muesli - 4 packs
- Bananas - 12 kilograms
- Apples - 10 kilograms
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Oranges - 8 kilogram
- Muesli bars - 180 pieces
- Energy gels - 120 pieces
- Currant buns - 120 pieces
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Chocolate bars - 120 pieces
- Peanut-free snack bars - 60 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 250 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Hand sanitizer gel - 6 bottles
- Sponge cloths - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 4 boxes
- Sports tape - 6 rolls
- Disinfectant fluid - 4 bottles
- Cold compresses - 12 pieces
- Sunscreen - 8 bottles
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces
- Ballpoint pens - 30 pieces
- Permanent markers - 12 pieces
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Tablecloths - 12 pieces
- Name stickers - 150 pieces
- Wristbands - 250 pieces
- Prize money cards - 12 pieces

Tips

Prepare one race number and one bib holder or belt per rider, plus at least 5% spares. Keep markers, a printer and registration paperwork together at the sign-in table.
Mark every turn with route arrows, flags or course ribbon, and place traffic cones where riders need to slow down. Walk or cycle the full course once before race day to check that signs are visible from a safe stopping distance.
Provide one spare bike pump and several spare inner tubes at the start or support point. Match the tube sizes to the bikes registered at least 48 hours before the race.
Allow one table and chair for registration, timing and finish administration, then add seating for volunteers who work in shifts. Keep extension cords, power strips and power banks together so timing and announcements do not depend on one outlet.
Use coolers for water and other refreshments, and bring portable speakers, a microphone or megaphone for instructions. Test the sound system and charge walkie-talkies and power banks the evening before the race.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a cycle race?: Plan for course-marking equipment, traffic cones, barriers, race numbers, timing equipment, communication devices and finish-area equipment. You will also need tables, chairs, tents, power supplies, coolers and bike-repair basics such as pumps and spare inner tubes.
How many race numbers should I print?: Print one number for every registered rider and add at least 5% spare numbers. For 100 riders, prepare at least 105 numbers so late changes, damaged prints or replacements do not delay registration.
How many spare inner tubes do I need for a cycle race?: Start with at least 5 spare inner tubes for a small race and increase that number for longer routes or more than 100 riders. Check the registered bikes 48 hours before the event so the tube sizes match the equipment participants use.
When should I prepare the cycle race equipment?: Check quantities and test timing, sound and communication equipment at least 48 hours before the race. Charge batteries, pack the course-marking supplies and confirm furniture, tents, barriers and bicycle racks no later than the day before setup.

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