Cyclocross shopping list: what to buy and bring

A cyclocross event needs more than bikes and race numbers. You also need a clearly marked course, reliable timing equipment, rider support, communication gear and a way to keep food and drinks cold. Use the list below to check what must be bought, hired or collected before race day. Plan the final shopping run at least 24 hours ahead, then verify power, payments and refreshments before the first riders arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Folding tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 40
Bar stoolsqty 6
Dressing room tablesqty 4
Coat racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Crowd control barriersqty 80
Course tapeqty 1200
Ground pegsqty 250
Direction arrowsqty 35
Warning signsqty 12
Start and finish arch
Bib numbersqty 250
Race numbersqty 250
Spare bicyclesqty 2
Bike pumpsqty 4
Bicycle standsqty 12
Round board
Stopwatchesqty 4
Whistlesqty 10

Equipment

Mobile sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Walkie-talkiesqty 12
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Generator
Coolersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Payment terminalsqty 2

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 8
String lightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 8

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Safety vestsqty 20
Work glovesqty 12
Rain ponchosqty 20

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 300
Coffee cupsqty 100
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150

Kitchen

Food warmersqty 3
Pouring jugsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving traysqty 8
Tongs and serving spoonsqty 10

Catering

Drink dispensersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Ice packsqty 24
Prize table
Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 6 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Chocolate milk - 10 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 6 crates
- Beer - 8 crates
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Bubbles - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Sandwiches - 180 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Bread rolls - 80 pieces
- Croissants - 60 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Aged cheese - 3 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Jam - 4 jars
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Eggs - 120 pieces
- Bacon - 5 kilos
- Vegetarian burgers - 60 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 180 pieces
- Hamburgers - 120 pieces
- Hot dogs - 100 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 100 pieces
- Fries - 25 kilos
- Onions - 5 kilo
- Tomatoes - 6 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Peppers - 4 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Oil - 5 liters
- Spice mix - 5 sachets
- Vegetable stock - 2 packs
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Peanuts - 6 bags
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Apples - 15 kilo
- Bananas - 12 kilo
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Muesli bars - 150 pieces
- Raisin buns - 100 pieces
- Energy gels - 100 pieces
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Coffee creamer - 6 tubs
- Stirrers - 500 pieces
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Cleaning cloths - 24 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 6 boxes
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces
- Aluminum trays - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Sponsor bannersqty 10
Stage drapesqty 4

Office

Clipboardsqty 12
Pensqty 40
Markersqty 12
Notepadsqty 8
Printer paperqty 500

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Litter pickersqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Toilet brushesqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Tips

Plan one course-marking kit for every course section: include tape, ground pegs, direction arrows and warning signs, then pack spares equal to at least 10% of the planned quantity. Wind, mud and repeated handling cause the most last-minute replacements.
Allow one race number or bib number per registered rider, plus at least 10% extra for lost, damaged or incorrectly sorted numbers. Keep the spare numbers with the registration team rather than in the finish area.
Check the timing and communication kit the day before: test every stopwatch, whistle, walkie-talkie and wireless microphone, and charge or replace batteries before packing them. Keep one working backup stopwatch at the finish.
Count power needs before collecting equipment. Add the coffee machines, kettles, sound system and payment terminals to one power plan; bring extension cords and power strips, and arrange a generator if the site cannot provide dependable electricity.
Buy refreshments using the confirmed registration count and dietary information. Have coolers ready before opening, and allow roughly two to three drinks per person for the first hour when riders, volunteers and spectators are all being served.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a cyclocross race?: At minimum, prepare course tape, ground pegs, arrows, warning signs, barriers, race numbers, timing equipment, communication devices and first-aid support. Add tables, shelter, refreshments and payment equipment according to the number of riders and volunteers.
How many race numbers should I buy for cyclocross?: Buy one number or bib per registered rider and add at least 10% spare stock. For 100 riders, prepare at least 110 numbers so replacements are available on race day.
How much food and drink do I need for a cyclocross event?: Base the order on the confirmed rider, volunteer and spectator estimate, then separate dietary requirements before shopping. For drinks, plan roughly two to three per person for the first hour and keep them in coolers until service.
When should I prepare the cyclocross shopping list?: Make the first list as soon as registrations and volunteer numbers are clear, then complete the main shopping run at least 24 hours before the event. Test power, payment terminals, microphones and timing equipment the day before.

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