What to Buy for a Family Bike Ride

A family bike ride needs more than bicycles and a route map. Plan food and drinks for the ride, a practical refreshment stop, and equipment for keeping everything cool and easy to serve. Pack extra water, snacks and basic bike support because children may need more breaks than expected. This checklist also covers the items people often remember only after arriving at the start or rest stop.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 4
Bicycle Racksqty 6
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 80
Reusable bowlsqty 40
Reusable cupsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 8
Scissorsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving traysqty 6
Hot traysqty 4
Barbecueqty 2
BBQ toolsqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6

Equipment

Mobile sound system
Wireless microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 6

Sports equipment

Bike pumpsqty 4
Tape kitsqty 6
Spare inner tubesqty 12
Allen key setsqty 4
Bike multitoolsqty 4
Ratchet strapsqty 8
Conesqty 20
Outdoor gamesqty 6

Safety

Safety vestsqty 16
First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 6
Whistlesqty 8
Route arrowsqty 40
Barrier tapeqty 4
Traffic conesqty 12

Decorations

Start/finish banner
Balloonsqty 100
Buntingqty 6
Wristbandsqty 100
Commemorative medalsqty 80
Route mapsqty 100
Markersqty 12
Rolls of tapeqty 8
Cable tiesqty 200

Cleaning

Hand brushes and dustpanqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Water bottles - 120 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Children's lemonade - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Hamburger buns - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Hamburgers - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 20 pieces
- Cocktail sausages - 40 pieces
- Sliced Cheese - 2 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Corn on the cob - 40 pieces
- Potato salad - 6 kilos
- Pasta salad - 6 kilos
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 12 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Ice lollies - 100 pieces
- Marshmallows - 8 bags
- Coffee creamer - 4 packs
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Barbecue charcoal - 6 bags
- Firelighters - 4 boxes
- Matches - 4 boxes
- Paper tissues - 20 packs

Tips

Plan at least 750 ml of water per rider for a short ride, and more for warm weather or routes lasting several hours. Bring coolers for drinks and thermos flasks if you are serving coffee or hot water.
Prepare two to three snack portions per person, such as fruit, sandwiches or energy snacks. Pack a few extra portions for children and allow time to chill drinks before departure.
Bring one bike pump for the group and check every bicycle before the day starts. Charge lights, phones and other batteries the evening before, then pack power banks for the route.
Set up the refreshment stop with reusable cups, plates, bowls and cutlery rather than assuming participants will bring them. Pack serving spoons, platters, trays and cutting boards together so food can be served without searching through separate bags.
Pack folding tables, chairs or beer tables only if the route stop needs seating, and include waste bins for the stop. Keep extension cords and power strips together if you are using coffee machines, kettles or a mobile sound system.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a family bike ride?: Allow at least 750 ml per rider for a short ride and around 1 to 1.5 litres per person for a longer or warm-weather route. Bring extra water for children and anyone who may need a refill at a rest stop.
How many snacks should I buy for a family bike ride?: Plan two to three snack portions per person, plus about 10% extra for unexpected hunger or delays. Choose foods that travel well and prepare them before leaving so the stop does not become a meal-preparation task.
What should I pack for bike problems during the ride?: Pack at least one bike pump for every 10 to 15 riders, and check the bicycles before the start. Charge lights and phones the night before and take power banks if the route lasts several hours.
When should I chill drinks and prepare the food?: Chill drinks at least 4 hours before the ride, or overnight when possible. Prepare cut fruit, sandwiches and other snacks no more than 24 hours ahead, then keep them in coolers until the rest stop.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.