What to buy and bring for a gravel tour
A gravel tour needs more than bikes and a route file. You will need supplies for rider registration, route marking, a staffed support point, basic repairs and refreshments at the start or finish. Plan quantities around the number of riders, volunteers and hours on the course. This list also covers items that are easy to arrange too late, such as spare tubes, charged radios, printed phone numbers and enough lighting for early or late departures.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tentsqty 2
- Foldable tablesqty 8
- Folding chairsqty 40
- Bicycle racksqty 6
- Waste binsqty 6
Equipment
- Coolersqty 6
- Kettlesqty 2
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Thermos flasksqty 6
- Power banksqty 6
- Walkie-talkiesqty 8
- Mobile phone chargersqty 4
Sports equipment
- Route arrowsqty 120
- Conesqty 30
- Bib numbersqty 80
- Bib holdersqty 80
- Spare bike pumpsqty 4
- Bike tool kitsqty 4
- Spare inner tubesqty 20
- Tire leversqty 12
- Bicycle trailersqty 2
Lighting
- LED lampsqty 8
- Headlampsqty 10
- Extension cordsqty 4
Tableware
- Reusable cupsqty 120
- Reusable bowlsqty 80
- Reusable cutleryqty 100
- Serving spoonsqty 4
Kitchen
- Soup kettlesqty 2
- Cutting boardsqty 4
- Bread knivesqty 3
- Measuring cupsqty 2
- Ice packsqty 24
- Cratesqty 12
Cleaning
- Hand soapqty 4
- Disinfectant gelqty 4
- First aid kitsqty 3
- Litter pickersqty 4
Catering
- Groceries
- Still mineral water - 120 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 48 bottles
- Isotonic sports drink - 48 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Stirrers - 150 pieces
- Wholegrain rolls - 100 pieces
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 2 kilogram
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 2 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Vegetable soup - 12 liters
- Tomato soup - 8 liters
- Croutons - 2 bags
- Bananas - 100 pieces
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Nut bars - 60 pieces
- Raisins - 3 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning sponges - 10 pieces
- Wet wipes - 6 packs
Tips
- Prepare at least one spare inner tube and one working pump for every support point, then add tire levers and a bike tool kit. Check that the pumps fit the valve types used by the riders before the tour.
- Give every rider a bib number and bib holder, with a small reserve of around 5–10% for damaged or last-minute replacements. Keep the numbers sorted before registration opens so collection does not create a queue.
- For coffee or soup, allow roughly 250–300 ml per rider at the supply point, plus extra for volunteers. Fill coolers and thermos flasks shortly before departure rather than several hours ahead.
- Use route arrows and cones at every junction where a rider could hesitate, and bring spare arrows for damaged or missing signs. Pack the signs in route order so volunteers can mark the course without stopping to sort them.
- Charge power banks, mobile phones and walkie-talkies the evening before, and bring extension cords if the start area has limited outlets. If riders start in low light, provide LED lamps or headlamps and test them before setup.
Frequently asked questions
- How much food and drink do I need for a gravel tour?
- For a simple supply point, plan about 250–300 ml of drink and one practical snack portion per rider, then add 10% for volunteers and unexpected demand. Buy and chill drinks no later than the day before; prepare coffee or soup on the event day.
- How many spare bike parts should I bring?
- Bring at least one spare inner tube per support point, plus one pump, tire levers and one bike tool kit. For groups above 30 riders, add two or three extra tubes because punctures often happen in clusters on rough gravel.
- When should I prepare the route arrows and bib numbers?
- Sort route arrows and prepare bib numbers at least 2–3 days before the tour. Pack arrows in route order and keep 5–10% spare bib numbers ready for late registrations or replacements.
- What should I bring if the gravel tour starts early?
- Bring tested LED lamps or headlamps, charged power banks and enough extension cords for the start area. Check the lighting at least 24 hours beforehand, especially if riders or volunteers will arrive before daylight.
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