What to bring for a heritage bike tour

A heritage bike tour needs more than bicycles and a printed route. Pack supplies for registration, refreshments, wayfinding, minor breakdowns and changing weather, especially if riders will stop at several heritage sites. The shopping list below covers serving equipment, route materials, repair gear and basic safety supplies. Check quantities against your participant list before buying, then prepare a small mobile kit that guides can carry along the route.

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 6
Folding chairsqty 30
Beer tablesqty 4
Bicycle racksqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Pitchersqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Mobile sound system
Megaphone
Power banksqty 4

Sports equipment

Bike pumpsqty 3
Bike repair kitsqty 3
Spare inner tubesqty 12
Tire leversqty 6
Bike helmetsqty 8

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Reflective vestsqty 12
Flashlightsqty 8
Emergency blanketsqty 8
Barrier tapeqty 4

Route signage

Directional signsqty 40
Arrowsqty 60
Ground pegsqty 100
Cable tiesqty 200
Route mapsqty 80

Registration

Participant badgesqty 80
Badge holdersqty 80
Clipboardsqty 4
Ballpoint pensqty 20
Information boardsqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Tableclothsqty 8
Chalkboardsqty 4

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 6
Rechargeable lanternsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Washing-up basinsqty 3
Dish brushesqty 4
Mop setsqty 2
Dustpans and brushesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea bags - 120 pieces
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still water - 120 bottles
- Sparkling water - 48 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Multigrain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 80 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 40 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Young cheese - 4 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Egg salad - 1 kilogram
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Potato salad - 6 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 6 kilogram
- Lentil salad - 3 kilogram
- Chicken skewers - 5 kilograms
- Vegetarian vegetable skewers - 3 kilograms
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 6 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 8 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 4 packs

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add water for longer stops. Use coolers for cold drinks and thermos flasks for coffee so refreshments remain available away from the starting point.
Prepare at least one route map per participant, plus a few spare copies for late arrivals. Bring directional signs, arrows and ground pegs, and pack extra signs because wind or a changed route can leave you short.
Assign one guide to carry a bike pump, bike repair kit, tire levers and spare inner tubes. This covers the most common roadside problems without sending the whole group back to the start.
Keep one first aid kit with the lead guide and another at the main stop when the group is large. Add reflective vests, flashlights and emergency blankets if the tour may continue in poor visibility or cooler weather.
Count serving items as well as food and drinks: reusable cups, plates, cutlery, coffee cups and serving platters are easy to overlook. Bring power banks for phones and route updates, particularly when guides use mobile navigation.

Frequently asked questions

What should I bring on a heritage bike tour?: Bring route maps and signs, water and refreshments, a bike pump, repair kit, spare inner tubes, tire levers and a first aid kit. Add helmets, reflective vests and flashlights when visibility or traffic conditions require them.
How many spare inner tubes do I need for a group bike tour?: Pack at least two spare inner tubes for a small group and one additional tube for every 10 to 15 riders. Keep them with the guide carrying the pump and repair kit so repairs can start immediately.
How many route maps should I print for a heritage bike tour?: Print one map per registered participant, plus 5 to 10 spare copies for late registrations, damaged pages or guides. Finish printing at least 2 days before the tour so route changes can still be included.
When should I buy supplies for a heritage bike tour?: Buy durable equipment and safety supplies at least 1 to 2 weeks ahead. Check drinks, catering quantities, maps and route signs again 2 days before departure, after registrations and the weather forecast are updated.

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.