What to buy for a lake bike tour

A lake bike tour needs more than bikes and a route map. Plan supplies for the start, finish and every rest stop, including drinks, cups, coolers and simple food for riders. Bring enough repair equipment for common problems such as punctures, loose parts and quick adjustments. You will also need practical items for registration, route guidance, communication and waste collection. Use the item list below as your base, then adjust quantities to the number of riders, volunteers and planned stops.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 12
Bar stoolsqty 4
Waste binsqty 6
Bicycle Racksqty 8

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving traysqty 12
Pitchersqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 8
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Mobile phonesqty 4
Power banksqty 6
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Portable speakersqty 2
Megaphone
Stopwatchesqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Sports equipment

Bike pumpsqty 4
Tire leversqty 8
Bike tool kitsqty 4
Inner tubesqty 20
Tape kitsqty 12
Bike locksqty 4
Cable tiesqty 100
Reflective vestsqty 12
Bike helmetsqty 6
Route arrowsqty 80
Route signsqty 20
Conesqty 24
Barrier tapeqty 6
Ratchet strapsqty 12
Handlebar basketsqty 8
Route mapsqty 120

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Kitchen knivesqty 6
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving spoonsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 8
Small bowlsqty 16
Ice packsqty 32

Cleaning

Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Towelsqty 12
Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Trash grabbersqty 4
Broom setsqty 2
First aid kitsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Still mineral water - 36 bottles
- Sports drink - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 80 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Oranges - 60 pieces
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Energy bars - 80 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Whole grain buns - 80 pieces
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Aged cheese - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilos
- Raisins - 3 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Mini mayonnaise packets - 2 boxes
- Mini Ketchup Packets - 2 boxes
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Sandwich bags - 200 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Coffee filters - 2 boxes
- Teaspoons - 2 packs
- Wooden stirrers - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dishwashing liquid - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Wet wipes - 6 packs
- Bandages - 6 boxes
- Disinfectant - 3 bottles
- Sterile gauze pads - 6 packs
- Elastic bandages - 12 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 4 boxes
- Drawing tweezers - 4 pieces
- Sunscreen - 6 bottles
- Insect repellent - 4 bottles
- Paper cups - 200 pieces
- Wooden forks - 150 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 200 pieces
- Tablecloths - 8 pieces

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per rider for the first hour, then add one drink for each additional hour on the route. Chill them before departure and keep extra stock in coolers at the finish.
Prepare one repair point at the start and take a smaller kit to each rest stop. Pack at least one spare inner tube per 10 bikes, plus pumps, tire levers, a bike tool kit, tape and cable ties.
Set aside one reusable cup per rider and volunteer, plus 10% extra for replacements. Bring separate coffee cups, plates and cutlery if food or hot drinks are served at the start or finish.
Give every route volunteer a charged mobile phone and a power bank. Test extension cords, power strips, coffee machines, kettles, lights and speakers before the day rather than discovering a missing connection during setup.
Plan waste capacity for the whole route, not just the finish area. Put waste bins at the start, finish and each rest stop, and bring bicycle racks and bike locks so bikes do not block tables, tents or access routes.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a lake bike tour?: Plan two to three drinks per rider for the first hour, then one additional drink per rider for every extra hour. Add at least 10% more for warm weather, delays and volunteers.
How many spare inner tubes should I buy for a group bike tour?: Buy at least one spare inner tube for every 10 bikes, with a minimum of two tubes for a small group. Carry pumps, tire levers and a tool kit as well, since a tube alone will not solve every puncture.
What should I bring to a lake bike tour rest stop?: For each rest stop, bring chilled drinks, reusable cups, waste bins and a small repair kit. Pack enough cups and drinks for the riders expected there, plus 10% extra, and arrange the supplies before the final break times are confirmed.
When should I prepare the shopping for a lake bike tour?: Buy durable equipment and repair supplies at least one week ahead. Purchase drinks and other perishable items two to three days before the tour, then chill the drinks on the day before or the morning of the event.

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