What to buy for a mountain bike ride

A mountain bike ride needs more than bikes and a marked route. This shopping list covers the supplies that keep riders identified, fed, hydrated and moving when a tyre or chain fails. Plan food and drinks for the full group, then add a small buffer for late arrivals and repairs. Check the route length and rider count before buying consumables, and make sure safety and communication equipment is ready before setup day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 12
Benchesqty 4

Sports equipment

Bicycle racksqty 4
Route arrowsqty 80
Rolls of barrier tapeqty 6
Traffic conesqty 20
Bib numbersqty 60
Wristbandsqty 60
Bike pumpsqty 3
Repair standsqty 2
Spare inner tubesqty 20
Tire leversqty 10
Bike multi-toolsqty 6
Bike locksqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 3
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Whistlesqty 8
Reflective vestsqty 12

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Power banksqty 6
Phone chargersqty 6
Extension cordsqty 4
Speaker
Coolersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Reusable platesqty 70
Reusable cutleryqty 70
Serving traysqty 8

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 6

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Extendable string lightsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 60 liters
- Sparkling water - 30 liters
- Sports drink - 30 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea - 100 bags
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Coffee biscuits - 6 packs
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 50 pieces
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Vegetable soup - 12 liters
- Tomato soup - 12 liters
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 4 packs
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Frozen cooling packs - 30 pieces

Tips

Plan around 750 ml of drink per rider for a shorter ride, and more for hot weather or routes lasting several hours. Chill drinks in coolers before participants arrive rather than relying on room-temperature supplies.
Prepare one bib number and one wristband per participant, plus at least 5 extra of each for replacements, late registrations or damaged items. Keep the sorted numbers with the printed participant list at registration.
For a group ride, prepare one pump, repair stand and bike multitool at the start area, then keep spare inner tubes, tyre levers and replacement chains with the repair supplies. Match spare tube sizes to the bikes expected on the ride.
Use route arrows and hazard marking supplies at every decision point and danger zone, with extra arrows and barrier tape packed for last-minute corrections. Store the route signs together so the marking team does not leave without them.
Allow one first aid kit and one emergency blanket at the start or finish, and give route leaders whistles, reflective vests and charged walkie-talkies. Charge radios and power banks the day before, and pack phone chargers and extension cords for the event base.

Frequently asked questions

What food and drinks do I need for a mountain bike ride?: Plan at least 750 ml of drink per rider for a shorter ride, increasing the amount in warm weather or on longer routes. Provide food for the planned duration plus a small buffer, and keep drinks, soup and bread chilled or ready before the start.
How many spare bike parts should I buy?: For every 10 riders, prepare at least 2 spare inner tubes, 2 sets of tyre levers and 1 replacement chain. Keep a pump and multitool available at the start, and increase the spares if the route is remote or technically demanding.
How many bib numbers and wristbands do I need?: Buy one bib number and one wristband per registered rider, plus 5 extra of each for a small group or about 10% extra for a larger group. Sort them before event day so registration does not delay the start.
When should I charge the walkie-talkies and power banks?: Charge walkie-talkies, power banks and phones the day before the ride, then check them again two hours before setup. Pack phone chargers and extension cords with the event equipment so communication does not depend on one battery.

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