What you need for a mountain bike ride

A mountain bike ride needs more than bikes and helmets. Your shopping list should cover route marking, basic repairs, communication, lighting, refreshments and a workable start area. The number of riders determines how many bibs, cups, spare tubes and backup items you need. Buy repair and safety supplies before the route check, not on the morning of the ride, so you still have time to test pumps, radios and lights.

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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 50
Bicycle racksqty 4

Sports equipment

Mountain bikesqty 4
Spare helmetsqty 6
Route arrowsqty 80
Barrier tapeqty 6
Bib numbersqty 50
Race bib strapsqty 50
Bike repair standqty 2
Bike pumpsqty 4
Tool setsqty 3
Spare inner tubesqty 12
Bicycle light setsqty 6
Reflective vestsqty 12
Cable tiesqty 100
Cable tie cutterqty 2
First aid kitsqty 3
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Disposable glovesqty 30
Conesqty 20
Crowd control barriersqty 8
Route card holdersqty 4

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Mobile phonesqty 2
Power banksqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 80
Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 60

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Food warmersqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6
Water jerry cansqty 6
Washing-up tubsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Still mineral water - 10 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Sports drink - 24 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Sandwiches - 80 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Kaiser rolls - 40 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Ham - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Bananas - 50 pieces
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Raisins - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Pasta - 5 kilogram
- Tomato sauce - 6 jars
- Vegetable mix - 5 kilograms
- Vegetarian meatballs - 3 kilograms
- Meatballs - 4 kilograms
- Shredded cheese - 1 kilogram
- Green pesto - 3 jars
- Italian herb mix - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles

Tips

Prepare one bib number and one strap per participant, plus at least 5% extra for late registrations or damaged numbers. Pack them in registration order to keep the start area moving.
For a group ride, take at least one spare inner tube per 10 riders and one complete tool set for every repair station. Test the bike repair stand and pumps before loading them.
Mark every hazardous point with route arrows and barrier tape, then keep cable ties and a cable-tie cutter with the route team. Bring roughly 10% more markers than your first route estimate.
Give each station a reliable communication method: one walkie-talkie per key station, with charged mobile phones and power banks as backup. Charge all devices the evening before and carry extension cords if the start area has limited sockets.
Plan refreshments by participant count: provide at least one reusable cup per person, with 10% extra, and set up coffee machines, kettles and food warmers before riders arrive. Keep spare bicycle light sets and reflective vests available if the ride may finish in low light.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a mountain bike ride event?: You need bikes, helmets, bib numbers, route arrows, barrier tape, pumps, tools, spare inner tubes and a repair stand. Also prepare communication devices, lighting, refreshments and basic furniture for registration and the start area.
How many spare inner tubes should I buy for a mountain bike ride?: Allow one spare inner tube for every 10 riders, then round up to a full tube. For example, 25 riders means at least 3 spare tubes, with more needed on rocky or remote routes.
How many cups do I need for a mountain bike ride?: Provide one reusable cup per participant and add 10% extra for replacements and volunteers. For 50 riders, prepare at least 55 cups and arrange washing or collection between uses.
When should I buy the supplies for a mountain bike ride?: Buy route markers, repair supplies and bib materials at least 7 days before the ride. Charge lights, radios and power banks the evening before, then check the full inventory before loading the start area.

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