What you need for a mountain bike tour ride

A mountain bike tour needs more than bikes and a marked route. Your shopping list must cover rider check-in, visible route marking, basic repairs, hydration, food service and volunteer safety. Plan quantities from your final participant count, then add a small reserve for damaged arrows, extra drinks and unexpected bike problems. The items below support a ride with a staffed start area, published route information and riders who may finish at different times.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 20
Registration deskqty 2
Waste binsqty 6

Sports equipment

Route arrowsqty 180
Barrier tapeqty 12
Bib numbersqty 120
Wristbandsqty 120
Stamp cardsqty 120
Conesqty 24
Crowd control barriersqty 12
Reflective vestsqty 20
Mountain bikesqty 2
Bike pumpsqty 4
Bike mounting standqty 2
Bicycle repair kitqty 2
Spare inner tubesqty 20
Bike locksqty 4
Chain oilqty 2
Cable tiesqty 200
Bicycle light setsqty 10

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 180
Platesqty 140
Cutlery setsqty 140
Serving spoonsqty 8
Coffee cupsqty 80

Kitchen

Coolersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Water jugsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 8
Cooling matsqty 12

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 10
Megaphone
Laptop
Mobile printer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

Work lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 10
Flashlightsqty 10

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Safety glovesqty 12
Fire extinguisherqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 4

Decorations

Start arch
Route signsqty 20
Information boardsqty 6

Cleaning

Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Spa Red - 60 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Iced tea - 18 bottles
- Isotonic sports drink - 120 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Coffee creamer - 6 tubs
- Bananas - 120 pieces
- Apples - 120 pieces
- Oranges - 80 pieces
- Grapes - 12 kilos
- Dates - 6 kilos
- Muesli bars - 150 pieces
- Energy gels - 150 pieces
- Currant buns - 120 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 150 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 100 pieces
- Bread rolls - 80 pieces
- Butter - 3 kilos
- Margarine - 2 kilo
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Aged cheese - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Back ham - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Cucumbers - 20 pieces
- Tomatoes - 8 kilo
- Lettuce - 10 heads
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Nut mix - 6 kilos
- Raisins - 4 kilos
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Vegetarian pasta salad - 12 kilos
- Chicken pasta salad - 12 kilo
- Baby potatoes - 15 kilos
- Vegetarian burgers - 40 pieces
- Hamburgers - 80 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Fried onions - 3 bags
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 24 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Storage containers - 30 pieces
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Charcoal - 20 kilos
- Firelighters - 2 boxes

Tips

Prepare one bib number, wristband or stamp card per registered rider, plus at least 5% extra for replacements and last-minute registrations.
Use route arrows, barrier tape and cones where riders might miss a turn or encounter a hazard. Pack spare cable ties and keep a separate bundle ready for repairs on the day.
For a staffed repair point, bring several spare inner tubes in the wheel sizes used by your bikes, along with pumps, a repair kit, a mounting stand and chain oil. Check compatibility before shopping.
Give each volunteer who works on the course or around traffic a reflective vest. Keep crowd-control barriers and extra cones for the start area, parking route and any narrow sections.
Buy drinks according to your route length and weather, and place water jugs, coolers and reusable cups where riders can refill. If food is served, count plates, cutlery and coffee cups against the participant list rather than guessing.

Frequently asked questions

How many spare inner tubes do I need for a mountain bike tour?: Start with one spare inner tube for every 10 riders, with a minimum of 4 tubes for a small ride. Bring more if the route is rocky, remote or uses several wheel sizes.
How many route arrows should I buy for a mountain bike ride?: Count the planned turns and decision points, then add 20% for confirmation arrows, replacements and late route changes. Pack at least two arrows for every major junction so riders can see the direction clearly.
What bike repair equipment is needed for a group ride?: Bring at least one pump, bicycle repair kit and bike mounting stand at the start, plus spare inner tubes, cable ties, chain oil and bike locks. For larger groups, prepare one mobile repair kit for every 50 riders.
How much water should I bring for a mountain bike tour?: As a starting point, provide 500–750 ml per rider for each planned riding hour, with extra capacity for warm weather and delays. Set up refill points before riders arrive and keep reserve water in coolers or jugs.

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