What to buy for a networking bike ride

A networking bike ride needs more than bikes and refreshments. You’ll need supplies for the route, participant safety, quick repairs, weather changes and a comfortable start or finish area. Use the participant count to work out drinks, tableware and printed materials, then add a small reserve for late arrivals and unexpected problems. The list below covers the items to buy or bring before riders arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 50
High tablesqty 6
Bicycle racksqty 6
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Mobile sound system
Wireless microphoneqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Bike pumpqty 3
Bicycle repair kitqty 2
Spare inner tubesqty 8
Rechargeable power banksqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Outdoor lightsqty 4

Sports equipment

Bike helmetsqty 8
Reflective vestsqty 12
Bike flagsqty 6
Rain ponchosqty 10
Water bottlesqty 12
Route card holdersqty 8
First aid kitqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 4
Traffic conesqty 12

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 60
Reusable coffee cupsqty 50
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Coffee potsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Pliersqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 8
Thermos cupsqty 20

Decorations

Name card holdersqty 50
Tableclothsqty 8
Route signsqty 20
Directional signsqty 30
Chalkboardsqty 4
Balloonsqty 80
Buntingqty 6
Tapeqty 6
Cable tiesqty 100
Ropeqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea assortment - 5 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon - 12 pieces
- Mineral water - 60 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Cheese - 2 kilograms
- Young cheese - 1 kilogram
- Goat cheese - 750 grams
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Smoked chicken - 750 grams
- Vegetarian spread - 8 tubs
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Wraps - 10 packs
- Mini sandwiches - 80 pieces
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 8 bags
- Mixed lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 12
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Celery - 4 heads
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 50 pieces
- Pears - 40 pieces
- Mandarins - 50 pieces
- Muesli bars - 80 pieces
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilogram
- Raisins - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Rice crackers - 6 packs
- Salted breadsticks - 6 packs
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Herb mix - 2 jars
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 60
- Apple pie - 4 pies
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Napkins - 400 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 dispensers
- Hand gel - 8 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 6 packs
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each additional hour. Bring extra water bottles for riders who forget their own.
Prepare one basic bicycle repair kit, a bike pump and at least two spare inner tubes for every 20 to 25 riders. Keep them at the start, finish or a clearly announced rest stop.
Pack one rain poncho per participant when the forecast is uncertain, and keep emergency blankets and the first aid kit in an easy-to-reach bag rather than at the bottom of a supply box.
Allow one reusable drinking glass, coffee cup, plate and cutlery set per guest, plus about 10 percent extra. Serving platters and reusable tableware are easy to overlook when catering is prepared off-site.
Bring route cards in holders, route signs, traffic cones and reflective vests before the ride starts. Prepare one spare route card for every 10 riders and keep rechargeable power banks available for phones used for navigation or emergency calls.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a networking bike ride?: Plan at least 750 ml to 1 litre of water per rider for a short ride, depending on the weather and rest-stop access. Add 10 to 15 percent extra so late arrivals and riders who lose a bottle are covered.
How many spare inner tubes should I bring on a group bike ride?: Bring at least two spare inner tubes for every 20 to 25 participants, along with a pump and bicycle repair kit. For a route with limited access or rough surfaces, bring four tubes for the same group size.
What safety equipment is needed for a networking bike ride?: Keep one first aid kit, emergency blankets, traffic cones and printed emergency numbers at the ride base. Provide reflective vests for marshals and bring one rain poncho per participant if rain is possible.
How much tableware should I buy for the finish area?: Prepare one plate, cutlery set, reusable drinking glass and coffee cup per guest, then add 10 percent spare. For 40 participants, that means 44 of each item before serving begins.

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