What you need for a retro tour

A retro tour needs more than bikes and a route. You’ll need clear signs, basic repair supplies, registration materials and a practical setup at the start and finish. Plan drinks and food for the riders, then check how they will be served and kept cool. The list also covers equipment for the meal, route marking, bicycle parking and announcements, so you can shop and arrange supplies before the event week.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
Bar stoolsqty 6
Bicycle parking racksqty 8

Sports equipment

Route arrowsqty 35
Route signsqty 20
Crowd control barriersqty 12
Traffic conesqty 20
Reflective vestsqty 12
Bike pumpsqty 3
Repair standsqty 2
Bike repair kitsqty 3
Spare inner tubesqty 12
Borg ribbonqty 4

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Wireless microphone
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 3
Power banksqty 4
Coolersqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Platesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pouring jugsqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 10

Decorations

Retro bike postersqty 12
Buntingqty 6
Start/finish banner

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 3
Toilet paper holdersqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Still water - 10 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Pils - 5 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Herb butter - 1 kilo
- Baguettes - 18 pieces
- Multigrain bread - 8 loaves
- Mini croissants - 80 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Mixed snacks - 5 bags
- Peanuts - 3 bags
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Raisins - 2 kilos
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 2 boxes
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 60
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Jam - 3 jars
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can

Tips

Bring spare inner tubes, pumps and bike repair kits, and place repair stands where riders can reach them. These are easy to forget until the first puncture happens.
Allow enough route arrows and signs for every turn, junction and hazard. Pack spare signs and ties so a missing or damaged marker can be replaced during the tour.
Buy drinks early enough to chill them before registration opens. Use coolers and reusable cups at the start and finish, and plan roughly two to three drinks per person for the first hour.
Count plates, cutlery, cups and serving spoons against the confirmed registrations, then add a small buffer. Coffee machines, kettles and pouring jugs should be checked at least one day before the meal.
Set aside reflective vests, traffic cones, barriers and bicycle parking racks for the start and finish area. Arrange extension cords, power strips and power banks before setup begins, especially if the venue has limited outlets.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a retro tour?: Plan for route signs and arrows, reflective vests, traffic cones, bicycle parking, pumps, repair kits and spare inner tubes. You will also need drinks, reusable cups, meal tableware and registration materials for the number of registered riders.
How many drinks do I need for a retro tour?: Allow about two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then adjust for the route length and weather. Chill the drinks before registration and keep extra stock in coolers at the start or finish.
How much route signage should I prepare?: Prepare one sign or arrow for every turn, junction and hazard, plus spare pieces for replacements. Pack the signs together with fixing materials and place them along the route shortly before the tour starts.
When should I buy supplies for a retro tour?: Buy durable equipment and repair supplies at least one week ahead. Purchase food and drinks after registrations close, then chill drinks and check catering, tableware and power equipment one day before the event.

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