What you need for a Sinterklaas bike ride

A Sinterklaas bike ride needs more than bicycles and festive hats. Plan supplies for the route, rest stops, bicycle repairs, warm drinks and the gathering before or after the ride. The quantities depend mainly on the number of riders and the length of the route, so use your registration list before shopping. Bring extra lighting, reflective gear and repair materials because these are easy to overlook until the group is already on the road.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 30
Bar stoolsqty 4
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 80
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 8

Decorations

Sinterklaas flagsqty 10
Pieten hatsqty 55
Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 50
Tableclothsqty 6
Sinterklaas staff

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Kettlesqty 2
Portable speakersqty 2
Power banksqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 8

Sports equipment

Route arrowsqty 40
Reflective vestsqty 12
Bike pumpsqty 3
Spare inner tubesqty 8
Bike tool kitsqty 3
Ratchet strapsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6
Serving traysqty 4
Corkscrewsqty 2

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 6
Washing-up tubsqty 3
Broom setsqty 2
Mopsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea assortment - 100 bags
- Hot chocolate - 8 liters
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Spa Blue - 48 bottles
- Spa Rood - 24 small bottles
- Mulled wine - 6 liters
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 3 bags
- Borstplaat - 3 boxes
- Pepernoten - 6 kilogram
- Spiced biscuits - 4 kilograms
- Chocolate letters - 55 pieces
- Spiced biscuits - 5 packs
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Mini sandwiches - 120 pieces
- White casino bread - 6 loaves
- Brown casino loaf bread - 6 loaves
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Soup - 10 liter
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 grinder
- Cinnamon - 1 jar
- Whipped cream - 8 cans
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Napkins - 250 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Trash bags - 60 pieces

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each additional hour. Include water as well as hot drinks, and chill the cold drinks before participants arrive.
Pack one spare inner tube and one bike pump for every 10 riders, plus at least one bike tool kit for the group. Check that the tools match the bicycle types expected on the ride.
Give every traffic marshal a reflective vest and provide clear route arrows at turns and rest stops. Put the arrows out shortly before the ride so they are not moved or damaged overnight.
Prepare roughly one snack portion per rider at each planned rest stop, with an extra 10 percent for late registrations and volunteers. Bring serving platters, cutting boards and reusable cups so food and drinks can be handled quickly.
Do not leave lighting until the final setup. Count one lantern or light source for each dark activity area, and fully charge portable speakers and power banks the day before the ride. Keep spare batteries or charging options with the equipment.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a Sinterklaas bike ride?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one drink per person per additional hour. Provide one snack portion per rider at each rest stop and add about 10 percent extra for volunteers and unexpected participants.
What bicycle repair supplies should I bring?: Bring at least one bike pump and one spare inner tube for every 10 riders, plus one bike tool kit for the group. For a longer route or mixed bicycle group, add extra tubes and a second tool kit.
How many reflective vests are needed for the ride?: Provide one reflective vest for every traffic marshal and route volunteer. Count the final volunteer list at least one week before the ride, then keep one or two spare vests available for replacements.
When should I prepare the Sinterklaas bike ride shopping?: Buy non-perishable supplies, decorations and repair materials at least one week before the ride. Purchase fresh snacks and chill drinks one to two days beforehand, and charge speakers and power banks the day before.

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