What to Bring and Buy for a Tandem Ride

A tandem ride needs more than the tandems themselves. Plan one helmet, reflective vest and lock per rider or bicycle, then add route materials, repair equipment and supplies for the start and finish. This list also covers the items people often arrange too late: spare inner tubes, working lights, route card holders and shelter for registration or refreshments. Use the confirmed participant count to set quantities before shopping.

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What to bring

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

Sports equipment

Tandemsqty 16
Bike helmetsqty 32
Reflective vestsqty 32
Bike locksqty 16
Bicycle light setsqty 32
Bike repair kitsqty 3
Bike pumpsqty 3
Spare inner tubesqty 12
Tire leversqty 6
Multi-toolsqty 4
Bicycle parking racksqty 8
Route card holdersqty 16

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 35
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 40
Platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Serving traysqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4

Equipment

Portable speaker
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6

Decorations

Start banner
Tableclothsqty 6
Route signsqty 20

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Water jugsqty 4

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Sponge clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Water - 60 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Lemonade - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Sandwiches - 40 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Peanut butter - 1 jar
- Strawberry jam - 1 jar
- Lettuce - 3 heads
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Red onions - 1 kilo
- Pasta salad - 5 kilos
- Pasta - 2 kilo
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Feta cheese - 1 kilo
- Olives - 3 jars
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Muesli bars - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 tin
- Pepper - 1 can
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Paper towels - 4 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll

Tips

Count riders before ordering equipment: each tandem needs two helmets and two reflective vests, while one lock and one lighting set can usually cover each bicycle.
Pack at least one repair kit, pump, multi-tool and spare inner tube for every planned support point, and add tyre levers so a puncture can be fixed on the route.
Prepare one route map or route card per tandem, plus a few spares, and place them in route card holders before participants arrive.
For the finish area, allow one reusable cup and one plate per person, then add at least 10% extra for replacements, late arrivals and clean-up.
Do not leave shelter and power until the last day: set up party tents, extension cords and power strips before arrival, and use battery lanterns if the route or finish area gets dark.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment does each tandem rider need?: Plan one bike helmet and one reflective vest per rider. Each tandem should also have a lock, working lights and access to a pump and repair equipment.
How many spare inner tubes should I bring on a tandem ride?: Bring at least one spare inner tube for every planned support point, plus two additional tubes for a larger group. Check the tyre sizes before buying them.
How many route maps do I need for a tandem ride?: Prepare one route map or route card per tandem and keep 10% extra copies available. Put them in holders before the start so riders are not sorting papers at registration.
When should I buy supplies for a tandem ride?: Buy or reserve tandems, helmets and safety equipment at least two weeks before the ride. Check lights, pumps, repair kits and route materials one week before, then pack participant supplies the day before.

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