Let’s start with the basics. Do NOT forget your helmet or your cycling shoes!! These two items are almost irreplaceable, they are fit specifically to you, and people rarely bring extras.
Basics:
- Bike
- Helmet
- Cycling Shoes
- Kit (bibs, jersey)
Advanced: additionally…
- Water bottles
- Bike computer (Garmin, WAHOO; whatever floats your boat)
- Skinsuit (LS, SS)
- Race socks
- Race gloves (short or long-fingered)
- Sunglasses (dark & light shades)
- Change of clothes for after race
- Shoe covers
- Floor pump
- Race food
- *Lights (clear on the front; red on the rear)
- *Cycling cap
If it’s a stage race:
- Don’t forget your bib numbers and frame number, since they will often be swapped between bikes and jerseys from day-to-day
Ultra-prepared (you’re ready to support an entire cycling team) additionally:
- Extra water bottles in a cooler, along with ice socks if it’s hot, post-race sandwiches, and fresh fruit for a snack
- Some bottles are marked with an ‘X’ on the lid, meaning they contain more than just plain water – drink mix, electrolyte tablets, etc.
- Recovery drink mix ready to hand rider as soon as they roll to a stop after the finish line
- Rain bags which include a vest, rain jacket, arm warmers, leg warmers, shoe covers, spare gloves, spare shoes, neck gaiter…
- Tool box for last-minute bike maintenance
- Bike stand for easy mechanical work
- Old towels to clean bikes with
- Stationary trainer for warm-up and or cool-down (don’t forget the front wheel holder…or just use an old book)
- Team-issue casual gear: T-shirts, sweatshirts, hat and sunglasses. Gotta look pro to be pro
- Saddle bag for the ride home because you’re totally pro
- Sunscreen
- Spare wheels (race and training, just in case)
- Camping chairs to lounge around in pre and post-race
- Race nutrition: everything from bars, to gummies and gels, caffeine gum and homemade rice cakes
- Baby wipes (the “parking lot shower”)
- Trash bag ( to put your gel wrappers in if it want well, to put your bike in if it didn’t)
- *Foam roller
- Massage oil (the full professional pre-race treatment)
Extras (some items that I like to bring, but aren’t necessary for everyone):
- Headphones
- Gum
- Mints
- Books (that don’t relate at all to cycling, such as ‘Open’ by Andre Agassi)
- Amp HP PR Lotion (and a towel to wipe it off your hands)
- Exercise band to fire up those glutes
That’s a long list, but hopefully a lot of helpful information, especially for those of you who are looking to sign-up for a race or organized ride for the first time. Did I miss anything? Is there anything I didn’t mention that you pack in your car that you cannot live without?
***
*Thanks to Mandy Roder for these additions!