Last Updated on 15 September 2026:
The last thing you want after a year of training for an event, training camp or cycling trip abroad is to forget something important. This cycling equipment checklist covers the essentials for races, sportives and Gran Fondos, as well as cycling holidays. Bookmark it so you can quickly check your kit before you travel.
Covered in this blog
- Itemised checklist for a cycling event/race/sportive/gran fondo
- Items for car
- Items for kit bag
- Lastly, don’t forget to…
- Itemised checklist for a cycling holiday/vacation
- Bike bits/kit
- Cycling kit/clothing
- Normal clothing
- Toiletries
- Other
Itemised cycling equipment checklist for a cycling event/race/sportive/gran fondo
Items for car
- Bike (test ride your bike a week before)
- Pedals (an easy one if you swap pedals about)
- Fully charged Wahoo (or similar), Di2 battery, and rear light
- Track pump (don’t forget adapters – for example for deep section or disc wheels)
- Tools and spares
- Wheels (plus a back-up set if needed)
Items for kit bag
- Helmet
- Shoes
- Jersey, bib shorts, skinsuit (possibly a back-up set)
- Change of clothes for after the event
- Other accessories (sunglasses, aero shoe cover, nasal strips, nutrition and hydration, gloves, towel, socks, toilet roll)
- Money
- Jacket or long sleeved jersey to warm-up in (for racing or waiting at the start)
Lastly, don’t forget to…
- Check out the course and load GPS into Wahoo (or similar)
- Load rider HQ into Sat Nav (GPS) & check out how long you need to leave for driving in the morning
- Set alarm – work out what time you have to get up (start time less time to warm-up less time to sign-on less driving time less getting up and eating)
Itemised cycling equipment checklist for a cycling holiday/vacation
Bike bits/kit
- Bike (unless hiring one)
- Pedals
- Di2 battery (charged)
- Pump
- Tools
- Wheels, tyres, and tubes
- Cleaning products and towel
- Wahoo (or similar) and lead/charger
- Bottles
Cycling kit/clothing
- Jerseys
- Shorts
- Jacket
- Gilet
- Arm and leg warmers
- Socks
- Head-wear
- Sunglasses
- Helmet
- Gloves
- Shoes
- Shoe covers
- Compression wear
- Heart rate monitor
- Nasal strips
Normal clothing
- Underwear and socks
- Tops
- Bottoms
- Jumper
- Jacket
- Other accessories
- Hat and sunglasses
- Shoes
- Towel
- Swimwear
Toiletries
- Toothbrush (and charger) and toothpaste
- Hair product and comb
- Shampoo and shower gel
- Shaving products
- Skin product
- Deodorant and fragrances
- Medicine (epipen, inhaler, pro plus, other)
- Chamois cream
- Sun cream
- Nutrition, supplements, other dietary products
- Toilet roll or wipes
Other
- Sat nav (GPS), map and directions
- Phone and charger
- International plug adapters
- Laptop
- Camera
- Passport
- Travel documents
- Money
- Credit cards and ID
- Toll payment (Sanef or Fastrack for example)
- Travel food and drink
- Car legal supplies (breathalyzer, high vis jackets for European driving etc.)
- Insurance info
- Magazines and books
Cycling equipment checklist summary
A few minutes spent checking your bike, kit bag and travel essentials can prevent avoidable stress when it matters. If you would like help preparing for an event or building a training plan around it, Book a Free Consultation.
