All your commitment and training for a big road race needs to pay off on race day. But if you’re not prepared, things could go wrong. Here’s a list of what to carry for your body and your bike to ensure you have the best shot at achieving your goal.

Months of training should go into completing the race with a grin, not a grimace. Most big road races are around 100km in distance, so you’re in for a good few hours of pedalling and need to be mindful of the weather and what you will need to get to the finish line. Here’s a list of recommendations:

FOR YOUR BODY

We’re focusing on what to take with you here, so assume you will apply sunscreen, inflate your tyres and lube your chain before you head to the start. Your main priority is to ensure you have enough energy and hydration for the race.

Two bottles: If you’re a highly conditioned rider, you may not even finish both bottles during the race. But most will take a good few hours to get to the finish so will need a good quality carb drink in one bottle and water in the other. Decant one or two more servings of the carb drink powder into Ziploc bags and carry these in a jersey pocket. At water points, you can top up your carb drink bottle for sustained energy throughout. It’s good to have one bottle with only water as this you can sip to keep you hydrated and can pour some over your head if it’s really hot. 

Sweating for extended periods can also deplete your phosphates, which are essential, so take along one or two electrolyte effervescent tablets to drink if you’re experiencing a long day in the saddle… If you don’t have them in the race, drink them straight afterwards. Your body will thank you.

It’s always worth taking one or two energy gels in your jersey pocket. They offer a quick energy boost and are useful in the final 45-60 minutes of the race to give you a little extra for the final stretch.

FOR YOUR BIKE

Ideally, you want to have your bike serviced at least 10 days before the race so that your brakes and gears are adjusted and your tyres are in good condition. This may require spending a bit of cash on new parts, but there’s nothing like riding a properly working bike to the start of a big race because it gives you additional confidence and peace of mind.

Lynnwood Cyclery’s Service Centre offers varying levels of service options. More info here.

Obviously you have to prepare for the chance of something going wrong. The most likely mechanical challenges you’ll face on race day are a flat tyre or a chain problem. So be sure to take along the following:

Spare tubes x2: Tape one to your bike’s frame and put the other in your saddle bag or jersey pocket. You may not need both, but it’s undoubtedly worth the insurance. Road tubes are quite compact to carry, so don’t really add too much bulk or weight.

Tyre levers: Without them, you can’t repair a flat tyre. Don’t skimp – get a decent pair so that you can remove the tyre from the rim quickly and confidently.

CO2 Bombs & adapter: You want to ensure you lose as little time as possible should you need to change your tube. CO2 Bombs are the fastest way to inflate your tyre but you need to know what you’re doing so that the air goes into your tube and not all over the place. Ask someone to assist you if you’re unsure.

Mini-pump:  If you’re not super confident with CO2 Bombs or if you want to ensure you’re not left stranded, then a mini-pump is a key tool to take with you. Try buy one that has a double-shot action, which means air goes in at double the speed of a regular mini-pump.

Multi-tool with a chain tool: Most chain drama in a race usually happens during a panic shift, which sends the chain off the chainrings, leaving you to re-mount it. This is usually quite straight forward and if you’re unsure, ask someone to assist you. Sometimes you may break the chain, which is where a chain tool is needed to re-connect it so you can keep going. A multi-tool with a chain tool is most useful in this regard.

Quick-Link: A Quick-Link allows you to re-connect a broken chain fairly quickly. It’s really small and light and worth having should you be faced with chain misery on race day. Be sure to purchase the correct link for your chain.

Saddle bag: A saddle bag is a great way to carry all of these items so they’re easy to find. Choose one that has a good quality zip because you don’t want to risk losing spares or tools because of a dodgy closure. It also allows you to free up your jersey pockets for energy gels, your phone and car key.

R50 note: Should you cut a tyre during the race, you can use the money to cover the cut and keep the tube from protruding. It’s light and strong and reliable. If you don’t use it, you always have some spare cash to buy an emergency drink or Chelsea bun!

All of the above products are available at Lynnwood Cyclery. Find out more here.