8 Items You Need on a Charity Ride

8 Items You Need on a Charity Ride

At ERIK’S we often have people come into our shop who will be doing charity rides for the first time. One of the most common questions we get is, “What cycling gear do I need to complete one of these rides?” There are a lot of different rides and lengths, but we’ve put together a list of 8 items that you should have for just about any event.

1. Bike: This one is pretty obvious, but also critical to your success. You should have a bike that fits you, a bike that’s comfortable to ride, and a bike that’s in good mechanical condition. At just about every ride we support we have people tell us the last time they rode their bike was when they did a charity event last year. Your bike should be as ready to go as you are; get out on a ride at least once and at least a week before the event to make sure everything’s in working order. A bike in bad condition isn’t as fun to ride; it could have a flat tire or the brakes could squeal for 30 miles or you could be stuck in the hardest gear on that killer hill. Consider bringing your bike into ERIK’S for a safety check and some adjustments! If it is time to get a new bike, check out our selection of road bikes or flat bar road bikes – both great options for charity rides.


2. Helmet: Again, this might be obvious, but most events won’t allow you to participate without a helmet. We commonly have riders ask for a helmet to borrow because they forgot theirs. It is also important to note that helmets do not last forever. Most manufacturers suggest replacing it every 3-5 years. The foam in the helmet becomes more brittle over time providing less protection. And any time your helmet has received an impact from a crash, it needs to be replaced. Need a new helmet? Check these out.


3. Cycling Shorts: It’s hard to enjoy a ride if you’re not comfortable. Cycling shorts provide extra padding to protect you from the saddle and minimize chafing. They are typically skin-tight to hold the padding in place exactly where you want it. And, if you will be riding multiple days without being able to clean your shorts, be sure to have as many pairs of shorts as there are days between laundry! Riding in dirty shorts is a recipe for discomfort.


4. Water Bottle(s) & Cages: Depending on the length of your ride, you might want a couple of bottles. Getting dehydrated can not only ruin a fun day on the bike, but it can also be dangerous. Most bikes can carry two bottles, and there are other ways to add more if necessary. For each water bottle, you’ll need a cage. And don’t forget to fill the bottles before your ride!


5. Flat Kit & Tube: Eventually we all get a flat. Don’t wait until you get one to be prepared. Even if you don’t yet know how to change a flat, you should have the tools so that a more knowledgeable rider can assist you. Most flat kits contain a small pump or CO2 inflator and a couple of tire levers. You will also need a spare tube, but these are sold separately since tires come in a wide range of sizes. Specialized offers a nice starter kit that also comes with a saddle bag and water bottle cages.


6. Food: Even if your ride is supported with rest stops, it’s always good to have a bit of spare food. You never know when you might be a long way from anything and start to bonk or hit the wall – basically, suddenly feeling tired because of low glucose levels. ERIK’S has a number of energy food options that we not only sell but we personally use! It’s also a great idea to try out food on a ride before the big day to find out what works best for you.


7. Rain Jacket: It might look like the perfect day, but you never know when bad weather will sneak up. Riding in the rain isn’t fun for most people, but riding in the rain without a jacket is even less fun. ERIK’S offers a number of cycling-specific jacket options that can keep you dry and warm.


8. Riding Glasses: Depending on the weather and time of day, you might want less tint (or no tint at all), but protection for your eyes is very important. Glasses not only protect your eyes from the glare of the sun, but they also keep out foreign objects like bugs and dirt from the road. Check out some cool cycling sunglasses here.

Bonus! Storage: Having a good place to store the things you bring with you on your ride is important.  Putting your flat kit in a saddle bag will ensure you always have it with you.  A stem bag is a great place to store your phone or nutrition making them easily accessible on the ride.  (Of course, you might consider getting a phone holder which would allow you to use it for navigation while you are riding.  Remember, if you need to check your phone, pull over and stop riding first.)  Check out all of our bike bags here.


We hope this list helps you get ready for your first or next event ride. Stop into any of our ERIK’S locations and we’ll gladly get you set for your next charity ride. And make sure to say Hi if you see ERIK’S on your ride. We support dozens of rides throughout the Midwest.

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