Mary Exton Bike for Books 2018

Helmet

Basic first aid kit

Fully charged mobile phone, set up with your ICE (In case of emergency) contact information

Bicycle bell

Multitool with allen keys and torx tools for adjusting your bike

Mini pump with adaptors for the valves on your tyres (Presta or Schrader type)

Tyre levers

Spare inner tube (check your wheelsize and valve type) and/or puncture repair kit. We recommend a spare tube as changes on the trail are quicker and easier

Trail snacks - nuts, fruit, chocolate or cereal bars, energy bars/tablets/gels etc

Water (minimum of 2 litres for adults, 1 litre for children)

Lunch (if someone can meet you at Radwell Meadows in the car so you don't have to carry it, even better!)

Rucksack (ideally with a waist strap) or rack and panniers. You need sufficient space for any layers you are not wearing plus tools, spares and food

Helmet (so important I've listed it twice!)

Lots of layers - a wicking base layer (available in different thicknesses for warmer and cooler days), thin wicking riding top, fleece and windproof jacket are all useful. Decide which you'll need based on the forecast, and avoid cotton next to your skin - when it gets wet you'll get cold

Sturdy trainers or riding shoes (no open toes!)

Warm weather - Riding shorts with padding, t-shirt, gilet, suncream

Cold/wet weather - Riding tights/tracksuit bottoms/waterproof trousers (not jeans), additional layers for warmth, thicker gloves, waterproof jacket

Riding gloves

Hi-vis jacket/gilet

Knee and elbow pads

Sunglasses

Swiss pen knife/Leatherman/Gerber (over 18s only)

Mudguards (fitted beforehand!)

Front and rear LED lights - even in the day flashing lights make riders (children especially) more visible when riding road sections. Decathlon do a USB chargeable "get me home" light that is well worth keeping in your pack.