Summer (Bike) Gear and Essentials List

This is a list of all the things that we typically pack for a downhill bike trip for each individual rider. Along the same lines, as a rider is getting dressed and heading to the trails, these are the things that we run through to make sure each rider has everything that is needed for a fun, safe day.

At the bottom of this webpage is a downloadable pdf version of this list that you can print if you prefer a paper copy.

I do not ride so I had to get help from our teenage daughter and my husband for this pack list.

• Lift ticket or season pass
• Bike
• Helmet – both half shell and full face (bc downhill parks have some trails that are lift serve and some that are cross country)
• Bike shoes (can’t tell you how many times someone forgot to pack shoes)
• Gloves (full finger)
• Knee pads
• Elbow pads
• Chest plate
• Neck brace (if necessary)
• Goggles or sun glasses for riding (preferably both bc sunglaases are nice when you are not riding and it’s sunny outside)
• Riding socks (riding socks are tighter and higher and protect your foot from insects, ticks and dirt)
• Bike pants or shorts (pants are best for maximum skin protection)
• Bike shirt (any long sleeve shirt will do but bike shirts feel and fit best).
• Padded chamois (if pants are not padded)
• Pocket snacks
• Pocket packet of Teylenol (if needed)
• Hydration pack (if hydration stops are not provided by the resort)
• Sunscreen
• Bug Spray (or wipe packets)
• Lip balm
• Tampons and panty liners (girls)
• Money/pay app/cash
• Garmin or Strava app
• iPhone
• Multi-tool 
• Go pro camera 
• Vrbo or hotel room key or code (take a picture if necessary)
• A day backpack or fanny pack for car key, bike rack key and roof top carrier if day tripping.
• Lunchbox with ice pack and/or water bottle

Other to do’s:

• Put the bike rack on your car (this might require help from a friend or family member)
• Load the car too carrier (this might require help from a friend or family member)
• Have a plan to keep up with your car keys, your bike rack key, your car top carrier key and your room key.
• A lot of resorts have lockers that can be rented so keep that in mind if would be helpful to your particular needs.

At the beginning of each bike season:

• Get your bike(s) tuned-up and before each season.
• For growing kids: adjust the seat height and the stem length and handle bar width, brake placement and brake lever setting and also the pressure of the tires and front and rear shocks’ compression and rebound based on the kid’s new leg and arm length, hand size and height and weight. If you child is big enough to use a dropper post, adjust the dropper post lever to fit your child’s hand size.
• Check out your child’s helmet and make sure it still fits properly.
• If your child has outgrown his or her bike, trade it up for a new one or consider renting the next size up to test out how the child feels on it and which brand you might like to buy (new or used).