Whether you are headed to a race or just a remote weekend in the woods, your basecamp is what keeps the trip from falling apart. After years of racing and road trips with Spencer, Emma, and Pippi, we have learned that being prepared is the difference between a great time and a miserable night in the car.
Race Weekend and Remote Basecamp
The Mobile Workshop
Why I use it: You do not want to be digging through a bag for an allen key right before a ride. A dedicated bike toolbox keeps every essential tool organized so you can do your prep with zero stress.
Bike Toolbox
Why I use it: I personally like pairing a standard floor pump with an automated one. It serves as a backup if your batteries die and it is actually faster when you are not trying to seat a tire.
Manual Floor Pump
Why I use it: This works incredibly well for seating a fresh tire and it is a lifesaver for inflating your car tires on a road trip.
Automated Tire Inflator
Why I use it: If you do not have a tire gauge in your pack, which you should, you most certainly need one for your trip or race.
Digital Tire Pressure Gauge
Why I use it: Shifting issues will ruin a race. Having spare cables and housing on hand means you can fix a snapped line immediately.
Shift Cables and Housing
Why I use it: There are a lot of different versions from different companies. Some sell you on wet and dry lube, some are all in one. You might have to play around to decide what you like most, but keeping your chain running smooth is crucial.
Chain Lube
Why I use it: These are my absolute favorites. Mind you, this company has thick and thin grips. I linked the thick, but depending on your hand size, thin might be ideal for you.
Spare Grips
Why I use it: You always need to carry backups of your specific components. I always pack a bike brake bleed kit, brake pads, spare chains, spare derailleur hanger, and spare handlebars. I also bring spare cleats if running clipless, plus spare wheels and tires or rims if on a budget. If you go the DIY rim route, make sure the hole count matches your current wheels and it has a matching ERD.
Bike Specific Spare Parts
→ Link: None provided. Buy the exact fit for your bike.
The Basecamp Kitchen
Why I use it: Keeping your race food and post ride drinks cold is essential. A reliable cooler means you are not constantly running into town for ice when you should be resting. Using a large cooler is perfect if there isn’t any grocery stores near by, or use a smaller one if the stores are close and space is tight.
Heavy Duty Cooler
Why I use it: You need a dedicated surface to prep food or even set parts down while working on your bike. A sturdy foldable table makes camp feel like an actual kitchen instead of balancing a cutting board on a rock.
Foldable Camp Table
Why I use it: You need a reliable way to boil water and cook real food. A dedicated camp stove ensures you are well fed and ready for practice laps the next morning.
Camp Stove
Why I use it: Keeping your spatulas, tongs, and prep tools in a dedicated camp kit means you never forget them at home or have to dig around the bottom of a bin just to stir your dinner.
Cooking Utensil Set
Why I use it: Having a dedicated set of bowls and plates that pack down tightly saves a massive amount of space in your vehicle.
Camping Bowl Kit
Why I use it: A good set of nesting pots and pans designed specifically for camping makes cooking hearty meals a breeze when you are miles from the nearest restaurant.
Camping Cookware Set
Why I use it: Keep all of your food in a larger hard container. One year Spencer and I did not do this and a mouse ended up in our car. The entire night we tried catching it while it ran between all the food items. It was maddening. Remember to take it out once your trip is done because mice can chew through it if given enough time.
Airtight Food Storage Containers
Why I use it: You must wash your dishes to not attract bears even if you don’t have easy access to hot water. The morning after our mouse incident, we were cooking breakfast by the car and a bear with cubs charged our campsite. Spencer had to summon super strength to pick up eighty pound Emma and we drove off. Be smart about where you wash up.
Dish Washing Station
Why I use it: Keeping a clean site is nonnegotiable for avoiding mice and bears. These are durable enough to handle heavy waste without tearing so you can pack out every bit of trash from your cooking area.
Heavy Duty Trash Bags
Why I use it: From wiping down greasy bike parts to cleaning up cooking spills, having a couple rolls of heavy duty paper towels is absolutely mandatory for keeping your basecamp kitchen from turning into a disaster zone.
Paper Towels
Why I use it: I am not going to sugarcoat backpacking food, it is not always my favorite. But when I am absolutely exhausted and there is nowhere to eat out, bringing a couple of these meals is a great alternative to having to cook.
Backpacking Meal Backups
Why I use it: If you cannot bear the thought of not having coffee like me, I highly recommend a French Press. Just make sure they are not the glass kind. You do not want that to shatter in your car. Some people swear by arrow press, I’ve yet to make a good espresso with one.
Coffee Set Up
Why I use it: For us, it is a nonnegotiable to bring water. You do not always know if there is potable water where you are staying or at a rest stop. Do yourself a favor and just bring water if you have the space.
High Capacity Water Jug
Comfort and Hygiene
Why I use it: If you are racing in a full face helmet, sometimes it can be nice to have a half shell for riding around the venue. It is not as hot or heavy as a full face. Always check with Virginia Tech Helmet Rating for the safest helmets.
Half Shell Helmets
Why I use it: Fixing a derailleur in the dark is a nightmare without one. This keeps your hands free for repairs or finding your way around a dark campsite at night.
Rechargeable Headlamp
Why I use it: This is much better for lighting up the whole cooking area or hangout spot. It creates a nice atmosphere without the harsh beam of a headlamp.
Lantern
Why I use it: A pop up canopy makes an easy cook area and provides shade from the sun so you can hang out comfortably all day.
Pop Up Canopy
Why I use it: This might creep on luxury, but having a comfortable place to sit makes your recovery between practice laps a little nicer if you do not have a hotel.
Camping Chairs
Why I use it: Most places will not have places for you to wash your bike. If you are staying in a hotel, they will often not allow your bikes in if you are dragging in mud. If you need to do maintenance and your bike is too muddy to work on, good luck if you’re camping.
Portable Bike Wash Kit
Why I use it: Not every race venue has showers. Portable showers tend to be expensive and do not work well. When in doubt, body wipes are better than nothing to get the grime off after a ride.
Body Wipes
Why I use it: This comes in handy constantly. Not every rest stop or restaurant will make you happy with their cleanliness or actually having soap. I keep this in the car for quick use whenever we stop.
Hand Sanitizer
Why I use it: Helmet hair is a real struggle when you cannot get to a shower. A quick spray of dry shampoo absorbs the oil and sweat so you do not look like a total disaster when you go grab a post race burger.
Dry Shampoo
Why I use it: Trail dust can be really harsh on your skin. Using a dedicated face wipe at the end of the day feels incredibly refreshing and prevents breakouts from all that dirt sitting on your face.
Gentle Face Wipes
Why I use it: I am not going to explain this one. It should be completely self explanatory. Always bring your own just in case.
Toilet Paper
Why I use it: Sunscreen might be one of those pesky things to apply or bring with you. But it is far more worth pacing it than getting a second degree burn over.
Sunscreen
Why I use it: If you have them, you will not need them, but if you need them, you will not have them. They are perfect for quick fixes and keeping a torn nail from catching on your riding gloves.
Nail Clippers
Why I use it: The exact same rule applies here. If you have them, you will not need them, but they are an absolute lifesaver for pulling out splinters or ticks after a long day in the woods.
Quality Tweezers