Download the Windy.app Cycling Checklist. Everything you need to practice this sport

Cycling is great but not the easiest sport to practice as it may seem from the outside, especially if we are talking about road bikes. It requires not only the skills and experience but also special equipment and clothing, consisting of a lot of essential things that are easier to forget than to remember, right?

To prevent this from happening to you, check out the Windy.app Cycling Checklist. The list will work primarily for road cycling but considering that the equipment and clothing are repeated with minor additions and exceptions, it will also be suitable for mountain biking, bike touring and even the city biking, including ebikes.

We have tried to make the list as complete as possible with more than 100 items in it. So it is not necessary to bring all the things on the list but only the ones without which you actually can't do cycling. For example, you should not neglect everything about hydration and nutrition, and safety on the road, even if it seems "unnecessary". Conversely, it is quite possible to neglect things like "a larger backpack that can hold more spare things", or even clipless pedals if you can and prefer to ride with the regular ones. See for yourself according to your situation.

Download and print out the cycling checklist (434 KB, PDF, Google Drive) to make sure you have everything with you when it comes to the actual cycling adventure.

1. Cycling equipment, spare parts, and repairs

Bicycle (the one you buy usually include: frame, handlebars with brakes and shifters, saddle, chain and two wheels with tires)
Clipless pedals
Regular platform bike pedals with or without a toe clips
Two flask holders
Two flasks of 500–750 ml each
Front and rear rain fenders for wheels
Hex keys (4 and 5 mm must-have) or universal wrench set
Pedal wrench
Screwdrivers set
Two spare bike tubes
Two spare bike tires
Floor pump
Valve adaptors: Presta for road bikes and Schrader for mountain bikes
Spare bike chain
Chain fixing tool
Replacement chain links
Tire lever
Tire patches and glue or tire repair kit
Chain lubricant (no spray!)
Bike mirrors
Bike bell (ring)
Under-saddle bag
Frame bag, handlebar bag, trunk bag, and others for bike touring
Cycling backpack for 10/20 liters max
Wheel covers or full bike cover
Bike lock
Bike rack to make bike stand itself on the floor
Other

2. Safety, emergency, and different useful items

Cycling helmet
Cycling or any sportive glasses
Front and rear bike lights
Headlight
Some reflective things for your bike and cloths
Extra batteries for bike lights or USB cable
Portable or mini pump with a holder or CO2 inflator with cartridges
Basic all-purpose first aid kit or emergency kit
Dry or liquid alcohol
Notepad, pen, and pencil
Other

3. Clothing, accessories, and personal hygiene

Base layer breathable shirt
Boxers if needed
Three pairs of ski socks minimum
Cycling jersey with short sleeves for hot weather
Cycling jersey with long sleeves for cold weather
Cycling waist shorts or bibs shorts
Summer cycling waist pants or bibs pants
Winter cycling pants
Sleeves (arm warmers)
Knee or leg warmers
Buff or any other neck warmer
Windbreaker vest
Wind and rain light jacket
Thermal underwear top and bottom for the winter
Winter cycling jacket
Cycling cap
Bandanna
Cycling gloves for hot and cold weather
Clipless shoes
Regular bike shoes for mountain biking
Post-ride set of clothes
Post-ride shoes or sandals
Clipless pedals clips
Running or tennis shoes
Sunscreen
Chamois cream from saddle sores

4. Navigation, mobile connection, and energy

Bike computer and its holder for the handlebar
Smartphone holder for the handlebar instead of a computer
Windy.app Pro weather app
Paper and electronic maps of the region
Route description printed on paper
GPS navigator (GPS trekker)
Mobile or satellite phone
Smartwatch with altimeter and track recorder app
A small camera, GoPro, and the like
Powerbank
Portable solar panel
Other

5. Identity papers, money, and insurance

National ID
Drivers license
International passport with a visa (if required)
Any types of permits (if needed)
Rules of transportation of bike in luggage and payment
Emergency phone number and other contacts
Your itinerary and contacts left to this service, friends, and hotel
Credit card
Cash in local currency
Health, travel, and sportive insurance
Other

Check other Windy.app checklists. Soon we'll share similar checklists for all other top 20 outdoor sports and activities you can practice with the Windy.app.

Text: Ivan Kuznetsov, an outdoor journalist, editor and writer from the Dolomites, Italy, and Karelia, Finland, with 10 years of professional experience. His favorite sports are hiking, cycling and sauna. Read his other articles

Cover photo: woman cycling on road racing bikes in Brouwersdam, Ouddorp, Netherlands. Coen van de Broek / Unsplash