WHO THIS IS FOR
IS THIS YOU?
The first-time sportive rider
You want to know exactly what to pack so you do not forget anything or carry too much.
The over-packer
You carry too much on rides and want to know what you can leave behind.
THE ROADMAN VIEW
The Roadman view
Anthony has seen riders at sportive start lines with saddle bags the size of a brick, three spare tubes, a chain breaker, and enough food for a week. You do not need any of that. A sportive has feed stations, neutral support, and other riders who will lend you a tube if you need one. The goal is to carry the minimum that gets you self-sufficiently from one feed station to the next.
The non-negotiables: two bottles (you burn through one per hour in warm weather), enough food for 60g of carbohydrate per hour until the next feed station (typically 2-3 hours worth), one tube, levers, a CO2 or mini pump, and a multi-tool. Your phone and a bank card go in a pocket in case you need to call for a pickup or buy food at a cafe. A lightweight rain gilet weighs 60g and takes up no space — pack it every time, because getting caught in the rain without one on a long descent turns discomfort into hypothermia risk.
Everything else is optional. Leave the second tube, the chain tool, the arm warmers, and the energy drink powder at home unless conditions specifically demand them. Every extra gram in your pockets is weight you carry up every climb.
EXPERT EVIDENCE
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
- Roadman podcast — sportive preparationAs discussed across multiple episodes
The riders who enjoy sportives most are the ones who carry the minimum essential kit and arrive at feed stations with a plan. Over-packing adds weight, discomfort and anxiety. Under-packing creates genuine risk. The sweet spot is a saddle bag with mechanical essentials and jersey pockets with fuel.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
DO THIS WEEK
Pack the night before
Lay out everything on a table the night before: tubes, levers, pump, multi-tool, gels, bars, gilet, phone, card. Put mechanical kit in the saddle bag, food and gilet in jersey pockets. Check pump works and tube has no holes.
Plan food around feed stations
Check the route map for feed station locations. Carry enough food to fuel yourself between stations at 60g carbs/hr. Most sportives have stations every 30-50 km, so 3-5 gels or bars is typically enough.
Practise a tube change before the event
If you have never changed a tube at the roadside, practise at home. On event day with cold hands and nerves, you do not want this to be your first time.
COMMON MISTAKES
WHAT CYCLISTS GET WRONG
MISTAKECarrying too much food and not using feed stations.
FIXFeed stations exist for a reason. Carry enough fuel between stations and top up at each one. Your pockets are not a pantry.
MISTAKEForgetting a rain gilet.
FIXWeather changes. A gilet weighs 60g and fits in a pocket. It is the difference between a manageable descent in rain and a miserable, possibly dangerous one.
MISTAKENot carrying phone or money.
FIXMechanicals happen. If you cannot fix a problem at the roadside, you need to call for help or buy a coffee while you wait for neutral support.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Should I carry a CO2 inflator or a mini pump?
How many gels should I carry for a sportive?
Do I need to carry water if there are feed stations?
Should I wear a backpack on a sportive?
What should I put in my saddle bag?
Should I carry a chain link?
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