Equipment requirements for road courses

By Dan Cook
Riding in Cuba on the Bike Tour Leader course
Once you have booked on your course, you should prepare the equipment you will need for it. Most specialist or location based equipment will be provided, but as a future group leader, assistant or instructor, you are likely to require some of these items in the future anyway.

It goes without saying that everything you bring should be in good working order. Of course, you wouldn't want to be unable to complete the course because your equipment failed! We don't expect your stuff to be expensive, shiny or new, but it does need to do the job it is intended for, and to fulfil the requirements of the course.

Your own equipment should include

  • Bike to suit the course, as outlined in each course section below;
  • Clothing for riding for two or three rides (depending on your course format). This should be appropriate for the season and for inclement weather (we will still go out), so should include for full arm and leg cover.  Remember that the course is primarily about learning, so will include regular stops and discussions, the NSI course especially spends a lot of time standing still observing others, and the clothes you wear should account for this.
  • Gloves to suit the season;
  • Helmet - this should be cycle suitable, CE marked and in serviceable condition.  There are some road environments where it is not a requirement to wear a helmet.  Please contact us for further details if required.
  • Spare clothing to carry on rides;
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers (not necessarily for riding in);
  • Personal bike repair kit. We suggest a minimum of pump, tyre levers, a couple of tubes, puncture repair kit and a simple multi tool.
  • Personal first aid kit and personal medical support where needed;
  • Water bottles or bladder;
  • Pens and paper;
  • Towel and wash kit, for residential courses;
  • A bike lock to secure your bike when not in use;
  • Pipe lagging, or padding to protect your bike from damage during transit to and from rides, where used;
  • Where available, safety or cycling suitable eyewear;
  • Small rucksack, pannier or bag to carry things such as your lunch, waterproof etc in.

Additional equipment to bring, if you have it

These items are not a requirement for your course, but if you have them available, they should prove useful.  As a Leader or Instructor, you will need to either own them in the future, or have them accessible to you (e.g. through work).

  • Cycle computer
  • Maintenance tools and bike stand
  • Hi-viz gillet or jacket

Requirements for the Bike Tour Leader course

The Bike Tour Leader course is based primarily on roads, with some cyclepaths which may be tarmac or firm non-tarmac (e.g. compacted stone) surfaced.  Your bike and its tyres should suitable for all these surfaces.

Requirements for the National Standard Instructor, Introduction to Supporting Rides and Ride Manager courses

These courses will be based on tarmac surfaces throughout, either roads or cycle paths.  Your bike should suitable for all these surfaces

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