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A person kneels on a sidewalk, smiling, with a bicycle, part of The Empire State Ride, leaning against a brick wall nearby. Clad in a bright orange shirt, they prepare items from two bags—one navy and one orange—with a building entrance visible in the background.

How to pack for a 500+ mile bike ride across New York State

Packing for ESR? Check out these tips.

Tackling a seven-day, 500+ mile cycling adventure takes preparation, and one of the best steps you can take to prepare for Empire State Ride is to pack appropriately. When you register for this lifechanging ride, you’ll be sent all the details about the adventure, including what to bring. Here, you’ll also find a list of necessities and suggestions for your week on the road.

Official Packing List

Additional Suggestions

Check out these additional recommendations from your fellow road warriors:

A group of older men walk down a path carrying luggage and duffel bags. They appear to be arriving at a campsite, with tents visible in the background. It's a sunny day, and they're dressed in casual summer clothing.
  • Tent fan and extra batteries — Steven Beintema
  • First-aid kit (small ace bandage, large patch bandages, alcohol prep pads) and ibuprofen — Willo Connor
  • Daily recovery shake to take within an hour when you get to camp — Jason Santos
  • Large binder clips to use as clothespins for hanging your kit to dry — Jim Cairns
  • Bike lube and rags — Jim Cairns
  • Two-gallon Ziplock bags to organize your clothes each day — Erica Pompey
  • Shower shoes — Shelley Unocic
  • Portable charger with cord(s) for phone and bike device(s) — Shelley Unocic
  • Tube and tire levers — Shelley Unocic
  • Allen wrenches that fit your bike — Shelley Unocic
  • Multi-port charging block with enough capacity for all of your electronics — Christine Standish

Extra supplies, like first-aid necessities, are also available at the HUB or through the bike mechanics and SAG team.

Learn more

Here are a few more words of advice from riders who have been there:

Steve Mars, ESR co-chairman

Steve Mars

Ten-time road warrior Steve Mars says:

“#1 tip is to use a rolling bag … no need to carry or drag from the luggage truck after a long day of riding.”

Christine Standish

 Third-year road warrior Christine Standish recommends that you:

 

“Love everything you pack, especially your kit (shoes, socks, bib/shorts, jersey, helmet, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, chamois cream) and don’t bring anything you haven’t tried/tested before!”

Christine Standish, an ESR alumna, stands outside Wagner College at orientation during Empire State Ride 2023.
A woman smiles outdoors, wearing a gray "Empire State Ride" cap and a bright yellow T-shirt with a city skyline graphic. She has a necklace with a charm and stands in front of a blurred, green background.

Erica Pompey

Four-time ESR road warrior Erica Pompey says:

 

“Get the two-gallon Ziplock bags and put in your jersey, socks, and shorts for each day. Number the outside for what day it’s for. Then, after that day is over, put it back in the bag …keeps the stench in one place.”

As part of the $3,500 fundraising commitment, riders are provided with a tent, air mattress, camp chair and towel service each day. Each rider is allowed two medium-size bags, plus a sleeping bag and pillow that we transport each day. The weight of any single bag may not exceed 35 pounds. Pack strategically to have everything you need to enjoy the week!

Camping at ESR