Tackling a seven-day, 500+ mile cycling adventure takes preparation. One of the best steps you can take to prepare for the Empire State Ride is to pack appropriately. From there, check out the tips below from our veteran riders for inspiration on some of the more unique items you might need.
🚲 Terry Bourgeois
ESR founder Terry Bourgeois suggests packing:
- Flashlight for navigating camp
- Vitamins, focusing on magnesium and potassium supplements for recovery
- BioFreeze or a topical pain-relieving product
- Earplugs to use in the tent
- Desitin for skin irritation
🚲 Maria Thor
Six-year rider Maria Thor is always prepared with:
- Performance bars
- Packs of nuts
- Pedialyte for hydration
- Toilet paper with a plastic bag for use in between rest stops
- Tube, co2 cartridge and bike tool
🚲 Joyce Ohm
Four-year veteran rider Joyce Ohm can’t leave home without:
- Gallon Ziplock plastic bags – she packs her kits (jersey, bibs, sports bra, socks) in plastic bags for each day, with clothes for the evening, as well. Dirty clothes go back in the plastic bags. If it rains, suitcases can get wet, and the bags protect her clothing from rain.
- Lightweight, fitted sheet to cover the air mattress
- Battery-operated fan for the tent
- Recovery shakes and a reusable water bottle
- …. and most importantly: A sense of humor!
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!
