RIDER RESOURCES

RACE MORNING CHECKLIST

Race mornings come early and can be stressful. Remove some of this anxiety by planning ahead and laying out everything you need for race day the night before. Here is our handy checklist:

  • Bike / PSI check
  • Race number, timing chip, post-race meal ticket
  • Shoes
  • Gloves
  • Helmet
  • Sunglasses w/ correct lens
  • Heart rate monitor
  • Sports Bra
  • Bibs
  • Jersey
  • Baselayer
  • Armwarmers
  • Kneewarmers
  • Rain jacket/vest/wind shirt
  • Socks
  • Chamois cream
  • Sunscreen
  • Nutrition
  • Bottles
  • Hydration pack
  • Lights (optional)
  • Cycling computer w/ course downloaded (charged)
  • Charged Di2 / SRAM batteries (+extra)
  • Flat repair kit + tools
  • Personal identification/credit card
  • Extra contact lenses

GRAVEL TIPS FROM THE SBG TEAM

We’ve created these tips to help you with your gravel riding. You can even print the tips card out and keep it with your gear.

  • Body Positioning - RELAX, center weight, shift forward/backward to maintain traction, keep elbows bent, keep your head up.
  • Braking - Use both the front and rear brake to control speed, apply smoothly & gradually, avoid skidding, break BEFORE the turn.
  • Cornering - Look ahead and anticipate, look through the corner, lean bike, turn hips (not hands).
  • Descending - Maintain momentum, center weight over bike, lower your center of gravity, hands in the drops.
  • Climbing - Relax shoulders, open chest, hands on top of bar, keep traction, smooth & steady pedal stroke, anticipate needed gear.
  • Washboard - Use arms & legs as suspension, keep knees slightly bent, maintain momentum, stand if needed to maintain control
  • Mud & Sand - Lower tire pressure, shift weight back and forth, ride in lower gear with high cadence, look ahead
text illustration with a white bike that says Inspiration Flows Both Ways
two coaches showing off bike bags

WHAT'S IN YOUR POCKET

Want to know what the SBG team of coaches carry on their rides? Here’s the essentials that they never leave home without.

  • Multitool
  • Pump
  • Tube
  • CO2 cartridge
  • CO2 inflator head
  • Tire plugs (if tubeless)
  • Tire boot (if tubeless) or $$
  • Tire lever
  • Tweezers
  • Pocket knife
  • Extra valve core
  • Quick link
  • Spare battery (HR monitor, power meter, drivetrain)
  • Latex gloves
  • Sunscreen
  • Cash or credit card