We want you to have the best possible experience on your holiday with Alpine Chain Gang. We do everything to make sure every eventuality is considered and we appreciate it’s not easy to prepare for a trip when you’re not sure exactly what you’ll need, so here’s a checklist of what we recommend you to pack.

Cycling Gear:

If you don’t want to bring your own bike, we can hire out high-quality carbon-framed bikes with appropriate gears. Let us know if this is something you wish us to arrange. If you do bring your own, our vans are stocked with basic spares and if we don’t have a particular component we can hopefully source this for you fairly quickly from local bike shops.

• Obviously you need a bike, and the lighter the bike the better. However, it’s the gearing that makes the hills easier. With the right set-up, you can ride up any hill
• Compact chain ring or triple chain ring are essential and we advise Compact 50/34 on the front and up to 28 teeth on the back. This will get you up even the longest and steepest of Alpine Climbs.
• Helmet – must be worn at all times when riding
• Spare tubes and tyres – we have a supply of these but it is a good idea to bring your own too
• Tyre levers and small pump – support is always around to help with punctures if needed and we have track pumps in the vans
• Small light for your bike for use in alpine tunnels
• Water bottles – bring at least three
• Bike computer or GPS – this is optional, but handy as we can give you a download of our route each day

Bike Clothes:

In summer it’s normally very hot, but weather can change quickly at altitude so it’s best to prepared for all eventualities. In addition to your main luggage, you may wish to bring a smaller bag in which to put spare layers and supplies such as spares and suncream. This can be stored in the van so it is easily accessible should the weather change on our journeys.

• Biking shoes
• Biking tops
• Padded cycling shorts
• Long sleeved top for sun protection/arm warmers
• Cycling trousers/leg warmers
• Short and long-fingered gloves
• Hat that fits under the helmet
• Windproof top
• Gilet/ waterproof jacket
• Sunglasses

General items:

In the evenings things are very casual so there’s no need to bring smart clothes; just something you’ll be comfortable wearing after all your hard work on the mountains. Most importantly, don’t forget sunscreen and a camera or mobile phone to capture all the beautiful views.

• Clothes/shoes to wear in the evening

• Swimming costume – some of the hotels we use have a pool
• Camera
• Currency
• Mobile phone
• Personal medication/creams – you won’t need first aid kit as we carry that in our vans
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent/sting cream
• If you’ve got a favourite energy bar or gel, feel free to bring these with you. We do supply snacks, fruit and energy bars, so this is optional
• Insurance documents
• EHIC card (UK residents only)

In our next blog post we’ll explain a little bit more about what a typical day looks like on a tour, so you will get an idea of what your holiday has in store. So check back soon.