Kit List: What to pack for the Alps

Written By John MacKellar

Wondering what to bring on the Alps Challenge? What spares to bring or how many kits is Craig going to bring? I may not have the answer to the last one, but in this blog post I’ll share my kit list, the minimum kit list and what to put in your wet bag.

What am I going to pack for the Alps?

My kit list is the same as the minimum kit list below with a few differences.

Tactic kit is fantastic and I’m not just saying that, it really is. I used to use a lot of Rapha kit but the Tactic Signature bib shorts are better than any Rapha shorts I’ve ever used. I’m fortunate to have plenty to choose from so I’ll bring 8 kits for the 8 days of riding and use one each day. I put each full kit in a zipper bag, to save looking for kit when tired.

Tactic Custom kit includes’s our Alps Challenge kit and the Tactic UK team kit, ‘Collection’ kit is their off the peg kit and can be ordered pretty much at any time. As Alps Challengers, you get 20% off any collection kit. Just drop me or Craig a message about it.

John’s Kit List

8 x Bib shorts

  • 4 x Custom bib shorts to match the trip kit and team kits.

  • 1 x Nomad Bib Shorts with their cargo pockets for carrying extra food (Collection).

  • 3 x Signature Bib Shorts (Collection). The navy shorts match perfectly with the Alps kit. Pictured right.

  • 8 x short sleeve jerseys - The custom jerseys are all Hard Day jerseys and I find these more comfortable on really long days than the top of the line Signature jersey.

    • 1/2 Alps Challenge Jerseys (Custom).

    • 2/3 Team Jerseys (Custom)

    • 2 x Hard Day Jerseys (Collection). The new version of these has just been released the Signature Essence Jersey

    • 1 x Signature Jersey (Collection)

  • 8 x Socks. Mostly white ones, a few black in case there’s a bit of rain. The Tactic Socks are great.

  • Go-Pro for vids of the stunning mountains.

  • Socket extender - 1 socket isn’t enough to charge phone, garmin and go-pro.

  • Foam roller. Bit of foam roller and stretching stops any niggles. I didn’t bring it on the last trip and I noticed the difference.

  • 24 x OTE Super Gels (our 30% discount code is OTE-Tactic30)

  • 1 x box of OTE bars

  • 1 x tube of Hydro tabs. (1 bottle of water and 1 bottle of electro tabs on the bike)

  • Protein shake mixing bottle.

  • 8 x OTE Soya Recovery sachets

  • Sporty Bakes - Vegan Selection. We’ll organise an order pre-trip.

Strawberry and Peanut Butter Sporty Bakes

What’s the minimum kit I should bring?

Here’s what we think is the minimum kit list. If you bring this, you’ll have to hand wash some kit in hotel sinks or take advantage of Launderette’s when you can find them. You’ll notice there are base layers on the list. Even when it’s baking hot, I’m a big fan of always using a base layer. The Tactic base layers help to regulate body temperature and when it gets a little nippier at the top when you’re about to descend, it stops you getting cold.

Minimum Kit List: Cycling Kit

  • 3 x bib shorts

  • 3 x short sleeve jerseys

  • 3 x sleeveless base layers

  • 5 x pair of socks

  • 2 x pair arm warmers

  • 2 x pair of leg warmers

  • 1 x Gillet

  • Cycling shoes

  • Helmet

  • Cycling glasses - Recommended: Also bring some low-light lenses

  • Garmin/GPS cycling computer

  • HRM strap (If you use one)

  • Garmin cable

  • 1 x Waterproof Rain cape

  • 2 x pair of fingerless gloves / mitts

  • 1 x pair of winter gloves

  • 1 x long sleeve base layer

  • 1 x long sleeve jersey

  • 1 x winter jacket

  • Buff/snood

  • Overshoes

  • Cycling cap

    Minimum Kit List: The Essentials

  • Passport

  • Travel Insurance - LINK

  • EHIC Card

  • Phone & charger

  • Travel socket adaptor

  • Money for cafés/bars

  • 3 x Water bottles

  • Casual clothing - Keep to a minimum

  • Toiletries

  • Ibuprofen

  • Sun cream

  • Laundry liquid - These laundry strips are great. Cut 2 of these strips in to quarters for 8 hand washes.

    Minimum Kit List: Bike and Tools

  • Bike - packed to go on van. Blog post on how to pack is coming soon!

  • Front and rear light - Legal requirement in France to have front and rear light when riding in tunnels.

  • Saddle bag

  • 2 x Inner tubes

  • Pump

  • 2 x sets of brake pads

  • Split link for chain

  • Any additional tools needed to pack your bike e.g. pedal spanner or 8mm

  • Multi-tool

  • 2032 / Coin batteries, if your bike needs them.

  • Chamois cream

  • OTE Bars - Remember, we’ve got 30% discount on these.

  • OTE Gels

  • OTE Hydro tabs

  • OTE Recovery drink sachets

    What can I put in my ‘Wet bag’ and what can I put on the van?

Riders putting their rain kit on in the van on the Dolomites trip in 2017.

A ‘wet bag’ should contain any kit that you might need should the weather take a turn for the worse. It should be a small bag that is clearly labelled with your name. A drawstring bag is an ideal size. The broom wagon will carry your wet bag for the week.

When you drop your bike off, drop your wet bag off too and this can go straight on the broom wagon.

From the above list of kit, put thie following in your wet bag.

Wet Bag Pack List

  • Winter jacket

  • Arm Warmers

  • Leg warmers

  • Overshoes

  • Winter gloves

  • Buff/Snood

  • Energy Bar

  • Ibuprofen

John MacKellar
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