What to wear during rides
Helmet - half face or full face as preferred, must be well fitting for your safety
Eye protection - Goggles or sunglasses as preferred
Gloves - Full finger for protection
Knee pads required - elbow pads and any other protection such as chest armour as you wish
Riding jersey - Long sleeve preferred
Riding shorts or trousers
Base layer top - optional layer to regulate temperature
Base layer shorts - padded to be comfortable to wear for all day rides
Base layer leggings - optional for really cold weather
Comfortable socks - dedicated bike socks or go wild with colourful odd socks - it’s your choice! wear winter or double socks for cold weather.
Mountain bike riding shoes - or flat sole trainers / outdoor shoes to grip on the pedals
What to carry during rides
Riding backpack - large enough to hold the following items;
Waterproof jacket and fleece - windproof fleece if possible
Spare jersey, spare socks, plus spare gloves if you have
Buff / Neck warmer
Two Inner tubes - correct size for your wheels, or largest wheel if you have mixed wheel setup
Spare mech hanger, spare chain link for your size of chain, spare brake pads to suit your brakes
Pump, multi-tool & tyre levers - and any specialist tools unique to your bike
Personal first aid, personal medication, asthma inhaler, EpiPen if you have them, sun cream - Let your guide know where these are located
Hydration pack or water bottle - please close the valve to avoid leaks when traveling
Space for packed lunch and snacks for a days riding - fruit, sweets, protein / energy bars etc
Dry bag / plastic bag - keeps wet or muddy clothes separate from your clean kit
Kit for the end of the ride
Bag to be left in the trailer during the ride
Full change of clothes to wear / change in to for traveling - we’ll get changed into comfortable clothes at the end of the ride.
Spare shoes and socks - no one wants to put on their riding shoes back on to travel!
Dry bag / plastic bag - keeps wet or muddy clothes separate from your clean kit
Changing robe / poncho - or we have one spare youth size available to borrow
Towel - microfibre is recommended for quick drying
Dry shower or similar product - can be used as an extra wash.
Roll on deodorant - we don’t allow spray deodorant for safety
Kit for the journey
Bag can be left in the transporter during the ride
Personal money in a wallet or contactless card / phone for shops if required
Travel sickness tablets if you use these for car travel
Non-riding Waterproof Jacket - i.e. a clean one!
Optional Extras
GoPro action type cameras - Spare battery, charger and space on the memory card
Phone - don’t forget, a playlist of your top 10 songs to share in the car!
Battery pack for charging phones or cameras, and cables
Sun glasses - so you look cool :)
Kit your guide carries to keep you safe
To keep all our riders safe and bikes working, your guide will carry an all the kit in this photo and more. We have full outdoor first aid kits, spare inhaler, sun and bite cream. Spare youth clothing, gloves, socks, jerseys. A full tool kit and spares for just about any mechanical issue, and we even carry an 8 person survival shelter!
We encourage our riders to be self-reliant and carry their own spares and tools so they are prepared, but with the back up of our help during our guided rides.
So next time you see your guide carrying a huge backpack - you know it's not just their five course packed lunch! ...maybe
New bike, service or kit?
Visit our friends at CycleHighlands in Ballater for comprehensive guidance on selecting the ideal bike and the best gear for your next mountain bike adventure!
CycleHighlands stands as one of the superstores of Santa Cruz bicycles in the United Kingdom and the largest in Scotland. Santa Cruz bicycles are renowned for their exceptional quality, with a lifetime warranty encompassing the frame, bearings, carbon rims, and handlebars. This unwavering reliability has earned our utmost trust in our selection of bikes for our adventures.
Exclusive discount at Crankbrothers
Our partnership with renowned brand in the cycling industry Crankbrothers, provides our riders with an exclusive discount code, when you book with us.
Crankbrothers is known for their high-quality bike components, tools, pedals, and shoes. This partnership aligns seamlessly with our commitment to advising riders on exceptional gear and providing unforgettable mountain biking experiences.