So, you’ve signed up for a cycling training camp (it’s a holiday really). Maybe you’re gearing up for a summer of racing, trying to hang on to your fast friends, or just using it as an excuse to escape the dreary UK weather. Either way, you want to make sure you turn up prepared. Forget something important, and you’ll either be suffering unnecessarily or spending half your trip begging for spares.
To help you avoid looking like that person (the one asking to borrow everything from gels to a spare bike), here’s a list of 10 essentials you need before heading off.
- Sunglasses
You’ll be riding long hours, often in bright sunshine (hopefully), so good sunglasses aren’t just for looking pro in the café photos. They protect your eyes from sun, wind, road spray, and the occasional rogue insect trying to take you out at 40km/h. Go for something with decent lenses and full coverage…because nothing ruins a training camp faster than an eye full of grit on day one.
Scott Pro Shield Sunglasses in Black £99.99
Scicon Aeroscope Multimirror Blue/Pink Sunglasses £169
100% Aerocraft Glasses In Gloss Purple Chrome/Purple Multilayer Mirror Lens £174.99 - Arm and leg warmers / gilet
You might have signed up for a ‘sunny’ training camp, but mountain descents at 7AM can be super cold. A lightweight gilet and some arm and leg warmers can be the difference between feeling like a pro and shivering uncontrollably in a café while reconsidering your life choices. Layers are key—pack smart.
Castelli Nano Flex 3G Arm warmer in Blue £25
Pas Normal Studios Logo Leg Warmers Black £60
Pas Normal Studios Men’s Mechanism Stow Away Gilet Beige £95 - Sports nutrition
Long days in the saddle mean your usual “I’ll just have a banana and a flapjack” approach isn’t going to cut it. Maurten is a favourite among pros for a reason, it’s easy on the stomach, packs a serious energy punch, and makes you feel slightly more like Wout Van Aert. Load up on gels, drink mix, and bars unless you want to be the one cracking spectacularly halfway up every climb and demolishing bags of Haribo at the local Hiperdino.
MAURTEN: DRINK MIX 320 £43.20
MAURTEN: GEL 100 £33.95
STYRKR – Training Pack – 7 Day £45 - Cycling GPS
Training camps often mean new roads, long routes, and a high probability of ending up in the middle of nowhere. Unless you enjoy bonus miles and frantic phone battery draining Google Maps sessions, a reliable cycling computer is essential. Whether you’re a Garmin loyalist or a Wahoo die-hard, just make sure yours is charged, updated, and pre-loaded with routes…unless you fancy some unexpected ‘gravel adventures.’
Wahoo ELMNT ACE £549.99 - Bike service
Nothing says disaster like turning up to a training camp with a creaky bottom bracket, worn-out tyres, or brakes that last saw maintenance in 2021. Book a proper service at least two weeks before you go to allow time for any unexpected repairs because discovering your chain is on its last legs on day one of camp is not a good time.
Bike servicing - A good saddle that fits you
If you think you’ll “just tough it out” on an uncomfortable saddle, you are wrong. After six hours in the saddle, you’ll be considering drastic measures. Specialized Mirror saddles are a great option designed to keep your sit bones happy and prevent that why-does-it-hurt-to-sit-on-anything feeling that ruins post-ride meals.
Specialized Power Comp Carbon Saddle in Black £95
Specialized S-Works Power With Mirror Saddle in Black £390
Fizik Argo Adaptive 00 Saddle in Black £399.99 - Fresh socks
Cycling folklore states that new socks make you ride at least 10 watts faster. Is this scientifically proven? Absolutely not. But show up with crisp, fresh socks, and you’ll at least look fast. And when the fatigue kicks in, those little style wins matter.
Pas Normal Studios Solitude Socks – White £18
Pas Normal Studios PAS Mechanism Socks Dark Olive £18
Scott Performance Crew Socks in White/Black £19.99 - Bike bag
Taking your pride and joy abroad? Protect it properly. A good bike bag will keep your frame, wheels, and components safe from the horrors of airport luggage handling. Because there’s nothing worse than assembling your bike at your destination and realising your rear mech is now a modern art installation.
EVOC Bike Travel Bag Pro £469
Evoc Pro Road Bike Bag in Black £749 - Mini tool kit
You don’t need to bring your entire home workshop, but a solid mini tool kit with a torque wrench, spare derailleur hanger, chain lube, and some zip ties (because zip ties fix everything) will keep your bike running smoothly. It also prevents you from being the person borrowing tools every evening while your friends are in the bar.
Syncross Multi-Tool Matchbox SL- X black one size £39.99
Silca Italian Venti Bike Multi Tool in Black £66
Park Tool Rescue Tool Pod Multi-Tool in Blue £69.99 - If all else fails… A new bike is sure to make you faster
Okay, this one might be a bit drastic, but let’s be honest, if you’ve been eyeing up a new bike, a training camp is the perfect excuse. Aero gains, lighter frame, electronic shifting…whatever helps you justify it. Because nothing says “I’m serious about my training” like turning up with a brand new machine that makes everyone else slightly jealous. Go on, treat yourself.
Pinarello Dogma F Ultegra Di2 Road Bike £7500
Scott Foil RC Ultimate SRAM Red AXS Road Bike £11999
Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 £12000
A cycling training camp is all about getting the most out of yourself, big miles, big efforts, and big café stops. Make sure you’re fully prepped with these essentials, and you’ll be in for a great trip. Forget them, and well… let’s just say your friends will never let you hear the end of it.
Now, go book that service, load up on Maurten, and (maybe) start eyeing up that new bike.
