The Joy Ride

Packing Guide


Proper planning can make or break any adventure. The Joy Ride is no different. Make sure all of your bike equipment is in proper shape. Get a proper fitting for your bike if necessary and a tune up before the ride. Bring the supplies with you that you may need such as extra tubes, flat kit, etc. Make sure you have two water bottles with cages that are secure. If you need a handlebar bag to carry an extra layer or a place to remove a layer. You should have had plenty of experience riding your bike before the Joy Ride begins. Bring what you know you need to make for a great ride experience. We may have some items, but it is your responsibility to bring the items you need for your ride with you.

Make sure to bring your gear in one bag. We will provide you with a luggage tag, so we know whose bag it is. The Joy Ride will also transport your gear from the Start Line on Friday to the Friday night hotel and then from the hotel to the Finish Line on Saturday.

The Joy Ride does its best effort to have Bike Tech's at every stop. These folks donate their labor, but you are responsible for paying them for any supplies or equipment you may require. The First Aid Crew may also have some of the items you need to take care of your needs, but if you are prepared, you will be able to solve some of the basic issues quickly.

Required/Strongly encouraged:

  • Download the Joy Ride App!
  • Bicycle - your own or rented (mechanically safe and in good working order, make sure to have it inspected for bike fit prior to the ride)
  • Helmet (ASTM, Snell, ANSI or CPSC approved)
  • 2 Water bottles (one filled with an electrolyte replacement drink) OR 1 hydration pack (like a Camelback), plus a bottle filled with an electrolyte replacement drink.
  • Bike frame pump or CO2 cartridges.
  • Patch kit or spare tube that will fit your tire size.
  • Bicycle multi-tool for making adjustments.
  • Bike seat bag (to carry multi-tool, tire irons, patch kits, tubes, cell phone, cash/credit card)

Useful and nice to have, but not mandatory:

  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellant, hand wipes or hand sanitizer
  • Lip balm w/ sunscreen.
  • Band-Aids
  • Cycling gloves
  • Sunglasses

Other Items to pack in your gear:

  • Variety of riding clothes for 2 days (make sure to be prepared for variable weather)
  • Clothes for evening functions and Key West (shorts, t-shirts, jeans, flip flops, very casual)
  • Any prescription medications you may need.
  • Antacid, ointments, bandages, Ibuprofen
  • Toiletries
  • Earplugs (to drown out the snoring from your roommate)

Please DO NOT pack valuables in your gear (ie: Identification, Money, Credit Cards, Cameras, or other expensive or fragile items. These things should be kept with you at all times.)

Gear and/or luggage

  • On registration day, you will receive a luggage tag to securely place on your gear, but it is a good idea to mark your luggage with your identification in advance.
  • Your luggage will travel in a Box Truck just for gear! One of Crew Teams sole responsibility is to take your luggage on Friday morning (please limit your gear to one bag), transport it to the overnight hotel, and have it available when you arrive at the Gear Truck.
  • On Saturday morning you will again drop your luggage at the Gear Truck where it will be loaded back on the Box Truck taken to the Finish Line.
  • Immediately following the closing ceremonies, you can pick up your luggage and gear from the Gear Truck and head to your hotel.
  • Check the housing page for recommendations on where to stay.
The Joy Ride is produced by FAB Adventures, Inc. (EIN: 99-1537722), a tax-exempt non-profit organization under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 501(c)(3). Donations and other contributions to The Joy Ride Inc. are tax-deductible under IRC Section 170.

"FAB Adventures, Inc." DBA "The Joy Ride" is committed to creating, producing, and overseeing community-based events in which 100% of what the participant raises is returned to benefiting non-profit organizations. In so doing, we act as an avenue for change in the non-profit fundraising community.

Contributions benefit FAB Adventures, Inc., a not-for-profit tax-exempt organization. A copy of the official registration and financial information of FAB Adventures, Inc., CH75670 may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free 1-800-435-7352 within the state of Florida, or at www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Charities. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. FAB Adventures, Inc. receives 100% of each contribution.