Required and Recommended Kit
What You Need
Required and Recommended Kit
What you must carry, and what we’d strongly suggest you add to your kit list. Kielder is remote — this list keeps you safe if things go wrong.
Must‑Carry Items
Required Kit — All Distances
You must carry these items at all times. These are for rider safety.
Front light
At least 300 lumens, 2hr burn time. Not required on the 65 km.
Rear light
With a flashing mode.
Emergency whistle
Packs down to nothing, could matter a lot.
Survival blanket
A simple foil one is fine.
Waterproof jacket
Taped or welded seams, as a minimum.
Spare warm hat or buff
Weather turns quickly out there.
Spare thermal top
For if you have to stop.
Spare inner tube and tyre levers
Even if you're tubeless.
Pump
Yes — even if you're tubeless or carry gas canisters.
Multitool
For rudimentary repairs on course.
Mobile phone
Signal is limited, but carry one.
Food for the full ride
Feed stations supplement, they don't replace.
Capacity for 1.5 litres of water
Bottles or hydration pack.
Good‑to‑Have Items
Recommended kit
Not compulsory, but experienced riders carry most of this.
Suitable bike
33c or larger off-road tyres. Gravel bike ideal; a hardtail MTB is fine.
GPS unit and spare batteries
The course is waymarked but navigate for yourself too.
Spare disc pads
Especially if it's wet.
Chain link and chain lube
Wet forest gravel is hard on drivetrains.
Spare rear mech hanger
Cheap to carry, ride-ending without it.
Basic first aid kit
Parts of the route are genuinely remote.
Getting to Kielder
Travel, parking and places to stay for the weekend.