SeVen Gravel Race is coming up fast. You’ve put in the leave, accomodation’s booked, your bike is ready to race, and (hopefully) all those hours of training have paid off.

Sure, it’s a race, but to finish first, you must first finish. We’ve put together a list of essential gear to make sure that you get through the full ride, no matter what happens.

Even the most elite athletes will carry essential spares. Keegan Swenson's Stigmata (pictured) is still adorned with various quick-access tubeless plugs and a chain link.

1. Hydration & Nutrition

It’s a long day in the saddle, and staying hydrated and fed is key. While there is water stops throughout the course, drinking a mix of electrolytes and carbs can make the difference between smashing the final few climbs, or cramping early.

Pro tip: If you haven’t been training with energy gels, don’t expect your stomach to magically be able to handle 8 of them on race day. After a few hours of gels and chews, you’ll probably be craving real food - pack a wrap or some bars.

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2. Layered Clothing

Mornings in Nannup are cold at this time of year. Make sure you wear something warm that you can shed and stash while riding, once you warm up. Summer base layers provide a light layer of isolation without getting too warm. A vest (gillet) and arm warmers are easy to hide in the back pocket for the rest of the day.

3. Tools

If things do go mechanically wrong, you’ll need tools to fix them. A 6mm hex Allen key is critical to removing a wheel, and you’ll want a tyre lever if you need to fix a flat. Carrying a spare chain link is great, but remember you will also may need a chain breaker tool to remove the broken link. Some quality multi tools will have these features built-in, or brands like OneUp Components make an all-in-one tool & pump solution that you can hide on your bike.

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On a long and unforgiving race, it's wise to not expect or rely on help from other riders. Pack the gear you need to make it home.

4. Storage (for snacks & essentials)

Pockets fill up quickly when fuelling and gearing up for a 100km+ ride. A frame or handlebar bag enables you to offload your essentials to the bike, and focus just on riding. A top-tube bag is great for quick access to gels and bars.

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5. A quick puncture repair (tubeless plugs & CO2)

Fast fire-roads and rough gravel are an exciting mix. If you get a small puncture that doesn’t seal with your tubeless sealant, a tubeless plug is a quick fix that can get you rolling fast. Top it up with a CO2 inflator and you can get rolling again fast.

6. A slow puncture repair (tube & pump)

While tubeless is great, sometimes a sharp object can cut the tyre and leave a hole too big to plug. In this scenario, the only fix is to run an inner tube. Remove the tubeless valve, cover the hole with something tough and flexible (like the Tyre Boot included in the Lezyne Classic Patch Kit), and fit your spare tube. A pump is slower than a CO2 inflator, but is re-usable, should you experience another flat or slow leak down the line.

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7. Bike essential parts

Don’t forget any essential parts that might be specific to your bike. A quick link that suits your chain, a tube, and derailleur hanger are always a safe bet. If you’re running AXS, a spare derailleur and shifter battery are good to bring, and at least leave in the car. If you’re travelling and packing your bike into a bag - don’t forget your damn thru axles. And if you’ve been doing a lot of gravel riding recently, it’s worth spending 5 minutes to do a full bolt check of your bike the night before the race.

8. Still looking for ideas? A new bike might help.

Okay. You entered the race months ago, but the training didn’t shape up exactly how you planned. Maybe it’s time to pick up that new gravel bike you’ve been dreaming of. You need all the help you can get, right?

Shop Gravel Bikes in stock at Empire