From Checklists to Chamois Cream: How Riders Get Race-Ready

Cycling
Written By Leigh Dennison

Rattlesnake Gravel Grind, Sweetwater TX

Race day isn’t just about watts and watt-nots — it’s about the goals you’ve set for yourself, your early-morning rituals, the gear you swear by, and seeing the finish line. I wanted to capture more than just the action — I wanted to document what makes each rider’s day theirs. 

Calm before the storm

The pre-race jitters set in - is your race out of town or is it down the street? Did you pack everything you needed? Spare tubes? Gels? Skratch? Spare chain links? Bottles? Check, check, check, & check. 

As a photographer, I go through a similar process but with slightly different equipment. As a photographer AND recovering cyclist, I can relate all too well but what I notice is that everyone has a different ritual. My boyfriend is very list oriented and I’m very relaxed and tend to wing it. So, I posed the question to my network… How do YOU prep to ensure success for your races (or rides?)

I already mentioned that Matt puts a plan together the night before and sticks to it as close as possible as the best way to keep stress down at a race…”the fewer things between me and the race in the morning the better.” David King, a race organizer who runs the Rattlesnake Gravel Grind in Sweetwater, TX every year says he emphasises carb loading (here’s why it’s important and how to do it right). Zack in Florida keeps it simple with a McDonalds Egg McMuffin, Freddy maintains 2 double shots of Guatemala washed from Huehue, while Paul (@paule915) keeps it dialed in with North Atlantic salmon, broiled, broccoli, white rice, and a pile of salt.

The importance is to create a routine that keeps you grounded, prepared, and ready to punch it at the start. 

Race Day game face

Most riders prioritize comfort and fit; style comes second — but not last. The most important thing to remember is to not wear anything new on race day but make sure you’re comfortable. Oscar Peña ops for well-fit gear that doesn’t billow in the wind but prioritizes visibility…

”Choose kit colors that will stand out on the road and in photos.” - Oscar

If you’re part of a team like Daniel Salinas (@imsplitbit) is a part of Team Nemesis, wear your kit with pride! Since he has a go-to jersey, he focuses on chamois comfort. He does more endurance distances like Lifetime’s Unbound he just completed. There are various brands but I recommend Butt’r Chamois Creme (there’s a For Her option that’s friendly with lady ph levels). 

The lead out

It can be difficult to get dialed in on what works for you to get the results you desire but as anyone will tell you, it all comes from your training and time off the bike. Focus and consistency.

Don’t push too hard off the start because you won’t have enough left in the tank for the rest of the ride. If you’re doing a sprint style event, that’s a different strategy. Pace yourself and keep moving. A solid playlist helps; just keep focusing on that next mile/km and you’ll do great.

Now comes the fun part - the ride. Marc Schultz (@minnesotamarc), part of the 210 Cycle Riderz says that as long as you put yourself out there and smile, you’ll do just fine. He doesn’t call our any specific equipment but his smile is the key to looking for the camera. On the other hand, Jacob Maldonado (@texmex_gravel) of team Midpack Normies says just to ignore the camera and focus on the trail ahead. 

Photo submitted by Freddy Bolanos

“Usually I see the cameras 📷 and prepare my best pro pose. The camera loves me and I them.” - Freddy

Above all, enjoy the ride! Something that all cyclists, newer participants or veterans alike could benefit from is to have an open mind. Ask questions. If you’re riding with a group, get into a good rhythm and become a sponge to learn. If things don’t go right, that’s ok; it’s just a training ride. However, one thing that I will recommend is if you forget hydration or nutrition, put your safety above all else and back out if there’s no options to cover down because falling behind in water or carbs can cause you to falter which is dangerous for not only yourself, but others around you. Set small, attainable goals.

Just get out there

At the end of the day, no matter how much salt you ate, what color your jersey is, or whether you smiled or scowled for the camera — you showed up. That alone puts you in rare company. Everyone’s version of “race ready” looks a little different, and that’s the beauty of it. Some people prep like it’s a NASA launch. Some eat McMuffins and call it good. But whether you're mid-pack, off the front, or just out for the vibes, it’ll be memorable; especially when you upload it to Strava.

Thanks to everyone who shared their routines, rituals, and post-race wisdom. You made this post what it is. Got a favorite photo or ritual of your own? I’m always looking to spotlight more riders and stories — drop me a line or say hey at the next race.

Here’s a recap:

    • Pack your gear the night before to reduce morning stress

    • Use a checklist if you’re prone to forgetting things

    • Carb load smartly — stick to foods you know work for you

    • Get a good night’s sleep two nights before the race (nerves can affect sleep the night before)

    • Develop a consistent pre-race ritual that grounds you (coffee, music, lists, etc.)

    • Treat race day like another training day to reduce nerves

    • Set personal goals — don’t chase other people’s pace or expectations

    • If a race goes off plan, reframe it as a training ride

    • Have an open mind and be willing to ask questions or learn from others

    • Don’t try anything new on race day — especially gear or bike setup

    • Prioritize comfort and fit over just looks

    • Choose bright, bold kit colors or helmets — they look great in photos and improve visibility

    • Chamois comfort is key for endurance events (consider chamois cream!)

    • Prep bottles the night before and keep them cold in a cooler

    • For races over 3 hours, plan for 3+ bottles and extra nutrition (gels, chews)

    • Keep essential tools on you: fresh sealant, multi-tool, tire plugs, spare tube, tire boot

    • If you’re low on hydration or nutrition during a race and have no backup — prioritize safety and pull out

    • Smile if you want to look relaxed, or just focus on your line and forget the camera

    • Don’t look straight at the camera unless you’re playing it up

    • “Grit the teeth... or don’t — and pretend you’re not dying” 😅

    • If you’re part of a team, wear your kit proudly (team identity shows up well in photos)

Leigh Dennison