I first heard this in 2021 at a Bulldogs practice, courtesy of Darren Poore. It's a fun way to remember some very necessary equipment for EVERY bike ride you go on.
Before you leave the house, do a SHEGWAT to make sure you have everything.
Any items in Maroon are required for participation.
Flats or clipless, you need to wear cycling-specific shoes. These shoes will have a stiff sole to help with pedaling efficiency. Shoes made for flat pedals will have a 'stealth' rubber that grips the pedals. Cycling shoes also have impact protection covering the toes and leading edge of the foot to help protect against impacts. Good brands are Specialized, Shimano, FiveTen, and Ride Concepts.
Get a helmet with a 5 star rating from Virginia Tech (5 star helmets rank between #1 and #155 as of 2025). There is no excuse for allowing an athlete onto a trail without proper protection for their brain. Helmets must fit well; try on several. If you have a regular, round head, a great helmet is a Fox Speedframe (ranked 1, 2, 47, 137) , Troy Lee (ranked 24 - 105), or most Lazers (ranked 15 - 155). If you have a round to oblong head, a great (and inexpensive) option is the Specialized Camber (ranked 95). If you have a oblong head, look at POC's offerings (ranked 39 - 114). Check out Remy Metailler's review of the Specalized MIPS helmets after his crash in Sedona.
This is very important. There are many sticks and branches along (and sometimes in) the trail. You should try on eyewear with your helmet to make sure it'll work. Oakley, POC, Pit Viper, and Tifosi are a few brands that make good options. If you're riding at night, you'll need clear (or photochromic) lenses. There are some inexpensive photochromic options on Amazon (RockBros). You can even use clear safety glasses from Home Depot or Lowes - just make sure they're ANSI and/or CSA certified.
Not required but highly recommended. There are many good riding glove manufacturers: Tasco, Specalized, Pearl Izumi, Muc Off, and 100% are a few.
Water is 100% required for every ride. Check accessories for bottles, bottle cages, and hydration systems. You need snacks for rides over 2 hours long. If you have required medications (epi-pen, etc) bring those every time and place in the center jersey pocket. Notify your coaches about your meds.
Air - keep your tires inflated properly. Every day, every ride. No excuses.
Armor - Not always necessary on an XC ride, but helpful on other types of rides. This refers to knee/elbow/chest/shoulder protection. Not common for XC riding.
It is your responsibility to always ride with your tool kit. Plugs, CO2, tubes, and sealant are expensive and they're your responsibility - not your teammates or coaches. See our Accessories page to build your toolkit.
