10 Things Every Motocross Family Should Pack for Race Day (That People Always Forget)

There are two kinds of motocross families.

The ones who have forgotten something at the track...

...and the ones who just haven't raced enough weekends yet.

Trust me, we've all been there.

Over the years I've raced professionally, worked in the motocross industry for more than a decade, and now spend nearly every weekend traveling the country with my son, Landon. We've raced local tracks, national qualifiers, and some of the biggest amateur events in the country. No matter how much experience you have, race mornings can get hectic.

The alarm goes off before sunrise. The trailer gets loaded in the dark. You're trying to remember if the fuel jug is full, if the bike was washed, if the air filter is fresh, and whether your rider actually packed both boots.

Somewhere in all of that, something usually gets forgotten.

The good news is that after enough weekends, you start building a routine. These are the things our family has learned never to leave home without.

Never Bring Just One Pair of Goggles

If I could give every new motocross parent one piece of advice, it would be this: never count on one pair of goggles lasting an entire race day.

Conditions change constantly. One moto might be dusty enough that you're pulling tear-offs every lap. The next might be muddy after a quick rain shower. A lens can get scratched by a roost, a strap can get covered in mud, or another rider's bike can send a rock straight into your goggles.

Having multiple pairs already set up saves valuable time between motos and gives your rider confidence. When they're sitting on the starting gate, the last thing they should be worried about is whether they'll be able to see.

That's one of the reasons we built FlowVision. We wanted premium motocross goggles that offered crystal-clear vision, all-day comfort, and durability without asking families to spend a fortune replacing them every season.

Tear-Offs Always Disappear Faster Than You Think

Every motocross family has probably said, "I thought we packed more tear-offs."

It's amazing how quickly they disappear during a busy weekend.

Practice uses a few. Qualifiers use more. Add a dusty second moto or a muddy track, and suddenly you're asking the rider parked next to you if they have an extra pack.

Now we always pack more than we think we'll need.

It's one of those inexpensive items that can completely change a rider's day. Good visibility means better line choices, quicker reactions, and more confidence when charging into the first corner.

Keep Spare Lenses Ready

Weather has a funny way of changing right before your moto.

A bright sunny morning can turn into an overcast afternoon. Dust can become mud. A perfectly clean lens can be scratched by one unfortunate roost.

Having replacement lenses already packed means you never have to compromise your vision.

It's a small investment that pays for itself over an entire season.

Protect Your Goggles Like You Protect Your Bike

Most riders spend thousands of dollars building their motorcycle.

Then they throw their goggles loose into the bottom of a gear bag.

I've never understood that.

A quality goggle case keeps lenses from getting scratched, foam from being crushed, and everything organized when you're bouncing down the highway for eight hours to your next race.

It also makes life a whole lot easier when you're trying to find a clean pair between motos.

Hydration Starts Before Race Day

One lesson we've learned traveling across the country is that hydration begins long before race morning.

If your rider waits until they're thirsty, they're already behind.

Hot summer races—especially events like Loretta Lynn's—can push riders harder than almost anything else during the year.

We encourage Landon to start drinking extra water the day before we even leave home. Staying hydrated improves focus, reduces fatigue, and helps recovery after every moto.

A Small Parts Box Can Save an Entire Weekend

There's an old saying around motocross pits: someone always has the part you forgot.

Eventually, you get tired of being that person.

Over time we've put together a small tote that never leaves the trailer. It isn't filled with expensive parts. It's just the simple things that fail most often—spark plugs, master links, levers, air filters, bolts, zip ties, safety wire, duct tape, and a handful of common tools.

Most weekends we never touch it.

But when we do, we're incredibly thankful it's there.

Shade Isn't a Luxury—It's Part of the Program

If you've ever spent a July afternoon at the motocross track, you already know.

Shade keeps riders cooler, helps them recover between motos, and makes the entire family more comfortable.

Whether it's an umbrella or a canopy, staying out of direct sunlight can make a noticeable difference over the course of a long race day.

Fuel Your Rider Like an Athlete

It's tempting to grab fast food between motos, especially when everyone's tired.

We've learned that simple foods usually work best.

Fresh fruit. Lean protein. Rice. Trail mix. Plenty of water.

Nothing fancy.

The goal isn't just filling your stomach—it's giving your body steady energy that lasts through the final moto.

Keep Your Tool Box Organized

One of my favorite parts of race mornings is getting everything organized before practice starts.

Some people probably think I'm a little obsessive.

They're probably right.

But knowing exactly where every wrench, socket, and tire gauge is means less stress when something needs attention.

A calm pit usually leads to a calm rider.

Remember Why You're Here

This might be the most important thing on the entire list.

The older I get, the less I remember individual race results.

What I remember are the road trips.

Stopping for burgers after practice.

Laughing when things didn't go according to plan.

Watching Landon improve one lap at a time.

The conversations on long drives home.

Motocross has given our family experiences we never would have had otherwise.

The trophies are great.

The memories are even better.

That's what FlowVision has always been about.

Not just building motocross goggles.

Building a company that understands the families who make this sport possible.

If this checklist helps make your next race weekend a little easier, then we've accomplished exactly what we set out to do.

We'll see you at the track.

God bless,

Nick McBride
Founder, FlowVision®