Musette Bag: What Is It and What’s In It?

You’re watching a Tour de France race and, out of nowhere, one of the riders snatches a big bag while still going at full speed. What we’re talking about is called a musette bag.

But what is a musette bag actually, what’s in it, and how did it become an integral part of professional cycling races?

Not more than a sown-together piece of fabric, these bags play an important role in crucial moments in races. They not only allow for quick distribution of foods and drinks among the team, but also affect strategizing and can turn around the course of a race.

Read on to find out more about musette bags, including their history, contents, and importance.

What Is a Musette Bag?

A musette bag is a small, lightweight shoulder bag typically made from fabric. It’s designed to be easily grabbed, carried and accessed while riding.

Musette bags have their place in other areas as well, such as military. However, in professional cycling races, it’s primarily used to deliver food, drinks, and other essentials to cyclists.

The musette bag features a simple, open-top design with a long strap, allowing riders to quickly grab the bag without slowing down, empty its contents, and discard it without losing valuable time. 

Musette bags are handed out at designated “feed zones” by the team’s soigneur. Soigneurs are responsible for providing various support services to the riders, including nutrition, massage therapy, and other care throughout the race.

The bag itself is typically collected by one of the domestiques (support riders) who then distributes its contents to other team members and tosses the empty bag by the side of the road. 

The History of Musette Bags in Cycling

Due to their simple and intuitive design, musette bags were first used by farmers to carry food and other necessities, before being adopted by the military for carrying various supplies.

In the context of cycling, musette bags started gaining popularity in the early 20th century, particularly during the 1920s and 1930s. However, their widespread use as a quick way to distribute food to riders began in the 1950s. 

Before the introduction of musette bags, riders would often stop at cafes or roadside stands to refuel, which was time-consuming and disrupted the flow of the race.

Even though most aspects of cycling have changed dramatically over the years, the humble musette bag has stayed the same. In addition to that, the fans’ enthusiasm for collecting them has not vaned either. 

What’s in a Musette Bag?

Musette bags are primarily used to distribute food and fluids to the team’s riders. 

Most professional teams have some nutrition brand as a sponsor, which means their products will be inside the bags. 

When it comes to the products themselves, musette bags usually contain cycling nutrition in the form of energy bars, energy gels, and rice cakes, and a few bidons of water or sports drinks. 

In addition to these essentials, they might also include some rider-specific treats, such as small cans of Coca-Cola, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and so on. 

Musette bags are also used to distribute other important items, such as lip balm, ibuprofen (in case some rider is experiencing knee pain or low back pain), or even sunscreen. It all depends on the riders’ needs and the team’s strategy. 

Importance of Musette Bags in Cycling Races

Musette bags may seem insignificant, but they can actually make or break a race.

They can be an integral part of a team’s strategy, distributing crucial supplies to racers at important times of a race. 

The contents of a musette bag are not always the same. They are customized based on the stage of the race, the team’s needs, the weather conditions, and so on. 

For example, on very hot days, these bags will include more bidons with isotonic drinks to ensure riders replenish their electrolytes and stay hydrated. However, on cold days, they may contain more energy bars and energy gels, because our bodies use more calories to keep us warm in cold weather. 

When deciding what to put in a musette bag, the team needs to take all of these factors into consideration. Failing to do so means that the riders are not going to get the supplies they need to maintain peak performance. 

Conclusion

So next time you’re watching a cycling race and see a rider effortlessly grab a bag while speeding by, you’ll know just how essential that musette bag is.

These simple fabric bags have a rich history and play a crucial role in the strategy and success of professional cycling teams.

From their origins on farms and battlefields to becoming a staple in competitive cycling, musette bags ensure riders stay fueled and hydrated, directly impacting their performance and the outcome of the race.

The humble musette bag, with its carefully chosen contents, remains an important part of planning and support behind every great cycling victory.