New here so apologies if this topic has been brought up before. Wondering if anyone is aware of an easy way (or resources) to generate good looking route profile stickers (for races, longer rides, etc.). Below is an example that I’ve seen. Thanks!
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That looks like a professionally prepared one, but you can pretty easily make a simple one as long as you have a GPS trace of the course through Strava, RWGPS and other sources.
For Leadville for example find a route (double and triple check that it is an accurate route) it is likely a long event is providing one (but also not a guarantee it is accurate) and just screenshot the elevation profile.
Then I just mark the aid stations on there with a line and keep it real simple. You can add lines or even text markers with any basic software, Paint, Preview in Mac, Word, PPT to any legitimate editing app. I’ve always printed on normal paper and used clear packaging tape to secure it to the bike and from the elements. If you have access to a laminator that works too, but unnecessary. It may take some trial and error to get the size right.
I’ll usually keep the information very minimal, cutting even any of the labels since its just a nice reminder that an aid is coming up over the hill, or that I’ve already done most of the work. Would add color though, gotta keep it looking fresh.
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Easiest way I’ve used is a wide strip of masking tape, with details written on in pencil (so rain-proof)
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I see I’m a few years late in replying but I just started a company last year to do exactly this. You can check out my site at https://cyclingeventstickers.etsy.com. And I also already have a Leadville 100 sticker up there: https://cyclingeventstickers.etsy.com/listing/1880489051/leadville-100-mtb-2025-race-sticker
If you have any questions let me know. Can make custom stickers for any ride.
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I’m very glad I came across this today. Last year on RAGBRAI (Iowa bike ride) I did what Brettn13 does - I made my own profile map and used packing tape to add it to my top tube. It worked reasonably well and I was going to do it again this year, until I discovered this post! I saw you made RAGBRAI 23 stickers, and they look great! Can’t wait to order a few sets of the 24 route!
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Great! Glad you like them. Funny you mention RAGBRAI… I made early versions of these stickers for myself for RAGBRAI 2022 to know what the heck is going on each day. Then last year I started to make stickers for myself for rides and people would ask me “where did you get those?!”. So I decided to first sell them for RAGBRAI 2023 and the response was great (you can see that in the reviews). I have been expanding into other rides for and at this point I have my process down where I can get a sticker created for any ride typically the same day. I appreciate the kind words, expect RAGBRAI 2024 stickers late June when the ride is finalized or near-finalized 
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2024 RAGBRAI claims to be the hilliest* route in history. I can’t wait to see how good the stickers will look with some ups and downs! The mile indicators showing the total distance to each town is awesome.
The process I used to trace the route and add the towns wasn’t very accurate when I printed my version of the route profile - so I’m glad to hear you’ve got the process down!
*Iowa hills aren’t the same as other region’s hills - but hey - it should still be fun!
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Thanks everyone who has seen the post and stopped by the shop to order stickers! I now have stickers for RAGBRAI 2024 available if anyone is interested. Also for anyone stopping by I created a new option I’m calling the FuelBar. It splits the sticker roughly in half so on the left side is space to note when to drink/eat (food/gel) and on the right you have the profile and stops but no text. If you’re doing a long race or ride where fueling is important then this can help you keep track of it. I tested in in a gran fondo with 9k feet of climbing and 3 timed sections and was perfectly fueled the whole day. I also created a spreadsheet to help you know where to put the fuel dot stickers that you can copy or download. See images attached for what sticker and spreadsheet look like. PM me with questions/comments.
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Great addition
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Have you considered doing these for aero handlebars and/or cockpits?
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The default (aka medium) sticker size is 5"x1.5" so should fit fine on aero handlebars or aero stem. Here’s a video when I was testing and you can see the sticker on the stem. If you have that space on aero bars, that’s the best place to put the sticker but if you don’t top tube will work as well.
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I ordered my RAGBRAI ‘24 route profile decals and they were shipped quickly and arrived fast! When they arrived I was excited to check them out and was not disappointed.
They look incredible! The colors really pop and the details are clear and easy to see. I am so pleased with how professional they appear and I have no doubt they will add to the fun of the event next month.
Most importantly: Great customer service throughout and I can’t wait to show these off!
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So glad to hear that! This is a small business I run in my spare time and I’m thrilled people like them so much! The business is growing slowly but surely. I just wrapped up an order for 500 stickers for a 3-day charity ride (1500 stickers for one event!). My biggest problem is getting the word out so please share with friends, Facebook, etc. or forums like this 
. Anyone reading, DM me for a discount code if you’re interested in ordering.
I finished RAGBRAI on Saturday and used the profile stickers each day on the ride. The stickers were very accurate (my buddy was riding with a Garmin and the details linked up remarkably close) but more importantly, they looked phenomenal!
So happy I found out about these. The application on my top tube was easy and they came off at the end of the day clean - no residue and no need for scrubbing. My aluminum frame and paint show no signs of the decals being used.
10/10
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@youcancallme_T I hope you enjoyed RAGBRAI and glad the stickers helped out! I’ve had a lot of people who rode RAGBRAI email me or leave a review and say how much they liked the stickers which is really amazing! I also made stickers for a 3 day ride in South Carolina earlier this month and the organizer said “the riders loved the stickers”. All of the feedback has been very positive!
If you or anyone reading needs stickers for any rides let me know! I can make stickers for any ride if I have a GPX file and have info about stops and other relevant ride info. I’ve recently posted some new rides that people requested for other upcoming events (a few gravel!) across the US and Europe :). cyclingeventstickers.com for more info 
!
