What gear needed to get going

You need shoes and pedals (might already have those). Helmet is a must. Mine just saved me from serious injury last week. Shades are nice to have.

As far as clothing goes, good chamois bib shorts are a must. The bibs really do make a difference and keep those privates well in place. A breathable, unzippable cycling jersey. I recommend you go for a few non-branded ones at first. It's obvious if you buy a pro kit replica jersey as your first one, that team will have a huge doping problem in the next week and will end up folding, leaving you to be made fun of by your chaingang mates. Just look at the guys who bought Astana jerseys! Cycling clothing can be obscenely expensive. Don't go for the top of the line yet, if ever. Those Assos shorts are extra-comfy but that shouldn't be a priority now. Don't go for the dirt-cheap ones either, though..

You'll want spare tubes (patching on the road is a b!tch), some kind of inflation device (I like CO2 carts, personally), a multi-tool or at the very least a multi-allen tool. I'm fond of Park Tools, but pretty much any brand does the trick fine. Also always tote around ID and emergency contact info on you, in case you get knocked out in a crash. If you have medical conditions or allergies, make it obvious on the contact sheet.

Unless you can chuck away your bottles and have a team car bring up fresh ones, go for the bigger bottles. Food is more complicated. There's such a huge selection of energy bars/gels/cubes, it's insane. Depending on your ride program, you may need more glucose at one point, more complex carbs and protein at another.... go on the Nutrition forum for this, it warants another thread completely. I like to have real food on me.

Apart from that, have money on you all the time in case you get the hunger knock in the middle of nowhere, or if you have to stuff your disfunctional ride in a cab to get home. All that's missing is a huge grin on your face and a friendly wave to other cyclists, and you're off.

Have a great time out on the road.

JC

Haha... i've been buying my way through the wiggle catalogue getting myself ready for LEJoG next week; i'd give you a comprehensive list of essentials but i'd get so depressed totalling up all of the money i've spent that i might just kill myself.

You will need:
Cage & bottle
Shoes/pedals
Shorts
Jersey
Winter top (buy now)
Gloves
Mini Pump
Spare tubes
Punture repair kit
Multi Tool
Helmet
LED for rear

You may need:
Tights
Glasses
Lights
Lock
Tool Kit (If you know how to use it)
Track pump (helps get right PSI)
Saddle bag

Energy drinks would be pretty low on my list.

I may have missed something but that's where I'd start. Get the top list for sure and the rest as and when. Buy decent lights, shorts and helmet. Otherwise go for bog standard/average in terms of price.

Bib shorts don't fall down.

I just wear normal cycling knicks. They don't fall down on me either.

Energy drinks - I buy big tubs of powder from Holland & B when they are on sale, much cheaper mixing up your own and tastes better than plain water.

I only use carb gels when training hard ( I run 1/2's & marathons but dont race bike). They are sickly and yucky, first option is fine for bike rides and easy training.

Padded cycling shorts

Cycling jersey with rear pockets to stash keys, phone etc.

pump

tyre levers

spare tube

patch kit

mini-tool

water bottle (& cage on bike if it doesn't have one)

OS map (at least for the first few rides and always a useful ride planning resource after)

There is a stack more kit needed for wet, windy, cold etc. weather but that should come as no surprise. Go browse in a few shops and you'll soon find out the huge range of kit on offer and variation in prices. I would strongly recommend a track pump for home use, makes keeping your tyres up to pressure way easier. As for energy food/drink just use water and take along some bananas, ceral bars etc.

Don't forget maps – otherwise you will be relying on chance to find all the good little lanes away from the busy main roads.