Christmas Gifts for Cyclists
By JRtB, posted 14 November 2017
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Stuck for what to buy for the cyclist in your life (even if that's you)? Look no further.
We’ve ruled out ‘a new bike’, due to our Scrooge-like nature, although we think this is actually top of the unspoken Christmas list (the one with cars and ponies on it).
Looking at a more reasonable outlay, we have a list of suggestions for some pretty cool things you could consider buying for the cyclists in your life, or adding them to your own list. We've got Gifts for Road Cyclist, Gifts for Mountain Bikers, Gifts for Leisure Cyclist, and Gifts for Commuters. If the bike rider in your life is you, then happy days. Either way, have a great Christmas, love from JRtB.
Christmas gifts for Road Cyclists
Photo by Drew Coffman on Unsplash
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Really, what cyclists want is to ride their bikes. So, first choice could be a cycling holiday abroad. These two are classics, suggested by our friends at Sportive-breaks.com
Stelvio Weekender. One of the world's great climbs, the Stelvio is a must ride for every serious cyclist. This stunning cycling region makes for a perfect cycling weekender with some classic climbs and great local routes. Over a long weekend, you will take in the four best rides in the area taking in both sides of the Stelvio, the classic Gavia / Mortirolo loop and a ride into Switzerland over the beautiful Bernina Pass. The hassle out of getting to and from Bormio is handled with an easy airport transfer for you and your bike, allowing you maximum riding time to enjoy four unforgettable guided rides.
Our top tip: layer up. The weather can change dramatically in the mountains.
Spring riding in Mallorca. It doesn't get better. Go for a long weekend or a week of training. Fill your days with long rides in the mountains preparing yourself for a big season or coffee rides and après cycling by the beach. Mallorca has long been a favourite destination for riders around the world, with many riders coming back every year and still finding new routes to explore. Packed into the island is some stunning coastline rides, a mountain range with a lot of great climbing, quiet country lanes and some stunning traditional villages where the pace of life has hardly changed for years. You can find it all in Mallorca, accompanied by sunshine, great road surfaces, a warm and welcoming local culture and some amazing food.
As regular visitors to Mallorca, JRtB can absolutely vouch for the great cycling available. It is easy to reach via most airports in the UK, car hire is reasonable and there are bike transfers offered by some hire shops too. Do it.
Our top tip: order a Café Cortada (it's what the locals do).
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Corsa Rosa: A History of the Giro D’Italia by Brendan Gallagher. Keep them quiet after Christmas Dinner as they revel in the antics of the ‘second’ Grand Tour. Gallagher’s fast prose, intimate knowledge of his subject and love of all things Italian bring the race to life. Read our review (hint: we loved it)
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Printable word art in shape of a cyclist, personalised for your giftee. You submit your details and words, they produce the word art, and send the file to you, you can then use it as much as you like; pretty unique.
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Help Corsa Rosa to stand alongside their library of great cycling tomes, with these smart Cyclist art bookends.
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The Lightskin LED seat post. We are loving this, especially in the winter. It’s a regular seat post, with 5 LED lights running up the back of the post. One of which doubles up as a button Powered by a couple of AA batteries inserted underneath; it’s one of those ideas you can’t believe no-one has thought of before. Read our review here.
Christmas Gifts for Mountain Bikers
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The Mountain Bike Skills Manual: Fitness and Skills for Every Rider by Clive Forth. Certainly two things we could do we getting better at. (Is it that obvious? ed). And when the weathers properly bad, and the trails are just rivers of mud, well they can curl up and read about how it’s supposed to be done. So they’re all ready for Spring!
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The Tread Tempo by Leatherman is, apparently, the world’s first multi-tool in a watch. It’s not exactly stocking-filler territory, but for those riders who don’t like wearing packs, it’s another stylish innovation.
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A training session with a coach. Something they undoubtedly need (and want!) in order to step up a level. We’ve used Exmoor Adventures, on, well, Exmoor. It was a great day out. Contact Dan info@exmooradventures.co.uk for more info. You can select from level 1, level 2 skills courses, navigation, or just get Dan to guide you around on the best trails. For those who really want to step up, you could do the British Cycling Level 2 MTB Leadership Courses – Perfect for those wanting to become qualified mountain bike guides/instructors
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Rideguard. There are plenty of mudguards and fender guards on the market, but none are, in our opinion, as colourful as Rideguard’s, and, perhaps more importantly, they are all made in Bristol, UK. Extremely cheerful, whilst being hugely practical, it’s an easy thing to ask for, and an easy thing to buy.
Most Mountain Bikers will have either BC Bike Race (Can$2500) or Megavalanche (€100 for 4/5 day lift pass) on their bucket list.
It’s hard to think of a better Christmas present, but if you can’t quite make these, what about a ‘training’ weekend in the Pyrenees: Bike parks, long flowing trails, better weather. Try this one from Basque MTB. Perhaps they can convince you to throw in a couple of Christmas and birthdays’ worth of gifts into this one.
Christmas gifts for Leisure Cyclists
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What about a leisurely ride in Spain? No drop handlebars, no mountain bikes, lycra not obligatory. For example, Exodus runs organised cycling holidays for all kinds of cyclists, like this one on Spain’s green coast. Or you could go free range: Read about Bill and Jennie’s experiences riding the Vias Verdas of Northern Spain; one of them used an e-bike!
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Help them to keep their phone safe and dry, with this sleek-looking phone lock pouch. Available online from Genesis bikes.
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‘Never underestimate and old woman on a bicycle’ wise words indeed. And front and centre on this t-shirt. Honour/embarrass the cyclists in your life with these sloganed Tees.
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Add a great big dose of class to their ride, with a Brooks saddle. Famous for comfort and style, in a design that seems timeless, Brooks’ saddles remain world beating, and clearly distinctive, whilst embracing a contemporary ethos. Try the B17 and revel in new found levels of comfort. Available from Independent Bikeworks (01285 238184).
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And whilst we’re taking it leisurely, what could be better than a decent coffee? In one of these lovely cups from Coffee and Cols.
Christmas Gifts for Commuters
Don’t buy commuters anything for their commute. Honestly, this is not a joke. I speak as a commuter. I don’t want a nice Christmas ruined by something that may or may not make my daily grind less grindy. You wouldn’t buy someone a gift related to their daily train ride. Same logic applies. Some socks are fine.
Seasons Greetings,
Andy & Dave, JRtB
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