The Vamper.cc List of Christmas Gifts for Cyclists 2016
Victoria Bowskill
Christmas gifts for cyclists shouldn’t be a struggle. After all, there’s usually something functional that we need, from spare inner tubes to a new light, and there is always something covetable that we hanker after, whether it’s an all-singing, all-dancing Garmin or a slick new kit.
So, read on for Vamper’s pick of the best Christmas gifts for cyclists. Or, if you’re a cyclist and you’re writing your letter to Father Christmas, feel free to print it out and post it up the chimney to wing its way to Lapland…
For her: ‘Live life on 2 wheels’ women’s fit hoodie from Bon Courage, £46.00
Who doesn’t want something cool and cosy to wear post-ride? I wear my Bon Courage hoodie a lot. It’s ludicrously soft and cosy. A tip – the sizing isn’t massive, so order a size up to have plenty of lazy, snuggly room to spare.
For him: Endura Pro SL Primaloft Gilet, available from Sigma Sport, £99.99
Matt pounced on this gilet when he spotted it in the autumn. It doesn’t scream cyclist, so you can wear it off bike for brisk walks without looking like a twit. It’s super lightweight, folds up small, and it’s cosy. A useful and cool present, we think. You can order it from Sigma Sport.
For her: Rapha Deep Winter Gloves in Hi-vis Pink, £110
Now, don’t curse me for listing wildly expensive items. I know these are madly pricey. But if the cyclist in your life suffers from poor circulation and very cold hands, a pair of serious gloves could be the difference between enjoying winter rides and feeling utterly miserable. What’s more, the bright pink shade is fab-u-lous, as Craig Revel-Horwood would say. Order them from Rapha.cc.
For him: MAAP Dot Merino Cycling Socks, available from Sigma Sport, £22
Ok, ok – so socks at Christmas are a bit of a cliche. But merino socks are so good for winter cycling, and the natty polka dots and stylish charcoal palette are very smart. We think most cyclists would be pleased to find a pair of these in their Christmas stocking. You can order them here.
Parcours Passista Wheelset, £750
Ok, so this is a big gift. Probably the pinnacle of Christmas gifts for cyclists. But if the two-wheeled dervish in your life has been very, very good this year, this is a fantastic bike upgrade. We rode out with the Parcours team to see how the wheels feel and the 56mm rim Passista both looks and feels fantastic. You can read more and order them here.
For her: As Bold As Drench Coat, €178
Commute by bike? Then this waterproof coat from As Bold As is a lovely solution to the on bike/off bike jacket dilemma. It has plenty of useful on-bike features, like dropdown hi-vis panels, reflective detailing and a dropped back for a mud-free bum – but it looks stylish and elegant off-bike, too. Every bit as good with your work outfit and over your bib tights. You can order it here.
For him: Gore Bike Wear ONE Gore-Tex Active Jacket, £220
This stealthy cycling jacket looks properly cool. If Batman were a cyclist, surely he’d wear this? And it’s pretty clever, too, featuring a ‘shake dry’ surface to keep you dry on rides of any length. With a wealth of five star reviews to its name, we think this is a present worthy of the most dedicated cyclist. You can order it from Wiggle.
Garmin Edge 520 bike computer, £199.99 from Sigma Sport
If it’s not on Strava, it didn’t happen, right? We know we’re not the only ones obsessed with recording our rides. If you’re a data-obsessed cyclist and you’re all about nailing Strava segments, this is a great gadget. What’s more, it connects to a smartphone to provide alerts – helpful if you urgently need to contact your other half when they’re out on a ride. How I wish Matt’s Garmin had been able to alert him to the fact that I [thought that I…] was locked out of the house one freezing morning when he’d ridden over to Richmond Park for a spin…… (Admittedly, after an hour on the doorstep in the cold it finally dawned on me that I actually had the keys in my rear pocket. Had Matt been alerted to my messages, he could have reminded me of this fact………)
Having cold ears when you’re cycling sucks. And when the wind is howling and your ears start to ache, it’s amazing how quickly you start to long for a ride to be over. This Belgian-style winter cycling cap from Cadence Collection is supremely cosy and will keep even the chilliest of ears warm. On a recent early morning ride, every part of me was cold except my ears thanks to this cap. Order it from Cadence Collection.
Rivelo Ashdown Merino Base layer, £55
We’re always impressed by Rivelo cycling gear, and the latest range features some great baselayers. I’ve been wearing the Ashdown merino base layer a lot and it’s really warm, does a good job of wicking, and the stripes are really smart. It looks good with jeans, too. There is a men’s version, too – the Hathersage – which comes in a very nice shade of teal. Find them at rivelo.cc.
For her: dhb Blok Intersection Women’s Cycling Kit, £95
Christmas isn’t all about gifts for winter. While we’re firmly esconced in merino baselayers and thermal bib tights at the moment, the way this year’s raced by it won’t be long until we’re celebrating the arrival of spring. What better way to celebrate than in a gloriously bold cycling kit? We love the new Blok range from dhb. It’s well priced and the designs are sharp. Order it from Wiggle.co.uk.
The final item on our list is this awesome reversible, reflective jacket from French urban cycling brand Urban Circus. The Juggler jacket is not for shrinking violets – the reflective side is a crazy, bold, zesty orange with a pattern that could be perceived as either bike wheels or oranges. Whichever way you see it, it’s a wildly effective reflective cycling jacket on one side, and a subtle black off-bike jacket in reverse.
