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| Xmas is coming - what will Santa bring you? |
Avoid those bad after shaves, knee-high socks and K-Tel CD compilations and put your money into one of these gifts and you'll be assured of a big happy smiling roadie. They will be super impressed at your insider knowledge of all things cycling and you'll be guaranteed a brownie point filled Christmas day.
I'll keep adding items as I think of them or come across them, additionally if you have any contributions, just leave a comment. Big thanks to everyone in the 'UK Road Cyclists in Business' Linkedin group who has contributed too.
Gifts Below £10
- pOcpac phone protector. Seriously, just buy one of these, everyone who has one loves them. Protects your phone in the rain and still allows you to swipe the screen through the plastic cover - well worth a tenner (get the tool pac so you can fit all sorts in). Buy direct here.
- Purple Harry Bike Floss. It's good to floss and these will make quick work of a dirty cassette or hard to reach area on the bike, a simple idea but really effective idea. Brilliant stocking filler from the kids at only £3.99 a set via Purple Harry.
- Condor Race Socks. Super comfortable, got loads of pairs of these - bargain £8.99 a pair. Details here.
- Purple Harry cleaner and degreaser. To keep the pride and joy clean, you need a decent cleaning spray, Purple Harry do the trick with this cleaner/degreaser for less than a tenner. Buy here.
- pOcpac Ass Saver. When we're riding out best bikes the rule is no mudguards. But if you do get caught in a storm, you'll need one of these. Bargain at £6.50. Buy here.
- Chain links. You will blow your partner away with these, they'll think you've been on a service course. Everyone should carry one of these in their saddle bag in case of a chain break. You just need to know what groupset they run on the bike - Shimano/SRAM or Campagnolo and hey presto. Available on Wiggle for under a tenner.
- High Five Zero tablets. Great electrolyte additive to water. Around £3.99 a tube, someone will thank you for these. Available from Wiggle.
- Space Blanket. With accidents on the rise and slippery roads, you never know when you are going to come across an incident. A critical thing is to be able to keep someone warm and for around £3.00-£5.00 you can buy a space blanket off of e-bay which you can keep in your back pocket whilst cycling - it could be a life saver.
- Chain bath. Keeping your chain in good order is an essential component of a good drivetrain. This chainbath from Barbieri will help you keep things nice and clear. Available here for around £3.95.
- Book - Rob Hayles - Easy Rider. One of the nicest former British pro's around and now assistant to Mark Cavendish. Under a tenner for the paperback on Amazon.
- Rapha Chamois cream. Look away now those of a nervous disposition. This is cream that you wallop all round your nether regions to help prevent saddle sore. Essential for those long rides and this product from udderly smooth was developed for milking cows. Enough said, a great stocking filler for a spouse to brag to their mates. Available from Rapha.
- Cycling themed quality notebooks. Every person of note has a quality notebook by their bed or in their case ready to catch that next big idea. A range of different notebooks all under £20 available here.
- Retro Team Espresso Cups. If your coffee is simply a shot, then you'll need a quality cup to drink it out of. These retro cups and saucers are ace. From £12.50. Available here.
- One Life ID bracelet. A QR code with a link to a website detailing all the riders contact and health information available on a variety of things from key-rings or a wrist bracelet. Essential in case of accident in allowing emergency crews to quickly contact loved ones and identify any existing conditions/allergies. An essential item for anyone who participates in outdoor sport. Buy here from £10-£20.
- Knog Lights. Great little lights to have on your bike for emergency lighting when you get caught out. £17.50 on Wiggle.
- Rapha Merino Boxers. Mrs J got me a pair of these last year and they are very comfortable indeed. £24 a pair, so only to be worn on an important occasion like an awards ceremony. Buy here.
- Desktop cycling figures. You're hero on your desk in figurine form. Around £20. Buy here.
- The Obree Way training manual. The definitive book from one of the UK's greatest ever cyclists. A legend revealing his methods, this book is available at around £12. Trust me, this one will be a winner. Available from Amazon website.
- DeFeet oversocks. For those days when it's cold, but not wet. Oversocks help keep your feet warm. Around £12.35 on Wiggle.
- Great British Bike Rides. 40 magnificent rides in our magnificent country. All detailed in this paperback book for £25.00. Buy here.
- SRAM Garmin GPS mount. A simple, yet effective extender for handlebars that puts a Garmin device more in line of view. Around £13.50 on Wiggle.
- Park Tools chain wear checker. A stretched chain can lead to all sorts of problems for your drivetrain. One of those things that you need in your toolbox, quality always counts, don't buy cheap, buy this from Wiggle (around £16).
- 6 Month subscription to Cycling Plus Magazine - £19.99. Details here.
- CO2 inflator. Punctures are a pain, getting yourself repaired and back on the road in the shortest possible time is easier with one of these CO2 inflators which will pump your tyre up to pressure with one squirt. Less than £20 on Wiggle, re-fills around a tenner which you can buy on e-Bay (works out around a pound a cartridge).
- Crudguard Mudguards. Easiest way to get mudguards on a road bike which doesn't have mounting lugs. Keeps your feet dry and water out of the rider behinds eyes. You'd seriously impress your partner with these. Around £20.00 on Wiggle.
- Inner tubes. Every cyclist always needs inner tubes, a cheap wrap up which will not be going back with the reciept. I think this Continental five pack is a great gift at around £22, order the 700x20-25mm with a 42mm valve. On Wiggle here.
- Park Tools Big Wheel Pizza Cutter. For the person that must have everything cycling themed in their life, Dominos two for Tuesday will never be the same. £17.99 on Amazon.
- Super B Torque Wrench. It's good to torque and this is easily the best value mini-torque wrench out there. Great to keep your stem and seatpost perfectly tightened for around £23.99. Available here.
- Topeak Bike Stand. When you've invested money in a pride and joy bike, you don't want it to fall over and you'll want it to stand upright whilst you sit and gaze at it for hours in the dining room (note not the garage). Around £40 on Wiggle.
- Park Tools Allen keys. Every cyclist needs to own a decent set of allen keys in their toolkit, these are not the cheapest but they are one of the best and will last forever. Around £32 on Wiggle.
- Meccanica Tee. UK based Meccanica make some lovely cycling themed casualwear. I own a few of their T-Shirts. No 'did you get the receipt eyes' with one of these. Around £40. Available here.
- Rapha Winter cycling cap. It's expensive and they'll probably never wear it but just tell their friends they own it. Perfect for keeping everything toasty warm. Buy here for £40.
- British Cycling Silver Membership. If you're new to road cycling it's important you're insured and this silver membership provides some of the essential cover you'll need plus a stack of other benefits. £40 for a year. Details here.
- Lezyne Track pump. Maintaining tyre pressures is key for performance on the road. A good quality pump will last for ages and is one of those essential bits of kit. Less than £30 on Wiggle
- Annual subscription to Rouleur - £78. This isn't a magazine, it's a work of art designed for the most contemporary of coffee tables. Watch as your partner drools at some stunning pictures, keeping them quiet whilst you dominate the TV remote. Details here.
- Workshop stand. Whether cleaning, maintaining or tinkering a workshop stand is a must have for anyone serious about road cycling. It will allow you to get in all those nooks and crannies. This one scored 10/10 in a Cycling Plus review and is available for around £57.59. Buy here.
- Park Tools Home Mechanic Starter Set. High quality tools, everything you need in a neat box. On Wiggle for £90. Buy here.
- Campagnolo Corkscrew. Are you a Campag rider through and through? Then you need the ultimate Campag accessory, the Campagnolo Corkscrew. A snip at around £133. Details here.
- Rapha Leather Washbag. If you're other half needs everything to have a cycling theme in their life, then this may go down well. As usual - obscenely expensive - but comes with bragging rights in the changing room. £145 on the Rapha website.
- Rapha Rocket Espress machine. Coffee is a huge part of the sub-culture of cycling. Impress the neighbours with this ultimate coffee machine. Not sure whether it should be in the kitchen or in the front room in a cabinet. A whopping £1,500 and it's yours. More info here.
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