April Gift Guide: For People Who Love Cycling*

April Gift Guide: For People Who Love Cycling

[Ad-gifted] You most probably have at least one friend or family member who loves nothing more than going for a cycle ride. They could be a fan of mountain-biking, road cycling or family bike rides, or simply use a bicycle to get to and from work. So, what better present could they want than something related to their hobby. To help you out, we’ve put together the below guide consisting of items such as Lost Lanes North Book: 36 Glorious Bike Rides in Northern England, Indik8a Safety Signalling System for Cyclists, PODSACS Daytripper Waterproof Saddlebag from Planet X and Clean, Protect and Lube Bundle, from Muc-Off to assist you in choosing a present for a cycling fan. According to epicbicycles.com, cycling is a fun way to incorporate exercise into your daily routine.

Note: cycling is one of the activities we’re permitted to do under current coronavirus restrictions in the UK. As part of the lockdown, we’re allowed to leave our homes for one form of exercise a day, for example, a run, walk or cycle – alone or with members of our household. Of course, these measures could be changed by the Government at any time.

But despite these strange times, this gift guide can serve as inspiration for two-wheeled adventures to look forward to, once the COVID-19 crisis is over.

Lost Lanes North: 36 Glorious Bike Rides in Northern England

Lost Lanes North is packed with ideas for cycle rides in Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland and County Durham. Written by Jack Thurston and published by Wild Things Publishing, it’s ideal reading material for everyone from armchair travellers to seasoned cycling adventurers. This beautifully photographed and well-written book offers a guide to some of England’s most iconic cycling country.

Inside, you’ll find everything from gentle spins to multi-day adventures along traffic-free trails and quiet country roads. There are also suggestions of places to wild camp, and pubs to rest and refuel, as well as inspiration for long weekends. I also love that the author has included ideas for family rides, so little ones aren’t left out, as well as inspiration for the more adventurous riders who want to explore rough tracks and trails. What’s more, you’ll find information about organised events, as well as downloadable GPX and route guides, and also detailed maps. Priced £16.99, Lost Lanes North is out on May 4 but you can pre-order a copy now.

Cycling Power Meter

The Cycling power meter can be used in the field to measure and analyse cycling improvements, whether that’s for a rider attempting to improve on their time or as a performance measurement tool for riders. The www.thebiketyreshop.com loves this tool as it gives cyclists a great analytical tool for their rides. This tool is the brainchild of two-time Olympic gold medallist and professional cyclist Sir Chris Hoy. It has three main functions: power, cadence, and trainer compatibility. You can connect a power meter to your smartphone, and you can access an app that will tell you everything from speed to heart rate and the power your body is producing. This gift is perfect if you’re buying it for someone who is into competitive cycling, but any cyclist can benefit from owning one too. It can motivate them to get out on their bike more! Price starts at £141.00.

Indik8a Safety Signalling System for Cyclists

Safety is an important consideration when it comes to cycling, especially when riding on busy roads. There are many dangers when cyclists and motorists share the same space. So, the Indik8a is a great gift for a cyclist who spends a lot of their time on roads, especially in low-level light. This product is a pair of indicators that you wear on your hands to make yourself more visible to drivers. This new safety signalling system – which can be worn on a bare hand or over a glove – provides an extra level of protection for cyclists in low-level light. It features an illuminated directional arrow, which is activated by a switch on each hand.

The Indik8a is aimed at cyclists of all ages, from commuters through to parents who want their children to be more visible when cycling. There are two sizes, both of which are adjustable to fit the majority of adult and children’s hands. The product was created to make sure that when a cyclist is indicating, their intentions are unmissable. This gift will help a cyclist of any age to be seen by vehicles behind, giving added peace of mind, especially on busy, car-congested roads. Indik8a is priced £35, including postage.

PODSACS Daytripper Waterproof Saddlebag, from Planet X

The UK is known for its unpredictable weather, whatever the time of year, so this PODSACS Daytripper Waterproof Saddlebag, from Planet X, makes a welcome gift. The 1.2 litre bag is available in a range of colours – black, dark blue, green, light blue, orange, pink, red and yellow – and is made to stand up to the worst of the British weather. It’s 100% waterproof, thanks to its radio-frequency welded construction, and is built to last. The Daytripper is easy to attach to a saddle, and the radio-frequency welded seams throughout offer maximum protection from the elements.

Plus, the saddle-rail and seat-post strap fixing system will fit any bike, and can be added and removed in seconds – perfect for a busy commuter. What’s more, the double-reinforced stitching and webbing-taped mounting points help it carry up to 1.2L (1.5kg) and protect important electronic items, such as smartphones. And because of its large roll-top closure, it’s easy to get to the things inside. Designed for riders who cycle in all conditions and at all times of day, the retro-reflective detailing helps you to be seen by other road users when it starts to get dark. And at £10, the PODSACS Daytripper Waterproof Saddlebag is an affordable gift for someone – or just for yourself.

Clean, Protect and Lube Bundle, from Muc-Off

Cycling can be a messy hobby, especially for cyclists who prefer muddy off-road routes. It’s also important for a bike to be kept in good working order, so this Clean, Protect and Lube Bundle is a useful gift for a keen cyclist. Of course, it’s not the most glamorous of presents, but it’s guaranteed to be welcomed – especially by an avid mountain-biker. This pack, from Muc-Off, provides a product for every stage of cleaning, to ensure your bike is ready for any condition. It includes a 1 litre bottle of fast-action Bike Cleaner. This pink liquid uses Nano Technology, which breaks down dirt and grime on microscopic levels, while also caring for your bike’s delicate finish.

There’s also a 400ml can of Muc-Off MO-94, which quickly and effectively penetrates moisture, lubricates moving parts and leaves a long-lasting protective film. MO-94 prevents dirt adhesion and drives out excess water to keep rust and corrosion at bay. The final of the three items in the bundle is the Wet Chain Lube, an ultra-durable, long-distance bicycle chain lubricant and oil, which has been specifically formulated to excel over long distances in wet or muddy conditions. I was also pleased to see it’s derived from natural ingredients and made completely from renewable sources. The Clean, Protect and Lube Bundle is £14.99 (note: the bundle now available online features a Dry Chain Lube, instead of Wet Chain Lube).

By Colette Warbrook

You may also want to read this:

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Valentine’s Day Gift Inspiration for your Loved One

January Guide – Cruelty Free, Vegan and all things Eco-Friendly

*We were given these items in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.