9 Gifts for the Cyclist

In some ways, having an avid cyclist in your life makes holiday gift-giving simple. Obviously, they could use something for those four-hour-long Saturday morning rides. But if you aren’t a cyclist yourself, you may not know where to even start when you walk into a bike shop. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Here are 11 gifts to help the weekend warrior nearest and dearest to your heart hit the road in style.

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1. Road Runner Burrito Handlebar Bag

This handy bag slips under a bike’s handlebars to provide a little extra storage without getting in the way. It’ll give your beloved cyclist a water-resistant spot to stash their keys, phone, snacks, or extra clothes while they ride.

Find It: Road Runner Bags for $40.

2. The Fridge Neck Gaiter

A neck gaiter is a great way to keep warm, and a great gift, if your cycling aficionado commutes by bike in the winter or loves to ride in chilly weather. The versatile, tube-shaped cloths can be used to keep the neck, the face, the ears, and the head warm, depending on how they’re worn. The Fridge’s stylish gaiters come in a variety of different colors and patterns, so you can find one that matches your cyclist’s personal style. Even if they already have one, it’s one of those accessories that no one can have too many of.

Find It at The Fridge for $20.

3. Lizard Skins Bar Tape

Metal handlebars can be hard on the hands, so most cyclists use some sort of tape to pad their paws and give them a little extra grip. Colorful tapes like the ones offered by Lizard Skin will give a touch of personality to your cyclist’s ride, and protect their hands, too. If you’re not quite sure of their style, though, you can’t go wrong with a classic black.

Find It at Amazon for $32 and up and also at these other retailers:

4. Oopsmark Bicycle Wine Carrier Rack

A good bike ride doesn’t always have to be a serious, Lycra-clad affair. Give your loved one a great excuse to take a leisurely picnic jaunt on their bike with this rack, which will allow them to safely strap a full bottle to their ride. The handsome leather straps and antique brass fasteners will no doubt make them feel classy while they do it.

Find It at Amazon for $39.

5. Draft Aimals

Recently-retired pro cyclist Phil Gaimon’s memoir Draft Animals: Living the Cycling Dream (Once in a While) explores the ups and downs of life at the highest levels of the professional cycling world. In addition to the intrigue of going behind the scenes (including frank discussions of doping), its honest tales of some of the less glamorous aspects of being a professional athlete—the stresses of living on the road, long-distance relationships, and the nightmare that is negotiating contracts with teams—may make your favorite cyclist even more content with staying in the amateur lane.

Find It at Amazon for $15 and also at these other retailers:

6. The Stick

After a long ride, any cyclist is going to be a bit stiff. The Stick can be used both pre-ride as a way to warm up muscles and afterward to boost muscle recovery. The scientifically-validated muscle roller massages away pain and works out knots, improving strength, flexibility, and endurance. Go ahead, give your favorite biker the gift of pain relief.

Find It at The Stick for $31.

7. Donation To SchoolCycle

Give your dearest bike lover the chance to help someone else get behind the handlebars. In 2014, the UN Foundation’s GirlUp charity launched SchoolCycle, a project to help more girls stay in school by giving them the means to get there. A $125 donation gives a girl in Malawi—where some have to walk up to 10 miles to get to school—a bike, spare parts, and maintenance training so that they can get to class easier.

Find It at SchoolCycle.

8. Bamboo Bike Wall Clock

This handsome bamboo clock is made with reclaimed bike parts, making it the perfect addition to any cyclist’s living room. What better way to remind them it’s time for a ride than with a bike-chain pendulum?

Find It at Uncommon Goods for $64.
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9. Garmin VivoActive 3 GPS Smart Watch

Garmin’s latest GPS smart watch makes a great gift for any athlete that loves to quantify their hard work. The vívoactive activity tracker uses GPS, an accelerometer, and a wrist-based heart rate monitor to automatically track activities like biking, detailing the distance, time, and speed of a ride along with updates on cardio levels. The full-color touchscreen device (easy to read in direct sunlight) is water resistant enough for swimming, so it can definitely withstand the sweat of a bike ride. It also features smart notifications, so they can see when you’ve texted them, even if they’re on their bike. (No excuses not to respond now!) And with the new touchless payment system Garmin Pay, they won't have to bring their credit card on their ride if they want to stop for coffee.

Find It at Amazon for $196 and also at these other retailers: