Buying

To me, the best presents are sometimes those that I can't justify buying myself, the items of absolute luxury which could be considered way too expensive to treat yourself with, my other favourites are the little thoughtful things, the stocking fillers, the small gifts that are always a pleasant surprise. 

Getting the right lights is important. Not only are they a legal requirement when its dark but they can free you from the turbo and open up a whole new world of riding opportunities. We've covered many of the basics of choosing lights in our buyer's guide but now it's time for the science bit: what's all this stuff about lumens?

In our third list of Christmas gifts for cyclists, our man Mat suggests some highly desirable stuff for riders with a need for speed. So if you've got a performance cyclist in your life, someone who sprints for every sign and treats even a ride to the shops as if they were tackling a Belgian classic we've got some suggestions for you. With a selection of clothing, gadgetry and pre and post-ride preparations and pampering to ensure that when there moment comes they'll be able to give it their all… even if they're just racing down to the shops.

In the second of or seasonal lists of Christmas gifts for cyclists Vecchiojo suggests some gifts that a discerning cylist like what he is might like to wake up to on Christmas morning. Take it away Jo… 

Having a cycling woman in your life makes buying Christmas gifts the easiest thing in the world. Just like our male cycling counterparts we love all the gadgets, gizmos and gear that goes along with our chosen sport and pastime, but unlike the majority of male cyclists, we’ve probably also got a pretty strong list of window shopping contenders in mind. The array of women’s kit available now is impressive, especially as compared with not even a decade ago, and probably offers a bewildering selection for the gift-buying partner, but if you’ve an idea of her cycling style, you can’t go far wrong.

During quiet moments I often find myself hatching cycling challenges; they provide me with tangible reasons to get out on my bike and train, especially during the cold winter months. “Something to aim at”, as Tom Simpson would say. Some challenges, however, seem to appear out of left-field and, no matter how ridiculous, plug away at my subconscious until I do something about them.