Win a Vicious Cycles Jersey (Yep, the Weekly Giveaways Are Back!)
A Note from Fatty: I’m really busy right now getting the infrastructure of my new site set up, not to mention trying to write something for the blog each day. Which means that I haven’t had as much time as I’d like to participate in my own forum. So I asked BotchedExperiment to act as administrator/moderator of the forum, figuring that since he’s just working full-time, finishing his doctorate, and taking care of an infant and 4-year-old kid, he has plenty of spare time. Botched said he’d help me out, and has already done some great things with the forum. Go over and see what he’s done with the place. And be sure to pay Botched his due respect; he says he’s itching to ban someone…just to prove he can.
Fatty is Selfish
In the interest of full disclosure, I would like to confess that I almost always act out of self-interest. When, for example, I set up the Ads-for-Schwag program, I wasn’t simply thinking, “Gee, wouldn’t it be nice if I could give companies I like a cheap way to advertise to their target audience, while simultaneously giving my readers something cool for free?†Instead, I was thinking, “Gee, wouldn’t it be nice if I could convince both my readers and potential advertisers that it was to their benefit to advertise on my site, so that I could simultaneously get free stuff and make it look like my advertising space is in high demand?â€
In other words, while I definitely intend to use the Ads-for-Schwag program to give companies I like a place to get the word out and to give readers cool stuff, I also plan to keep some of that cool stuff for myself.
I did not, however, expect to be so sorely tempted to keep the giveaway for myself on the first go-round.
What You Can Win
Normally, I’d talk about what the contest is before describing what you can win, but I dig this jersey so much, I want you to get a good look at it right away:
How cool are the Vicious Cycles guys for giving away this jersey? Very cool, that’s how cool. My thinking on this kind of coolness goes as follows: If a company is going to be so cool as to give away this kind of jersey, they’re cool enough that you might want to give their website a look when you’re thinking about a new frame. Or when you’re thinking about getting the most awesome paint job ever for your bike.
Here’s the thing about this jersey, though: it’s size medium. Which means that even at my lightest, it will not fit me. Which is good for you, because if it did fit me, I would be wearing it right now.
The Contest: What Do You Love?
A few days ago, I talked about something I really love: my Smartwool socks. I’m pretty confident that any cyclist would find a pair of Smartwool socks an excellent gift.
What I’d like to know is, what other bike-related stuff do you love? It’s got to be something that can be given as a gift, because I’m going to compile all the good answers into my annual “Cyclists’ Christmas Wish List,†which you can then point your friends and family toward.
And how do you enter the contest? Just leave a comment with a suggestion for what should go in the list. I’ll choose a winner—at random—from all the responses I consider good enough to go in the list.
Good luck. I’m sure you’ll win.
Comment by HanoiMark | 11.15.2006 | 11:22 pm
A set of NOS/NIB (eBay speak for still brand new 20 years after they were produced) Campagnolo Delta brakes. Complete with the levers that had the white gum hoods. The best looking brakes ever. Weighed a ton and couldn’t stop you for shit but represent the pinnacle of the “form over function” design school.
Comment by BotchedExperiment | 11.15.2006 | 11:30 pm
Right now, for me, there’s a clear favorite: Chris King Singlespeed Disc Rear Hub http://www.chrisking.com/hubs/hbs_sspeed_disc.html
Not only are they among the lightest hubs you can buy, but they are also the most durable and the most beautiful (and the most expensive). I’m not sure there’s ever been a more gorgeous symphony of form and function in the history of human kind.
Instead of having 24 pawls, or engagement points, their hubs have 72! And their hubs are 3 times stronger than a normal hub. And they have a 5 year warranty on their hubs!! And the one I want is about $400. If you as me that’s a small price to pay for a piece of art.
One major drawback is that they come in like 10 different colors and somehow all the colors look really cool, and I have a white bike, so all of them would match!
Comment by BIg Mike In Oz | 11.15.2006 | 11:40 pm
Since I spent the first half of this year chiselling the dust off my bikes and replacing everything that had faded, rusted or perished in the decades of non-use, I have pretty much expired the bicycle want list.
That was until I saw the graphic for this jersey. Not only will it match any and all of my 4 red bikes, but it also has that hint of self-deprecation that I’m notorious for. Sadly, I’m an XL (at least) so I’ll have to settle for a new pair of gray Look KEO 4.5 degree cleats for my recently purchased Carnac Carbone Track shoes.
Comment by Phil riding in New Zealand | 11.16.2006 | 12:09 am
My recently found discovery are the snappy cycling T.Shirts on http://www.twinsix.com
Mens AND womens! Brilliant stuff.
The real gem though is the “Ride” three colour screen print. It’s a nice little poster of an old tricycle.
I just bought one for my son Charlie on his first birthday – it’s much better than wasting money on crappy plastic toys that will be lost or broken. The poster is currently at a framing company where it is getting a HUGE fake gold gilt frame around it – it will look wild!!
The little fella will have it for years and years – and prehaps one day I’ll tell him that the poster is actually his!
Comment by Weean | 11.16.2006 | 12:21 am
It has to be some of that fine Cinelli cork ribbon. Just like socks I would be happy to receive this year on year. And just like Smartwool socks they’re pleasingly retro whilst remaining sufficiently tech for the geek within. And there’s so many colours to choose from I can buy as many bikes as I like (or more accurately, afford) and still match them up!
Thanks Fatty for making it easy enough to post now that even I’m willing to do so! Long-time reader, first time poster. Obviously the swag’s a pure coincidence
Comment by Tayfuryagci | 11.16.2006 | 12:26 am
My favorite bicycle part is the MTB derailleur I have on my road bike. Since it’s a MTB part it allows me to use a 32 tooth cog at the back. It really helps me on some of the climbs we have around here, one is extremely vicious 15 degrees for 4 kilometers. Before my new (and pretty cheap, it’ll sound like blasphemy to many of you XTR dudes but it’s an Acera) derailleur and 11-32 casette I walked up half the hills I encounter, turns out it’s not very easy to pedal over hills with 40-23! But my new baby helps me a lot. I discarded nearly all my SS dreams.
Comment by theLurker | 11.16.2006 | 12:33 am
A set (ooh half a dozen would be good) of Michelin A2 tubes or a couple of pairs of track mitts would be good. Mine have almost reached the point where a bolt of lightning across the palms would see them get up and walk. Actually, actually, _actually_. What I _really_ want is permission from the TOH to take off on a cycle tour. Curse you Fatty! Now I’m going to spend the whole day dreaming about all the bike related odds and sods I could put on my Xmas list…. :)
Comment by vertigo | 11.16.2006 | 1:22 am
I want a donation to Worldbike (www.xaccess.org)…in my name of course so that I can reap the tax benefits. If you are feeling really generous you could throw in a FreeRadical and FreeLoaders so I can convert my old Kona into an SUB. Or simply a Surly Longtail frame…
Medium will fit just fine.
Comment by Born4Lycra | 11.16.2006 | 1:52 am
I’d like a tool kit. Not a basic one to carry around on rides for emergency or perform regular basic maintenance. I want one of those kits full of tools you might use once or twice a year. The ones you can never quite justify going out to buy because you will hardly, if ever use it and there is always something more boring but necessary to spend your readies on. The same can be said for one of those bike mechanic stands. Yep a serious bike tool kit would be a great surprise.
The next problem would then be knowing how and when to use them but first things first.
Comment by Tim D | 11.16.2006 | 2:02 am
Brookes Team Pro leather saddle. I have two of these, one on the tandem and one on my On-One Pompino. I’ve had one for 14 years and one for 10. They are shaped to me (or possibly I have been shaped to them) and are the most comfy saddles I have. I have done thousands of miles on these saddles and will doubtless get thousands more. I would want someone to break it in for me first though.
Comment by Nanget | 11.16.2006 | 3:53 am
Tubes. The more the merrier.
Comment by Eufemiano Fuentes | 11.16.2006 | 5:50 am
Oury Mountain Grips. Old school cush. Great on a rigid bike. Come lock on or traditional. In many colors to match your outfit that day or just go with cash Black.
Comment by Brett Taylor | 11.16.2006 | 5:57 am
First, I LOVE that jersey. It warmly reminds me of watching my (still) favorite Road Runner/Wile E Coyote cartoon. In this one, Wile E stops in the middle of one of those standard chase scenes to explain WHY he tenaciously chases after the Road Runner. He pulls down a roll-up poster showing the cuts of meat on a road runner and what they taste like. I unfortunately don’t remember all the cuts, but I seem to remember chocolate mousse, filet mignon, peking duck, and lots of other ridiculous things. Made me wanna go catch the Road Runner myself!
What do I really really love? I love that I found my wife who I brought into riding and who know loves to ride. Sure, it’s fun to ride with the boys or even alone sometimes, but having her to ride with is something special. So since I already have that though, I could really use a new set of pedals for my road bike. The Crank Brothers Quattro SLs are on sale at a number of places for ~ $90.
Comment by Boz | 11.16.2006 | 6:28 am
I would need that jersey in XL – as I am beefy – I would represent that baby very well indeed. Tools are almost a fetish w/ me, no, not that kind, but the right tool for the job when you need it. And not just bike tools, mechanical, electrical, carpentry ect.. SWMBO is always amazed at the tools I have for most any project that arises. And, I like free stuff, you know, jeserys, socks ect….
Comment by sans auto | 11.16.2006 | 6:48 am
Right now, the best thing I have is my Bike Planet lights http://www.planetbike.com/. The rear has 7 LEDs and runs on 2 AAA batteries. I’ve only had to replace the batteries once in the last three months of commuting. This light recently broke off my bike when I hit the biggest pothole in UT county, but with a quick email to the Co., they’re sending replacement parts. Actually, the light still works, but it is now held on by duct tape. The same day my rear light broke off, but still worked, my headlight died for no particular reason (Thus I hit a huge pothole). I replaced it with Bike Planet 5 LED that is brighter than the other two lights that have died on me in the last two months. As an extra bonus 25% of all the companies profits go to bike advocacy.
As for my wish list, I want a t-shirt that says, “real men get fixed”, but I think only my wife can get me that as a gift.
Comment by jt | 11.16.2006 | 7:07 am
money no onject: A Merlin Newsboy would be nice. Set up as singlespeed, as light as possible.
money tight: A box of those new energy gel block thingies that look like jello. A friend gave me a pack on my last ride in Pisgah at the top of a 5 mile fire road climb. Hit the spot.
Comment by turnonthejets | 11.16.2006 | 7:14 am
My favorite gift in the last few years has to be the Louis Garneau Vulcano lobster gloves I received last year! Living in Corner Brook Newfoundland they come in very handy, very toasty in cold, not cool, weather. They have a must for me in a set of gloves, the soft thumb for wiping your…er….brow. They’re reasonable too.
http://www.louisgarneau.com/eng/catalog.asp?catalogue=HH6§ion=GL&subsection=060&style_no=1482020
OR
http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=louis-garneau-ergo-air-vulcano-gloves&jsenabled=1&osCsid=209a8dfcc50b40c5b5f29cf9fc8a32a1
The nashbar version is on sale now just in time for gift buying season….er holidaymas season – http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=15850
I haven’t tried these personally but they’re cheap now
Oooooh and Medium is my size too!
Comment by Brian C | 11.16.2006 | 7:34 am
swobo wool hat. keeps my giant head very warm.
Comment by MGM | 11.16.2006 | 7:45 am
A box of those 16g CO2 cartridges would be nice. We have lots of tackweed around here. I guess I need a box of tubes too.
Comment by dkirkavitch | 11.16.2006 | 7:59 am
Hey Fatty,
great schwag. Kinda gives a whole new meaning tothe word jersey! I’m with big mike on this one. Give it to someone else as I would rip out the seams on the first ride.
For me, along the theme of two days ago, I love my Smartwool zip T wool jersey. I’m wearing it right now after my commute to work. Warm, not sweaty, no smell. I commute 20 miles every day.I usually wash it once a week and no one is the wiser. With polyester, I’d kill off everything in my wake. Now, if only they made them with the pockets in back……..
Comment by BotchedExperiment | 11.16.2006 | 8:40 am
Phil in NZ, great link. Thanks. I think I stumbled onto those guys once before, but forgot about them. . . Anyhoo I like their stuff, and maybe this year, I can not get a mind-numbingly lame gift from the family exchange!
Born4, oh man. I’ve always wanted one of those family sized Park tool sets: http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=6&item=MK%2D129
I don’t know what they cost, but it must be a thousand dollars (‘Mericun currency, of course).
Brett Taylor, you must be a newlywed. I got my wife into biking too, and at first I also thought it was cool. Then I realized that now there were two of us trying to find time to ride and often we were riding together, which kind of destroyed the purpose of getting out for a ride. Then I took her to Slickrock trail and dampened her enthusiasm for riding. Things have been great since then.
Botched
Comment by Sophia | 11.16.2006 | 8:50 am
Of course there are many bike-related things that I love. I love my bike (although I’d probably love a new and improved bike even more), I love spin class, and I love my new long-sleeve jersey that makes it comfortable to bike outside as it gets colder.
Then there are those things that I’m sure I would love if I had them. I’m now seriously craving an IPOD, probably influenced by Dug and FC’s writings, and pretty much every other biker I know. I now separate music into what I would want to listen to while biking in anticipation of when I finally own one.
Shameless begging section: I’m also sure I would love that vicious cycles jersey. I like the colors, I like the cow sleeves, and I wear a small or medium. Perfect! And I’m a vegetarian, so it would be wonderfully ironic for me to be advertising meat! Please, please, please!
Comment by Brett D. | 11.16.2006 | 8:56 am
You are all wrong. Ok, that might be a little harsh. You just aren’t as right as I am. The best Christmas biking gift is a good set of shorts/bibs (depending on preference). Jerseys last a lifetime (which is why the Vicious would look great on my size M body for the next 50 years), socks are given away like hotdogs at car dealerships, but the most important connection between you and your bike seems to always be neglected with tattered seams, sewn up rips, and chamois that is far past it’s prime anymore. All I want for Christmas is a set of 10 panel pearl izumi’s to replace my ragged road rashed shorts. Start supplying your loved ones with sizes and preferences now. Oh, and sign me up for a 29†single speed too.
Comment by Rick S. | 11.16.2006 | 9:51 am
A great stocking stuffer would be a packet of “hall passes”. If you have to ask what a hall pass is, I don’t like you.
And for those of you who have not discovered the joy of night riding (MTB), the NiteRider Flight light set up is not a bad gift.
Comment by Roberto | 11.16.2006 | 10:25 am
I love my Selle Italia Novus Ferrari saddle. For the first time bought in 1996, I rode about 10 years or 40000 kilometers on it. It was really personalized: after these years it had my own bootilicious smell ;-) But more important: it really fitted my ass! Especially because of the subtle groove running in the middle of it, just enough to give some relief to the delicate parts, yet applying enough resistance to spread the pressure evenly. Oh, and don’t forget the official kinky yellow/red Ferrari logo with the roaring horse in the tip of the saddle! (smug ;-) As it was worn-out to the bone I had to discard it, but not until I found a brand new Novus on the internet which had been lying in some warehouse for years. And this one even has a carbon bridge! So, I’ll ride for another 10 years on this furious horse!
Comment by Sandie R. | 11.16.2006 | 10:28 am
I love YOU fatty! So can I have the jersey?
Comment by RevBudGreen | 11.16.2006 | 10:37 am
I really like this: http://www.ahearnecycles.com/flask.htm
Comment by Tayfuryagci | 11.16.2006 | 10:42 am
Hey Sandie, no cheating! :D
Comment by Ben | 11.16.2006 | 11:18 am
I love my Garmin 305 and all the ridiculous amounts of data that can be obtained from it and pored over for hours. All electrical toys are good but the ones where you can dump the data onto your computer rule.
On the cheaper side, tires that match your bike’s color scheme, bling like fancy cages.
On the fatty side, all the food that you have to eat to “avoid bonking” :)
Man, that jersey is real nice…
Comment by Chris H | 11.16.2006 | 11:32 am
A bicycle work stand is the perfect Xmas present. Buying a work stand for yourself is vrey difficult. You can always get by without one, and buying one is admitting that you are growing too old to bend over and work on your bike while it is on the floor. However having one makes it a delight to keep all your bikes in perfect working order.
A Park PCS-10 would do nicely.
Comment by Al Maviva | 11.16.2006 | 11:36 am
The Fi Zik Arione is the bestestest saddle ever. Lesser saddles pale next to its… Fi Zik-ness. It’s really, really, really good. Until you’ve done a bunch of 100-140 mile rides, you just don’t appreciate how damn good this saddle is, it just disappears under you.
As for gifts – knee warmers. Skull caps. Headbands. Chamois cream. A date with one of the girls who models for the Colorado Cyclist catalog.
Comment by Julie | 11.16.2006 | 11:52 am
I wonder if I might butt in here with a question. I want a pair of arm warmers that actually work and are comfortable to wear. I have tried a few and can’t find good ones. It is on my Christmas wishlist and of course, I want to request the best. Any suggestions? Thank you and sorry to interrupt the flow. Forgive me–I’m new.
Comment by BotchedExperiment | 11.16.2006 | 12:03 pm
Julie — I just started a Clothing/Accessory section on the forum. I have a similar qustion regarding gloves. Head over to the forum and post your question there. I’ll bet you get tons of (semi) helpful suggestions.
Botched
Comment by Jose | 11.16.2006 | 12:05 pm
I’m so sick of working in my bike in very uncomfortable conditions that I would love if Santa shows up in my fireplace with an ULTIMATE PRO ELITE REPAIR STAND, of course that I would love also the “Orbea Alma†that I saw yesterday in my LBS but at $4200 that is only wishful thinking.
Comment by Andrew | 11.16.2006 | 12:23 pm
A renewal of a NORBA, USA Cycling racing license, or IMBA membership (or new license or membership). That way whoever is getting you the membership can feel like their money is going towards an organization which helps cyclists. Additionally if the cyclists likes to race they won’t have to shell out their own cash to race. Another idea is if your cyclist is a racer, see if there are any pictures floating around from races or epic rides they’ve done. Order the prints, get Kenny to snaz them up, and get them framed.
Comment by Julie | 11.16.2006 | 12:34 pm
Sorry, Botched. Can’t do it–too stupid. Sorry, forget I called.
Comment by clydesdale | 11.16.2006 | 12:36 pm
Julie – Defeet arm warmers. Like socks on your arms. Very nice and seem to stay up well, if you have some biceps. Mind you some of the roadies around here like them and use them so they must work for skinnier arms also. Maybe get a string or elastic from one to the other so you don’t lose them like mittens for children :)
Al Maviva – will you resurrect the B5 challenge from last year in the challenge section?? I seem to have been lulled into a false (true) sense of fatness since it ended.
I received a Bikopeli ornament from a very nice person recently. MTB”er flying over the handelbars!! How about one of those ornaments for the cycling fan on your list.
Comment by Mike | 11.16.2006 | 12:50 pm
At the moment I’m loving my new Parentini long sleeve cycling top. I bought it very cheaply on ebay and it is probably the best top I’ve ever had. Very warm and comfortable.
Comment by Chris | 11.16.2006 | 1:01 pm
Legs warmers…..it’s cold out now.
Comment by Al Maviva | 11.16.2006 | 1:19 pm
Actually, what I really want is a groupie.
Fatty, can I have Botched?
Comment by DeeperSouth | 11.16.2006 | 1:22 pm
I felt a twinge of embarrasment when I bought it, and to be honest, I still feel like a bit of a dork when I wear it, particularly on mountain bike rides, but I love my Assos intermediateEvo jersey, which looks just like this: http://www.assos.com/en/mens/detail.aspx?article=39&color=6, even though I don’t. Yes, I know, I know. But it has a wind blocking panel that wicks sweat brilliantly – no other “breathable” windproof membrane in my cupboard works as well. It copes with a wide range of temperatures, it fits perfectly, it has clever reflective aluminium foil looking stuff woven in to blind oncoming cars, and it has useful zippered pocket.
Of course summer is coming on in Cape Town, and there’s not much call for it right now, time then to put it at the back of the cupboard and shrug into a medium short sleeved jersey.
Comment by Lofgrans | 11.16.2006 | 1:54 pm
Funny how many comments pop up so fast when there is some schwag. I don’t ride, my husband does, so I don’t have favorite bike gear. I guess I like the motor!
Comment by Lins - Australia | 11.16.2006 | 2:00 pm
The Wingnut Hyper hydration pack is a must for the Xmas list. I put an post re this pack on Fatty’s Forum – Clothing and Accessories. The weight is at the hips not up on your back and you don’t feel the weight of the pack pulling on your shoulders. Plus it doesn’t hit you on the back of your head when riding downhill over bumps. The side pockets are easily accessible whilst riding (more so than shirt pockets) and there’s a mesh pouch on the front of the left shoulder strap for the MP3 player. All the bells and whistles? Just about. No bells but the chest strap clasp is a whistle.
Comment by Mike - Seattle | 11.16.2006 | 2:09 pm
What I really want on the Christmas list is a large container of Hammer Recoverite. At my age (41)….(stop snickering you young bucks, that is not old!)…. However, at my age recovery is key so I don’t hurt so damn bad the next day. This stuff is worth its weight in gold……You’re still snickering lads.
Comment by KatieA | 11.16.2006 | 2:28 pm
A bell?
Just kidding, I swear I don’t have a bell on my bike. I have a paddle, it works much better to smack pedestrians out fo the bike lane / path with a quick backhand across the head. *thwack* GET OFF MY ROAD!
But tool kit, seriously. They’re so handy to have – something that has all the essentials in it, that you don’t have to go and buy “extra” bits for, or “options”. I hate when you get something, and they start with “oh, that doesn’t come with it, it’s an extra, about $25…”
Comment by BotchedExperiment | 11.16.2006 | 2:55 pm
Sorry Al, I’m afraid of rough treatment in your hands. However, for a small fee, I’d bee willing to cheer you from afar. “Go Al!–Pushemback, pushemback, WAAAAYYYY back.”
Botched
P.S. That’ll cost you one Chris King SS Disc Rear Hub in blue.
Comment by JET(not a nickname) | 11.16.2006 | 3:10 pm
A jar of chamois cream. I hardly ever use the stuff, but it is nice when you get some unexpected rubs during a 70+mile/day, 5 some days bike ride. Plus, when people see it they ask about it so it is an excellent conversation starter.
Comment by bradley | 11.16.2006 | 3:12 pm
I want more time to ride, even as it cools down this winter, but especially once it warms up again next spring and summer.
Comment by Lisa B | 11.16.2006 | 3:32 pm
My SmartWool beanie. Warm head=warm body, keeps the sweat out of my eyes (not that girls sweat, of course), fits under my helmet, and doesn’t get nasty stenchy like the pads in my helmet. And I got it at Sierra Trading Post – cheap! Everyone should have one.
Comment by traildiva | 11.16.2006 | 4:04 pm
A Pulaski.
Not one of the cheap wanna-bes that you find at a chain hardware store, but a beautifully heavy, wood handled, fire service beauty, the kind that is so perfectly balanced, you could swing it for hours and not get too tired. We fell in love several years ago and the sparks are still there — sometimes literally.
*sigh*
I’d also take another fully rigid, 26″ Inbred singlespeed : )
Comment by Desert Rat | 11.16.2006 | 5:01 pm
I love these shirts! http://evomo.com/ Especially the “Hurl” and The “Blood Donor” designs. Great stuff for giving and recieving!
Comment by GregP | 11.16.2006 | 5:56 pm
My Patagonia O2 Velocity shell – very light, very packable, always makes me feel warm & cozy when donned at the coldest part of every winter MTB ride: the end of the sweaty climb & beginning of the windy downhill.
GregP
Comment by MTB W | 11.16.2006 | 6:59 pm
Is it too late? Can I still get in on this action? Man, my ideas are all taken but, for what its worth, a bike stand and trainer are primo gifts, particularly for the winter. The coup de ta – a group ride with FC and his groupies! (BTW, Al Maviva, your comment had me spit up my drink I was laughing so hard!)
Comment by walter | 11.16.2006 | 7:44 pm
Two thoughts:
1. Craft Pro Cool Mesh baselayer — I was a big skeptic, but someone on my PMC team convinced me to try it, and now I’m a convert: kept me comfy and cool despite heat and humidity all summer long. Doesn’t pill (or feel like it’s going to pill) like the older Craft Pro stuff.
2. Specialized Bar Phat — yeah, I know, it’s so uncool and will add about 5 pounds to the weight of your bike. But, it’s made my old school alu bars comfy enough that I’m no longer even tempted by all those megabuck carbon bars with all their complicated shapes…
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Comment by Josh- | 11.16.2006 | 8:32 pm
Someone said their Garmin, but for it’s my simple cyclometer. It’s both love and hate, changes with the weather, calorie intake,distance traveled and remaining. Some days it’s about getting to work 20 seconds slower/faster, watching average speed change with the season or the weather, or how many more hours to the end of a long long ride, or wondering what part must be binding or dead that’s slowing things down. Some days it’s to be left on clock and avoided.
Comment by listless Crab | 11.16.2006 | 10:08 pm
I have a couple of favourites, and i earnt them, so you can’t stuff a stocking with them!!
I have some Leadville Socks. The shirts all sucked, but i bought some socks after the race because i had to have a trophy.
I have a RAMROD jersey. I have a Seattle to Portland Jersey, and a few others.
I have lots of bike stuff, but I treasure the reminders of the Epic rides. I even treasure the reminders of the non epic rides, like the huge scrape on the Orbea when i was simply too tired to unclip at the T intersection.
For a stocking stuffer… There is simply no better DVD than ‘Hell on Wheels’
Comment by sportcrazy.net | 11.17.2006 | 1:07 am
I’m not sure if this counts as “can be given as a gift” (maybe you can get a gift voucher from a local build)… I like to travel, and if you’ve air-travelled with a bike you love, you know it’s one of the most stressful things you can do, ever.
If I had some of these beautiful Bicycle Torque Couplings from S and S Machine I think I’d be a whole lot less stressed about putting my babies in the hands of the luggage carriers!
Ok, ok, that might be cheating because the giver would need to go work out a deal with a builder.
Some guys mentioned lighting above several times, so if asking for a Lupine Edison 10 (aka “The best of the best” but coming in at $900usd) then how about something less expensive for the commuters in your life? In Dublin traffic I can never have too much reflective stuff. How about a really ugly, cheap and cheerful – and potentially life-saving – ANSI Class II Safety Vest?
Comment by FliesOnly | 11.17.2006 | 5:32 am
Here’s a gift idea that I don’t think has been mentioned yet (or maybe it has and I just “missed” it). In all honesty, it’s a gift idea that I’m really requesting for Christmas. A truing stand. Not some high tech, professional grade model, but rather a modest price stand (Minoura Pro Truing Stand @ $69.95 for example) that your average Joe can afford. Speaking from experience, I loath trying to true my wheels by spinning them while they’re still on my bike and seeing what the rim does relative to the brake pad. A nice, inexpensive (but halfway decent) truing stand would make a perfect gift for any biker.
Comment by Brett Taylor | 11.17.2006 | 8:17 am
Responding to Botched – nope not a newlywed. Today it’s actually 3.5 years to the day, but we were dating like 2.5 years before we got married (damn grad school)! :-)
While the wife has not fallen in love with mountain biking (a fear of heights and any sheer exposure hasn’t helped that), she still loves to road ride. I’ve already committed myself to doing the double metric Mountains of Misery ride (http://www.cyclingdoubleheader.com/MoM.html) next year – she hasn’t been so convinced, but will probably do the 75 mile (slightly) more fun ride the day before. I think Fatty should come ride the MoM… and anyone else. It finished on a 10k climb that has sections as steep as 12% I think. It ends on this climb. The climb is up to Mountain Lake Lodge where not only did a stage of the Tour de Trump finish (with Armstrong beating Ekimov), but is also the hotel they filmed Dirty Dancing at.
Comment by Tim D | 11.17.2006 | 8:18 am
I’d like a month of Sundays. I used to have a calendar that had an extra month between July and August that was all Sundays.
Tim
Comment by Heffalump | 11.17.2006 | 9:09 am
What I love is that I own a bike at all. After wishing for one for years and years as a child, I can finally ride again.
As for unique cycling gifts…how about some streamers for the handlebars? Just like the old days…red and white, not quite long enough to whip you in the face; A hitch mounted bike rack so you don’t have to spend all that time trying to adjust the rack so as to scratch the least amount of paint. For stocking stuffers, LED Valve cap lights, Tealight Candle Holders (found on Amazon.com) that are made from recycled bike freewheels and cogs. Add some ambiance to your house while turning conversations to cycling.
Comment by Stan | 11.17.2006 | 9:44 am
What do I love…Smarties. Yes the candy. I honestly swear they are a Candian plot to overtake the world. Nothing helps you come back into a long ride where you bonked miles ago, and cannot stand the thought of energy food any longer than a few packages of that maltodextrinni goodness. Bonus they come in a giant sized roll now. Perfect for stockings or sharing with friends who accompanied you on the latest caloric miscalculation.
Another thing to love may be the Patagonia camelbacklike pack. While not a subversive plot to overtake the world it is: sleek, simple and extremely functional. Add in an MSR bladder and it is water filter friendly. The hip belt pockets are hold lots of Smarties or a flybox.
Comment by Susan | 11.17.2006 | 10:15 am
What to get for the woman cyclist in your life? An anatomic saddle, a really good sports bra, and that orange Smartwool jersey that matches the tirm on my scoot.
What? Say you don’t have a woman cyclist in your life? Then send it to me. I’ll sub in.
Comment by Jill | 11.17.2006 | 12:07 pm
I am mad, simply mad about stems. I can’t even accidently click on an eBay link without buying a couple dozen that I can mix an match for maximum performance in each individual ride – carbon stems, aluminum stems, forged alloy stems, titanium stems, steel stems, Ritchey, Schwinn, Kalin, Bontrager, Titec, Miremo, MUTANT, Kore, Cannondale, Thompson, Chromoly, adjustable, road, recumbant, mountain, track, BMX, Snow bike, black, silver, red, maroon, periwinkle Prewar Torrington Ballon Tire bicycle stems. I like stems.
Comment by dawn | 11.17.2006 | 12:08 pm
Stocking stuffer – trail mix that I would not normally buy, say from the organic food store or a specialty mix only available during the holidays. I love trying new stuff, but hate when it tastes horrible and I feel like I’ve wasted my money. The same could be said for new brands of energy bars and gels.
Comment by Taocat | 11.17.2006 | 12:09 pm
2 things I love:
1. My IMBA membership – a great organization that, in spite of going global, has retained it’s grassroots feel. My bike club got a $500 grant for trailwork and took advantage of the deal on a B.O.B. trailer to haul our tools AND we got a visit from the Trail-Care Crew: very cool. My wife and I also took advantage of the Subaru at dealer cost when it was time to buy a new car.
2. My turtle squeaky horn on my mountain bike. My wife bought me this several years ago for Christmas. On really rough descents, it makes itself squeak. I’ve gotten more comments on my horn than on anything else I’ve owned!
Comment by Monica | 11.17.2006 | 1:01 pm
I love my kevlar-lined tires. It’s great not to have to worry about swerving to avoid broken bitso’glass left outside the party/frat houses on the way out of Mad-town, or the junk that might be on country roads. These tires are great for confidence–sure, I can ride through that!
And since I’m obviously female, I second and applaud the idea of gifting a good saddle!
Comment by SYJ | 11.17.2006 | 1:46 pm
The first cycling related thing that I really love are my smartwool socks. Thanks for stealing my thunder.
The next thing that I really love is my road bike frame. I managed to ebay a Schwinn Fastback that actually fits my goofy body shape. Since few manufacturers (and pretty much none in my price range) make a bike with a 50-51cm seat tube and 54cm top tube, I’m stuck with compact geometry. The Schwinn lets me stretch out on the flats, ensures that my toes don’t have any unplanned meetings with my front tire (try THAT on a 52 cm Cannondale), and lets me straddle the top tube with both legs while keeping my boys safe and sound. Best of all, the frame/fork set me back a mere $150.
Finally, I really love my REI Armwarmers. That’s right folks, turn any jerey into a long sleeved model. Perfect for those fall days when the ride starts out chilly, but warms, or when your flat warmup roads point uphill. Easily stowable in a jersey pocket, or ride with them bunched around your wrists if you wanna look P-R-O. And they’re cheap (see a trend?).
Comment by greg | 11.17.2006 | 2:33 pm
A velcro chain stay protector! Cheap, tough, dampens chain slap, and protects your frame. They’re under $20 too.
Comment by Gordon | 11.17.2006 | 7:15 pm
Arm Warmers, Gloves, cycling cap, bar tape, tail light, gift certificate at Greggs, shot blocks, cliff bars & cyctomax :)
Comment by squeakycyclist | 11.17.2006 | 8:07 pm
I really like my Trek helmet with flames. I’ve had several people yell at me that they love my helmet, and one guy offered to buy it. I don’t know if they make it any more, though.
Comment by Miguel | 11.19.2006 | 8:35 am
All I want for Christmas is two biking friends. Biking friends are the best in the world. I want a pair of guys who are motivated, driven and yet not so ascetic that they cannot have fun everynow and again. These guys must be able to do the following:
a) Ride a road bike. Well.
b) One has to be able to climb at least as well as I do and the other needs to be a sprinter or tt type guy. That way I can work on both while riding with them.
c) Live near me so that we can ride together without much hassle.
d) Need to be able to mountain bike. If they could be about the same ability as me (or a little better) that would be great. Actually, make one of them really good and the other the same ability as me. That way we can compliment Mr. X while Mr. Y and I figure out how we are going to do the things that X did without even sweating.
e) Enjoy hanging out on the weekends, even if we are not riding.
That would be the best thing in the world for Christmas.
Comment by Harrison Spain | 11.20.2006 | 9:05 am
A pair of 500 watt legs?
Comment by Kevin | 11.20.2006 | 10:50 am
@Jill: Yeah, I guess you like the 8″ length, 10 degrees rise, carbon fibre with polished knob the most ;-) [sorry, i couldn't resist]
Comment by ktown | 11.20.2006 | 12:17 pm
Stocking stuffer – toe covers. They’re the greatest – simple, cheap – and inevitably, you need a new pair yearly after walking around looking for all the stuff you’ve forgotten to put on when going on a coldish ride. And the medium jersey would be just perfect.
is that the way one butchers a jersey cow?
Comment by Fatjogger | 11.22.2006 | 5:34 am
I love this site. When I was running, my youngest always called me “fatjogger.” Now I’m at the age where running is out and cycling is in.
What to give? The answer depends on how much cash you have. Short on cash, how about a box of Clif bars, assorted flavors, and a couple of expresso coffee gels. But if you have the folding stuff, then how about an envelope with a homemade gift certificate good for a custom bike of the rider’s dreams? My wife told me to buy the bike of my dreams and it is a gift I have loved for five years. Best of all, no shopping. Believe me, the recipient will be delighted to handle the details. You know, the tough stuff like, “Campy or DuraAce.”
Comment by Kerri | 11.28.2006 | 10:17 am
A wireless computer. The wires on mine are so fried that my cadence meter doesn’t work anymore. Oh, and if there’s one out there that can easily be adjusted (after the battery dies) to accommodate my 650 wheels without an act of Congress, that would be great.
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