Gift ideas for Cyclists

December 24, 2020

Do you have friends that are cyclists? How about siblings? Loved ones? Significant others? Coworkers? The list goes on and on. But the question still hangs, what do you gift a cyclist? Lucky for you, we have a gift guide that will help you select the right present!

Cyclists are simple people. As long you get them something related to their craft, they will enjoy. Now hold your horses, you don’t have to buy them a new race bike — but hey, if you can afford it, who’s to stop you? It doesn’t have to be anything complicated or expensive, just something that they can use pre-, post-, or during their ride. Let’s narrow things down to make it easier for you:

Food

You can’t go wrong with food; anyone will enjoy receiving food as a gift! But cyclists in particular will enjoy this simple act of love. Proper nutrition is key to maintaining energy throughout a ride and to do that you need to fuel up. Here are a few things that cyclists always like to keep on hand. These recipes can be made easily at home:

1. Trail Mix

Too many people give trail mix a bad name. We're not going to dive any deeper because you probably know why. We're not saying that all trail-mixes are healthy (because they're not). We're just saying that they can be if you make them on your own.

Trail mix is the perfect snack for the athlete on the go. It's lightweight, tasty, and has enough energy packed into its tiny package to give any cyclist the boost they need for their trail ride.

This great recipe from thehealthymaven.com is for sure something any of your cyclist friends will love.

INGREDIENTS:

For the customizable version:

1 1/2 cups raw nuts i.e. almonds, pecans, cashews, peanuts etc.
1 cup raw seeds i.e. sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds etc.
1 cup unsweetened, unsulphured dried fruit
Fun stuff (amounts vary) i.e. 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate, 1 cup popped popcorn, 1 cup pretzels etc..
Spice i.e. 1/4 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, pinch of nutmeg (optional)

My Go-To Trail Mix Recipe:

3/4 cup raw pecans (I toast mine in the oven for 10 mins at 350 degrees F)
3/4 cup raw cashews (I toast mine in the oven for 10 mins at 350 degrees F)
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup unsweetened, unsulfured cherries
1/2 cup unsweetened, unsulfured raisins
1/2 cup chopped 82% dark chocolate
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS:

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
Store in a Ziploc bag or mason jar.
Will keep for up to 1 month

Optional: If you really need the extra sweetness, you can coat the mix with 2 T maple syrup, spread it out on a baking sheet and allow it to dry before bagging.

2. Energy balls

According to Wellplated.com, these are “…The only Energy Ball recipe you'll ever need, plus six no-bake energy ball flavors! Start with this easy base recipe, then add any of your favorite mix-ins.”

INGREDIENTS:

ENERGY BALL BASE:

1 1/4 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats — you can also swap quick oats or a blend of half quick, half old fashioned
2 tablespoons "power mix-ins" — chia seeds, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, or additional rolled oats
1/2 cup nut butter of choice — peanut butter is my go-to
1/3 cup sticky liquid sweetener of choice — honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup mix-ins — see below for flavor options

CLASSIC CHOCOLATE CHIP:

Any nut butter — honey, 1/2 cup chocolate chips

TRAIL MIX:

Peanut butter — honey, 3 tablespoons chocolate chips, 3 tablespoons chopped peanuts, 2 tablespoons raisins

WHITE CHOCOLATE CRANBERRY:

Almond butter — or cashew butter, honey, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup white chocolate chips

ALMOND JOY:

Replace 1/2 cup of the oatmeal with 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes — almond butter, any sweetener, 1/4 cup chocolate chips, 1/4 cup chopped almonds

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE:

Any nut butter — any sweetener, 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, ADD 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIE:

Almond butter — or cashew butter, maple syrup, 1/2 cup raisins, ADD 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS:

Place all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl: oats, power mix-ins, nut butter, sweetener, vanilla extract, salt, mix-ins, and any other spices you'd like to add. Stir to combine. If the mixture seems too wet, add a bit more oats. If it's too dry, add a bit more nut butter. It should resemble a somewhat sticky dough that holds together when lightly squeezed. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set (this will make the balls easier to roll later on).
Remove the bowl from the refrigerator and portion the dough into balls of desired size. (I use a cookie scoop to make mine approximately 1 inch in diameter). Enjoy!

RECIPE NOTES:

Store leftover energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
For nut allergies: In place of the almond or peanut butter, try sunflower seed butter.

Hydration Pack

It's common knowledge that water is essential for our bodies to function correctly. It supplements our blood and carries vital oxygen and nutrients to our muscles. Aside from that, it removes waste built up in our muscles. Any form of exercise causes us to expel water from our bodies. It happens through the process that we know as sweat. It's the body's natural way of cooling itself when doing something physically strenuous.

It's essential to stay hydrated when cycling to replenish water and other essential nutrients at regular intervals.

Palm Phone

Palm phones are standalone devices that run on Android. They’re essentially teeny-tiny versions of smartphones, or “minimalist phones” as their creators like to call them. Riders are always looking for ways to downsize their rides. The less weight they’re carrying, the faster and farther they can go. Hence their adoration for the PALM phone. With its Bluetooth capabilities it’s easy to connect your paLm to a power meter, heart rate monitor or even GPS. The PALM is the perfect companion for any cyclist, and we guarantee that you’ll make their day if you gift them with one.

Sunglasses

There is nothing better than giving the perfect pair of sunglasses that will delight someone you love. A good pair of shades makes a great gift and are more personal than any gift card. They are effortlessly cool, useful, and are a must have accessory! Sunglasses are the perfect gift for everyone on your list no matter if your athlete is out training for an Ironman triathlon or hanging by the pool. They are an essential piece of gear.

Bike Helmet

Some people like shoes, others like bags, and a select few like bike helmets! They say everyone has a collection, and for most cyclists it’s helmets. Aside from being a functional piece that protects your brain and head from injury, it’s also an accessory. A fashion statement if you will. There are different types of helmets for different events so consult with your cyclist friend before you buy them a helmet.

A bike

What better thing to gift a cyclist with than a bike! Mind you, this is not for everybody. Bikes are expensive and you should give it to someone you truly care about such as your family member or significant other.

Hi-Viz accessories

Cycling isn’t exclusive to daytime riders. There are also people that would prefer to ride in the cool night air. However, cycling at night does have its risks in terms of visibility. That’s why you need to have a range of high-viz accessories to keep you safe at night! For cyclists in particular, we highly recommend the LED Reflective Belt.

The LED Belt will give you ultimate visibility and safety from all angles. The belt includes an array of colors in one device. Choose from green, blue, red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, or white–whichever suits your needs best!

Here are a couple of words to live by when buying your cyclist friends gifts: It should be lightweight, aerodynamic, and functional. This applies to all accessories, gear, and food that you decide to gift them because they’ll be carrying it on their backs during their ride. And it doesn’t have to be expensive! As long as you put some thought into it and it comes from the heart, your friends will definitely enjoy it.