Christmas cycling gift ideas - 2

Following on from my previous post, here are more gift ideas for those who are into cycling, or would like to get into cycling.

Like a gloworm
Proviz continue to produce their distinct range of totally reflective jackets. There's the standard 360 reflective jacket, which I have, or the more colourful ones in the range which also make you stand out during the day.

The 360 as ever is really eyecatching in the dark - not just on the road, just anywhere dark. In fact, you might even be a hit, glowing like that on the dance floor if you felt like trying it out there!

Proviz Reflective 360 cycling jacket
provizsports.com
£89.99-£149.99

















Keep the heat in
It is said that you lose around 10% of your body heat through your head. So with these cool temperatures warm headgear is important. A Gore Windstopper skull cap could do the trick.

It keeps the heat in, without you getting overheated, and it covers your ears as well. I always find that having my ears covered makes a lot of difference to how well I enjoy my ride.

Gore Bike Wear Windstopper Soft Shell Helmet Cap
gorewear.com
£14.00-22.49

















How to Build a Bike: A Simple Guide to Making Your Own Ride -  Jenni Gwiazdowski
London Bike Kitchen director, Jenni has written this book that gives instructions on how to build a bicycle - not necessarily all types of bikes, but just a standard single speed bike.

It gives step-by-step information on the key parts of bicycle and how you fit them all together. Even if you aren't going to build a whole new bike, there is enough information there for you to learn how to fix small parts of the bikes like fitting brake pads.

How to Build a Bike: A Simple Guide to Making Your Own Ride -  Jenni Gwiazdowski (paperback) - £14.99
Available from Waterstones











Putting the warmth in your toes
I wanted some Sealskinz 100% waterproof socks because I have heard they are waterproof as well as windproof. Knowing that I could be spending a few hours out on the bike during the upcoming wintry weather especially when riding the Festive 500 has made me even more conscious of the need to stay warm and have everything protected.

The weather tends to be okay around the London area over Christmas, but it can be a bit wet and wild in places like Bristol, or up in Yorkshire. So I want to have all my bases covered - literally. This is a savvy gift for anyone wanting to cycle over winter.

Sealskinz waterproof socks available on Amazon
£24-£42

















Another Primal jacket
I mentioned in my previous post how I like the colours on the Primal clothing. Well here's another nicely coloured item the Horizon Blue women's jacket.

The jacket makes for a nice addition while you're out. It's not a heavy jacket, so more something to wear for if you are doing a training ride at a fastish pace on a winter's day. I was sent this one by Primal, (along with the Tripper Day jersey), and I must say it feels great and is not at all restrictive.

Primal Horizon Blue Women's Jacket
£56


Queens of Pain: Legends & Rebels of Cycling - Isabel Best
In the year where we have been celebrating the emancipation of women - in particular with reference to gaining the right to vote, we can also look at what was happening in the world of cycling, and learn more about the women who pushed back boundaries in cycling.

Different women give first-hand experiences of being involved in these different events between the 1890s and the 1990s, such as the Tour de France and six-day track cycling events.

I must admit I haven't read this book yet, but it is a book I would like to read, so anyone is welcome to buy it for me as Christmas gift!

Queens of Pain: Legends & Rebels of Cycling - Isabel Best - £25
Available from Rapha Racing 




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Proviz bags the glowing market!

REFLECT360 rucksack

Proviz has established itself as a well known brand of super visibility jackets. Now they are producing various other items that will make you stand out at night.

The latest item that I have been testing is the REFLECT360 rucksack. We all get that slightly uncomfortable feeling when you're all set to go out, you've put on a high vis jacket in the hope of being seen at night, only for everything to get obscured by a big black rucksack! So how well will motorists approaching from behind see you now?

You can cover it with a high vis cover, but it's not guaranteed the cover will fit. Sometimes I wear an oversized high vis gilet on top of the rucksack - not very pretty! And it may not do the job anyway.

So when I was sent the REFLECT360 rucksack to try out I was quite impressed with it. It would only have been a matter of time before this latest accessory was produced. And it is the logical solution when you think how many people cycle commute now, particularly through London.

Judging by the numbers of people on the Cycle Superhighway there's no sign of the dark streets and the sub-zero temperatures deterring people from circulating through London by bike. So a super-reflective rucksack was a logical addition to the array of Proviz items, considering how useful and popular the jackets had become.

So what do I make of the rucksack? Well, it does everything it says on the tin! It's a rucksack, and a rather spacious one too. Capacity is 30 litres, meaning there was room in it for my change of clothes, my lunch, and a book, which I usually carry in case I get on public transport, plus a bit more space in reserve.

There is a front pocket in which to put smaller items like your wallet and phone etc. Then there are deep side pockets in which I put things like tools, puncture repair kit and maybe an extra drink.

Then I like the little touches such as a loop to hang a light from, a mesh ventilation system to help reduce dampness on your back, and additional loops to attach a strap if you want to carry the rucksack as a shoulder bag.

The thing I like most about the REFLECT360 rucksack though, is that addresses the things that concern me most as a commuter - will I be seen, and will my stuff get all soaked if I get caught in the rain?

Well those reflective beads are ever present in the fabric and there are no worries about you not being seen at night, and you stand out like a spaceman! Also during these autumn days motorists have on their headlights during the day so the reflective properties take effect even in daylight, so you can still be spotted on the road.

The fabric is waterproof, and furthermore all the zips on the rucksack are Aquaguard(R), meaning that they completely seal up when closed.

So there you have it, a rucksack that I can feel comfortable (literally and metaphorically) when out on my bike.

Proviz Sports

£69.99







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More winter treats for cycling and running

In my previous post I talked about how being seen is an important consideration for me while on outdoor pursuits in winter. Well here are a couple of things which will nicely tick that box.

Primal long-sleeved heavyweight jersey

I love this design. There were a few to choose from within this range, but for me the Kashmir Yellow one was the no-brainer. It is a subtle yellow in variegated shades without going as far as garish, and with brown Indian-style flowery motifs on the front and back - rather like Henna tattoos. Why go for the usual reds, blues and blacks when you can have something a little more exciting that will surely brighten up a dull day?

When I took the jersey out of its packaging I thought the fabric was a bit too thin for it to be described as heavyweight. But in fact the Sfero technical fabric keeps you quite warm while still being breathable. Since we are experiencing spring-like temperatures you may find you will need to pull down the zip a little as you trundle past the daffodils in December!

If like me, your measurements fall between two sizes I would suggest going for the larger option as these designs have a snug fit. You might, if you are like me, prefer to have some "wiggle" room while riding.

Although this jersey looks "fun" it takes quality seriously. The finish is slick, there is generous space in the three rear pockets, and the lack of labels on the inside plus raglan sleeves means that there is no danger of the jersey rubbing or chafing your skin as you ride. Furthermore the integrated sun protection factor 35+ is an added bonus during these sunny days.

I look forward to properly testing out the heavyweight properties of this jersey when the temperature drops - which is forecast to be on Christmas Eve - great timing!

Other colours: purple, blue; sizes: S-XXL(2X); £60.00; www.primaleurope.com



Proviz Reflect 360 women's gilet

While it might be too warm at the moment for a jacket while running, it is not too dark. Proviz have gear which is equally useful for runners as for cyclists. I particularly like this item, the Reflect 360 gilet.



As with the eponymous cycling jacket it is 100% reflective, and you will be spotted from almost 200m away as you do your marathon training at night or in the early mornings. The shiny reflective material gives a spaceman-like appearance, attracting almost as much attention as British astronaut, Tim Peake or a Star Wars character!

There is enough warmth on the trunk of the body to keep you warm if you come to a stop or slow down to walking pace. In addition, the high collar will protect your neck and chest from the cool night air which can sometimes lead to a chill. Of course the lack of sleeves means that there is no danger of overheating if you up the pace during a competitive event such as night orienteering. A perforated back helps with temperature regulation too.

I like lots of room for movement when running, and the Reflect 360 definitely has it, since the cut is not snugly tailored. Very usefully this gilet also has roomy zip-up pockets. Great, though it would have been even better to have one micro-pocket for things like keys and change to cut out the jingle-jangle sound as you bob up and down during your run. I have focused on running in this review, but this Reflect 360 is equally useful for cycling. Overall, this is a very handy piece of kit for your night-time outdoor pursuits.

Sizes: 6-16; £49.99; www.provizsports.com



Islabikes for small people

As I mentioned earlier in the year my niece is trying out the  Islabikes Cnoc 16. She is enjoying it even more than a few months ago, now that she is riding it everywhere with the pedals on (as opposed to using it as a balance bike). As the weather this December has been glorious there are still lots of opportunities for kids to get out and ride/learn to ride a bike. Islabikes produce good quality frames that are built sturdily to allow for the odd spill. This is great for if you want to save the bike and hand it down to a younger family member, plus these bikes don't lose much value on their price when selling.

Components on the Cnoc 16 are the same as those found on adult bikes, so children can get used to the workings of a bike from an early age in readiness for when they move on to a more "grown-up" bicycle. The good thing is that the Cnoc 16 is also lightweight so the littl' uns can use their energy mainly for zooming around further and faster, rather than trying to push off  and gain momentum!

Cnoc 16 - Age 4+; £249.99; www.islabikes.co.uk





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All I want for Christmas is....

A few ideas for treats for friends, family or even yourself this Christmas or with your Christmas gift money.

Having had the chance to review these things and enjoy using them I thought I would share my thoughts.

dhb Women's Blok Macro Roubaix jersey

At this time of year you would probably wear this jersey underneath a cycling jacket. However, the unseasonably mild weather in the UK makes it possible to wear the Blok Macro Roubaix jersey without a jacket these days. The good thing is the bold design makes you quite visible on the road.

I like fashion as much as the next person and its true that black flatters my figure. However, I am not so keen on being dressed from head to toe in dark colours at this time of year. So wearing this jersey gives me reassurance that will be seen by other road users.

The benefits don't just stop there, though. When wearing the dhb jersey on my rides I get free movement without any of the seams or the zip digging into my neck or my cuffs. Pockets are a descent size and it's good to have three, particularly for people like me who have a tendency to overstock on provisions even for the shortest of rides!

And, as with other jerseys in this range the wicking properties are excellent so you do stay dry when exerting yourself - for instance, when going uphill or doing a serious training ride. You can read a full review of the dhb Blok Macro Roubaix jersey on the Sportsister website where I posted my impressions.
                                  
                                                            £32; Sizes S-XXL; www.wiggle.co.uk



Proviz Switch Reversible jacket

Last year I reviewed the Proviz cycling jacket and found its highly reflective component mega useful when riding at night. It was particularly good when riding on the country lanes around Macclesfield where I was at the time.

This year Proviz have gone one step further by launching this lovely Switch jacket. It is completely reversible with one side having the trademark 100% reflective material which we know and love. Ride with that side on the outside at night to give your self brilliantly shiny visibility.

Then during the day reverse the jacket so that you have a high vis fluorescent yellow on the outer side for these dull winter days. No one will fail to see you on the road! This is a thoroughly useful invention giving you the best of both worlds.

The design is just as stylish as the Proviz cycling jacket from last year, with the women's jacket having a cool tailored fit. Gone is the large rear pocket and instead are two good sized side pockets which are usable whichever way you wear the Proviz Switch.

As with the 2014 incarnation there are side vents to allow breathability, but this year's design gives added ventilation through the meshed perforated back. This amount of breathability makes the Proviz Switch a feasible jacket to wear on training rides as well as when commuting - once we eventually experience normal winter temperatures!

£99.99; Sizes 6-16; www.provizsports.com



Après Vélo sleepwear

Once you are home, chill out in these cycling themed pyjamas from Après Vélo. This Unchained Love design is one of several styles that are available from these designers that are powered by the passion for all things on two wheels. I love the heart shape on the pyjama top made up of chain links with a bicycle in the middle.

And once out of the pyjamas try this Chainring Tattoo tank top (right) decorated with sequins and studs all in the shape of a skull and a bicycle with, you've guessed it, a chain ring. Check out the full review I wrote about this on the Sportsister website.

Unchained Love sleepwear £29.95; Sizes S-XL; Chainring Tattoo tank top £24.95; Sizes XS-XL; www.apresvelo.com

One day one photo - 14

Tuesday 23rd September

I managed to complete my Sportsister review of this new cycling jacket that Proviz have provided for me to test. It's an innovative type of high viz clothing that could substitute the day-glo yellows and oranges that people usually wear. I quite liked the feel of it, though I think I could have ordered a size smaller in order to get a more tailored fit like what is shown on the product website. But hey, I guess it means I don't have to worry about it being too tight if I have a few layers on underneath or if I "expand a little" over time!

This jacket, the Reflect360, is apparently the world's first jacket that uses a 100% reflective outer shell. I didn't know that, but what I do know is that the jacket certainly has a funny glow about it in the dark. When I walked into the living room with the lights out, I noticed something glowing in the corner and it almost gave me a fright! The jacket was glowing in the dark like something you see in a sci-fi show! A sliver of light had come through the gap in the curtains and this light was instantly being reflected off the jacket to make it highly visible. The thing is that all I noticed first was the chair glowing! It was only as I got closer that that I realised it was the jacket that was hanging from it. That's what must have also been happening when wearing it at night while riding in the street. I'm sure there were a few motorists who were thinking "what in the name of God is that?" at first sight! At least it caused them to stay back and give me a wider berth when approaching, which is what the intended aim is. So that can't be a bad thing, even if it gives a Dr Who or a Red Dwarf moment!