Race Entry

In addition to some of the cool gadgets below, show your athlete that you care and that you really do support their habit by signing them up for a race, or a Time Trial Season Pass. A couple of races with small race commitment are:  the  Duxbury 4th of July Road Race  the Plymouth Rock Triathlon Festival,  the America's Hometown Thanksgiving 5k, and of course, the Time Trial Season Pass .

Delphi 5.0 Cyclometer ($99.99)
This cyclometer quite simply does it all: The Delphi 5.0
If the rider in your life obsesses over things like heart rate, cadence, average speed and distance covered, fret not. The Delphi 5.0 does all of that and then some. The large screen is easy to read, and you won’t get tangled up in a bunch of wires because the speedometer and odometer are wireless. The 5.0 also has settings for two bikes if you train on one and ride or another, or if you like to ride mountain and road. While riding, this cyclometer keeps track of time of day, ride time, and total time ridden. Bottom line: This is a lot of computer for your dollar.

Contact: DelphiCyclometers

Hydrapak Big Sur ($69.99)
Hydrapak Big Sur: Ride anywhere
With ergonomic foam pods on the back for ventilation and comfort, and 465-cubic inches of storage space, the Big Sur is one of those ride-anywhere types of hydration systems. Other features include an external bungee system, expandable back panel for helmet storage, and a cord-port for earphone or headlamp use. A 100-ounce removable reservoir turns inside out making it the easiest reservoir on the planet to clean.

Contact: Hydrapak.com

DaKine Cross X Glove ($30) All mountain, all world, the DaKine Cross X glove. This no frills glove from DaKine has everything you want from a mountain bike glove: quality construction, extra padding on the knuckles and hands where you need it most, and a silicone coating on the fingertips for increased grip. All this from a stylish glove that will make you look, feel, and most importantly, ride faster.

Contact: DaKine.com

Kryptonite Evolution Standard And SCLIII Bike Locks ($54.95 and $21.95)
The Evolution Standard. Leave your bike anywhere
If you love your bike, you lock your bike. Especially those of you that live in urban or high-crime areas. Kryptonite has been making some of the best locks in the business for years, the Evolution Standard is no exception. This lock is an industry-tested half-inch Through-hardened Kryptonium TM Steel shackle lock - designed for medium- to high-crime areas. It resists bolt cutters and leverage attacks, and comes with a lighted key for nighttime riding, a transportation bracket to mount on your bike, and a $2,000 Anti-Theft Protection offer.

Another good option is theRCL III cable lock, made for low-crime, suburban areas or for use in conjunction with the Evolution series as an added deterrent in high-crime areas.

Contact: KryptoniteLock.com

Blackburn Carbon Airstick Pump ($34.95)
Blackburn's Carbon Airstick: Light on pounds, heavy on air
The carbon version of Blackburn's original high-pressure mini-pump is more potent, and lighter, than ever. Features include an ergonomically shaped head and foldout T-handle with rubberized grip zones. The double-action internal chambers take the time and effort out of getting your tire up to the desired PSI. Oh by the way, carbon is hip, which helps you look hip even if you aren't.

"Inside The Tour de France" by Eric Delanzy ($29.95)
Vintage pictures and stories from the world's greatest bike race. This comprehensive historical look at the world's greatest bike race, with a foreword by Tour commentator and former competitor Bob Roll, is the perfect off-season read for cycling fans. The book is filled with Tour de France stories, pictures, and legends dating back to the first race in 1903 all the way up through Lance Armstrong's record-setting seven victories. Further your friends' and loved ones' knowledge of the Grand Boucle (Big Loop) with this book that recounts tales of the great rivalries, riders and mountain clashes that comprise the Tour's illustrious history.

Contact: The Rodale Bookstore.

 

A Gift Subscription To Bicycling Magazine ($19.98)
A gift for all twelve months of the year: Bicycling Magazine
Currently residing in the gifts that keep on giving category: A subscription to Bicycling Magazine, The World's Leading Bike Magazine. This present will keep the cyclist in your life happy all-year round. Included in the paid gift subscription are 11 issues of Bicycling delivered right to your door, a copy of Bicycling's 250 Best Cycling Tips, and a personalized gift card or e-card sent whenever you choose.

Contact: www.bicycling.com

A Gift Subscription to Inside Triathlon Magazine

(The OTHER Triathlon Magazine) www.insidetri.com

Smith Method Sunglasses With Polarized Lenses ($99)
Great for the ride, better for post ride. Smith's Method Sunglasses
Part of Smith Optics Street Series, the Method has a hot wrap-around frame that delivers the cool look we’re all looking for. Optically corrected Carbonic(tm) lenses provide 100% UVA and UVB protection to go with a comfortable fit. These are the glasses you want to be wearing post ride, whether you are kicking it at a friend’s house or hanging at the local coffee shop. The lightweight, distortion-free polarized lens offers perfect vision and protection. The Method combines the highest level of performance and optical quality with the strength and durability that made Smith famous. Contact: SmithOptics.com

Rudy Project Sunglasses    

If you are in the market for Rudy Projects, contact me directly, as I can get a discount through my sponsorship: bak5557@aol.com.

Giro Animas Helmet ($105)

If you really want to say, "I care," buy a helmet. You'll be protecting the most important part of any biker’s body: Their melon. On that note, consider the Giro Animas as a killer option for a holiday gift. It's comfortable, lightweight and the 27-vent Wind Tunnel technology will keep your head nice and cool while pedaling. It's also got a sleek racing profile and an adjustable/ removable visor which screams I’m fast whether you are out on the trail or rocking the road.

Or consider a Time Trial helmet - cheaper than race wheels and just as much a factor for improving aerodynamics.

Contact: Giro.com, www.fastsplits.com

Stocking Stuffers:

SmartWool Training Beanie
Move over, underwear three-pack. It's nice to keep the bottom half warm, but prevent heat loss through the top, and your performance improves. With lightweight and breathable, 100 percent superfine SmartWool interlock-knit fabric, a snug fit and short length (no bulky cuffing), this is perfect alone or underneath a helmet. $20; smartwool.com

Finish Line Shop-Quality Chain Cleaner
This gizmo solves your most nagging problem (a gunked-up chain) with no mess, in only seconds. The foam-lined exit eliminates drips, and a magnet inside attracts metal shavings. The first few cleanings are grimy affairs, but after that, a like-new chain is just a few backpedals away. $25, $35 w/ degreaser and lube; finishlineusa.com

Roam Freeride DVD
You could watch It's a Wonderful Life again, or you could pop in The Collective's Roam DVD and watch top riders, such as Andrew Shandro, Wade Simmons and Darren Berrecloth, defy gravity in amazing places around the globe. $28; thecollectivefilm.com

Maple-Sugar Santa Every stocking needs a sweet treat, and the traditional orange is tricky to eat on the bike. Like most energy gels, a 1-ounce maple-sugar St. Nick delivers about 35 grams of carbohydrate, but tastes better and stays fresher in a jacket pocket--sans sticky wrapper. $12/6 Santas; piecesofvermont.com

Pedro's Hatchback Blowout Bag Tool Kit
Made from planet-rescuing used mountain bike tires, this bag comes with an Rx Multi-Tool kit (hex keys, flat-blade screwdriver and chain tool) and tire levers, plus space left over for keys and an energy bar. $40; pedros.com

Art by Opsal
When it comes to cycling art, giving the right gift can be tough to pull off, which is why we like the "Hell of the North" and the "Ronde" posters from Art by Opsal--the prints on heavy stock are classy enough to be framed, yet gritty enough to be tacked to the shop wall, greasy fingerprints and all. $25; artbyopsal.com