_ForceD_

I’m such a dope. I’ve been riding road bikes for 42 years. And I’ll admit that beyond cycling-specific shorts and jerseys…I’ve never been a cycling apparel fashionista. I ride old bikes, and I’m more “function over fashion.” At 62 years old, I am firmly a Fred. I’m also not a big gift giver/receiver. But there are a few family and close friends in my life that I do exchange with at those times of the year. I’m thankful …it’s the thought that counts. Yet none of them seem to understand gifting functional cycling-related items. It’s kind of comical. The cycling-related items I’ve received are things like: a t-shirt with a picture of a bicycle and the word “CYCOLOGIST.” An electronic bike horn that mounts on handlebars, with a mountable battery pack. And my personal favorite…wearable turn signals (not small mind you). Worn around the waist to hang off your butt, and a handlebar mountable controller. All useable devices I’m sure. Just not for my type of cycling. Fast forward to Xmas 2022. A close family friend gave me a set of four pairs of what I thought were dress socks. They range from white, to light gray, dark gray, and black. But they’re kind of short for me, and have odd decorative stripes on the back. I though well, I’ll at least use these if for nothing more than wearing around the house. Then one evening, about a month ago, I walk into the dark bedroom where there’s a folded pile of my clean laundry on the bed. The light from the hallway is reflecting off the reflective stripes of a pair. And for a minute I think “Oh, those would make good cycling socks for my nighttime rides.” Then it hits me…DUH! THEY ARE CYCLING SOCKS! (I didn’t recognize the logo) I confirmed it with the giver. And so I have been wearing them on the bike. I like them. But I’m laughing at myself. I finally receive a functional cycling gift (for me) and I don’t even realize it. — Dan

andrewclaus

A friend gave me a cycling jersey that hung in my closet for a few years until I put it in the Goodwill pile. My favorite gifts have been bike lights, a leather saddle, pants legs clips....

Random11

I have six cycling jerseys, all gifts, but I almost always ride wearing a white t-shirt. I have a lifetime supply of t-shirts that I got in race packets when I was a runner. I don't need the jerseys, but one reason I don't wear them often is that they are all dark colors and I want to be more visible on the road. (I do wear them for long rides because I use the pockets, but I already have more than I need.)

Ogsarg

Hah! I think I have the same tailight/turn signal with remote control gifted to me by one of my sisters. I also have a water bottle with lights in it, a cell phone charger, and a bluetooth speaker on top. Empty it weighs more than a normal full water bottle. I politely thank them for the gifts and hope they don't get any more.

nomadmax 

The true gift is that someone knows you have a passion for cycling cares enough to try an accommodate it.

DonkeyShow

Send tubes.

TakingMyTime

My wife's family with sometimes give me a bicycling related gift but not one of them were anything I'd ever use. The problem is that my wife sees them in my "bike drawer" and asks why I never attached that to my bike and I have to tell her that basically it's a piece of junk. Then I get the lecture about how I don't like anything her family gives me bla bla bla.

mattcalifornia

The best bike gift I ever received is the Garmin Varia radar/rear light that my wife gave me a few years ago. I was skeptical about how useful or accurate it would be, but it is incredible and really helps with situational awareness -- especially since my hearing is not as good as it used to be and we have electric and other quiet cars. Highly recommended.

plumberroy

It's not only biking stuff. As a general outdoorsman I get knives and fishing stuff I wouldn't carry home if given too me. Most of it is in a drawer Incase asked about .

andrewclaus

Ha! I hear that. I always cringe when someone gives me "something to take on a camping trip." For some reason, bike gifts are fewer.

staehpj1

REI or Amazon Prime wishlists are helpful for families and friends who want to help each other find gifts that will be used and enjoyed. If someone wants to devaiate from the list it is still a starting point. I they have no idea of how to choose they can buy an exact item from the list. If all else fails there are gift cards.

_ForceD_

I may look into those wish lists…especially on Amazon. Lots of people around me use that.

Dan

John E

I usually pick out my own cycling-related gifts, or provide a list.

The best surprise, unsolicited hiking-and-cycling-related gift I ever received was a Camelbak Mule NV backpack from my elder son. He and his wife even scouted around to find me specifically a yellow one, to avoid covering my bright yellow cycling jersey with a dark-colored backpack. With or without the water bladder installed, I have gotten a lot of use out of it during the 12 years I have had it.