1. CYCLING CLOTHING
As with any sport, suitable clothing is a good investment. A cycling shirt and shorts are specially made for exercise on the bike, making them comfortable and functional. For example, cycling clothes are made of fine fabric with breathable properties, but they also wick away moisture perfectly. In addition, cycling shorts come with a comfortable chamois, which can be very helpful against saddle sores. In the colder seasons, opt for an extra cycling jacket, which will keep you well warm. Rainwear is also essential. This way, you can cycle in any weather!
2. GOOD SHOES
Besides a shirt and cycling shorts with chamois, your cycling shoes are also important. The sole of cycling shoes is stiffer and many cycling shoes can be used in combination with click pedals. Then your feet are attached to your pedals, allowing you to use your power efficiently. You then not only push your pedal down, your other leg helps by pulling the pedal upwards. This means more power, more speed and more ease. Cycling shoes come in both mountain and road bikes.
3. CYCLING HELMET
A bike fall can always happen, whether you go mountain biking or road cycling. With both bikes, we recommend investing in a good helmet. A helmet protects your head in case of an unexpected fall, significantly reducing the risk of (serious) injury. When buying a bike helmet, pay close attention to the fit and comfort. A helmet that is uncomfortable only distracts. Try on different helmets in the shop, as every bike helmet fits slightly differently.
4. INNER TUBE
An inner tube is always handy to have with you. If you have a flat tyre, you won't be able to continue cycling! That would be a waste of a beautiful day. Plus, walking back is never fun. With an inner tube, you can repair your bike on the spot. Don't forget your plastic tyre levers either, so you don't damage your rims! Do you have a tubeless tyre? You have handy repair kits for those too.
5. TUBELET
Sometimes it can be just as quick to repair your tyre. A repair kit should therefore be part of your kit. Sometimes holes are easy to find, so you can repair them quickly. Just inflate the tyre and you can ride off into the sun again.
6. BIKE PUMP
This brings us straight to the next must-have: the bicycle pump! Because after repairing that flat tyre, it is of course necessary to inflate it again. There are various bicycle pumps on the market. A floor pump is, of course, a bit difficult to take with you, but a small hand pump fits perfectly in your rucksack. So don't forget it!
7. MULTITOOL
There aren't many parts on the bike, but something can always break. Then it is handy to have the tools with you to fix it on the spot. A multitool is the ideal must-have for this. It contains all the tools to fix the most common problems, such as several hex keys and a screwdriver. The multitool is also nice and compact, so takes up little space.
8. SADELTAS
But how do you take this stuff with you? A saddle bag can help. Especially if you don't like cycling with a rucksack, you can still take your most important things with you. Saddlebags come in different sizes, so take a good look at what you want to put inside.
9. FOOD AND DRINK
As well as your cycling gear, don't forget your food and drink! Very important to keep your energy level up and get enough fluids. Therefore, mount one or two bottle cages on your bike so that you always have something to drink at hand. For long rides, it is important to replenish your carbohydrates well, as they burn a lot. Energy bars, gels and sports drinks are great for this. And a banana always does the trick too!
10. CYCLING COMPUTER
Keeping statistics is always fun. You can do it with your phone, but did you know that there are also special bike computers? These keep track of your speed and distance in detail. There are also extensive bike computers with navigation, cadence meter or heart rate monitor. So you can make your stats as comprehensive as you want. Ideal when you are focused on performance, but also fun when you just want to enjoy cycling.
EXTRA TIP!
Piece by piece essentials that should not be missed! And as an extra tip: don't forget your bike!
And, are you already well prepared for the upcoming bike rides? Drop by our shop in Gloucester or Southampton and take a look at our extensive range of must-haves for cycling. Or order them online and have them conveniently delivered to your home.