Top 10 Cycling Essentials for New Cyclists
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Cycling has had a huge boom over the last six months, as lots of us look for new ways to explore and keep active. And I am one of the many people who’ve rediscovered my love of cycling. Up until this year, I don’t think I’d been on a bike for about 15 years. But the girls both learned to ride over Lockdown and were very keen to go on family bike rides. So I needed to get kitted out for our bike rides. Here are my cycling essentials, ideal for new cyclists, or people like me who are getting into it again.
This isn’t a list for pro cyclists — rather for people who want to go out for a bit of fresh air and exercise for the afternoon and want to make their bike ride even more enjoyable.
Cycling is not only fun, it’s better for the environment and is a great way to keep fit, it’s a win/win!
To kick off my top ten new cyclist essentials, I asked Caz, owner of online cycle shop CycleChic for her top three tips for new or returning cyclists.
New Cyclist Tip 1: Pace Yourself
Caz’s first tip is music to my ears:
“If you’ve not cycled for a while, it’s importance to pace yourself. Start with short manageable journeys and slowly build it up. And it’s OK to cycle slowly, the Dutch do it. There’s no need to race and get hot and sweaty, just pootle along at your own pace.”
If you do find yourself working up a sweat, I highly recommend the Natural Deodorant Co deodorant from my Zero Waste Beauty and Body Care Guide.
New Cyclist Tip 2: Have a Lesson
This cycling tip is something I wouldn’t have thought of — but makes perfect sense. After all, my cycling proficiency course was about 30 years ago!
“If you are nervous about cycling on roads, having a lesson is a great way to build up confidence and skills. Your local authority may offer a subsidised session. Google ‘Adult cycle training’ and you should find something in your area.
New Cyclist Tip 3: Invest in Panniers
Riding a bike is a lot more eco-friendly than driving but you are more limited in what you can transport. But there is a way round this.
“If you are using your bike for day to day life you will without a doubt need to carry things as you ride. Panniers are a great way to carry stuff easily and let the bike take the weight, not you. You just need a rear rack and you can hook on a double or a single pannier.”
So now on to my top 10 cycling essentials. They’re suitable for new cyclists but I have lovely ideas for more experienced cyclists too! A lot of these would be great gifts for bike lovers, so I hope they give you some ideas if you’re starting your Christmas shopping. I didn’t include a bike in my cycling essentials, but I have inherited my husband’s Giant cruiser, so he can upgrade! I love it, as it’s light and comfortable to ride.
Cycling Essentials Number 1: A Comfy and Chic Cycle Helmet
Finding a nice helmet that you’ll actually want to wear is essential for cyclists. It’s no good having one that’s too heavy, big or small, uncomfortable or just plain ugly, or you’ll be tempted not to wear it.
I found Cycle Chic through my quest for a gorgeous cycle helmet as they have a really comprehensive range, for adults and kids. I wanted a gold helmet, and Cycle Chic have three to choose from. Founder Caz kindly sent me the Thousand Bicycle Helmet in Stay Gold, to review and it’s the loveliest helmet I’ve ever seen.
It’s not just pretty: this cycle helmet has substance as well as style:
- Easy to use dial fit system for comfort and safety
- The vegan adjustable straps have a magnetic fastener that you can do up one-handed
- 7 vents with internal channelling to keep you cool
- Secret branded poplock to secure your helmet to your bike
- Meets CPSC and EN1078 standards
- Lightweight 410g (S), 450g (M) or 490g (L)
- A built in low profile visor to shield you from the rain and sun
SHOP GORGEOUS CYCLE HELMETS HERE
Cycling Essentials 2: A Bike Lock
Once you’ve found your cycling groove you’ll want to be able to cycle to places and leave your bike without it being stolen. So a lightweight yet strong bike lock like mind is essential.
My pretty bike lock is from Cycle Chic and although it looks good, it’s also a great theft deterrent. This steel lock is 50cm long so you don’t get caught short, with two keys to its precision cylinder and is tamper proof with anti-pick protection.
Cycling Essentials 3: A Comfy Saddle
The only thing that has put me off riding my bike is getting saddle sore. Sadly, the saddle on my previous bike may as well be made of concrete.
I treated my bum to a gel seat cover and it’s made a difference. But I wish I had bought this gel cover, it looks even better!
You can even buy a whole new saddle, if you think a cover won’t cut it. This saddle looks really comfy, and has a clever built in light.
Cycling Essentials 4: Padded Cycling Shorts
Related to the point above, I like to take a ‘belt and braces’ approach to cycling comfort! I found these (admittedly extremely unflattering) padded cycling shorts to wear beneath my normal clothes.
SHOP PADDED CYCLING SHORTS HERE
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Cycling Essentials 5: Bike Storage
As Caz recommends above a set of panniers is the best way to take your essentials with you on a bike ride.
You won’t be able to do a weekly shop for a family, but you can easily carry quite a lot of stuff. I have this lovely nautical blue and white striped double pannier and I like how it has twice the storage! I keep a folded picnic mat in one side so it’s always there when I need it. My panniers also have reflective strips on the back, which is a nice additional safety touch.
A roomy bike basket is also a good option for carting about your stuff. Be careful not to overload it, as it can affect your steering!
This basket is on my previous bike, and is really useful as it unclips so you can take it with you. You just press the red button and it lifts off with the handle. I have my eye on a lovely traditional wicker basket like this one.
This fold down reusable shopping bag is also perfect for cycling as it takes up virtually no space and is incredibly light.
SHOP BAGS, BASKETS AND PANNIERS HERE
Cycling Essentials 7: A Reusable Bottle
Don’t forget to take a reusable water bottle out with you on your bike rides. Mine is from Ohelo, and is 100% leak proof, double walled and lightweight. Did you know that lots of companies use a material that contains lead to create their vacuum insulation? Ohelo don’t: they use lead-free solder because it’s better for their workers, and for their customers.
Ohelo bottles also look great, with the blossom pattern being etched onto the bottle, so it don’t peel off or fade away. The wide neck means you can add ice cubes if you like, and it keeps water really cold for hours. It also fits snugly in the bottle holder on my bike.
SHOP THE FULL RANGE OF REUSABLE BOTTLES HERE
Cycling Essentials 8: Safety First
Alongside reflectors, you’ll need some lightweight LED cycle lights if you want to ride when it’s getting dark. It’s not just so you can see where you’re going — but also so that motorists can see you too. So you’ll need a front white light and a rear red light.
You’ll also need a puncture repair kit and a small and light mini travel first aid kit.
Cycling Essentials 9: A Handlebar Phone Holder
This isn’t strictly speaking a cycling essential, but a waterproof holder for your phone is nice to have. I use mine with a Maps app so I can find my way. It bolts on to the handlebars and has a touch-sensitive plastic window so you can still operate the phone.
Cycling Essentials 10: A Waterproof Coat
If you don’t want to be a fair-weather cyclist, you’ll need a nice waterproof coat that’s long enough to cover your bum. I discovered that my current waterproof coat isn’t actually waterproof, so I have my eye on this lovely organic cotton waterproof coat from Thought clothing. It has storm cuffs to help keep your arms dry even in when they’re holding onto the handlebars.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my top 10 cycling essentials for new cyclists, why not Pin it for later? Lots of these would make great gifts for the cyclists in your life!
