What a woman who cycles actually wants

Written By Shgufta Anwar

Every year we see the “what to buy for the cyclist in your life” Christmas lists popping up, and honestly they drive us a wee bit mad! Lists full of gadgets, Lycra, and stuff that has very little to do with the kind of cycling most of us actually do in our community here at Women on Wheels. So we’ve put together our own version, making sure it has roots in the everyday cycling, the soggy commutes across town, the joyful pottering about. Oh and fun, colour and joy!

Have a read through and let us know, what would you add to the list?

Warm or waterproof socks

Having cold or wet feet is the WORST! A good pair of socks can make a real difference and make those winter commutes so much more comfortable. We can warmly recommend Uniqlo Heattech socks for warmth or Sealskinz for waterproofs socks (meaning you can wear your trainers without having to worry about a quick shower making your feet wet for the rest of the day!)

Check them out here: Women's HEATTECH Socks | UNIQLO UK

Women on Wheels voucher!

Yes, we know we are tooting our own horn with this one, but there’s seriously nothing better than connecting with other women through cycling. When you gift someone a voucher for Women on Wheels they are able to choose exactly the type of activity they would like to try - for those brand new to cycling we run weekly Learn to Ride lessons and Confidence Building Rides and for more experienced cyclists we run mountain biking and BMX sessions, a cycle touring programme and much more.

How to buy the gift card:
1. Go to https://womenonwheels.org.uk/donate and donate the amount you wish your gift voucher to be for.
2. Take a screenshot of your donation.
3. Email community@womenonwheels.org.uk using the title ‘Gift Voucher’ and including a screenshot of your donation, the name of who it is for and name of who it is from.
4. We will send you an e-gift voucher that you can give to the recipient when you wish or we can email it to them directly if an email address is provided.

Our gift vouchers are available all year long for any birthdays, celebrations or special occasions. If you would like to gift someone special a gift voucher this Christmas please make sure to do this before 12pm on Thursday 18 December so we can get your gift voucher organised in time.

Colourful neck buff

Buffs are amazing for so many reasons - they can keep your neck nice and warm, your ears toasty and they pack so small (unlike most other scarfs) that you can bring them wherever you go. We love this colourful Kubrick Bandido buff.

Check it out here: Kubrick Bandido – Stolen Goat

Reflective cycling gloves

Just like cold feet, cold hands can make an otherwise enjoyable ride a total misery. These reflective gloves from GoFluo are both fabulously warm and also super visible for when you’re signalling at night.

Cosy cycling socks

Okay admittedly this can hardly be claimed as a must have, but honestly fun socks bring a little joy to the everyday. These mountain bike socks available at Happy Socks UK just make us want to get out on our bikes and isn’t that what it’s all about?

Saddle bag

Saddle bags are so nifty! You can fit in your puncture repair kit (if you don’t know how to fix a puncture, our fabulous mechanic Mhairi can teach you!) and other wee bits and bobs that you don’t want to head out without. Unfortunately, lots of saddle bags are a little dull to look at - in our humble opinion - but thankfully this bright, pink saddle bag from See Me is proudly standing out!

Spoke reflectors

It’s so normal for kids to bling their bike, but unfortunately the older we get this trend to disappear. Spoke reflectors or valve lights not only bring colour to your bike, but also help make you more visible at night. What’s not to like! We like the spoke reflectors from Laglappen.

Check them out here: Spoke Reflectors - Laglappen.co.uk

Veloviz reflective bike stickers

If you have ever visited our Hub, you’ll know most of our team LOVE to decorate our bikes in wonderful stickers. It makes our bikes stand out, we like to think it deters people from stealing our bikes (because it’s a faff to get them all off before they can try to sell it on) and frankly great stickers just bring us a great sense of joy. These reflective bolt stickers are just fab.

Handlebar/shoulder bag 

We absolutely love items that are practical, multi-functional and cute all at the same time. This handlebar bag can be worn as a shoulder bag when you’re not cycling and has some brilliant reflective straps that make you easily seen at night. Lush!

What would you add to the list? Let us know!

Shgufta Anwar
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