Warm up to the Ride
As spring arrives and more outdoor time awaits, we asked several riders what gear they’re excited about taking out on the roads and trails this year.
Allied BC-40
Kate Courtney piloted the Allied BC-40 cross country mountain bike to a women’s course record at the Leadville Trail 100 last year. It’s been raced at world cups and even ultra-endurance events and it was born in Northwest Arkansas. It’s available in five builds and two framesets. If you ask nicely, the folks at Allied in Rogers may even let you watch your bike be painted. Available at alliedcycleworks.com.
Garmin Edge 540
Garmin’s newest compact cycling computer is packed with features, including a slew of ways to keep you and your bike safe. Hazard alerts, reported by fellow cyclists, can keep you aware of stray dogs or giant potholes. You also have the ability to have the computer alert your phone if your bike moves while you’re in the coffee shop refueling. The Edge 540 is available at most local shops and garmin.com.
Tifosi Moab Glasses
Photochromatic sunglasses have improved over the years, and these from Tifosi pack in a lot of features and are budget-friendly. These frames weigh just 31 grams. Tifosi’s Fototec lenses adjust with the light, making them an excellent choice for the ever-changing light of a spring ride. The lenses are also shatterproof, protecting you from debris. Ask your local shop or visit tifosioptics.com.
Garmin HRM-Fit
Garmin’s heart rate monitor designed specifically for women clips onto sports bras so there’s no more fighting with a full strap. Did you forget your bike computer at home? No worries, this monitor stores some workout data if your device is out of range. Most local shops will have Garmin products, or shop online at garmin.com.
Dawn to Dusk Teklite TT 660
This top tube bag has a fleece-lined, padded slot for your phone and 660 cubic centimeters of space for your essentials and snacks. You can bolt it to your top tube or use the included straps. It even has zipper garages to protect the zippers from dirt and grime. Find it at dawntodusk.bike.
Rodeo Labs Traildonkey 4.0
This bike is home at a fast gravel race or on your next epic bikepacking adventure. Heck, throw some skinny tires on it and you can even hold your own in a road group ride. Rodeo Labs offers four standard build kits or a frameset for full custom builds. You can spec yours out at rodeo-labs.com.
Patagonia R1 Fleece Pullover Hoody
While spring means warmer days, it’s not summertime yet, there are still cool starts and ends to days. That’s where this hoody comes into play. A great piece to layer, it’s extra long so you won’t feel a draft on your lower back. And if the temps really dip, the hood zips up to cover your mouth, providing a little extra warmth. Find it online at patagonia.com.
All images courtesy of vendors
