Gravel biking is one of the fastest-growing segments of cycling. Whether it’s the adventurous nature of getting off the beaten path, the more social aspect of riding side-by-side on rarely traveled roads, or simply the fun of trying something new, there are numerous reasons why gravel grinding is attracting riders. Another appealing aspect of gravel riding is that it isn’t rooted in the traditions and rules associated with other types of cycling. From clothes to culture to the bikes themselves, gravel riding is a hodgepodge of other cycling styles and since there are no defined norms, it’s an awesome gift-giving opportunity.
Front and Rear Lights
Gravel bikes are great for exploring remote and rural roads away from traffic, however, it’s still important for safety’s sake to make a gravel bike as visible as possible. Many mixed-surface rides in the Northeast link sections of dirt with traditional roads, and the twisty nature of (and dense forest that often surrounds) the region’s gravel routes can make cyclists hard to see. Make the gravel cyclist on your list easy to spot with a light set like the Blackburn Local 50 Front + Local 10 Rear Bike Light Set.
Fenders
Kicking up everything from mud to dust to small rocks, knobby and semi-slick gravel tires paired with dirt roads can make a mess of both a gravel rider’s kit and their bike. Fenders offer a simple solution to staying a bit cleaner, and ones like the Blackburn Splashboard Rear Bike Fender are easy to take on and off and should work with any size tire, no matter if it’s a skinny, road-friendly 32 mm or 45 mm off-road monster.
Frame Bag
Exploration is the name of the game for many gravel cyclists and adventurous trips often equate with the need for self-sufficiency. Whether it’s a multi-day trip like the Green Mountain Gravel Growler or reconnoitering a new route closer to home, a frame bag makes it easy to stow essentials like an extra layer, tools, and food. A half-frame bag like the Blackburn Outpost Frame Bag (medium/large) is a great choice for the gravel grinder on your holiday list—it won’t interfere with their water bottle placement and its water-resistant construction will stand up to all types of weather and conditions.
Seat Bag
A small seat bag is a staple of everyday gravel rides—it offers a place to stash small items like a multitool (another great gift idea by the way), tubeless repair kit, CO2 inflator, and cartridges, along with nutrition like gels. Seat bags, which hang underneath the seat, also provide a place to put personal items such as keys or identification. The Blackburn Barrier Seat Bag is a terrific gift for your gravel grinder, thanks to its hook-and-loop mounting, which makes it compatible with a wide variety of seats and dropper posts while its waterproof construction is well suited to New England’s tempestuous weather.
Waist Pack
Waist packs—also known as fanny packs, hip packs, and bum bags—have made huge inroads in mountain biking in recent years thanks to their ability to carry essential items without affecting a rider’s center of gravity or leaving them with a sweaty back. The Osprey Savu 2 and Savu 5 are both designed with bikers in mind—albeit mountain bikers—but make great additions (and gifts) to any gravel grinder’s kit. It’s perfect for short gravel rides or as an alternative to a frame bag, especially for the gravel rider in your life who doesn’t wear a traditional bike jersey and thus needs some carrying space on their back.
Merino Wool Jersey
Featuring a style straight from mountain biking—with a loose fit, lack of lycra, and long hem—there’s a lot for the gravel rider in your life to love about the Smartwool Merino Sport Ultralite Mountain Bike 3/4-Sleeve Tee (men’s/women’s). For example, the jersey’s odor-resistant wool helps fight funk on multi-day trips, and its casual appearance blends in everywhere from rural roads to impromptu pit stops, like a beer at Hill Farmstead Brewery.
Merino Wool Socks
Merino wool socks have been a staple of backpackers and hikers seemingly forever and they’re becoming more and more popular with cyclists such as gravel riders. Merino wool socks like the Smartwool Bike Zero Cushion Print Crew Socks (men’s/women’s) are warm enough for cool-weather rides but breathable enough for the dog days of summer. Like other merino wool products, they’re also odor resistant, which means you can consider them a gift to the gravel rider on your list as well as yourself.
Gloves
You can never go wrong gifting a gravel biker a good pair of bike gloves—they can protect their skin in case of a fall, provide a handy place to wipe their nose, and provide a better grip on the bars, particularly on hot, sweaty rides. The Giro Rivet II and Riv’ette gloves provide plenty of protection, exceptional bar feel, and a great fit. Sure, some gravel grinders prefer to ride with their hands au naturel, but on cool spring and crisp fall days, even they are sure to appreciate the warmth and classic style of Giro’s Titanium D’Wool gloves.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are an indispensable part of your gravel biker’s kit. In addition to improving visibility and protecting a rider’s eyes from the sun, sunglasses also provide defense against dirt, dust, bugs, and other debris encountered while riding. The best sunglasses for gravel riding deliver excellent coverage and maximum comfort, and won’t fog up while working hard. If you want to wrap up a winning set of shades this holiday, the Smith Wildcat sunglasses are a gift from the gravel gods thanks to their huge field of vision and sharp optics—and they look great, too.
Bike Rack
Most riders don’t have dreamy dirt right out the front door, which means often traveling with their gravel bike—and the Thule T2 Pro XTR makes loading, unloading, and transporting a bike easy. Even better, the rack doesn’t contact your favorite rider’s precious bike frame and features integrated locks to secure it while stopping for a pre-ride coffee or post-ride beer. Since the right number of bikes to own is N+1 (that’s the number of bikes you own plus one), the Thule T2 Pro XTR can accommodate bicycles with wheels between 20- to 29-inches with tires up to five inches wide—or from BMX to fat bikes and everything in between.
Do you have a great gravel gift idea? If so, we want to hear about it! Share it in the comments below and hopefully you’ll help make some gravel grinder’s holiday.
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