Bikes
I’ve ridden many brands of bikes but fell in love with Canyon and Specialized bikes. The value is unmatched. Even though I love riding in the dirt on the mountains, I still enjoy riding on the road to add variety and keep up my endurance. My Canyon Ultimate SLX rides are silky smooth on the tarmac. As for the mountain, my S-Works Specialized Evo eats the obstacles for breakfast. You can’t go wrong with Specialized and Canyon.
Kit
Don’t skimp on the clothing. When I first started cycling, I would buy rather inexpensive clothes—a big mistake. As the miles increase, the pain would increase. You want to look and feel like a superhero. Comfort is key. I love Gorewear. Typically, I’ll go for the Gore C7 Long Distance Bibs on the road bike and wear Escape Shorts on the mountain bike.
Shoes
Finding the right shoe is such a personal choice. My foot is not wide, but I’ve found that the wide shoes give my toes plenty of space to function the way Mother Nature intended. My go-to brand for shoes is Specialized. I’m a fan of the concept of Body Geometry.
Training Gadgets
I’m a fan of Garmin. Garmin has been the most tried and true for me. I’ve been using the Edge 1030 for years. I paired the edge with the Radar light, so I’m always aware of the traffic behind me. I used to wear a Garmin chest strap to record my heart rate but have since changed to wearing the solar Garmin Instinct 2 and broadcasting my heart rate to the Edge. I guess I’ve gotten too lazy to wear a chest strap in my old age.
Safety Gadgets
Where I bike, cell phone coverage can get spotty. During those spotty rides, I carry the Zoleo Satellite Communicator. Compared to other brands, the price was right, and the subscription price was reasonable. I especially like how I’m not locked into a contract and can put the device on pause during the rough times of the year for only a few dollars. For peace of mind and maintaining your connection with your loved ones, I recommend the Zoleo Satellite Communicator.
Lights
If your schedule is tight like mine, you’ll sometimes ride in the dark. I try to minimize my time in the dark so I don’t become roadkill, but those group rides can be pretty early. I’ve been a fan of the Cycliq front and rear lights. The combination of a camera and a light is one of my insurance policies if it gets bad out on the road. If I was going to be critical, I wish the battery life was a little longer for the lights. It hasn’t become a problem for me, but review the specs to ensure you don’t run out of light if you’re trying to push your luck out in the dark.
Helmet
I love the POC helmets. The helmets are extremely comfortable and safe. I’m currently riding with the Ventral Air Spin when riding the road bike. When mountain biking, I use the Tectal and Kortal Helmets.
Cleaning
I don’t know about you, but my mountain bike is an investment. Keeping your bike clean is vital, especially after riding through the mud in the mountains. I’m a fan of using Muc Off products and brushes to keep my bike looking and working like new.
Sunglasses
Eye protection is so key. You never know when a bug decides to aim for your eyeballs. My favorite glasses are the Oakley Radar glasses with photochromatic lenses. Back in the day, I would get glasses with multiple lenses, so I was prepared for any condition. It got old switching out lenses, so I tried the photochromatic lenses. Game changer! I love how the lenses darken with brightness. That tech, combined with a comfortable pair of sunglasses, is perfect for cycling.
Strength Training
In cycling, I got a lot of slack because I promote strength training. I can hear it now from the weight weenies. Putting on extra muscle is going to weigh me down. Well, I’m not interested in following old-school traditional thinking. I desire to be a well-rounded athlete. I love cycling, but I need strength training, especially as I get older. After my first love, my wife and son, and second love, cycling, I would say weight training is my third love. I would highly recommend Rogue Fitness equipment. It’s well-made and designed to last a lifetime.
Music / Podcasts
Whether I’m working out or cycling, I’m listening to Spotify. Spotify has been my go-to for entertainment. When I’m feeling sluggish, Spotify is the audio caffeine I need to get through the day.
Confused Or Unsure About What You Need?
Cycling and strength training gear can get crazy techy. I’m the guy who keeps it simple and sticks with what I find works. When I started using the C7 Gore Long Distance Bibs, I loved them and bought enough pairs to get me through a full week of cycling. Why complicate things when you find something that works? If you have any questions about the gear above, don’t hesitate to contact me. A great resource for gadgets is DC Rainmaker. Every time I need to replace my gadgets, I first check out his site for a review.