This text is a part of a collection known as ‘A love letter to…’, the place Biking Weekly writers pour reward on their favorite elements of biking. The beneath content material is unfiltered, genuine and has not been paid for.
Christmas is a time for giving. Everyone is aware of that. Nonetheless, when you’d requested me once I was a baby, I’d have informed you the other.
“Giving? No manner! Christmas is about presents,” I’d have mentioned. I used to be half proper, too. Take into consideration the logic for a second: if Christmas is a time for giving, then each present given should even have a receiver. In flip, giving and receiving occur in equal measure – the day isn’t any extra about one than it’s the different. Sadly, nine-year-old me by no means had the eloquence to clarify that.
Right this moment, cyclists everywhere in the world are giving and receiving Christmas presents. It’s possible you’ll be sat beside a pile of yours proper now. In case you are, I’d wager that you just’ve obtained one thing cycling-themed, a little bit bike-shaped gadget, or on the very least one thing adorned with a garish wheel sample. I wager you get one thing like that yearly, don’t you? Properly, so do I, and I like each one, irrespective of how ineffective it’s.
First there was the pizza cutter. You’ve in all probability obtained an identical one. Mine’s yellow, manufactured from steel, and formed like a street bike, with tiny drop handlebars and two sharp wheels for slicing by crust.
Then got here the multi-tool. Once more, this one was formed like a motorbike (a typical trope), with little trinkets connected for tightening bolts and screws. Once I opened it, I held it between my thumbs and examined its power, discovering it to have all of the integrity of an inexpensive teaspoon. It might’ve buckled in powerful porridge, I am certain.
One other current that lasts in my reminiscence is a mug. I’ve nonetheless obtained it – it’s white and black, and has the phrase ‘cyclopath’ printed on the facet, along with an outline that claims I’ve a “power bike dysfunction”. I shot again a smile after I obtained it, completely honest, as a result of items like these fill me with heat. I am going to inform you why.
The most recent race content material, interviews, options, opinions and professional shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
Each time somebody offers me one thing cycling-themed, I image the second they noticed the merchandise on the store shelf. They in all probability smiled after they noticed it, considered me, and mentioned: “That’ll do properly.” A field gladly ticked.
You see, when individuals see bikes, they consider us. It’s a beautiful factor to be related to, actually. Folks give us cycling-themed presents, watch for us to thank them, after which deal us a proud nod. It’s a gesture that claims: “You know the way you bang on about bikes all 12 months? Properly, I pay attention.”
There’s a delight in receiving these items, too. Christmas is among the most hectic occasions of the 12 months, when present-buying is frantic, and, to many, can seem to be a chore. Biking followers such as you and me fall into a really fascinating class – people who find themselves “simple to purchase for”. We make life simpler for our family members. Our reward? A shiny two-wheeled pizza cutter.
I’ll be trustworthy, mine is but to grace certainly one of Italy’s well-known pies – it sits on my bookshelf as a ornament. As for the multi-tool, that by no means made it into my saddle bag, however I do typically use the mug, which will get a run-out when my favorite one (yellow with the Tour de France brand) is within the dishwasher.
The essential factor is that I preserve all of them. They might not be essentially the most sensible items, however I like them. I treasure them, in truth, as a result of they remind me that I stand for one thing, and folks recognise that keenness in me. A flimsy multi-tool generally is a lovely factor.