All I want for Christmas...

So, it's less than a month before Christmas... have you done your shopping yet? Wanna beat the rush? Are you already panicking as to what to get your favourite cyclist?

Well, here's 20 gift ideas in the shop right now that might be perfect for the remaining people on your shopping list.

1. Socks. Who doesn't love opening a fresh pair of socks and putting them on for the first time? Have you ever heard anyone say, "Man, I just have waaaay too many socks!" No? That's because they're so silky, so smooth, so comfy and always getting eaten by the dryer monster.

Icebreaker makes some good short socks and no-show socks as well as a "multi-sport" sock. They're merino-tastic and pure quality! If you're looking for something a little warmer, we've got some ski socks from Icebreaker as well. The Chrome line also does wooly warm socks with partial merino and range from ankle no-show to over the calf socks.



2. Neck warmers/Buffs - Remember when you were a kid and you wore a neckwarmer and it was the best thing ever because it was SO WARM? Well, icebreaker has brought 'em back with a vengeance. Now with more merino to avoid that itchy scratchy feeling at your throat. There's a shorter, thick version and a thinner and longer version for the more creative types who want to ride to work with a pirate 'do rag flapping out the back of their helmet.



3. Gloves - Gloves are something that everyone can use and no one's going to say no to. Grab a pair of waterproof Gore Countdowns that are all the rage these days. Wind and waterproof with a little bit of insulation, these babies will keep your digits toasty warm all winter long even on the worst of days...

Other gloves include the Gore Mistral - windproof and the glove of choice for being low bulk and will fit a liner glove underneath if you're getting chilly.




The newest glove in the shop is Giro's Proof Glove. A bit more bulky than Gore, these babies have both a westerly wool inner liner and a weatherproof outer shell to keep you warm and dry no matter the conditions.

4. You can also invest in a pair of glove liners. We have a 200 and 260 weight glove liner from Icebreaker that will give you that extra bit of warmth when you're looking to keep those digits warm on your commute to work or when you're out enjoying the seawall on a sunny crisp day. They're a nice little stocking stuffer too!

5. Beanies. Beanies are a great Christmas present because they're so versatile. Under the helmet, out for a run, cool spring mornings and summer nights, out for a ski - they does it all. Icebreaker does a 200-weight beanie as well as a reversible one that's kind of fun too.



6. We've also got tons of cycling caps if you're looking for some face protection from the elements and have some team loyalty.

Cima Coppi has hats too - both warm wooly ones as well as earflapped winter caps.

7. Arm warmers are another key piece for any cyclist. Perfect for when you it's not warm enough for short sleeves but too warm for a full long sleeve jersey. We've got wool and synthetic, patterned and plain.

8. T-shirts for those casual days. We've got some from Chrome, Mavic, BMC, as well as Cima Coppi Velo Love and Paris-Roubaix.

9. What better present for wintertime than baselayers? These cozy shirts and leggings keep you warm and cozy whether you're commuting to work, climbing Cypress or out for a ski or hike in the mountains.

Both zip necks and crew neck tops as well as leggings and 3/4 legless as bottoms, these are a good gift for that active person in your life. We've also got a few remaining Craft baselayers on sale so come in and check 'em out!

10. Jerseys - Our summer stuff's on sale so now's the time to grab one up for a good deal. We've also got Gore and Louis Garneau windproof long-sleeved jerseys.

We've also got locally-made Cima Coppi stuff. Long and short-sleeved jerseys and track jackets for both men and women, these are one of the coziest gifts to give!

11. Shoes are a bit trickier to buy for someone as fit tends to be a little more personal but it's doable. We've got some Chrome stuff in stock for both the SPD and regular footwear-er in your life. As well, we've got some brand-new-this-fall waterproof DZRs through the door so get that special someone to come in and try some shoes on then get a "sudden chocolate craving," send them down to Cocoa Nymph with a very tricky order, and grab those shoes before they get back. 

12. Bags! We've got a ton of bags in stock right now from Chrome, Mission Workshop, Truce, and Pac. Come check 'em out! Messenger style, laptop capable, big bags, little bags, the works! If you need a waterproof, bombproof bag, we are the place to come!

 13. Jackets! We've got a few Mission Workshop Orions in stock at the moment but they're selling like hotcakes so get in here quick!



They're a fully waterproof Canadian-made jacket with pit-zips, a removable hood and several pockets, making them a great jacket on and off the bike. We can also acquire their new jackets - the Trigger and the Eiger Field Jacket.

We've also got the Chrome Storm series - both the ladies' Storm Pasha and the men's Storm Cobra in both black and olive colours.

 Made of a nylon fabric, these jackets are also for the walk-around style-y type that want a rain jacket that works on and off the bike. Pit-zips, hood, and multiple pockets make them another good choice if you want to buy just one jacket this season.

We also just got Swrve's Waxed Riding Jacket. Made in the UK, it has a waxed cotton outer and a wooly inner to keep you warm through the upcoming cooler months.

14. Locally, we've got some Winterluxe mittens that you should definitely check out. They're incredibly soft and fuzzy and come in a few different styles and colours. Made from recycled cashmere, these mittens would make a great stocking stuffer.

15. Keeping with the local motif, we've also brought in SAHN helmets. Designed in Vancouver, these stylish helmets are a great gift for the chic cyclist.

We also have Nutcase, Giro, Bell, and Lazer in stock.

16. Lights! What a better way of keeping safe than a couple of really bright lights. The Blackburn Flea USB light set is a great gift for the safety conscious as they're bright, rechargeable and easy to stash away.

17. Bells! Need a stocking stuffer for little ones in the family or even the young at heart? Dring Dring hand painted bells could be the ticket.

18. Sunglasses! Oakleys are still in stock with casual and racing-specific lines.

19. Musettes - Red Flag Designs makes a nice little musette that is perfect for when you want to carry some things but not including the kitchen sink. Red Flag also makes neat u-lock holsters out of leather.

20. Chamois Cream! Sportique's Century Cream is the best we've found so far for comfort on those longer rides. Made with natural ingredients, this stuff smells good and works great! They've also got a whole line of products including, Rad Rash Remedy for those bad spills, Element Cream for cold days, Sportsman's Friend and Shea Butter hand creams for rough hands, and other skincare bits and pieces.

Chrome Storm Jackets!

At the beginning of the summer I hear rumours of Chrome putting out a fully waterproof jacket. Sounded pretty cool as they also sounded casual enough to double as a walk-around jacket even with cycling-specific detailing on them. 2-in-1 jackets? Yes please!  

The Storm Series has both men's and ladies - Cobra for men and Pasha for the ladies, which is unique as there isn't much out there on the ladywear front in cycling. It's nice to see a company make something for the ladies for a change instead of trying to make them fit into dudewear. 

Both the Cobra and Pasha are seam-sealed waterproof with pit zips for ventilation, rear rando pocket, longer sleeves and torso for riding comfort, and a waterproof two-way main zipper for extra venting.



The jackets also come with a hood, which, while I don't think it's a good idea while on the bike, I'd certainly appreciate it off the bike.

Hoods are better than umbrellas in my opinion because when I think of Vancouver, I always get this picture of people with giant golf umbrellas walking under the overhangs while people without umbrellas walk in the rain because they don't want to get stabbed in the eye.

It's pretty weird that they do that. 

Anyway, hoods are good because they keep your head warm and your hair dry. Just be careful putting them up after you step off the bike on a rainy day or you may get a surprise shower.

Oleha took one of the jackets out for a test ride and said it was pretty comfy, classy-looking and fun to ride in. Here are some pics of her ripping up the streets of Mt. Pleasant with it along with a local SAHN helmet and one of the latest colourway Pawn from Crome. 

"How many barspins does it do?!"

Hate to see them leave but love to see 'em walk away... 

Chrome Bags Arists' Series

Chrome Bags are doing a three-part artist series for a limited run. If you're in the market for a new bag and don't want a boring one, check 'em out and let us know right away so we can get one into your hot little hands!

Now check 'em out and read a couple quotes from the artist himself, San Fran-based Lil Tuffy. Click on the picture to go to the Chrome site to see more details.


"Inspired by American folklore figure Paul Bunyon and his companion, Babe the Blue Ox. Legend has it that Minnesota's 10,000 lakes were formed by the pair's footprints as they wandered blindly in the snow."


"I travel to Austin at least twice a year for SXSW and the Fun Fun Fun Fest. Even at my boarding gate in San Francisco, there's always a guitar case or two - they're ever-present in Austin and have become like the Samuri Sword of Central Texas."


"Portland has become my home away from home over the past decade. I chanced upon the Chapman Swifts by accident and it was a pretty cool sight to behold and I think the community's efforts to maintain the chimney for the swifts embodies the Portland spirit."

Item of the Week: The Buran Messenger Bag

New to the scene is the Buran messenger briefcase bag. If you were to google what a Buran was, you would see that the bag is named after the Russian space shuttle and/or program or a line of wristwatches assembled by Voltex. I do want it to go down in the books that I did not make a connection between this bag and the phrase "out of this world."





Some of the highlights of this all business messenger briefcase are:

- The integrated laptop sleeve - now at the back of the bag instead of earlier versions where it was at the front. Being in the back ensures that there's going to be a flat surface against your back when you throw all sorts of stuff into your bag, even if you overstuff it.

- A handle on the top gives the user the ability to sling the bag around without having to reach for the shoulder strap every time.

- Lots and lots of compartments so you have a pocket for everything you want to carry.

- Keeping with their tried and true material, the bag is waterproof - perfect for Vancouver or any other rainy conditions.

- It still uses the Chrome strap system so there is a stabilizer strap coming underneath your armpit to keep the bag, and all your important docs + laptop, in place while you're riding.




Come down and check it out. If you're looking for something different, we also carry lots of other Chrome bags as well as Mission Workshop.

Bags Bags Bags!

So, say you've just purchased your first bike and you're amped to ride. Or you just got a new bike and you're amped to ride. Or the sun's finally come out for summer and you're amped to... well, you get the picture...

You have grandiose dreams of riding to work everyday and getting your own groceries on your shiny new bike. Maybe you'll even hit up the Farmer's Market on Saturdays at Trout Lake AND Sundays in Kits. You're definitely hitting up the beach with a few beers and snacks and a towel and sunscreen... The problem is where are you going to put all these things? Where are you going to stash those carrots? What's the best way to carry a laptop? How are you going to get beer and snacks and a towel and your sunscreen to the beach?

Well, there are a few ways to carry your schtuff. You can a) tow a trailer, b) get a basket for the front of your bike (preferably wicker for authenticity and also to match your handlebar streamers), c) hire a sherpa to jog beside you, or d) get a bag.

While with some sweet computer skills you might get a lead on a guy in Tibet, I tend to find it's easier to go with option D for the versatility factor.

Bags allow you the freedom to be prepared for anything at any time, on or off the bike. They ride on the bike with you, they come into stores with you, they carry heavy loads for you. It's important to pick the right bag or you might end up breaking it trying to jam in too much stuff or break yourself trying to carry too much stuff the wrong way.

There are two bag options: bags that go on your bike and bags that go on your person.

Bags that go on your bike are typically panniers, trunk bags or handlebar bags. They allow you to cart things by putting the weight on the bike. By taking the bag off your back, they eliminate back pain and that pesky Sweaty Back Syndrome. The biggest issue I find with bags on the bike is that, generally, there aren't many that have a comfy carrying strap. They tend to be a little more awkward and a little more boxy looking. Our sister store Mighty Riders carries pannier bags such as Ortlieb, Axiom or Detour.

Axiom pannier bags in action.

Bags that go on your person tend to be a little more stylish and (hopefully) a little more comfy. They can be one-shoulder strapped or backpack style. They also tend to be more versatile and walkabout-friendly.

One-shoulder bags - or courier bags - are useful because they're built for riding. They sit on the flat tabletop that your back becomes when riding. They are also easier access by swinging the bag down and across the chest or simply undoing the buckle at the front if there's a lot in your bag. The only downside is that some people find that having only one shoulder taking all the weight is uncomfortable and sometimes even painful.

Mission Workshop bags have partially solved this problem by having a bag with the ability to swap the strap from dominantly right to dominantly left. That way you can swap the weight day to day.

Pac bags have taken this a step further with their x-strap system, which gives support from a shoulder strap from the opposite side of your dominant side.

Cycling-specific backpacks bear the gear load evenly across the shoulders while still allowing for cycling-specific functions such as full waterproofing, a light clip and a lock pocket.

Mission's new backpack, the Sanction, is a versatile city bag that carries your laptop and gear in the city. At 16L, it's a bit mini but carries the essentials. If that's too small, snag a Rambler or Vandal which are similar but more roomy.

The Sanction backpack, new from Mission Workshop.

Chrome also does a series of backpacks, from the laptop-carrying Yalta to the 47L Ivan.

Most of these bags come in all sorts of colours and sizes to suit your personality and needs, especially the Chrome line.

No matter what, at the end of the day, if you're riding with a huge backpack, a mini satchel with the bare essentials, or loaded down with panniers that make you look like you're touring 24/7, who cares because you're the one carrying the stuff and you want to be comfy.

Layered Like A Cake... Or Maybe An Onion...

As a cyclist, you may find yourself constantly fighting a battle of wearing enough to stay warm but not too much that you're sweating. Even though your legs are spinning those perfect circles, you aren't really moving your upper body and you have to deal with the wind factor on hands and feet.

This is where the layering system comes in. Generally, you're looking at three layers of clothing on top when you're riding to keep your core warm: base-, mid-, and outer layer. If you keep your core warm while riding, your circulation tends to take care of the extremities. As always, there is the exception of having bad circulation so you may need to bundle up those bits that get chilly.

Baselayers provide warmth and wick sweat away from the body as quickly as possible to keep you from getting clammy. In order to do this properly, the fit of a base layer must be snug like this fine gentleman from IceBreaker is modelling:

photo: IceBreaker

There are three "weights" in the base layer catagory:

1. Lightweights are good for summer and for intense activity. They provide excellent wicking but not a lot of warmth.

2. Midweights are for low intensity activities and have good wicking properties and some warmth to them. They are one of the more common layers as they tend to be more multi-purpose across different temperatures and sports.

3. Heavyweights are still a wicking material but act as more of an insulation layer. So, if you're racing, you're more likely to go with a lightweight base layer but might use a mid-weight for warming up or training, and a heavyweight for going for an easy ride around the seawall or hanging out post-race to cheer your teammates in.

Lightweight baselayers are also work well in summer condition. Now maybe you're reading this and probably going, "Base layer in the summer... Whaaaaat?! Are you nuts?!" but they can be useful. Having another layer between your jersey and skin is a good idea because it will wick the sweat away quicker and create space between your body and the midlayer for air circulation. The Craft Cool Mesh Superlight, perfect for a light summer underlayer.

Wool is a good baselayer as it has good wicking properties and doesn't smell even after a few times out on the bike. A synthetic layer is good because it transfers moisture without holding onto it.

Midlayers are your insulator layer, to provide warmth. Unless you're racing, they should be a looser fit but not baggy. The reason for this is that this layer is designed to trap body heat. Depending on how hot you run, a jersey (either wool or synthetic), a light softshell jacket, or shirt would work perfectly.

Jerseys work as perfect midlayers as they are durable enough to go over a baselayer on their own but light enough to be under an outer layer. photo: Sugoi

Outer layers are your weatherproofing. They need to be able to withstand whatever the day is throwing at you. In Vancouver's typical climate, the challenge tends to be finding something that's waterproof, warm AND breathable. Goretex is unbeatable when looking for a waterproof shell but is sometimes lacking in the breatheability category. Other companies are coming out with light shells while still keeping the waterproofness as high as possible. Basically, determine what you want out of your outerlayer and choose accordingly or come down to OtR and let us know what you want and we'll help you out, I promise! There's the Hydroshell from Sugoi that is a super breatheable jacket for riding in the rain but can't be worn with a bag on your back. The Gore Power jacket is completely waterproof and tough enough for a daily commute.

Customer Andrea Akelaitis keeps cool and looks cool as she shows off effective layering with the Craft Performance Rain Jacket while on a bike trip in Oregon this past spring. photo: Andrew Summers

Taking a well-deserved break during a day of riding. photo: Andrew Summers

On the bottom side of things, you can usually follow the same concept though you may not need as many layers. Depending on how warm you get, you can go with tights, knickers, shorts, or a combination of all three. Now there are many companies that have created lifestyle clothing that work on and off the bike. We've had a lot of good luck with Swrve and Chrome and have recently brought in Derny. All three are geared towards people who want multi-purpose clothing without looking like too much of a sportster.

A sleek and sexy cut that'll keep your hems out of the chain and your calves looking good. Photo: Swrve

Companies like Swrve now make jeans that have highlights such as being more durable, having a higher waist in the back and lower in the front to keep you from embarrassment, pockets big enough for a u-lock, and reflective strips.

photo: chicken strip

You can also accessorize with arm, leg, and knee warmers, higher socks, shoe covers, and gloves. These are great because they are, for the most part, easy to put on and take off and make a world of difference if you're feeling chilly or overheated. Most can be stashed in your jersey pockets on a training ride and/or don't take up a lot of room in bags while commuting.

Sugoi's track arm warmers can help you signal your win at the end of a race or simply taunt cars as you whip by them stuck in traffic on the way home. photo: Sugoi

So, figure out what works for you. Some people need more layers, some need less. Some people can't stand the feeling of merino wool next to their skin, others can't wear anything but. Some people need two layers of gloves, others run with fingerless year round. At the end of the day, you're the one wearing the clothing and riding the bike so you should be comfy. And if you're not, your body will let you know. If you have any questions, give us a shout or drop by.

Til next time... as a good friend tells me, "Rubber side down, keep it between the ditches."