10 Cycling accessories for spring
Cycling season is in full swing now, so let Welsh Cycling help you figure out the 10 cycling accessories for spring.
1. Bike Lock
Let’s start basic… and safe.?
Whether you’re riding down country lanes and stop in the warmth of a cosy pub or commuting along city-centre cycle lanes to work or the shops, you’ll need to ensure your bike is safely locked up when you get off the saddle.?
Investing in a quality bike lock is a small price to pay to avoid the inconvenience of a long walk home and, more significantly, the cost of a new bike!
2. Lights
Staying firmly on the path of safety, it’s vital for cyclists to alert other road users and pedestrians of their whereabouts.?
The days may be getting longer, but it’s so important to have functional lights at the front and rear of your bikes for when the sun isn’t quite bright enough.?
3. Mudguards
For all the brilliance Wales has to offer, our country isn’t exactly a dry climate.
That’s where mudguards come in as lifesavers for everyday activity. Even when it isn’t actively raining, you’ll miss them…
As well as keeping you warm and dry, mudguards can protect the components of a bike and as a result prolong their lifespan.?
4. Waterproof Jacket
If you live in Wales, you probably own one of these anyway.?
But just in case, investing in a good waterproof jacket (even though Spring is coming!) can help make you as comfortable as possible on a ride, for pretty obvious reasons.
5. Biking Clothing
No, we’re not talking head-to-toe Lycra!
Good bike clothing is super comfortable and makes riding all the more enjoyable. From full-kit Lycra for the bold to specialist loose-fitting shorts for the bashful, there are plenty of ways to enhance your cycling experience.?
6. Gloves
To go with the essentials, like a good helmet, gloves are a useful accessory to have when going for long rides.?
Avoiding painful blisters is always a good thing, right??
7. Clipless Pedals
Not for the feint hearted and certainly for the more experienced, clipless pedals are definitely worth considering for road riding.
Being attached to the bike can feel strange at first, but riders will soon get used to the feeling and thrive!
For mountain biking, there’s more of a debate on whether to use flat pedals or clipless pedals, but many riders still prefer the secure feeling of being clipped in.
8. Eyewear
What’s more annoying than having dirt flung into your eye or a fly soar into your mouth at high speed? Not much, to be honest.
Of course, you don’t have to invest in cycling-specific glasses that boast more coverage, but protection of the eyes is pretty useful in any case.?
From glaring sun to menacing winged creatures, wearing glasses is definitely a good shout.?
9. Cycling Shoes
With stiff soles to avoid sore feet and unnecessarily expended energy, cycling shoes can be a brilliant investment for keen cyclists.?
There are shoes with flat soles, but the majority have threads so you can bolt on the cleats used with clipless pedals.
Mountain bike shoes are sold with these threads recessed in the sole so you can still use them with regular pedals or walk in them – a great option for new riders – but road shoes leave the cleat exposed, making them much harder to walk in.
10. Bike insurance
?And then there's the peace of mind, something we often overlook until it's too late. Picture this: you're all geared up, accessories checked off and ready for the thrill of the ride across the beautiful Welsh landscapes. But what about the unexpected? Enter Pedal Cover, our recommended bike insurance provider. Just like the essential bike lock protects your bike at the pub or the shop, Pedal Cover's bike insurance wraps a safety net around your entire cycling experience.
As you embark on your cycling journey, equipped with everything from the essential bike lock to the peace of mind provided by Pedal Cover, we invite you to share your Spring pictures with us on social media! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X and share your cycling journey.