Bike Noob

Because I'm Always Learning Something New

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

Whatcha Want For Christmas?

12.09.2010 by Ray Niekamp // 12 Comments

It just occurred to me this afternoon: Christmas is coming fast, and I haven’t gotten off my duff to do anything about it!

It shouldn’t be too tough to take care of Mrs. Noob this year.  She wants a pair of leg warmers, because she thinks mine are cool.  Actually, they’re warm, which is why she wants a pair.  She also wants a new pair of biking shoes.  But she already has carbon-soled Specialized, so she might have to get along with those a little longer.  And last month, she asked for a pair of knickers, which, although she says she doesn’t want them anymore, might be just the ticket for milder, but not yet warm, days.

No, the big dilemma is what do I want for Christmas?  Geez, I haven’t thought much about it.  Give me a few minutes and let me thumb through some back issues of Bicycling and some old Nashbar catalogs.

Okay, I’m back.  I do have some ideas.  I got caught in rapidly falling dusk a couple of weeks ago, and it’s just gotten worse since, as the days get shorter.  And if I ever take the advice of some of my hardier biking friends, I might get out weekday mornings and get in a ride before work.  In either case, I need lighting.  My taillight is okay.  Not great, but okay.  What I need is a decent headlight.  Since I would mostly ride on lit streets, I don’t need a super powerful light — just something that will make me visible.  I like what I’ve read about the Planet Bike Blaze.

Another idea that will not break the bank is a Road ID.  I don’t have one yet.  I think it would be a good idea to get one.  I’ve left a $2 coupon for one on Mrs. Noob’s desk.

Bar tape might be a nice thing to have.  I always get mid-range stuff with gel, because I like a cushy feel on my bars.  But it might be nice to get something a little different — like maybe that Cinelli bubble tape with the raised knobbies.  Put some gel inserts under that, and I think you’d have one comfy grip.

And if Santa is feeling particularly generous this year, one thing I’ve wanted for quite awhile is one of those wool cycling jerseys.  I really could have used it last weekend.  And with wool, you can wear it pretty much all year around — cool in summer, warm in winter.  Although it probably wouldn’t get much summer use around here.

I think I’ll retire to my home office and compose a good argument supporting my desire for these objects.  Heck, I’ll be happy to get just one of them.

Have you mailed your Christmas list to the North Pole yet?  What did you ask for?

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Categories // Odds 'n ends Tags // Equipment

Comments

  1. Bike Noob says

    December 9, 2010 at 8:51 pm

    Huh. Right after I posted this, I find that Jim Langley has put up a nice buyer’s guide for the cyclist on your list.
    http://jimlangley.blogspot.com/2010/12/jims-bicycle-gift-guide.html

    Reply
  2. 331miles says

    December 9, 2010 at 9:01 pm

    I want a Yakima Raptor Aero roof rack!

    Reply
  3. johnt says

    December 9, 2010 at 10:17 pm

    Lets see…..Since I’ve been a really good boy this year…..A new crankset and cassette to make it up the hills easier and a cool bike computer with gps and a power meter ……

    Reply
  4. Sine Botchen says

    December 10, 2010 at 7:41 am

    After being plagued by various injuries this fall, I’d love to be able to just ride without pain. No toys, no bling-bling, nothing material, just the ability to ride more than 20 miles at a time.

    However, now that you mentioned headlights…

    Reply
  5. Cliff says

    December 10, 2010 at 8:08 am

    Noob,
    I have been reading your blog for years, so I know you’ve been riding more than a couple of months and you still do not have a Bike ID !
    There is no excuse, one for Mrs. Noob should be first on her list too. I would ride without my helmet before I would ride without my ID. My wife was diagnosed with Diabetes I got her one and she doesn’t even ride, just so first responders have her information.
    I guess since I was found on the side of the road in a rural area outside Dallas I am a little adamant on the use of the Road ID, it didn’t really save my life but it sure as hell helped.

    On an other note, I ride in north Texas and only use wool jerseys they are much more comfortable to me. to the point were I got a plain white wool jersey to ware under my club jersey when I have to ware the “Plastic Bag” the team chose . I bitched so much that the second year we changed the design to one I could approximate in a wool jersey enough of the club tried them that the third year we had two jerseys one in plastic and one in wool.

    Dude, get yourself and your wife a Road ID if you care about yourself they are only $20.00 and even less that that on the Year end special.

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      December 13, 2010 at 6:11 pm

      +1 on the Road ID. Finally upgraded from a dogtag style from Walmart to the elite Road ID this summer after having to get a pacemaker inserted.
      It is a MUST HAVE especially in North Texas!

      Reply
  6. Apertome says

    December 10, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    I know it’s uncool to say it, but wool sucks in warm weather.

    Reply
    • Cliff says

      December 10, 2010 at 4:36 pm

      Apertome

      Not only does it suck, it evaporates what it has sucked and keeps you cooler, just like what we in Texas call a Swamp Cooler.

      You have had a different result than I did, I have ridden the last 18 Hotter than Hells in wool and well as all the training rides getting ready for them .
      I am sure your results were different than mine, but it is a real itching point with me, (Pun intended) that wool is the original super fiber.

      Reply
  7. B.J. Ondo says

    December 10, 2010 at 5:22 pm

    I really want a “Full Suspension” MTB but that ain’t gona happen, so a new set of “very slick” quill pedals for my road hybrid from VeloOrange, (yes, I still use toe clips and straps and LIKE them!) . If Santa was a real thing, then a Brooks B17S saddle (B17 with cut out) for the road hybrid would be way up on the list! 🙂

    Reply
  8. John says

    December 11, 2010 at 7:38 pm

    I hope she is reading this. Santa that is. Mrs Noob.

    Reply
    • Bike Noob says

      December 11, 2010 at 9:20 pm

      Well, I left a discount coupon for a Road ID lying around, as well as a “20% off any one item” coupon for our LBS — so I’m hopeful. She is not a regular reader of this blog, so I have to use other means to communicate with her. Like talk.

      Reply
  9. Nona Mills says

    December 22, 2010 at 11:10 am

    Lets see…..Since I’ve been a really good boy this year…..A new crankset and cassette to make it up the hills easier and a cool bike computer with gps and a power meter ……

    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Get Email Updates

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 257 other subscribers

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • Getting Back on the Bike: Road Cycling Tips for Older Cyclists
  • Are BCAAs and EAAs Good for Cycling?
  • How to Fix Numb Toes When Cycling
  • How to Find and Vet a Bike Club
  • Celebrate Pearl Izumi with Big Savings in the Memorial Day Sale

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • May 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • March 2022
  • October 2020
  • November 2018
  • May 2018
  • September 2017
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • January 2016
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008

Copyright © 2026 · Modern Studio Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Go to mobile version
%d