Cyclists remember rides by their climbs. The first century, the gravel race that turned into a mud race, the mountain pass they finally rode without stopping. Most of those rides are saved on a bike computer or phone, sitting in an app as a thin line on a map. Gifts for cyclists can pull that line out and give it a place on the wall.
The Ride, their biggest ride as art
The Ride is drawn from their own bike computer: the route as a bold line of art, the climbs found and labeled on a stage-style elevation profile, and the numbers that matter: miles, feet climbed, ride time, average speed and the high point. It suits a first century, a gran fondo, a gravel race, a charity ride or a long day on tour. From $45.
The climb profile is what riders tend to love most. It's the shape of the day they suffered through, with each climb named in order, the way a race program shows a mountain stage.
How to get the ride file
The Ride starts from the ride's GPS data. Most bike computers and ride apps let you export an activity, usually as a GPX file, from the activity page or its settings menu. If you want to keep it a surprise:
- Ask a riding partner who was there. They may have the same ride recorded.
- Have the rider's partner or roommate export it quietly from the app.
- Or just ask the rider which ride mattered most. Most cyclists answer instantly, and the finished print will still be a surprise.
Name the ride the way you want it printed: "First Century," "Gravel Season Opener," or the event's name as plain words.
Picking the ride
Choose a ride with a story. A first 100 mile day, or a first metric century of 100 kilometers. The hardest climb they've done. A ride in a place they traveled to, like a coastal road or a famous mountain pass. A ride with someone who mattered: a long ride with a parent, a first long ride with a grown kid, the club ride on a friend's last weekend in town.
The Streak, for the rider who goes out every day
Some cyclists ride every single day, rain or not, even if it's twenty minutes around the block. The Streak was made for running streaks and any every-day habit: every day of the streak is a square, 100, 365, 500 and 1,000 days are marked in brass, and the count is set huge with the start date and total miles. From $45.
The Tri, for cyclists who swim and run too
Plenty of cyclists drift into triathlon. If yours just finished one, The Tri shows the swim, T1, bike, T2 and run as one bar sized by time, with each leg's time and distance, the finish time and places. The bike segment will likely be the one they point to first. From $45.
A Milestone Certificate for the first century
For a first century, a first race finish or a first ride over a climb they'd been dreading, the Milestone Certificate records the name, the date, the place, the details and the witnesses. Put the distance, the elevation and the riding group in the details. From $24.
Socks and bottles for the club
Cyclists go through socks and bottles. Team Socks put a number or your own club logo near the top and the rider's name down the leg. The Team Water Bottle is 17 oz stainless steel with a number and name on both sides, a good fit for the desk, the car or post-ride coffee. Clubs and teams ordering for every rider get 30% off. Socks from $26, bottles from $42.
Other ideas cyclists use
- A professional bike fit. Many riders put it off for years.
- A tune-up gift card at their local shop.
- Entry to a ride or race they've mentioned wanting to do.
- Good lights for winter commuting and early starts.
- Leave saddles, shoes and pedals to the rider. Those are personal choices.
When to give it
The end of the riding season is a natural time, when the big rides are done and the bike goes on the trainer for winter. A print of the summer's best ride makes the indoor months easier to sit through.
Shop this guide
The RideFrom $45
The StreakFrom $45
The TriFrom $45
Milestone CertificateFrom $24
Team SocksFrom $26
Team Water BottleFrom $54
Ordering
Add the ride details on the product page as it asks. Every order is checked by hand, and you'll receive a proof before it prints. Allow about two weeks.
Find more for riders and runners in Running and Cycling.