Best gifts for the MAMIL in your life

Ahhhh the MAMIL. We all know and love at least one, and probably a few. Don’t fight his penchant for sweaty Lycra, Strava segments, and never-ending bicycle babble! Embrace it! Give a cycling gift!

Here’s Bike Australia’s ultimate guide to making your 'Middle Aged Man in Lycra' feel extra-special this Christmas:

Dress him up

Mamils are notorious for fashion faux pas like see-through knicks or saggy sleeves. If he’s still wearing the uniform of a long-since folded team found guilty of doping, a faded event jersey, or anything that he’s bought on Pro Bike Kit, it’s time for an update. Try Attaquer’s A Line range for understated quality, Café du Cycliste for sophisticated Euro charm, or Pearl Izumi for practical, versatile options.

RRP: From $90

Cool him down

Summer is upon us and your MAMIL’s sweating a lot. Why not show him you care with a nice new Camelbak Podium Big Chill bidon. These insulated bidons keep fluids up to four times colder than normal bottles, and still hold a standard 750ml. With self-sealing Jet Valve and lockout, this nifty gift gives much more than your average bidon and is perfect for summer.

RRP: $27.95

Help him express himself

Socks are a sensible Christmas staple. But on the bike, socks are more important than that. Socks are one of the few ways your MAMIL can truly express his personality. From classic, to sensible, and from zany to outrageous, a cyclist’s socks speak a secret language of style and attitude. Our favourite socks include Swiftwick’s superb, compression-fit Aspire (seven inch cuff), Pearl Izumi’s Elite Tall socks (also available in wool), and Versus Premium Race, particularly in watermelon, icecream, or coffee cup prints.

RRP: $27–$35

Tidy him up

MAMILS are prone to pulling out sweaty plastic bags filled with their phone, cash, and cards at the local café. Rescue yours from this ignominious display buy giving them a nice riding wallet this Christmas. Try the Belroy x MAAP Phone Pocket, made of weather-resistant leather and full of nifty little compartments for keys and change (RRP: $149.95), or the Australian designed Zilfer Active Proof phone wallet. Most fit up to iPhone 7 sized devices, but check to be sure.

RRP: Belroy x MAAP: $149.95 (standard), 159.95 (plus); Zilfer: $69.95

Give him a gift that keeps giving

Subscriptions last months, giving your MAMIL ongoing pleasure and racking-up year-round brownie points for yourself. What about a subscription to Strava Premium, cycling’s social platform, including live feedback and advanced analysis. Or a subscription to Bike Australia magazine, our bi-monthly celebration of everything bike? Want to think outside the box? Consider a Three Thousand Thieves coffee subscription, with a grind from a new Australian artisan coffee roaster delivered every 30 days to his mailbox.

RRP: Strava Premium: $89.99 for one year; Bike magazine Australia: $49 for one year (six issues); Three Thousand Thieves: Varies, from $150 for six months (six deliveries)

Spoil him with a new toy

Does your MAMIL love technology? Sure he does! Why not get him a new bike computer, like the aero, tricked-out Wahoo Elemnt Bolt with live Strava tracking and programmable LED quicklook indicators. Or the very latest in helmet technology. The Coros Frontier Smart Helmet uses Bone Conduction Technology to hook your MAMIL up to voice navigation, music, voice calls, ride data voice prompts, and even gives him the ability to communicate between cyclists on a ride via walkie talkie. It’s a wireless, hands free, keeps his ears open to the environment, and very exciting.

RRP: Wahoo Elemnt Bolt: $399.95; Coros Frontier Smart Helmet: $229.95

Keep him safe

We all worry about our loved ones out there on the road. They may not prevent accidents, but camera-equipped lights do add an element of traceability and accountability if an incident should occur. Full of smart technology, the Fly6 CE (connected edition) is a new edition of the popular Fly6, offering hi-tech road safety features in a lighter, smaller package, and new connectivity to Garmin headunits and the Cycliq Plus app. Both the Fly6 rear light/camera and the front-facing Fly12 CE record high-definition video through 135 degrees, including audio, at 60 frames per second. The new CE editions are hitting our shores in late November, so don’t hesitate to check out the current Fly6 ($199) and Fly12 ($439) models if they prove elusive.

RRP: Fly6 CE $259; Fly12 CE $339

Fuel his passion

Give him a leave pass for a weekend of riding and organise him an entry into an upcoming event that will inspire, challenge, and motivate him to ride further and higher than before. Check out the Peaks Challenges (Falls Creek and Cradle Mountain. Entry from $315) or Velothon Sunshine Coast (three days. Entry from $475) for some ideas.

If he already has everything…

The Wahoo Kickr Climb is yet hit our shores but it’s promised to arrive before the end of 2017. If he’s already equipped with a 2017 Kickr indoor smart trainer, this nifty bit of gear attaches to his bike’s fork and raises and lowers it to mimic real road gradients, perfect for Zwifting and any indoor workout. Check out our first look for more, and keep an eye out, because once these land on our shores, they won’t last long.

RRP: Approx $750