Christmas presents: Rain shorts, saddle and first aid kit

Vaude Drop rain shorts

Rain jacket? Of course, you've got it with you. It not only protects you from unexpected showers, but also from the wind on the descent and keeps you warm in the hut. But rain trousers? Oh no. By the time you've put them on, the shower is either already over or you're sweating cats and dogs in them and then you're wet too. Besides, what could be nicer than coming home really soaked after a tour? All true, of course, but what about this scenario?

You're on a big tour. Perhaps crossing the Alps. Surprisingly, a thunderstorm rolls in and you get caught out. Soaking wet, you eventually reach a hut where you can sit out the storm and get something warm to eat. So, how do you sit down on the upholstered bench with a fresh streak of dirt on your bum? Well.

Apart from the fact that moisture will eventually seep through to the skin, even with robust shorts. But unfortunately not only the moisture. The finest dirt particles also work their way through the fabric meshes onto the seat pad. If the tour lasts longer after the hut rest, these particles can soon make themselves felt on the skin.

That's why I'm a fan of short rain trousers. When rolled up, they fit into the smallest corner of a rucksack in their pack sack and can be quickly pulled on when the rain comes. You don't even have to take your shoes off. The leg width can be adjusted with Velcro strips.

• Price: 80 Euro >> e.g. available here at a reduced price
• Material: Breathable Ceplex active technology without fluorocarbons (Vaude Green Shape label).

SQLab 60 x Infinergy

Setting off spontaneously on a 700 kilometre tour through Germany with a borrowed gravel bike and a completely untested saddle? That's not a good idea, of course. But what can I say - the opportunity was there, the weather was nice, I went for it. Thank goodness, I can only say in retrospect, because the saddle in particular turned out to be a great "really now" experience. The movement pattern I had rehearsed over many years when getting off my racing bike - namely the first bend in my aching back - was cancelled! My sit bones, seat and inner thighs also took virtually no notice of the 700 kilometres from Munich to the Sauerland.

Of course, I was outrageously lucky that the saddle happened to fit perfectly. Because before you buy the SQLab 60 X Infinergy, you normally have your sit bones measured first. This is the only way to determine the perfect ergonomic saddle width. So if you want to give this saddle as a gift, you will initially "only" be able to put the measurement kit from SQLab under the tree. But once this small hurdle has been overcome, you can give an ambitious cyclist the gift of nothing less than years of sitting on clouds. More precisely, on a perfectly customised saddle with the kind of padding normally used in the soles of running shoes. The 60 X Infinergy is available as a women's and men's model in four different widths.

• Price: 180 Euro >> e.g. available here at a reduced price
• Weight: 284 grammes

Flexeo first aid roll Explorer

The great thing about an emergency kit like this is that you can even make it yourself and personalise the contents. Then make sure that you use a light, water-repellent fabric for the bag. This increases the chance that the recipient will actually take the first aid kit with them on their trip. In terms of design, we recommend the quick-opening, roll-out system that Flexeo uses for its Explorer roll. You open the Velcro fastener, unroll the bag into a strip and then have the five zip-secured inner pockets with the first aid materials clearly laid out and ready to hand in front of you.

• Weight: 260 grammes
• Price: from 12,50 Euro (according to content) >> at Doc Moris or Shop pharmacy available

Contents of the Flexeo Explorer roll (59 pieces):

• one triangular cloth 136 cm x 96 cm x 96 cm
• 2 elastic fixation bandages 4 m x 6 cm
• 1 dressing pack 10 x 8 cm
• 1 adhesive plaster coil 5 m x 2.5 cm
• 4 wound dressings 10 cm x 10 cm
• 8 quick wound dressings 10 cm x 6 cm
• 4 fingertip plasters 4 cm x 6.5 cm
• 4 finger plasters 12 cm x 2 cm
• 4 plaster tips 7.2 cm x 1.9 cm
• 8 plaster strips 7.2 cm x 2.5 cm
• one rescue blanket 210 cm x 160 cm
• 4 antiseptic wipes 10.5 cm x 7.5 cm
• 10 safety pins
• 4 disposable gloves
• 1 pair of tweezers
• 1 pair of scissors

Optionally also with wound spray and tick card.

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