This is the cycling gear that will get you back in the saddle

Quadlock

There are a lot of people driving to leave emails, texts and calls, but I prefer to keep my phone handy when I’m in the saddle. (Obviously, I stop at the side of the road when I want to look at the screen.) Until recently I stuck my cell phone in the pocket of my jersey, which was often under a jacket that made it difficult – and unsafe – to access while rolling . Then I got this Quadlock case and assembled it. It was a total game changer.

The Quadlock mount sits on the bike shaft and I’m pretty sure it will keep my phone safe and protected even in bumpy terrain. When the ride is over or I got off the road to take a photo, it’s easy to release it. Simply pull up the locking mechanism of the bracket and turn it. The Quadlock phone case is sturdy – there is a raised bump on the back that fits on the bracket – and I would trust that it cleverly protects the phone in the event of a crash. But when I finish my ride, I switch to my preferred one Catalytic converter housing.

Adidas

I will not suggest that listening to music while cycling is the safest choice. Many cyclists frowned when wearing headphones while cyclingand argue that all of your senses should watch out for danger. I think that makes a lot of sense and I won’t convince you otherwise.

However, if you listen to music while driving (or running), you can mitigate the risks with headphones that do not completely isolate you from the outside world. A couple that has a version of transparency mode – like that Apple AirPods Pro – is a good bet.

Otherwise, I recommend the Adidas FWD-01. They are comfortable to wear, easy to control with one hand and loud enough to hear – even in very windy conditions. They have a built-in microphone so you can jump on a call if you need to. The waterproof knitted cable is light and does not get tangled up. And the battery life is excellent.

Blacksmith

I had worn the same bike helmet for a long, long time. The The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends Replace your helmet at least every 10 years, and mine was at least that old. After doing some research, I opted for a mountain bike helmet – although I mainly ride on the road – for added protection and, in my opinion, cooler look. After trying some, I chose the Smith Forefront 2 and I love it so far.

Most importantly, it has features MIPS architecturethat can weaken the force of an impact on your brain. It is relatively light and breathable and has it Koroyd in the interior – a layer that offers additional fall protection and the possibility of sorting out faults.

Smith Optics

I found this comfortable to wear and secure on my face, fairly light and stylish enough. If you look around, you may be able to find a deal: I found a pair for $ 35 on Backcountry.com, although it is listed at $ 100 or more depending on the color.

Amazon

Where I live, it’s cold and windy all year round, except for a wonderful stretch of about 10 weeks in summer. We are not there yet – and without the protection of this jacket I would never have made it on a trip. It kept me warm and dry without ever feeling suffocated, constricted or stuck. And although it has no pockets, there are zippered slots that allow access to jersey pockets.

Sarah Tew / CNET

I have used Strava Track and share rides (and runs and hikes) for years. But in March, I upgraded to the Strava Premium subscription service called Summit, which costs $ 8 a month or $ 60 if you pay a full year in advance. I did it mainly for safety reasons: Summit’s beacon feature allows you to choose a contact who can monitor your location during every trip. But there are also some other attractive features, including advanced training metrics and leaderboards.