2018 DuVine Holiday Gift Guide
Written by Mia LiefeldEach holiday season, we compile our favorite gift suggestions for the cyclists, foodies, and travelers on your list. From gear for the seriously invested cyclist to gifts that you can come bearing at holiday parties, our 2018 Gift Guide includes a little something for everyone. This year, we’re paying special attention to brands we stand by for their mission to make travel better or a story—like DuVine’s—that started small with a big idea.
Hyperice Vyper 2.0 | $199
Fans of this vibrating fitness roller include pro athletes like Lindsey Vonn and JuJu Smith-Schuster. The Vyper digitally delivers three speeds of high-intensity vibration, allowing your favorite cyclist to warm up, activate muscles, and recover faster and more effectively.
The exterior features smooth and grooved areas so they can roll right into their sweet spot. Foam roller obsessives will love the upgraded myofascial release, which means greater flexibility, improved circulation, and reduced muscle soreness—so they can get back on the bike in a hurry. Plus, it’s a TSA-approved carry-on, meaning it travels well to any bike tour destination!
Opinel Essential Kitchen Knives | $45
A sweet stocking stuffer or thoughtful gift for the home cook, Opinel knives are a staple in every French kitchen. Created in 1890 in the French Alps, the classic folding knives were iconic for their myriad uses in the countryside, whether slicing stems in the garden or carving off hunks of cheese at lunchtime.
The essential kitchen knives retain the same sturdy and simple practicality, but the cheerful colors make them fun for young adults in their first apartment or students heading off to dorm life. Each set includes a peeler, pantry knife, vegetable knife, and serrated knife—with all the basics covered, DuVine guides turn to this small yet comprehensive set of tools time and time again when preparing picnics on tour.
Peak Design Capture Clip | $69.95
DuVine’s videographer Rupert Shanks loves this secure clip that attaches your camera to your body and keeps your hands free—so you can shift gears on your bike, for example. It’s also handy on hikes, ski runs, or other active pursuits where you might encounter something photo-worthy on the fly.
Rupert says it’s satisfyingly simple to “capture those cracking shots when everyone else has their camera in their bag.” Unlike a camera strap, the Capture attaches to your belt or backpack for instant access, and it also adapts to fit binoculars, lenses, and GoPros. The whole setup feels super pro—perfect for the person who aspires to Nat Geo-level photography.
Cannondale Synapse Carbon Disc Ultegra Di2 | $4,400
Perhaps you rode one on your DuVine tour and fell in love, or maybe you want to inspire a loved one to start riding with you. Either way, the Synapse Carbon Disc Ultegra Di2 is the one to win: this elite performance bicycle is reasonably priced considering the carbon frame, disc brakes, electronic shifting, and top-of-the-line components.
A sleek, reliable, and sturdy road bike, the Di2 is equally suited to cross-country cycling excursions or long weekend rides in the neighborhood. It’s a solid one-and-done pick for someone who’s getting serious about the sport.
Hell Yeah Socks | €20
These cheeky cycling socks sport a mantra that will keep your favorite cyclist climbing: Hell Yeah! A great reminder that they’ve totally got this on their tougher training rides or days when you can’t be there in person to offer moral support.
German cycling apparel brand FINGERSCROSSED—founded by two passionate cyclists—delivers comfortable, durable, and high-performance gear that’s fresh and modern. Their mantra is to give socks the attention they deserve, and we couldn’t agree more on the best place in your kit to let personality shine.
Cycling Art by Michael Valenti | From $65
Cycling posters by Michael Valenti are our décor of choice at DuVine’s Boston office. They add color and fun to our workplace, and we think they’d make spirits bright for anyone on your list. The artist is a lifelong cyclist and illustrator, and most recently he’s been following the TDF and sketching memorable race moments in humorous vignettes (which are also for sale in his shop).
His bold, graphic cycling prints are reminiscent of classic French posters—a striking art piece that captures the whimsy of famous races and classic climbs. Add a pop of color to someone’s home or office, or order one as a sentimental way to sum up the travels you’ve taken with loved ones this year—perhaps to Tuscany or California.
Clif Family Winery Gift Set | $90
Clif Family’s founders were inspired to bring a bike-friendly farm, vineyard, tasting room, and food truck to St. Helena, California after their own cycling adventures in Italy. They also produce handmade kitchen products that pair perfectly with a glass or two—we love their nut mixes, fruit preserves, spice blends, and hot sauces.
Put together your own holiday hostess gift, or make it simple with the World Bicycle Relief gift set, which includes the estate’s 2017 Rte Blanc Sauvignon Blanc, 2016 Bici Red Rhone-style red blend, and two chocolate bars. Not only are you gift-giving, but you’ll be giving back: 20% of all sales from this gift set benefit World Bicycle Relief.
Closca Kids Helmet | $112
Tis the season to teach kids bike safety! A helmet that’s sleek, lightweight, and secure makes it easy for little ones to form good habits, and design-forward company Closca makes one with tons of features to please children and parents alike.
It folds down as flat as a book, so it’s simple to stash in a backpack (no more excuses about how bulky it is to carry a helmet). Removable stickers and interchangeable colored visors let bikers-in-training create their own wearable work of art. It’s even enabled with an NFC chip, so in case of an emergency, it’s clear who to call for help. Want one for yourself? They’re also available in adult sizes.
KICKR CLIMB Indoor Grade Simulator | $599.99
DuVine Founder Andy Levine’s latest obsession is this indoor training upgrade. The CLIMB pairs with Wahoo’s KICKR trainers to deliver real-time, physical grade changes—and this thing can withstand abuse from the hardest-riding pros.
Integrate real ascents (up to 20%), descents (down to -10%), and resistance changes into daily workouts. It’s compatible with any bike, which makes the CLIMB a hit with those who live where winter weather isn’t exactly bike-friendly. Plus, the CLIMB integrates with plenty of third-party apps, so there’s no interfering with their beloved virtual rides (if that’s their speed).
Year-Round Travel Inspiration | From $12
This holiday season, we’re holding fast to print media. A magazine subscription makes getting mail feel like a treat, and there’s no more trustworthy travel companion than a stack of juicy reading material.
For the traveler you know who’s always dreaming of their next destination, we love Travel + Leisure and AFAR for an always-fresh perspective on how to see the world. Gear Patrol appeals to the ultra-elevated adventurer (and hard-to-buy-for guy). Think of it this way: you’re giving the gift of curling up with some coffee, taking a break from the screen, and carving out some time for travel inspiration—the classic way.
Giovanni Almondo Roero Arneis Vigna Sparse 2016 | $13.99
Piedmont gets plenty of attention for its Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera wines. So if you really want to impress an oenophile, gift them the unexpected—a Piedmontese white! Roero Arneis is one of the region’s DOCG wines, and it’s a true pleasure to drink: refreshing, delightful, and approachable. It pairs well with seafood, light pasta, paella, and grilled dishes, so they can stash it in their wine library and think of you when they crack it open come summer.
Our friend and local winemaker Guido Rapetti recommends this bottle from the Giovanni Almondo estate. It sets the bar for what an Arneis should be, and its price belies its beautiful quality (but makes it affordable to bring to any holiday gathering).
Aether Apparel Moto Glove | $150
Aether Apparel has been on our radar for their like-minded approach to travel. Like DuVine, Aether believes that travel enriches your life, which is why their apparel and accessories are designed for an adventurous lifestyle. With a thoughtful infusion of technology, goods from Aether are high quality, timeless, and subtly stylish (we love that there’s no loud branding).
Sure, these gloves are meant for motorcyclists, but we can easily see them warming the hands of the urban cyclist or weekend warrior whose gear has to look polished when they arrive at their destination. Like any good cycling glove, the palm is lined with a double layer of leather and foam protection gives knuckles an extra buffer.
DuVine Tour | From $2,695
Experiential presents are the greatest kind you can give. We might be biased, but we think a bike vacation is the gift that will keep on giving: a week of luxurious accommodations and meals, complete cultural immersion, and memories they can keep with them forever. Contact us about gift cards, or surprise your family with a vacation for all of you—we’ll handle the planning, so it’s one less thing to do this time of year.
Need some suggestions? Check out the Dolomites Journey Bike Tour for hardcore cyclists, Zion National Park Bike + Adventure Tour for nature lovers, Burgundy Bike Tour for the wine-obsessed, or Turkey Yacht + Bike Tour for the true luxury-seeker.
