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A holiday gift list shouldn’t be hype; it should help. We pulled together a clear, field‑tested guide to the cycling gear that actually gets used, lasts through real weather, and makes every ride safer and more fun. From high‑lumen rechargeable lights that punch through daylight to the rear‑view bike radar that changed how we ride, we break down the smartest upgrades across budgets—under $25, $50, $100, and splurge‑worthy picks when you want to go big.

We also talk storage and travel, because clutter and logistics can sink a good ride. You’ll hear about the aero saddle pack that keeps tools dry and mounts a radar cleanly, top‑tube bags for snacks on the move, vertical rolling stands that free garage space, and a simple charging station that tames cords when you’re juggling lights, computers, and radar. Flying with your bike? We compare hard cases designed to roll smoothly through airports and shield carbon frames from baggage‑handler mayhem. For comfort and delight, we champion the stealth move of fresh premium bar tape, stainless steel bottles shaped for cages, multitools that replace rusted relics, and even fun socks and a crisp bell that cuts through trail noise.

Beyond the gear, we share a listener spotlight with a twist—Waltham, Massachusetts, the Watch City that helped standardize manufacturing and keep the rails on time—plus a friend’s ambitious 2026 cross‑country route spanning 14 states, Great Lakes coastlines, Glacier National Park, and more. It’s a reminder of why the right kit matters: safety, freedom, and the simple joy of a smooth ride at bike speed.

If you enjoy thoughtful cycling talk and practical recommendations, tap follow, share this with a rider who needs gift ideas, and leave a quick review to help more folks find the show. Your support keeps the wheels turning.

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Jersey Store

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Adam and Michael’s friendship has grown through years of shared miles, challenges, and laughter on the bike. Their passion for cycling has carried them through life’s twists and turns, creating a bond full of stories, jokes, and unforgettable rides. In their podcast, they bring that same spirit to the mic—sharing adventures, trading banter, and welcoming listeners into their cycling community. Whether tackling steep climbs or cruising open roads, their conversations capture the fun, friendship, and freedom that cycling brings. Tune in for stories that celebrate the ride and the camaraderie that makes it unforgettable.

and Remember,

It's a Great Day for a Bike Ride!
https://www.facebook.com/cyclingmenofleisure
https://cyclingmenofleisure.com/
https://www.cyclingmenofleisurepodcast.com

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What if your early-season ride felt more like a festival than a sufferfest? We sit down with Cycle Zydeco’s ride director, Scott, to unpack a Louisiana cycling experience built around live Zydeco music, crawfish boils, dance lessons, and easy, flat miles that leave you grinning instead of gasping. With Breaux Bridge as the new base camp and Lafayette just a quick shuttle away, the logistics finally match the vibe: simple arrivals, secure overnight bike staging, showers on-site, and routes that roll from 40 miles to metric options with almost no climbing.

We dig into the details riders care about. Hotels, RV camping, and on-site tent villages? Covered. Bike rentals, shipping, assembly, and last‑minute fixes from a full shop? Also covered. Zydeco Bucks spend like cash at local restaurants and stores, turning post‑ride meals into a culinary tour that feeds the community, too. Curious about VIP perks? Think swamp tours, Tabasco’s island, museum stops, a craft cocktail festival, and priority charging stations. Prefer to keep it lean? The basic package keeps the heart of the experience intact—routes, snacks, music, and a generous stash of Bucks—without the extras.

We also preview Jazzing on the Trace, a two‑day warm‑up on the Tammany Trace near Lake Pontchartrain. Expect 30 mellow miles, seafood boils by the water, and a shot of New Orleans energy just over the bridge. And yes, we talk weather, safety, and support: flat terrain with fast‑moving showers, shuttles that flex when the party runs late, and mechanics who can source everything from spokes to thru‑axles. If your spring calendar needs a ride that doubles as a cultural deep dive—Cajun and Creole food, Rockin’ Dopsie and friends, and a dance floor that opens at three—this is your sign.

If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more riders can find their way to Louisiana’s most joyful cycling week.

Support

Jersey Store

Support the show

Adam and Michael’s friendship has grown through years of shared miles, challenges, and laughter on the bike. Their passion for cycling has carried them through life’s twists and turns, creating a bond full of stories, jokes, and unforgettable rides. In their podcast, they bring that same spirit to the mic—sharing adventures, trading banter, and welcoming listeners into their cycling community. Whether tackling steep climbs or cruising open roads, their conversations capture the fun, friendship, and freedom that cycling brings. Tune in for stories that celebrate the ride and the camaraderie that makes it unforgettable.

and Remember,

It's a Great Day for a Bike Ride!
https://www.facebook.com/cyclingmenofleisure
https://cyclingmenofleisure.com/
https://www.cyclingmenofleisurepodcast.com

Send us a text

Fog hangs low, headlights cut thin ribbons through the dark, and somewhere ahead a line of red taillights refuses to be caught. We lean into the season with a Halloween ride that blends ghost stories, travel mishaps, aviation quirks, and a surprising amount of laughter from two cyclists who prize the journey as much as the destination.

We kick off with Moonlight Mayhem bourbon, a yard-turned-graveyard, and a Florida trip that delivered 12-mile theme-park days and a front-row view of a Spirit Airlines plane getting impounded. From there, we talk towers, old-school air traffic tools that still run high-stakes skies, and the quiet competence that keeps travelers safe. Our Rants of Dissatisfaction pull no punches: language-targeted ads in the wrong place, a contractor who waited eleven empty days to start, and TV’s most unrealistic prop—the weightless coffee cup.

Then the hauntings roll in. Meet Larry, the red-Huffy rider of Randolph, Maine, who vanished without a trace and, some say, still cruises the old rail trail as orbs drift between the pines. A Devon mansion yields a Victorian figure watching a child cycling below, while a cliffside speakeasy’s famed Blue Lady is exposed as an engineered hoax complete with moving chandeliers. Charleston’s former bicycle shop, now a student health center, brings chills with neatly stacked books found on the floor at dawn. And the centerpiece: the WWI ghost cyclist reported by both trenches, silently crossing No Man’s Land—an image every rider understands in their bones.

We thank our VIP supporters, drop fresh listener spotlight clues, and tease the much-loved Cyclist Christmas List packed with road-tested gear, safety picks, and a few wildcards. Stick around for our original campfire tale, The Phantom Peloton, a modern myth about GPS loops, misty roads, and the whispered command every pack depends on: hold your line.

Love the ride? Tap follow, leave a quick review to boost the show, and share this Halloween special with a friend who believes the best miles happen after dark. What story gave you chills?

Support

Jersey Store

Support the show

Adam and Michael’s friendship has grown through years of shared miles, challenges, and laughter on the bike. Their passion for cycling has carried them through life’s twists and turns, creating a bond full of stories, jokes, and unforgettable rides. In their podcast, they bring that same spirit to the mic—sharing adventures, trading banter, and welcoming listeners into their cycling community. Whether tackling steep climbs or cruising open roads, their conversations capture the fun, friendship, and freedom that cycling brings. Tune in for stories that celebrate the ride and the camaraderie that makes it unforgettable.

and Remember,

It's a Great Day for a Bike Ride!
https://www.facebook.com/cyclingmenofleisure
https://cyclingmenofleisure.com/
https://www.cyclingmenofleisurepodcast.com