The holidays are coming up! As a cyclocross racer, we don’t actually celebrate Christmas since we are always racing in Europe during the holidays, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy thinking about the holidays. The day I retire from pro cx racing, the world is not ready for the Christmas party I am going to throw!!
But for now, here is my 2021 Gift Guide. I just chose a few products that I’ve really liked this year. Some of these products I am sponsored by, and some not at all. Truthfully, these are just products I particularly enjoyed this year, so I thought I’d share.
For more ideas, you can always go back and check my 2019 guide.
Happy holidays everyone!
-Maghalie
Clothing
Womens Pro Team Thermal Baselayer
All day Commuter Leggings
Winter Overshoes
Trail lightweight jacket & MTB Shorts
Specialized Gloves
Women’s Pro Team Thermal Baselayer
Hands down my new favorite shirt for winter training. It is warm and breathable, and the long neck allows you to stay warm without being bothered by an additional neck warmer. It even has a hole for your pony tail!
All day leggings
Okay, so I’ve never used those to actually commute anywhere. BUT - they are awesome to where before or after a race. Super comfortable. My favorite part? There is a pocket on the side to put money, phone, etc.
I used those pants all the time to travel on the plane because you can feel like you wear a pyjama, but looks like you’re going to work, AND the pocket is perfect for passport!
Winter overshoes
Let’s be honest here: overshoes are often a real pain to put on...but it sucks even more when your feet are freezing. Those particular overshoes have changed the game for me. You slide them on BEFORE putting your shoes, and then you just gently slide them over the shoes…WITHOUT SWEARING OR BREAKING A SWEAT. Also work with MTB shoes.
If you live in a cold place, you need those. Thank me later.
Trail lightweight jacket & MTB Shorts
This jacket is the one do-it-all jacket that I choose to travel with. For me, this is a jacket for MTB rides, for lifestyle when it’s a bit windy, or for an outer layer on running workouts. It can pack really, really small and even comes with a strap to attach to your bag if you want to take it off while mountain biking.
The shorts and plain and simply my favorite MTB shorts ever. The fabric is light and stretchy so very comfortable for riding!
Trail Thermal Gloves
I’ve been really liking these gloves for fall and early winter riding.
They are warm, but at the same time they are thin enough that you can feel your handlebar well and control the bike.
Accessories
EVOC Hip Pouch
Hammerhead Karoo2
WHOOP
The Unscented Co.
EVOC Gear Bag
EVOC Hip Pouch
I’ve been really enjoying this little pack recently when I go mountain biking and I’m not wearing a jersey with pockets. You don’t really feel it and it serves as a great way to store an extra jacket, or snack, or camera. A version with hydration pouch exist.
Karoo 2 Cycling computer
My favorite cycling computer both for training, adventuring, or when riding in a new city. The navigation on it is great, and the interface is as simple (but at the same time, as deep and complex) to use as a smart phone.
Right now until Nov. 30th, Hammerhead will recycle your old cycling computer and give you 170$ off a new Karoo 2. Don’t miss out.
AND : Use code MAGHS-HRM to get a free Heart Rate monitor with the purchase of a Karoo 2. This can be combined with the trade in program. Code good until dec. 31st.
WHOOP
If you are looking for a gift for someone who wants to improve their performance or their health, the WHOOP would be a nice gift.
It tracks your sleep data, journal your daily behaviour and daily training, so over time it can give you recommendations on what habits are good for you, and how you can improve your overall health.
See how I use WHOOP.
Use this code for 30$ off: join.whoop.com/Maghalie
The Unscented Co. Package
Here are a few of my favorite products from The Unscented Company.
Those would make great gifts for anyone who is a house owner! Also, you can feel good about yourself for offering a gift that is sustainable, and that comes from a local company that treats its employees exceptionally well!
Some favorites: Dish soap (unscented means it never leaves a soapy after taste), Bar Shampoo (foams really well and eco friendly), Kliin towels, Dryer Balls (eco way of getting rid of static), Laundry Bag in Linen (perfect for traveling).
This toothbrush (or dish brush) holder
A collaboration between Unscented and local potter Dompierre. I’m a huge fan of both, so it’s a no brainer for me.
Gear bag
This is my favorite bag for race day. Great way to carry helmet, shoes, and other accessories.
Inside, it is 100% waterproof (it is in a tarp like material), so when you are muddy, you can literally step in it and completely undress in it.
It has multiple compartments so you can separate your wet and dry clothes from each other.
Ruffwear Running belt for your doggy
David and I use this and it’s amazing for running with Mia. It’s so nice to be running and having our hands free!
Books
Roar, by Dr. Stacy Sims
Will, by Will Smith
How Women Rise, by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith
Cyclocross 2020-21, by Balint Hamvas
Train your Brain like an Olympian, by Jean-François Menard
Roar
Women are not small men is the premise of this book. Our physiology is different, and therefore, our needs as athletes are different from mens’. Learn everything about your physiology from how to train, eat, how your menstrual cycle affect performance, etc.
Will
Will Smith’s autobiography is a very entertaining story from one of the best entertainers in the world. Will Smith opens up about his personal struggles and breakthroughs. I felt like there were many good lessons on how to manage emotions, mindset, etc.
How Women Rise
I learned a lot from this book. Women and men act differently, in part because of cultural habits. This book show 12 habits that we, as women, need to break in order to rise in the world of business and performance. I recognized myself in many of these bad habits!
Cyclocross 2020-21
Balint Hamvas is one of the best photographers on the cyclocross circuit. This is a photobook from last season. The photos are great, but it’s the stories in this book that give you the most ‘inside” look into the cyclocross culture. Amazing gift for a CX fan.
Train your brain like an Olympian
I worked with J-F (The author of the book) on mental preparation for years. JF is the best at taking a concept and vulgarizing it for us to understand and apply it. In this book, find multiple high performance concepts that JF used to help professional athletes win Olympic medals, and now applies them so you can use them in your work. The best part of this book are probably all the stories JF has to tell and that really help grasp each concept.
The Cycling Chef cook book
Alan Murchison is the team chef of Canyon Sram road team. This is a really nice book for everyone looking to learn some fundamental principles of nutrition, and is also packed with tons of delicious recipes! David and I have made a lot of the ones in the book and they are all delicious!
There is also a second book out, but I haven’t checked it out yet :)
For the Cyclocross Fan
CX Hairs Bulletin Subscription
A trip to Fayetteville CX Worlds
CX Hairs Bulletin subscription
If you are a CX fan, a subscription to the CX Hairs Bulletin will quench your thirst for CX Content.
You’ll have cyclocross content in your inbox on an almost daily basis. It is worth it, and those guys do a lot for our sport!
Tickets to the Fayetteville CX World Championships
This is a big gift, but it could also be the experience of a lifetime!
Plus, we’d love to have you cheering us on during the biggest race of the year!
Give knowledge
Masterclass Subscription
Learn about your passion from the best teachers in the world. I received this as a gift last year and I was able to learn and follow courses on photography, cooking, videography from some of my idols.
Plus, it’s a sustainable gift!
MTB Courses
Give the gift of skills. If your partner enjoys mountain biking, learning proper skills is probably the best gift you could give someone.
In Quebec, Bike Skills in Bromont is a good one. Ian is a great coach and great person!
Komoot Subscrition
Give the gift of adventure!
Komoot is my favorite way to explore a new place, or my own background. I always find new routes, new trails, or new connections with komoot. It really is a great tool to explore, and once again, it’s a sustainable gift!