Hands up who's jetting off/driving off/catching the ferry to embark upon a summer mountain bike holiday? Yup, it's that time of year again, and while we love a good holiday MTB trip, it can get a little pricey. So save yourself some money on clothing and kit, and you'll have more to spend on post-ride beers and lift passes.
- How to make the most of a trip to the Alps
- Seven essential skills for enduro mountain biking
- Best mountain bike: how to choose the right one for you
Merlin Padded Bike Bag £99.95 £69.95
If you're travelling abroad with your bike, you could just pop it in a cardboard box. On the other hand, you might prefer to give it a smidge more protection with a padded bike bag... and they're also easier to manhandle around the airport. This budget model from Merlin has shoulder straps, weighs in at 3.7kg, and is 120cm x 80cm x 20cm.
Troy Lee Designs D3 Carbon – Aaron Gwin 2015 £379.99 £189.99
Channel your inner Aaron Gwin (or Steve Peat, or Sam Hill, or Brandon Semenuk) and protect your noggin at the same time. A full-face helmet is a must for most of the BikeParks and a some of the natural riding you're likely to be doing off on your bike hols. Get a carbon one and you're less likely to end up with neck ache and a bill for excess baggage.
Evoc Explorer 30l Performance Backpack in Ruby £119.95 £80.96
If you've got long days on the mountains planed, you'll need a bag that's big enough to stow the essential tools, spares, waterproofs and the most essential item – lunch. The Ruby version of the Evoc Explorer backpack is plenty big enough, and features nice wide straps at the waist to keep it place on those technical Alpine descents.
Available from Rutland Cycling
Troy Lee Designs Skyline Shorts Speeda 2015 £59.99 £32.99
No bike holiday would be complete without at least one pair of hideously loud shorts. Though obviously you don't want to be uncomfortable. Luckily, the Troy Lee Skyline shorts in Speeda come up trumps... and actually, we rather like that loud red and yellow animal print.
Fox Racing Dawn Patrol Jacket AW15 £90.00 £44.99
The evenings can get cool out and about, and you need a jacket that's going to keep you warm while you're sitting out enjoying those post-ride beers. Oh, and of course for those cool early-morning missions. Which is what the Dawn Patrol Jacket from Fox Racing is all about. And if it happens to look snazzy for hanging about in, then bonus!
