Buying for a cyclist is awkward. They already own the kit. The jersey, the socks, the tool that lives in the saddle bag. What they do not have on the wall is the ride they actually did.
A map of the ride, or a voucher if you are stuck
A print of their route is the gift. A sportive, a LEJOG, a climb they still talk about. You need the GPX, or you ask me to make it, or you send a voucher and let them choose.
Paul N. bought a Personalised Cycling Map Print after his daughter rode LeJog: "Purchased for my daughter after she cycled the LeJog, it looks excellent framed. A brilliant keepsake."
How to get a GPX
If the ride is on Strava, use a computer, open the activity, and click the GPX button over the map. The steps are on Downloading GPX files from Strava. That note was last updated on 10 March 2022, so if the button is not where you expect, send me the activity link and I will get the file.
The map page says you can also get a GPX from Garmin Connect or Komoot. A ride recorded on a Garmin or a Wahoo has usually already uploaded to Strava. If it only lives on their phone, it has usually already uploaded. Do not ask them for a password.
Make the print yourself
Use the custom map builder. Connect Strava or upload a GPX, set the colours and the stats, and check the preview before you order. The page says we print it in the UK. On the Personalised Cycling Map Print, A3 is £35 and A2 is £45.
Neil H. ordered one of those prints: "Exactly what I wanted, something to remember an amazing day on the bike."
If you would rather I made it
The Map Design - Done For You option is for when the files are a faff. Contact me first so we can agree the details, then order from that page once you are happy. Send the GPX files, the rider's name, the colour and style, and any stats you want on it: time, distance, elevation, date. I email a proof, and the proof we agree is the map that gets printed. The picture on the product page is an example. It will not be their ride.
Do not send a password. A GPX is what I need. If you only have a link to the activity, send that and I will get the file from there.
Mandy G. had one made for her son: "My son Ben was over the moon to see his journey in print."
A digital voucher if you are stuck
No file, no time, Christmas Eve. The digital gift voucher is emailed to you. Forward it, or print it. The product page says there is no expiry date. The amounts on the product are £10, £20, £28, £35, £38 and £45. Where a name helps: £20 is an A4 print, £28 an A3 print, £35 an A3 map designer, £38 an A2 print, and £45 an A2 map designer.
A card in the post
The physical gift voucher is posted, to you or to them, with instructions for use. The page says there is no expiry date. The amounts are £10, £28 for an A3 print, £35 for an A3 map designer, £38 for an A2 print, and £45 for an A2 map designer.
Marie B. gave a map print as the present: "Very pleased with the framed map. It was a gift and the recipient was beyond happy."
Better than another pair of socks?
They will not notice another pair of socks. They will notice the ride, on the wall, with their name on it. If you cannot get the file, the voucher still beats the socks.
