Great bikes and the one spectacular tour that made the list this year…
Dream bike, electrified: Faraday Cortland.
Yes, we definitely have electric bikes on our minds, and Faraday makes the most beautifully designed, lightest and smooth riding bike we’ve tried. With steam-bent bamboo fenders, leather grips, hydraulic disc brakes, a Gates belt drive, step-through frame and Shimano Alfine 8 internally geared hub – the Cortland is a dream for any rider.
Faraday Cortland
Dream bike, minimized: Heritage Bennett Balance Bike.
You don’t have to be a kid to want one of these. I want one to hang on my wall – they are SO GOOD. If you have kids in your life, there’s no better way to get them started early than on a balance bike which allows them to sit while still keeping feet on the ground. Heritage Bicycles in Chicago has collaborated on this beauty (which you can even get with a Brooks saddle). If you are an aunt, fairy godmother or grandma, this is THE gift.
Dream bike, dirty: Yeti Beti
Built to “beat the boys down the hill”, the Yeti Beti is a bike that will make you a better rider. Yeti is a cool company that doesn’t compromise on its women’s bikes, making the Beti out of its top TURQ carbon frame material. Absolutely ridiculously expensive – and worth it if you ride as much as I do.
Dream bike, USA carbon: HIA Velo.
With the audacious goal of bringing high end bicycle manufacturing back to the US, HIA Velo’s Founder is the first production model to be available under the HIA brand.
HIA Velo Founder in Bling
Dream bike, idealized & customized: Georgena Terry.
Working with a custom builder might just be the holy grail when it comes to a “dream bike”. Working with Georgena takes it to another level.
Dream bike tour: Crusing the Adriatic.
Venice to Dubrovnik – by bike, by yacht. Imagine the convenience, security, and comfort of returning to the same 5-star resort after each day’s ride, and the excitement of exploring an entirely new region the following day.
The cycling is better than France, Italy or the Pacific Coast.
Your stuff stays in one room, yet you move about at night by private yacht so you explore an entirely new region the next day.
The yacht is filled with cyclists only, many of whom will be traveling solo.
The hosts are expert bike tourists with deep connections around the world and an appreciation for good food, good wine, good routes.
Want to gift yourself? Check out the details here>
I use to love riding when I was younger. I was planning on going back to it, but my husband is afraid I will break my neck, LOL I was looking at bikes and he freaked out. I know I can ride but he will not listen. I have a staionery bike but it is not the same. As soon as I can find a bike that will nto cost much I am planning to go back to it. Watch out worlld one way of other I will ride.l