The Easter holidays are a great opportunity to spend time with the kids, enjoy the (hopefully) warmer weather and eat lots of chocolate.
If you’re feeling a little guilty about the mountain of Easter eggs building up, don’t worry! Easter is an ideal time to head out on two wheels and enjoy some family cycling adventures, or even embark on a solo challenge.
To help you prepare for your Easter bike rides, we’ve pulled together a list of essential accessories for all the family.
Cycle clothing essentials
Clothing may seem like a basic one, but it’s easy to get caught out by the British weather. And with temperatures fluctuating throughout the Easter period, it’s always best to be prepared!
1. Correctly layer for the weather
The first step to comfortable bike rides is to check the weather forecast and plan ahead.
- If there’s rain forecast, you’ll want to pack a waterproof jacket.
- During blustery days, a windproof jacket can be a good protective option.
- On brighter days, it’s important to keep your eyes protected by wearing cycling sunglasses.
- If it’s going to be chilly, don’t forget base layers and gloves or mitts.
Gloves are a must for cold days as grasping for brake levers with numb hands is never fun. For milder days, fingerless mitts are a great option as they keep your hands cool, while the padding reduces vibrations for a comfier ride.
2. Bike Helmets
Everyone knows how important a bike helmet is – so don’t head out on an Easter ride without one.
If you’re worried a helmet might cramp your style, we’ve got you covered. Here at Halfords, we have a wide range of helmets in a variety of colours and styles, so there’s the perfect option for everyone.
A good all-rounder that wouldn’t be out of place in the park, on a trail, or on a commute, the Lazer Compact Flash Helmet features the TurnFit+ 360 degree fit system for a personalised feel and in-mould construction for elite safety and comfort as you cycle.
For the little ones, we’ve got all the gear to get them excited to ride this Easter. So, if you’ve got a particularly fashionable youngster, then the Halfords Kids’ Space Abstract Helmet 46-54cm (age 3-8yrs) should be right up their street.
Or, if bright colours are more their thing, the Halfords Kids Multi Colour Hearts Helmet 46-54cm (age 3-8yrs) should have them safely and stylishly back on two wheels in no time.
3. Bike mitts and pads
Make sure your little ones stay protected with the right cycling accessories from bike mitts to protective pads. The Halfords Kids’ Bike Mitts, available in sweet Pink Hearts or Black Space, are a great option for protecting little palms (aged 3-6 years).
For small tumbles when the stabilisers come off, the Halfords Knee Pads are ideal to protect kids from cuts and bumps along the trail. Available in pink and blue, for kids aged 3-7, don’t let knobbly knees put your little one off cycling adventures!
Family bike ride must-haves
1. Child bike seats and trailers
Child bike seats
Even if you have young children who aren’t big enough to ride their own bike, they can still join you on your Easter cycling adventures.
One of the easiest ways to do this is with a child bike seat like the Polisport Groovy RS Plus Child Seat.
- The seat can be used in 4 forward and backwards positions.
- An adjustable footrest and safety harness, so it can grow with your little one.
- Plus, its quick-release mechanism makes it easy to fit and remove the seat from your bike.
Bike trailers
If you have a couple of little ones to carry with you, the Halfords Advanced Double Bike Trailer is a great choice.
- It’s ideal for families.
- Has both bug and rain screens to keep your kids protected from the perils of a British spring.
- It gives you the ultimate versatility since you can use it as both a stroller and a trailer.
- The ultra-comfortable cushioned cabin is sure to keep your little ones happy all day long.
Bike ride essentials
1. Bike locks
To prevent theft of your treasured bike, and avoid the long walk back, it’s important to lock your bike up properly.
Here at Halfords, we have a wide range of bike locks for all ranges of bikes. The main thing to look out for when buying a lock is the security rating.
- The security rating indicates how secure the lock is.
- All locks sold through Halfords have either a standard or Sold Secure rating.
You can discover more about bike lock ratings here.
2. Cycling GPS computers
The Garmin Edge® 540 is your go-to cycling GPS for easy navigation and killer performance tracking. With a bright, easy-to-read colour screen and preloaded Garmin Cycle Maps, you can explore new routes confidently, plus discover popular local trails with Trendline routing.
It tracks your heart rate, speed, cadence, and power in real time when paired with sensors, helping you push harder and ride smarter.
Features of the Garmin Edge 540 include:
- Built-in multi-band GNSS for pinpoint accuracy.
- A handy ClimbPro feature to tackle climbs like a pro.
- Personalised power targets and stamina insights.
- Use Garmin Connect to check out your post-ride stats, and share your progress with friends on apps like Strava.
- Up to 42 hours of battery life.
- Reliable button controls that work in any weather.
Essential bike maintenance
1. Clean and service your bike
If you’ve been riding throughout winter, your bike may need a bit of TLC before it ventures out on Easter rides – so give it a good clean!
Cleaning your bike regularly will:
- Make it look better.
- Help it operate more smoothly.
- Reduce the chance of mechanical issues.
Once you’ve finished, apply some bike lube to your chain. There’s also a good chance you’ll also need to apply grease to your wheel and headset bearings plus your bottom bracket.
If you’re not sure how to do this, don’t worry! Here at Halfords, we offer a range of bike services and can help get your bikes back in tip-top condition.
We also offer a Free 25 Point Bike Health Check, available on every type of bike, from any size or discipline, to get you back on two wheels as soon as possible.
2. Multi-tools
Always be prepared! Whether it happens to your bike or your child’s bike, a mechanical fault can soon put a halt to your two-wheeled fun if you’re not prepared – so always carry a the relevant bike tool.
The Halfords 8 Function Multi Tool is a compact choice that can easily fit in a pocket and has everything you’ll need to fix any minor issues you may encounter.
3. Bike pumps
Every cyclist will pick up a puncture at some point, and many of us have experienced that sinking feeling of realising you haven’t got the equipment to fix it.
- A hand pump fits easily into your bag, and some are even compact enough to fit into a pocket.
- It’s also worth having a floor pump at home as these are quicker and most have accurate gauges to measure the tyre pressure.
4. Added puncture protection
Why not add extra puncture protection so you don’t need to worry about a deflated tyre ruining your Easter rides?
Slime inner tubes are a great option. They contain a slime that is specially designed to plug holes up to 3mm deep, helping to prevent punctures. You can also buy the slime separately and insert it into your tyres yourself. With slime technology on your side, you’ll have that added peace of mind ready for your Easter rides.
That completes our list of useful accessories for your Easter bike rides. Now all that’s left to do is plan your routes. If you need inspiration, we’ve got plenty of ideas on our blog, from the best family cycle routes to the best traffic-free routes.
