Piecycle Holiday Gift Guide 2023
Welcome to the first ever Piecycle Club Holiday Gift Guide!
Sturdy Bag Designs
No bike accessory delivers more bang-for-your-buck transformation to your daily bike life than the humble bike bag. Whether it’s a frame bag, snack pouch, or a bar bag, bike bags live in a penthouse suite at the corner of Fashion and Functionality. Unburden your back and pockets and stuff everything from a multi-tool, keys, your phone, and/or a burrito in a bike bag.
There are a lot of options to choose from in the category, but in Minneapolis we’re blessed to have one of the best makers in the nation in Sturdy Bag Designs. Joe, owner and maker, has a background in upholstery work and it shows. He’s a sweetheart to boot.
Bogart’s Doughnuts Brown Butter Glaze
Those of you who’ve tried the Bogart’s Doughnuts Brown Butter Glaze doughnut will need no justification for its placement on this holiday gift guide. For those of you who haven’t, I asked ChatGPT to write a poem about the experience of trying the brioche style doughnut for the first time.
“In realms of sweetness, unexplored delight,
I tasted bliss, so pure and light.
Brown butter magic, a dance on my tongue,
A symphony of flavors, a song unsung.
Brown butter dreams, like sunlight’s gleam,
Illuminate the soul, a tranquil stream.
No longer confined, no chains to bear,
I savor the freedom, the open air.”
In our own words: The doughnuts are good. What’s more incredible is that Bogart’s will sell you jars of the Brown Butter frosting for home use. Honestly it seems irresponsible. The jars make an incredible gift, especially paired with fresh baked cookies to top them with.
Bogart’s now has two locations in the metro area. Find them at:
Minneapolis: 904 W 36th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
St. Louis Park: 5003 Excelsior Boulevard, St. Louis Park 55416
GOFLUO Darkchamp Reflective Vest
On the surface this might not appear to be the most tantalizing item on the list, but you’re going to have to trust us on this. GOFLUO is a small, Belgian-based and woman-owned company that makes hyper reflective safety clothing. However reflective you’re imagining this vest is, multiply that by 5x. In Minneapolis, GOFLUO is currently available exclusively at Perennial Cycle and Mill City Running.
Wolf Tooth Components 6-bit Hex Wrench Multi-Tool
Everyone needs a multi-tool on their bike (tucked in a Sturdy Bag), and Minnesota-based Wolf Tooth makes some of the most cleverly designed tools on the market. We like the 6-bit hex wrench multi-tool because it’s tiny, built like a tank, available with anodized color bling, and useful around the house. As a bonus, it’s also an incredible desktop fidget toy. From Wolf Tooth:
The 6-Bit Hex Wrench is a slim, strong multi-tool with 11 functions for common bike repairs and everyday needs. Six hex bits are stored inside the handles that fit into the end of a ball detent swivel head for use. The 11 functions include: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8mm hex; flat head #3.5 and Phillips #2 screwdrivers; and T10 and T25 Torx-compatible bits. All bits are ED-coated and corrosion-resistant. It is small enough to fit into a riding tool wrap or pocket, and has an optional keyring attachment to fit on any keychain for use away from the bike.
Homemade Bakes
This is the best gift on this list. It’s not at the top because you shouldn’t feel guilty about not baking all of your loved ones’ gifts this year. But doing so would be an incredible decision and would make your loved ones feel like especially loved ones. Bonus points if you include the recipe or a reason why the recipe is TOP SECRET.
A Local Bakery Gift Card
The only thing tastier than a fresh almond croissant is a fresh almond croissant you didn’t pay for. Give the gift of baked joy while supporting a local business with a gift card from a local bakery or cafe.
Over the past two years we’ve been lucky enough to visit bakeries and cafes across the Twin Cities on Piecycle Group Rides. They’ve all been wonderful for their own unique reasons, so customize your choice based on your equally unique giftee. Links:
