Bespoke, Ultra-Luxury

Almost Anywhere

Gray & Co. is the only company to ever win Travel + Leisure’s Best Tour Operator in the World without offering any tours—at least not off-the-rack. They have no scheduled departures and do nothing but bespoke, one-off trips for high-net-worth clients, including frequent, repeat customers with preferences for travel by private jet. As founder Cari Gray puts it simply, “No one else does what we do, period.” Staff-to-guest ratios are the highest in the business and every activity, hotel, and meal is highly curated. Group interests are foremost in trip planning-one participant might cycle all day while another rides for half and then meets with an artist, astronomer, historian, chef, or bird-watcher to pursue their individual passion. Gray’s clientele have typically done all the standard itineraries and are looking for the best of the road less traveled. She is an expert on hidden-gem cycling hot spots such as Mallorca, Colombia, and Argentina, and very high on riding in South Africa-which can be easily combined with a luxury safari. Other favorites include Scotland, Japan, and New Zealand/Australia, but she has run active travel trips even to places unknown for sweat or exertion. including St. Barth. From $4,000/ person/day; grayandco.ca

Road Shoes

Few cyclists bring their own bikes, but many bring shoes and pedals. The new Shimano S-Phyre RC903 may be the best road shoe ever made. The BOA Fit System and new dials make for fast on and off, precise all-around fit, and it is light, breathable, and efficient. $450;

ride.shimano.com

Jacket

Sometimes it rains. No brand is more famous for keeping athletes dry than Gore-Tex and they have their own line of high-performance cycling gear, Gorewear.

The ultralight, breathable, waterproof

ShakeDry shell is all you need to pack for men (C5) or women (C7). S300-$350;

gorewear.com

Helmet

Norway’s Sweet Protection is the industry leader in safety gear for cycling, skiing, and action sports, and its Outrider is comfy, light, ventilated, and includes third-party safety technology MIPS, which reduces force in impact. MIPS is not standard on most helmets, but it should be. $170; sweetprotection.com

Arm and Leg Warmers

The lightest way to prep for changing temperatures on a bike is with removable arm and leg warmers, which turn any jersey or short into a long-sleeve model. Pearl Izumi Elite Arm & Leg Warmers are stretchy, warm, unisex, and unlike most, water resistant.

S40-$60; pearlizumi.com

Shorts

Padded bike shorts are the one must-have accessory, and Sweden’s Craft makes excellent ones. The Endur is made for men and women with four-way stretch and ergonomic pads, and also comes in bib versions.

$75-$150; craftsports.us

Gloves

Another must-have accessory for multiple days of riding is the Pearl Izumi Elite Road Glovesand. The legendary cycling company Pearl Izumi makes the time-tested Elite Gel in both men’s and women’s models.

$38; pearlizumi.com

Taillight

Studies have found a flashing rear light can significantly reduce bike/car accidents, and the Topeak RedLite Mini USB is small, bright, highly portable, and easy to affix to any bag or seat post. $40;

topeak.com

Bike Computer

The Garmin Edge 1040 Solar Bike

Computer by the GPS leader with the best bike computers on the market comes complete with full-color screens and maps featuring turn-by-turn directions. Most top tour companies can download their daily routes to your Garmin, and the new solar version of the best-selling Edge works even if you forget to charge it overnight, up to 100 hours supplemented by the sun.

$750; garmin.com

Rearview Radar

After your helmet, this is the biggest safety essential in cycling. The Garmin Varia RVR315 Rearview Radar attaches to your saddle bag, seat post, or jersey pocket and warns you of cars approaching from behind. The device works best with a Garmin Edae comouter but can also be paired with a smartphone. $200; narmin.com