Now that Thanksgiving has passed and December is almost here, the holiday season is in full swing.

That may be to the chagrin of some, struggling to find that perfect present for a friend or family member. After all, holiday shopping can be a stressful experience. But it does not have to be, especially when the gift in question is being sought for a cyclist. An abundance of cycling clothing, accessories and toys is available — easily enough for gift-givers to sift through to find something for their favorite rider.

This year’s Cycling Central holiday gift guide discusses clothing and accessories separately and highlights merchandise available at local bike shops. The guide is by no means exhaustive, so feel free to use it as a springboard for gift ideas for bicycle lovers.

Clothing

It is not yet officially winter, but it sure feels like it outside. Though the weather has gotten cold, outdoor riding is still possible for cyclists who are correctly outfitted.

“I think that’s why a lot of people have a hard time going outside in the wintertime, because they don’t know how to dress for it,” says Petie Thom, an employee at Hutch’s Bicycles in Bend. “If you dress properly for it, you’re generally good to go and warm.”

To help round out your favorite rider’s winter clothing collection, think about apparel items that protect from the elements. For example, a wind jersey such as the Castelli Trasparente ($150) can be worn over a moisture-wicking layer to block the wind, helping to maintain warmth.

For the bottom half of the body, a pair of tights such as the Ibex El Fito ($160) can keep a rider comfortable on winter rides. The pants are made of a combination of merino wool, polyester, nylon and a material called Climawool Lite. The inclusion of wool in the tights, which come in full- and three-quarters-length cuts, eliminates the need for an under layer, says Paco Echevarria, a manager at Pine Mountain Sports in Bend. The pants, he says, also contain an expensive chamois and protect against the wind and rain.

“It’s actually very comfortable, very durable,” Echevarria says of the El Fito. “It’s going to ride wet and still it will be warm.”

When brainstorming for the perfect cycling gift, do not neglect the feet. As a plus, socks are a relatively inexpensive present for the cost-conscious gift-giver, and besides, they are important: Wearing the wrong socks can turn any ride sour.

“If your feet are miserable, it moves up to the rest of your body,” Echevarria points out.

Look for socks made of materials such as wool and CoolMax, which Echevarria says is also moisture-wicking. Darn Tough Vermont Hike-Trek and SmartWool Snow Day socks ($20) are a couple of possibilities. Both companies make socks in a variety of styles and colors for both men and women, offering the chance for a little personalization with your gift.

Accessories

If you are looking for a present with some utility beyond the bike, consider the GoPro HD Helmet Hero camera ($300), which records high-definition video. The camera comes with a rechargeable battery and is waterproof, so it can be used in a variety of settings. It can also be mounted on the helmet, chest, handlebars, seat post and even on ski poles — perfect for the well-rounded outdoors enthusiast.

“They’re pretty handy,” Thom says. “They’re awesome little cameras.”

During this time of year when daylight is scarce, a light set will be valuable to the winter exerciser or commuter. James Gritters, owner of Sagebrush Cycles in Bend, recommends the Surfas TSL-150 True Light Headlight and TL-STBK Seat Stay Light (bought separately, $90 and $18), both LEDs.

The headlight, which is 150 lumens and can be mounted on a handlebar or a helmet, can be recharged about 800 times, Gritters says, and should last for about six hours per charge on the lowest setting. The taillight, which comes with a half-watt red LED and six 5-millimeter red LEDs, can be set on steady, flashing and strobe modes.

“If somebody hits you when you’re running that guy, then they’re aiming for you,” Gritters observes.

While being seen is important, so is seeing. Wearing eye protection during the winter months may seem counterintuitive, but the need is still there. Eye protection can shield the eyes from water and debris kicking up from the road, Echevarria says, and can also help prevent eyes from tearing up in the rush of cold winter air. Glasses such as the Tifosi Slip ($60) come with interchangeable lenses — pink, amber, yellow and clear lenses usually work better in winter, Echevarria says.

A cycling computer Thom recommends is the Specialized Speedzone Elite altimeter ($90), which records data such as temperature; current, average and maximum speeds; trip distance and time; and current and cumulative gradient, which is a nice feature for hilly Central Oregon.

And as a final idea, a useful product for just about any cyclist is a bottle lock by Kuat ($35), which Gritters is big on. This lock is shaped like a water bottle and fits in water bottle cages for easy stowing. A 5-foot cable retracts and extends from the bottle, while the key fits in a compartment in the bottom of the bottle.

“I love it just because it’s so simple,” Gritters says. “You’re always trying to figure out where the heck to put your lock.”

Cycling gift guide

Pictured at right are some gift ideas for cyclists, including outerwear, socks, eyewear, lights, a bottle lock, a helmet camera and a cycling computer.