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I don’t why, but I’ve always had a bit of an odd obsession with stationery trinkets. Stick me in any shop and I get a whiff of some stationery, I’ll be kept amused for the foreseeable future trying to justify to myself why I’d need to buy a box of paper clips, a new highlighter or a stapler. I’ve got a problem: stationery nerd.
Notebooks are a personal favourite and, having stumbled across The Beautiful Ride, an online shop that sells cycling-inspired gifts, I found some beautifully-bound cycling themed notebooks which particularly caught the eye.
These elegant notebooks come in A5, making them ideal for sketching – especially with the lovely, crisp, off-white pages within. While an A5 pad isn’t likely to squeeze into a trouser pocket, it will comfortably fit into any backpack or messenger back without fear of bending or scuffing thanks to its hardback matte laminated cover.
And it is these same covers that make these notebooks unique and of the greatest appeal to fellow cyclists. As The Beautiful Rider themselves say, their products are ‘designed to celebrate our passion for cycling’. Images on the covers include Pedro Delgado’s climb of the Alpe d’Huez in the 1987 Tour de France, Merckx and a host of the cycling themed delights. The personal favourite of mine being the ‘Good things happen on a bicycle’ notebook.
While a little on the pricey side at £18 (although this does include UK delivery), these elegant notebooks do exude a quality feel – and as a nice little bonus are made in Great Britain (hoorah!).
The Beautiful Ride is well-worth a visit though, with a random selection of other bits and bobs (random as in: iPhone covers, expresso cups and mugs) which I’d definitely recommend as a fetching little gift for a fellow cyclist.
