Summer has arrived in Tucson, Arizona. While everyone is reveling in the warmer weather, Spencer is hunkering down for his introspective season. Nonetheless, he will wake up at the ass crack of dawn to get some “cool” riding in. Here is a list of his picks for favorite products of summer 2025.

DuMonde Tech Lite Lube ~$14

I know everyone is ranting about chain waxing, but I promised myself no new hobbies this year, and I consider the upfront time and energy of chain waxing to be a hobby. Chain lube has served me well for a while now, but I’ve been using shitty lubes forever. This summer, I started treating myself to some higher-end lube from Dumonde. I’ve been impressed. The Lite formula works great down here in the dusty, dry desert, and I don’t see myself going back anytime soon.

Pinebury Summer Wool Hoodie Sun Shirt $108

I tend to spend a good amount of my year hiding from the sun in a UPF sun hoodie, living in the desert. The synthetic fabrics typically used in such hoodies feel terrible and stink to high hell after a few hours. I was curious to try the Pinebury Summer Wool Hoodie after hearing Josh and John talk about wool sun hoodies. After finally getting my hands on a hoodie for myself, I have been converted for all but the most intense sun situations. The proprietary Nuyarn blend provides a UPF 40 rating and remains light and breathable while keeping most of the sun out. The price is a bit high, but it is wool and made in the USA, so it’s pretty reasonable.

Coast Optics Nita XL Driftwood Sunglasses $109

Available in multiple lenses for your preferred style of riding and made with Bio-TR90, an advanced thermoplastic material with 50% bio-based content. Coast nailed the off-white color of these frames, offering a tonal hue distinct from the white Oakleys worn by your least favorite lifted truck enthusiast. The Nita XL sports an extra grippy strip on each arm and an equally grippy nose bridge. These glasses stay right where you want them. If you’re looking for some sweet new sunnies this summer, check out Coast Optics.

Ornot Belt $39

Last summer, I left my belt at TSA on my flight to Portland for MADE. The kind folks at Ornot hooked me up with a replacement belt as they were setting up their booth. This belt turns every pair of pants into stretchy pants. This has become my everyday belt since last summer, so this summer it’s one of my top picks, nuff said!

Givelo Modern Classic SS Waffle Jersey $180

I hate wearing jerseys; they always feel cramped and confining. The Givelo Waffle jersey is hands down the most comfortable jersey I have ever worn, with a stretchy waffle fabric from Italy sewn in Colombia. This will be my go-to jersey for all my early morning rides up Mt Lemmon this summer to beat the heat. The stretch provides a comfy fit as well as a ton of breathability, making it great for hot desert climbs.

Stormlight Archive Books $13

I had been avoiding this series due to the length of each book at ~1300 pages. I found the first book on a friend’s shelf a few months ago, and now I’m already nose-deep in the 5th book. Brandon Sanderson has become the modern gold standard for epic fantasy, and his Cosmere universe is as impressive as you could expect, with a cohesive and original magic system and dimension-spanning narrative. The Stormlight Archive has not let me down yet. For only $13, you can’t find a much better deal per page than the paperback versions of these books, though they are a bit bulky for bike touring. Take the plunge if you dare!

Braun Classic Analog Travel Alarm Clock $30

I spend my whole day on my phone or computer, so when it’s time to sleep I want to crawl into bed, read my book, and be unbothered by the digital world. Sometimes I still need an alarm, and I don’t want to have my phone by my bed just as an alarm. So, I got an analog bedside clock. I can even throw it in my bag when I travel to prevent doom-scrolling in a sad hotel room bed. This small clock helps me disconnect from work and the world, but still be on time when I need to wake up at 4 am to get a ride in before it gets too hot.

Making Silly Stickers $varies (priceless)

Some buds in Moab run a small sticker machine and make hyperlocal joke stickers, and I got inspired. The world of internet print-on-demand is so vast these days, and making stickers is so easy, with minimum orders being 25 in some instances. That dumb quote from one of your friends? Sticker. An embarrassing photo of your partner? Sticker. A rallying cry to end capital investment in your favorite niche corner of the bike world? Yup, you guessed it – sticker, my dude.

Curious Creatures Men’s Sun Dog Shorts $125

I love everything Curious Creatures does, and the new Sun Dog shorts are no different. They are a bit long, but I can fix that with scissors. The same great and comfortable fit I loved with the Ramble Scramble, but with a lighter fabric and different pocket layout. These shorts lean more toward riding than casual wear. I keep finding myself reaching for them for my summer mountain bike rides!

Pepino Split from La Michoacana Artisan in Moab $9

When I had this Pepino Split a few weeks ago, it was a watershed moment in my life. Summer ice cream treats will never be the same. Fresh cucumbers smothered in mango and cucumber-lime sorbet, topped with chopped mangos, chamoy, tamarind, and Tajín. You could even call this a salad if you live in the Midwest. Make this at home, it’s pretty simple. Your world won’t be the same. If you wind up in Moab, drop by La Michoacana Artisan, it is right next door to Bike Fiend.