Based on data released from the Meteorological Office recently, summer 2025 was the hottest on record in the UK. At the minute the gravel trails are baked like concrete and patches of sand have become quite an issue on some of our local trails. As much as we want it to, we all know that this amazing summery weather won’t last forever and the temperature will plummet, trails will become muddy and bike washing will take ever-greater proportions of our spare time. So we thought we’d get ahead of the curve and highlight some of the products we think might be useful for you over the next few months.
At least in the area closest to Gravel Union Towers, this summer has been incredible. Looking through images from rides, the trails have been basically dry since mid-March. This is undoubtedly disastrous for farmers and must be giving water company bosses some sleepless nights, but it’s been amazing for gravel riders! It can’t last much longer though, so here’s some ideas for gravelly products to see you through the wetter months to come. It’s never too early to put together a Christmas list after all…..
Anyone who has ever finished a cold, wet, muddy ride in a carpark somewhere will know that you’re faced with a couple of issues – what do you do with your wet/dirty kit and how to you avoid standing on something sharp/hurty while trying to take wet socks off? Madison have managed to solve both issues with the same product. The Dirty Secret Kit Bag is described as being “tardis-like”, is fully waterproof with a roll-top closure, comes with a shoulder strap for ease of hefting it around and perhaps most importantly, it contains a removable padded ground mat which means you can easily practice your one-legged-carpark-yoga poses while changing your socks, without getting stabbed in the bottom of your feet.
You might think that it’s a lot of money for what is essentially just a bucket, but this isn’t just any old water carrier – the MucOff Dirt Bucket has a couple of cool features to help bump it up your “Must Have” list. Firstly, it has a “Filth Filter” which keeps all the sediment and crud trapped at the bottom of the bucket. This means the water you’re using to wash your pride and joy is as clean as possible and you won’t be trapping little pieces of grit in your sponge which you then liberally scrape all over your shiny paintwork. Secondly, the bucket has a screw-on lid. This means you can safely store all your bike washing accessories inside and carry it with you when you go on vehicle-assisted rides or you can be safe in the knowledge that everything is in one place if you’re washing your bike at home.
Ass Savers Mudder Mini
This diminutive piece of plastic might be one of the cheapest and easiest ways to improve your winter riding experience that we know of. Considering its tiny size, The Mudder Mini does a remarkable job of keeping filth from being sprayed up directly into your eye balls. Mounted using two hook-and-loop straps, it stays rattle-free and should fit the vast majority of fork/tyre combos. Add a couple of pieces of clear helitape around your fork legs before you first fit it and Bob’s your uncle – your eyeballs will be even more grateful than your bank balance.
Storm Polygiene Odor Crunch
We will gloss rapidly over the appalling spelling of “odour” and look at the science behind this product instead. Polygiene OdorCrunch works “by using natural silica particles to capture the odours that cling to fabric fibres. The silica attracts molecules of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur, the elements that create bad odours. Once absorbed, the silica ‘crunches’ them by cracking and breaking down each molecule, so it loses its potency. That way, the smell is permanently eliminated. Not only does this keep clothing and fabrics smelling fresher for longer, but it reduces the amount of washing required. This reduces water usage and the amount of detergent and energy spent on laundry. It makes fabrics last longer, creating eco-friendly clothes.” It’s an ingenious way of reducing odour problems with items that can’t be easily washed such as helmets, cycling shoes, hydration vests etc.
These are one of those products that you wonder why no-one thought of before. MucOff’s high strength silicone gloves are multi-purpose – they resist heat up to 230 degrees C (which means you can use hotter water when washing your bike), they protect your skin from the chemicals in the bike washing products that you use (and so reduce issues with dry skin or allergic reasons/eczema) and they have a textured surface which means they are both anti-slip when handling bikewashing kit, but also can be used directly to wash your bike just by spraying some bikewash product onto the palms first. Genius!
Madison Dirty Habit
If you ever fancied dressing like a trainee Benedictine monk at the end of your latest gravel ride, Madison’s Dirty Habit changing robe could be just the thing you were looking for! It’s the high-tech equivalent of your Mum wrapping you in a large beach towel when you got changed as a small child (except hopefully a little less sandy….) The Dirty Habit is made from “4 way stretch brushed isoler thermal roubaix fabric that's perfect for keeping heat in as you change” It has an articulated fit, a hood, a zip pocket to stash valuables and Madison promise that it is “quick drying and moisture wicking.”