I’m a huge fan of stocking up on cycling gear when prices fall, especially right around Black Friday. Whether you ride every day, most days, or only occasionally, there are some items that are always handy to have—and that also make thoughtful gifts.

Everyone else is lying to you, pulling the wool over your eyes. REI doesn't do a Black Friday sale. At least not in name. There's a Winter Sale this week, lasting until November 25, and there'll be some sort of small sale leading up to Thanksgiving.

Patagonia, Hoka, The North Face, and more top brands are all up to 50 percent off Everywhere you look, Black Friday deals abound — except for REI, which celebrates the holidays with its own exclusive Winter Sale.