If you haven’t yet heard the rumours around the water cooler, let us confirm it beyond a shadow of a doubt. It is true - cycling is indeed the new golf. And not only is it the new golf, it is also very swiftly becoming the new watering hole, the new family weekend retreat, and your new gadget obsession. 

As any true veloist will tell you, there’s only one thing better than grinding up a seemingly unsurmountable mountain pass, defying all laws of nature and mechanics; and that is sweeping down the hairpin bends on the other side, fearing for your life, and for not living it fully, all at the same time. Herewith then, the basic (and not so basic) essentials for channeling your inner Chris Froome.

Depending on your terrain of choice, you’re going to choose the whip that best suits your riding style. Going straight to the top, there is pretty much nothing better on the market than Specialized’s S-Works Epic (POA, Lynnwood Cyclery) for the trailies, the Tour winning Pinarello Dogma (POA, Bruce Reyneke Cycles) for the roadies, and local brand Simple Sam’s (R5 500, www.simplesam.co.za) minimalist commuter for the breakfast riders.

As far as outer layers goes, apparel maker Craft (R950 jerseys; R1 690 bib shorts, HotSpot Cycles) has been supplying the grueling ABSA Cape Epic with all their official gear, and that should say all there is to say. Add to that the all-resistant and packable Helium jacket from Capestorm (R600, Sportsmans Warehouse), and you’re ready to tackle anything from Stellenbosch coffee stops to Belgium cobble stages. Remembering that the socks doth maketh the kit, add some colour to your ride via De Feet, with excellent insulation and general toastyness (R195, HotSpot Cycles)

Covering other points of first contact, whether with the bike or with the road, must always remain a priority. Specialized’s Body Geometry and S-Works range is not only demanded by the pros, it looks the business too. (S-Works Prevail helmet R2 900, S-Works Pro Road shoes R4 000, Body Geometry Road gloves R500, Lynnwood Cyclery)

Getting to the peripherals, these are the things you don’t know how you’ve lived without, when you’ve gotten a couple of miles below the belt. So spare yourself the suffering, and just get them already. (Camelbak insulation waterbottle R250, Oakley Radar Path sunglasses R2 100, Garmin Edge 800 Performance Bundle R5 800, Cycle Lab)

No real cyclist can credibly sit in the peloton without what is affectionately referred to as ‘the knowledge’. These are the unspoken rules and regulations of true velominati subculture. Ignore it at your own pedal (pun intended). (Velominati - The rules of the cycling disciple, R176, kalahari.com)