Charlottesville’s Ben King is one of the country’s top cyclists, and his family has ridden right alongside his ascent. His parents train in the Blue Ridge Mountains with their kids; his two sisters are long-distance runners; and Ben’s brother Jake is also an elite cyclist.
The Kings are cycling’s royal family, and they recently launched a technical apparel company focused on making comfortable cycling socks that don’t bag and sag once you pedal a few miles down the road. The socks have proven to be quite popular among elite runners and long-distance hikers, too.
The I Ride for David sock is the King family’s endeavor to support for a junior cyclist in Virginia suffering from cancer. 100% of profits from the socks help with his cancer treatment. The socks sold out in their first week.
Check out the entire line of King technical socks, all of which are made in the U.S.A. and worn by top athletes, including Ben and his brother Jake:
KingTechnicalApparel.com.
Thunderbolt Mark II Commuter Jeans ($200)
Thunderbolt’s Commuter Jeans are the perfect solution for the ride to work. Wind-resistant and water-repellant, the four-way stretch soft shell provides protection from the elements, while the inner fleece-like lining keeps legs warm on even the coldest commutes.
Abus Hyban Urban Helmet ($69)
The Hyban helmet fuses high-end performance with a robust design to withstand the day-to-day abuse of the urban cyclist. The adjustable headring provides a comfortable, snug fit with a quick twist of a dial, and 18 huge air vents to keep the rider cool and comfortable.
Columbia PFG Bahama II ($48)
It’s light weight, wicks like mesh, and dries almost immediately, so it’s perfect for hiking in the summer. The front pockets are handy for storing knives and clippers and there’s a Velcro tab on the chest for securing your rod when you’re changing the fly.
Black Diamond Iota Headlamp ($39)
Easy to wear and adjust on the go, The Black Diamond Iota is the smallest, lightest, brightest, rechargeable headlamp on the market. The Iota is ideal for early morning training sessions or evening runs with a 3-hour burn time and rainproof exterior.
