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BELL X-RAY HELMET Achieving what was once considered impossible, Bell introduces a helmet with more vents than helmet, while keeping its high safety standards intact. The only caveat: If you're among the folically challenged, the sun can now burn large swaths onto your pale cranium. Sunscreen is necessary gear. Bell, www.bellsports.com. $100
BRIKO SPRINTER TITANIUM EYEWEAR KIT
The interchangeable, one-piece lens practically floats in front of your face, thus resisting noisome fogging. Plus, it's far enough offthe face that long lashes won't brush the insides. Briko, www.briko.com. $129
NEMA CROWN JEWEL SHORTS
A casual pair of cycling shorts, unassuming in the most unnerving of social situations, but its tough nylon exterior skims gravel at 30 mph a helluva lot better than a thin layer of Lycra. Nema, www.nema-usa.com. $80
DE FEET UN-D-SHIRT TANK Sweat all you want. Just don't bathe in it. This ultrathin, sweat-wicking base later keeps you drier and warmer by transferring moisture to your outer layers, where it has a better chance of evaporating. DeFeet, www.defeet.com.price $19.99
THE BEST BIKING EXPERIENCES REQUIRE MORE THAN JUST A GOOD BIKE: DON'T FORGET ABOUT YOUR HEAD, BACK, EYES, BOTTOM ...
FOX FORX RLC A supreme upgrade to any mountain bike, this air-sprung suspension fork means you're riding on between 80 and 100 mm of cushy, pres- surized atmosphere. The best way to describe it is as follows: You' re headed for a big rock or rut; you brace yourself and think, "Whoa, this is gonna hurt .. . " Then you barely feel it. Confidence goes up. You go faster. That simple. Really. Fox, www.foxracingshox.com. $629
DEUTER TRANS ALPINE
There are two types of ten-hour ride. The ones you plan for carefully and the ones that just happen. This pack is suited to both. With gear capacity of 6.8 gallons and a bladder that holds 100 liquid ounces, you could intentionally get lost and then sell Gu energy gels to your companions for a l ,ooo-percent markup. Or just save their lives. D~uter, www.deuterusa.com. $105
