Swap your water bottle for a bicycle thermos this winter

bicycle thermos

When the weather feels this cold, why not swap your water bottle for a bicycle thermos? A mid-ride slug of coffee raises the spirits and does away with the risk of a water bottle freezing over.

The Stanley one-handed vacuum insulated mug is perfect as a bicycle thermos. One handed and fully leak-proof, you can drink your morning pick-me-up on the go one handed and with no spills. It keep drinks hot or cold 7 hours or iced 30 hours.

Win a bicycle thermos

We have a Stanley bicycle thermos with a quick release bottle holder that’s big enough to accommodate it worth £40 to give away. Simply leave a comment at the bottom of this page and let us know what you’d fill it with. We’ll pick a winner next week.

Cold weather cycling

This week’s commutes might feel cold, but it’s always a question of context. The pioneer adventure cyclists of the 1890s who took to the snowy wilds of northern Canada without the benefit of modern clothing (and 80 years before mountain bikes) knew a thing or two about cycling in the extreme cold. The Great Gold Rush drew 100,000 prospectors to the Klondike region of the Yukon in north-western Canada between 1896 and 1899. Those who didn’t have the money to invest in dog teams used bicycles and rudimentary cold weather gear.

Max Hirschberg was 19 when he took to a bicycle to join the gold rush. His journal gives a fascinating insight into the cold weather gear of the day:

The day I left Dawson, March 2, 1900, was clear and crisp, 30° below zero. I was dressed in a flannel shirt, heavy fleece-lined overalls, a heavy mackinaw coat, a drill parka, two pairs of heavy woolen socks and felt high-top shoes, a fur cap that I pulled down over my ears, a fur nose piece, plus fur gauntlet gloves. On the handlebars of the bicycle I strapped a large fur robe. Fastened to the springs, back of the seat, was a canvas sack containing a heavy shirt, socks, underwear, a diary in waterproof covering, pencils and several blocks of sulfur matches. In my pockets I carried a penknife and a watch.”

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.

 

Comments

  1. Alastair Seagroatt

    Reply

    This seems just the job for cold Scottish morning rides.

  2. Dominick

    Reply

    Half a Lager Stanley of course.

  3. siow chin

    Reply

    I’d fill it with seriously thick hot chocolate, spiced up with a bit of chilli flakes just to take the chill off the cold weather.

  4. Rae Lo

    Reply

    Definitely something to look forward to during the cold and dark bike rides through winter!

  5. Sue Weir

    Reply

    Perfect for providing warmth and fuel – what could be better

  6. Emma Clark

    Reply

    I’d fill it with Hot Chocolate made with coconut milk. Mmmmm. Slurrp.

  7. Julian Fargher

    Reply

    A (weak) mulled cider springs to mind!

  8. Kirsten

    Reply

    I’d fill it with tea with one sugar!

  9. Kev Mac

    Reply

    A nice strong black coffee would beat an ice-block bidon any day (and help core temperature stay warm).

  10. Anna Shakoor-Green

    Reply

    Like the idea of a thermos that fits on my bike 🙂

  11. Mary Baker

    Reply

    non alcoholic hot mulled wine

  12. Kerena Fussell

    Reply

    The last couple of mornings it has been minus temperatures in London, which such a rarity – but I was thinking that I needed a handy thermos. Didn’t know these existed!

    • Luci

      Reply

      He he

  13. Ands R

    Reply

    Awesome! At this tome of the year it could only be a nice strong cup of coffee with a wee drop of something to reach and warm yer cockles 🙂

  14. Bill

    Reply

    Sounds like a good idea. (As mentioned) I think I’d fill it with coffee…?

  15. Jan Heatley

    Reply

    This is perfect for a thermos of tea addict like me.What my cycling trips always lacked!

  16. Mark B

    Reply

    Wow. Hot property. That would be great!

  17. Buffy Eldridge-Thomas

    Reply

    A luxury thermos flask should definitely be filled with luxury hot chocolate

  18. Mike Croker

    Reply

    Hot chocolate (with soya milk) 🙂

  19. Keith

    Reply

    A Stanley thermos flask is a quality flask. I relied on one for years. I’d fill it with hot soup. Sustenance on the go.

  20. Jon Vamplew

    Reply

    Ah a fitting drink for the Stanley one-handed vacuum insulated mug – The Stanley Cocktail
    1/6 Lemon Juice. (1/2 of 3/4 oz Lemon Juice)
    1/6 Grenadine. (1/2 of 3/4 oz Small Hand Foods Grenadine)
    1/3 Rum. (3/4 oz Rene Alambic Rum)
    1/3 Gin. (3/4 oz Ransom Old Tom Gin)
    Shake well and strain into your Stanley one-handed vacuum insulated mug.
    Then serve with spokes, handlebars, a seat, some rubber, greased chain and a18+ rider(Alcohol based) you then have the perfect combination. .

  21. Craig S-A

    Reply

    Sounds like just the thing for the winter commute in scotland 🙂

  22. geoff w

    Reply

    Brilliant! Hot or cold. I’d fill it with hot coffee and pop in a choc ice too.

  23. Diana

    Reply

    A hot chocolate! Perfect for the freezing rides in Devon this week. Who would have thought I’d be out at below zero temperatures?

  24. George Baker

    Reply

    Tea, tea all the way. What better way to finish your cold morning commute. You would certainly be the envy of the cycling crew

  25. Christopher Kubale

    Reply

    An excellent idea with year round potential , keeping contents hot in winter and cool in summer.
    I like it.

  26. Caroline Butchart

    Reply

    Good Morning Coffee (or good night hot chocolate on the way home)

  27. Jennie Whitford

    Reply

    What a FAB idea…it’ll be proper job for cold Cornish mornings that require an extra caffeine boost

  28. Tom Cracknell

    Reply

    I can think of nothing better than burning the top of my mouth with scalding coffee at the traffic lights to truly wake me up on a weekday commute 🙂

  29. Fiona Hunt

    Reply

    Oh, definitely hot chocolate!!

  30. Steve Watling

    Reply

    Perfect retro flask for a retro bike and filled with good old fashioned tea ready to pour at the top of Cragg Vale in the Yorkshire hills.

  31. Charlotte

    Reply

    We can’t afford two cars so my husband cycles all year round. It’d be lovely to be able to give him this as a Christmas present 🙂

  32. Lee Simmons

    Reply

    Fill it with breakfast, or in other words coffee!

  33. Jackie

    Reply

    I’m a through and through teapot and this sounds like my perfect match. Cycling, tea and frost laden scenery 🙂

  34. Andi

    Reply

    I’d fill it with drinking chocolate, possibly with a little bit of cream. Or maybe some Irish/alcoholic Coffee . . .

  35. Lisa

    Reply

    Sounds wonderful

  36. John Fletcher

    Reply

    What a great idea! Ice-cold water was the last thing I needed on this week’s ride. This is exactly what I need.

  37. sarah fitch

    Reply

    Simples…….coffee 😀

  38. John McCabe

    Reply

    Tea, nothing but Tea (with maybe a tot of rum for extra warmth)…

  39. Nigel Andrews

    Reply

    A case for cinnamon tea methinks!

  40. Deirdre

    Reply

    Has to be coffee. Just maybe for a Christmas ride mulled wine.

  41. Peter Clark

    Reply

    Could have done with that today! Freezing it was!

  42. Wesley Burrage

    Reply

    Green tea.

  43. Julian

    Reply

    Maybe a mini-samovar would be more sociable for winter group rides: several people can be supplied with hot water. I’d fill the Stanley with a couple of Lyons No.3 Coffee bags and the (500ml?) with 95 degree tap water.

  44. Colette Stein

    Reply

    Definitely warm Ribena!

  45. Bryn Jones

    Reply

    Brilliant! Just brilliant!

  46. Andrew Fenyo

    Reply

    What a good idea!

  47. Cazzz

    Reply

    How to make winter cycling more exciting at one fell swoop!

  48. Tamsin Pascoe

    Reply

    I would fill it with hot chocolate and porridge – full on Mrs Cropley style, but hopefully tasty and definitely warm!

  49. Rory Harkins

    Reply

    Irish coffee

  50. Phil

    Reply

    There was an old man from kilsottle
    Who went out with a cool bicycle bottle
    It got very cold
    So if he may be so bold
    He much prefer a Stanley flask

  51. Marika

    Reply

    I’d fill it with Mocha. Mmmmmmm

  52. alex

    Reply

    I’d fill it with iced tea.

  53. James

    Reply

    Nice for a cold day

  54. Gabriel

    Reply

    What a cool (or hot) innovation!

  55. Martyn Lintern

    Reply

    Bombay Bad Boy pot noodle!!!!

  56. Jane C

    Reply

    Fennel tea with honey – warm you up, and fight off winter lurgy with honey to soothe the throat

  57. PAUL

    Reply

    HOT Chocolate to keep the body warm and the pedals turning

  58. Margaret Turner

    Reply

    Great to have a thermos so accessible, not buried in a pannier somewhere.

    I’d fill mine with home made home grown Red Root Soup: blended beetroot, carrots, sweet potatoes and some sauteed onions and garlic, with a touch of chilli – very warming – to the stomach, eyes and heart!

  59. Fleur

    Reply

    I would take lemon and ginger tea sweetened with honey.

  60. richard scrase

    Reply

    warm beer

  61. Francis Voon

    Reply

    I fill it with banana soup!

  62. Rob Lewis

    Reply

    I don’t like tea or coffee so I’d fill it with hot soup in winter or cold water in summer.

  63. Cathy Carr

    Reply

    … a dehydrated South East London cyclist, soon to be made redundant!… Your kindness would be much appreciated! 😕

  64. Hilary Robinson

    Reply

    It would be a gift for my son – so I’d fill it with love!

  65. Amanda Morris

    Reply

    Green tea with a hint of jasmine – warming and fragrant for my winter jaunts

  66. Carol W

    Reply

    Some lovely blended lentil soup. Comfort food for the cold weather 🙂

  67. Peter Shirley

    Reply

    Expresso in the hills.

  68. Alastair Reynolds

    Reply

    Hot chocolate in it for me.

  69. Anne

    Reply

    For the shorter rides, a coffee would be perfect, but I’d also consider putting in some soup for those cold days when something a little more substantial is required!
    Love the idea of it!

  70. Chris

    Reply

    Almost anything warm would have been great last weekend when I hit patch of ice, crashed and broke my hip

  71. D Darby

    Reply

    Lots and lots of lovely TEA!!! Proper builders styley to fortify for a long ride…

  72. Barbara

    Reply

    Hot chocolate would go down a treat!

  73. Anna Harpham Gist

    Reply

    Looks great

  74. Marie Mabed

    Reply

    For long cold weather ride, I’d fill my Stanley bottle with a winter non-alcoholic winter punch – made with homemade 2:3 apple & 1:3 orange juices; 1 tbs lemon juice; 2 tbs honey and 2 tbs ground cinnamon or jusy ice tea in the summer

  75. Ian

    Reply

    Hot chocolate made with soya milk and a slug of brandy just to really keep the cold out!

    Chin chin!

  76. Robert Slade

    Reply

    For over a year I have been seeking a bicycle flask that will fit a standard bottle cage. I don’t want to win it, I want to BUY! Sadly, your product is not well described here, nor on Amazon, nor Google. There was one suitable Stanley product listed which is no longer available, and others (including this) which hint that a “special” adapter is required instead of the standard cage. I don’t want to be swapping my hot / cold cages, so please does this flask fit a standard cage? If so, please send me one or let me know how much to buy? And where to buy. Please.

  77. Ruth

    Reply

    This would be brilliant for the commute to work

  78. Ralph Morton

    Reply

    The only thing to fill the Thermos would be a double shot black americano – providing a hot drink and the zip to get you on your way!

  79. David

    Reply

    Careful the drink isn’t too hot when you take a swig whilst riding!

  80. neil brown

    Reply

    Artichoke soup – as it is the only thing I can make with these vegetables from my allotment which doesn’t make me fart!

  81. Matthew Jones

    Reply

    Fresh coffee brewed with ground cardamom. It adds a little extra to the wonderful taste of fresh coffee!

  82. T Deave

    Reply

    Just the job on the train having cycled over the Severn bridge.

  83. Dick Willis

    Reply

    Mmmm, warm drinks for cold hands

  84. DougMilly

    Reply

    A great idea – preferably with a hot double expresso to give an energy boost as well as a warm-up.

  85. Roger Birchall

    Reply

    Hot “BOVRIL” would do the trick for me!.

  86. Simon Schofield

    Reply

    Bullet-proof coffee in a bullet proof flask!

  87. David Roberts

    Reply

    Ideal for the 42 mile cycle ride through rural Anglesey today!

  88. Paul Hilder

    Reply

    Will it fit my Brompton?

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