500 Recycled Bike Inner Tubes, and Counting!

Back from the local bike shop

with raw tubes and with plenty of hard work we turn

it into...

We realized that we have passed the 500th recycled bike inner tube used in our popular rubber products. That's a milestone.

When we first started Red Dots Cycling, we thought it would be fun to use re-cycled material for our products.

The reality is when it comes to fabric, many companies are already making garments out of re-cycled fabric. In fact, it's difficult to find and if you can find the material it's usually not fit to make a cycling cap. We tried to make caps out of old denim, suitings and shirts. It was fun to make but not a reliable source of fabric to build our cycling cap business. The only option is to purchase new fabrics, pre-wash before making cycling caps.

There must be another plentiful, re-cycled material to use?

Richard requested a pouch to hold keys, money and tools on his rides.

So, we came up with the idea of rubber bike inner tubes from bike stores. A sustainable practice that makes sense. We are happy and proud to be using re-cycled bike inner tubes  that would be destined for a long time in the landfill. But, it requires a lot of work to get it, secure it, wash it, cut, and produce. Many companies have approached us for our rubber inner tube products to sell in their stores.

We looked long and hard and having sold our products for the last two years at a low price it was time for a price change. We are thankful it's a free material. When Richard returns with bags full there are often surprises. It does come from a bike shop and it's always dirty or really dirty. We often find rust, oil, grease, and that annoying no-flat goo to prevent flats. And of course that allergic white powder inside every tube. What this means, there is many hours of prep before we go into production. Cleaning that is!

So, this is why we have raise the price of our popular inner tube products to cover our costs and time. They are all one of a kind, fun, well-made and now available in many stores in Manchester UK, Ontario and Oregon!

... fun, innovative products!

The New Presta 100% Wool Winter Cycling Cap

Happy New Year everyone!


We are proud to introduce a new winter cap...

The New Presta 100% Wool Winter Cycling Cap!

Handmade from 100% British fine wool, it's a black wool beauty with tiny grey dot pattern. Also new, our ear flap is better... made from Bamboo cotton blend fabric. Why?

Bamboo cotton is far superior than just cotton. Properties: antibacterial, hypoallergenic, wicks/dries quickly and super comfy.

Now available in two sizes: Small/Medium (21-22.5") and Medium/Large (22.5-24").

TGIF: Happy New Year! & Introducing Organic Bamboo Cotton.

This is our last TGIF of the season...

We had problems to secure the ear flap fabric for our popular winter cycling caps.

The problem is solved. We discovered an even better fabric to replace the previous discontinued French Terry Jersey Knit. Introducing...


Organic Bamboo Cotton Stretch Fabric!


At a first glance, it is a truer black, softer, and mostly made from bamboo. Bamboo has wonderful properties: it is antibacterial, hypo-allergenic, wicks very well dries quickly than cotton. We are very excited of our new fabric and Carolle is just about to produce the prototype. I'll be the lucky tester.


And, it's time to reflect on our successful 2012.

People around the world are recognizing our high quality craftsmanship in our cycling caps. We are looking forward to 2013 and we have many new projects and products on the boil. Carolle and I would like to thank each of our customers for supporting us this past season.

Last January, we proudly rebranded our company name and it is almost a year, now, of Red Dots Cycling


A happy and prosperous New Year to all... we invite you to ride along with us in 2013!

A L'Enfer du Nord Christmas Story.

Christmas Smile!

Courtesy: Mario FRFuggitivi and Katie.

Just before Christmas, Katie contacted me for a winter cycling cap for her husband, Mario.

As a matter of fact, we have worked with a few spouses and girlfriends for Christmas cap gifts.

Mario and I ride together as part of our FRFuggitivi group and he already purchased a non-winter cap from me. So, I smiled at Katie's plan. Careful preparation was key and I'm so glad Carolle and I pulled it off to get the cap to Katie on time.

That's a great Christmas smile from Mario with his new Red Dots Cycling's L'Enfer du Nord winter cap!

TGIF: Colombina Candy & Busiest Time of the Year

Sweetness...

Colombina hard candy.

TG it's Friday and closer to Christmas...

Klaus (aka cyclinginquisition.com) is requesting another order of custom Colombian cycling caps. We are also pleased to be working with him on a new design for custom winter caps. Stay tune we should have his order ready, with some pics, in early January.

I want to thank Klaus for the little surprise (3 that is), that came with the Colombian ribbon... Colombina Caramelon de Cafe (Coffee Hard Candy).

We are busy! Our busiest Christmas ever. Our winter cycling caps are selling very well, we can barely keep them online. Our wholesale orders are increasing. As, Carolle and I enjoy the holidays, we will more than enjoy our much needed break and come back refreshed to begin winter/regular cycling cap production. Of course, our wholesale orders will get top priority.

Over the next few days, we will post new wallets and pouches on our site.

Looks like January will be just as busy as December!

A Fun Affair... The Women's Winter Faire.

Our famous selling Scuola!

Red Dots Cycling

When it comes to our cycling caps, I work with cyclists. I was so happy to discover, after this past weekend's Women's Winter Faire, that people love to wear our winter caps to stay warm and fashionable walking around town. They are not only for cycling.

Before the show, Richard and I wasn't sure if the Scuola Pouch would be an item for us to continue producing. It wasn't selling as well as the other items and we wanted to introduce new rubber products. After this weekend, I'm having doubts. People were going crazy and in love with the Scuola pouch. Before Sunday, I had to take seven Scuola's off from our website. Well, they sold and now I have only two left. We will decide soon whether it returns, perhaps with a glass of wine to make the decision process easier.

It was a pleasant surprise for me to see so many Francophone vendors. My friend Helene, Chicachicdesign, was a vendor and ceramic artist, Micheline Claret of L'Atelier De Poterie. I learned that Micheline and her partner, Jean-Marie is retiring after 40 years producing beautiful ceramic pieces. Sadly, this was their last craft show. I could not help myself and bought two wonderful coffee mugs. I wish Micheline and Jean-Marie a happy retirement.

This was my first show by myself. It was an interesting show. In fact, the 19th edition and the organizers are already talking of a huge 20th anniversary show for next year.

I had fantastic response for my knit wear, almost selling out. That means, I'll have the extra money to buy lots and lots of yarn.

Thanks to Pat and all the volunteers for making this show a success, I plan to return next December!

Jean-Mariee & Micheline

TGIF: Red Dots Cycling at Women's Winter Faire

Our last Christmas show of the season is this weekend...

I'll be at the Women's Winter Faire Dec. 15/16, Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street Vancouver. Red Dots Cycling will have many cycling caps and recycled inner tube products perfect for Christmas gift giving. And I'll have many products not available on our website. Hope to see you there!

Carolle

The Shipping Elves are hard at work.

It's Christmas time and as we are inching closer to the magical day...

Let's talk shipping.

As we receive your orders, we will process it within 24 hours of receipt. It's the busiest time of the year. And, the Canada Post elves are working hard to get your gift to you as fast as possible. So, do expect some shipping delays especially in mid-December, Canada Post makes no guarantees for Christmas delivery. 

Thank you!

Happy Birthday Ryder!

We are so proud to celebrate Ryder Hesjedal's historical success winning the 2012 Giro d'ltalia by making the Grinta-Cervina cycling cap.

On Stage 14, Cherasco to Cervinia is when he re-took the pink jersey, dramatically, from Joaquim Rodriguez. This beautiful cotton denim cap has special details for the true cycling fan. Pink under brim and argyle stripe and Canadian maple leaf detail on the rear of the cap. Available now in two sizes: Small/Medium (21-22.5") and Medium/Large (22.5-24").

And, what better way to celebrate his Giro success, Ryder Hesjedal turns 32 years old today.

Happy Birthday Ryder!

Oh Canada!

Photos: Red Dots Cycling

TGIF: Return of the Colombians & Port Mann Free Toll

Half inch Colombian love for a new

custom cycling cap.

It's Friday and good news the Colombians are back!

What does that mean?

Klaus of Cycling Inquisition has just contacted us with the very good news that his beloved grandmother sent him more Colombian ribbon. He is interested to place another order for more Colombian custom cycling caps. We are currently working out the details and we can't wait to start production.

And, we had a custom order request to make a special run of Colombian cycling caps. It's fun that both of these orders are coming to us at the same time. A coincidence? Or call it the revenge of the Colombians.

Our client sent us tiny 1/2 inch Colombian ribbon and requested a black cap with either red or blue under brim. The ribbon will be placed just like our La Francaise cycling cap on top of the brim.

This is going to be fun as our studio will show the Colombian colors!

The new Port Mann bridge.

Photo: Kim Seale, News1130.

We live in Vancouver and once in a while, we like to travel across the Port Mann Bridge to get to one of our fabric suppliers. On our rare trip, today, we discovered that the new Port Mann Bridge is up and open. As we drove nearer there were signs that this huge bridge will be a toll bridge starting December 8th!

So we had a free crossing today and we admired the new bridge. It's beautiful really, eight lanes wide the new Port Mann bridge is said to be the second longest bridge in North America and the widest in the world. We're just going to avoid using it and use the old Pattullo bridge when necessary.

maillot à pois rouges: Lucien VAN IMPE 1975 TdF

Lucien Van Impe in control of the new maillot à pois rouges

1975 Tour.

Carolle and I love the polka dot climbers jersey.

Today's maillot à pois rouges features the great grimpeur Lucien Van Impe in the 1975 Tour de France. Notably, this was the first year that the leader of the mountains classification wore the famous maillot à pois rouges. Double stage winner,  Van Impe steadily rode away to win, his third title, and wear the first polka-dot jersey. A champion climber, he would win a total of six mountains classification in the Tour.

Richard

New: The Presta Winter Cycling Cap at Raiment Cycling Clothing

May we direct your attention!

Our new stock of winter cycling caps have arrived at Mussette Caffe/ Raiment Cycling Clothing store.

You will find your favorite winter caps; L'Enfer du Nord, Brits, La Fleche Wallonne, Red Hunting, Flemish, Petit Breton...

You will also discover the new 100% British Wool winter cap called the ... Presta! We do not have it on our website as of yet. At this moment, it's only available at Raiment Cycling Clothing!

We thought our Brits winter cap was our finest cap, but we can already predict the new Presta winter cycling cap will surpass it. Why? The superior quality of the wool, it's an understated black/gray... so check it out!

TGIS: Luck of the Irish & Red Hunting Winter Cap

We usual have a post on Fridays called TGIF. Well, we missed it so here's a TGIS for Saturday!

The antibiotics haven't completely worked for me. I am slowly re-gaining my strength. Richard appears to have recovered faster. And, I have a feeling I'll have to try to relax when I can.

As Christmas is fast approaching, we are in full production for our winter caps. You will notice, slowly but surely the winter caps are available on our website.


Ireland is one country I would love to visit. In fact, we just sold a few caps in Dalkey, Ireland... a first!

The Red Hunting winter cap is back!

Carolle