Friday, 21 December 2012

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!





Tuesday, 18 December 2012

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

Friday, 14 December 2012

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



Thursday, 13 December 2012

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!


Sunday, 9 December 2012

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


Friday, 7 December 2012

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.

Wednesday, 5 December 2012

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