TGIF: Thanks for your Patience

After returning from the doctor, we are both affected with bronchitis.

That means antibiotics. Severe enough for the strong stuff. We have five days duration and now optimistic of a full recovery. Meanwhile, we do have some strength to press on for another winter cap run. It's slow going. Please bear with us, especially for those who requested winter caps... we are working quickly on replenishing our website.

We want to apologize to folks who are waiting for follow-up for their custom cap orders. Please, stay tune we haven't been to our supplier to check on specific fabric/ribbon and we would like to thank you for your patience.

Christmas Update

Andy Hampsten's frgid Gavia stage,

1988 Giro.

We are finally recovering from the worst case flu (we ever had) and started producing another winter cap run.

The winter caps that are in production are...

Petit Breton, Red Hunting, L'Enfer du Nord, Fleche Wallonne and Flemish.

Rotten timing that it struck us during our busiest time of the season. As we see our popular winter cap stocks rapidly depleting ...we have to act.

Sadly, our famous Brits cap is out of stock. One last chance, this Friday, we will attempt to look for the fabric at our supplier.

This year has been overwhelming for our winter caps. The response is amazing. We would like to thank everyone for buying our winter caps. You will enjoy a warm ride this winter!

maillot à pois rouges: Dan Martin

Garmin-Sharp's Dan Martin pulls on the polka dot jersey at the 2012 Tour of Beijing. A worthy winner in the mountain classification.

TGIF: Flemish and Women's Winter Faire

Happy to have more Flemish wool.

Carolle is still recovering from last weekend's Make it Show with flu!

As she convalesces, I'm holding the fort and have returned from our fabric supplier with ample wool to make another run of Flemish winter caps. Also, I picked up a nice supply of our popular linen/cotton, superb fabric that we use in our famous all-black Cappello da Ciclismo Nero cap and Cappello Nero Rosso cycling cap.

All Black linen/cotton,

Cappello da Ciclismo Nero!

Our next show is the Women's Winter Faire, December 15-16 at the Heritage Hall on 3102 Main Street, Vancouver. Carolle will be doing this one solo but she will have plenty of set-up help from me. This Women's Faire features; BC women artisans and craftswomen.

Have a good weekend!

Rolling On with Winter Caps in The McMaster Rolling Seminar!

Caffeinated & Rolling On!

Yesterday I passed along three winter cycling caps to Thomas of Musette Caffe...

A wonderful gesture from Thomas for he is now in Hamilton as part of Coffee & Bikes @Mac The McMaster Rolling Seminar: La Vie Velo. He is invited to speak to the business students of McMaster University.

The other key note speakers are Krys Hines (Cafe Domestique), Andrew Randell (Jet Fuel Coffee) & Dan Dankin (editor of Canadian Cycling Magazine). We thought this would be the perfect opportunity to showcase our handmade winter caps among the cycling savy folks of Ontario. Thomas is giving his speech today.

Thomas is unique and has an amazing concept business going in Vancouver: he's partnered up with Kevin of Raiment Cycling Clothing and has THE bike-friendly cafe ever. Of course, we are honored to be part as a supplier. And we see a very good growing relationship with Kevin and Thomas.

Thomas will pass along the three winter caps and we trust that the caps will be well appreciated especially in the Ontario winter!

Make It Show a Success

Folks followed our 'Bike' sign to see us!

The Make it Show was a success!


The winter caps was the star of the show. And the feedback was incredible. A lot of our customers were first-time buyers. And here is some of the testimonials...

a. Well made.
b. Fit well.
c. Glad that they are made in Vancouver.
d. Great fabric
e. Cool looking.

We couldn't agree more!

It was packed. About 9000 eager shoppers came through the doors and we are so glad there's two of us working. After the first day, sales was discouraging and we wondered if craft shows was worth it. Well, as the second, third and fourth days passed we quickly changed our minds. The sales picked up. And, what also was valuable is the feedback from folks. To have an on-line business is one thing, direct contact with our customers is also very important.

We want to thank Jenna and Chandler and all the folks for stopping by our booth... looks like we'll be back next year!

Good Karma Harris Tweed SmartPhone

Our new SmartPhone Wallet.

As promised, here's a sneak peak of our new SmartPhone Wallet...

We'd like to thank ilSoigneur for the 'good karma' Harris Tweed Wool. There's a bit of Harris Tweed love in each of them. They have a zipper to close your valuables safely and the slip pocket to keep your smartphone nice and cozy. Today was a good day... we sold quite a few.

For now, the Good Karma Harris Tweed SmartPhone is only available at our craft shows!

TGIF: Make it Time!

Richard's CyclingArt prints are available at the show!

This is day 2 of Make it!

We invite you over to the Croatian Centre, Vancouver. Our handmade cycling caps and rubber inner tube products are available. The show opens at 11 AM - 9 PM. Our booth is 121 and we are located in Room A. You can't miss us just look for the glowing 'bike' sign!

See our new limited edition SmartPhone Wallet! That's right ...exclusive to the show, perfectly fits the new iPhone, Blackberry and Samsung phones. It's our posh wallet lined with Harris Tweed Wool. And, most likely to fit other phones. Come on over and try out your phone.

Also, Richard's unique CyclingArt Prints and postcards will be available... a perfect christmas gift for the discerning cycling fan!

Winter Cycling Caps: Riding With Musette Caffe/Raiment!

photo: Carolle

It's official...

We are proudly selling our winter cycling caps at Musette Caffe/Raiment Cycling Clothing.

Thomas is busy preparing the official opening with Raiment Cycling Clothing and all I can say is this boutique looks fabulous! The timing could not be better... with Christmas fast approaching. It's a beautiful day and as you may know the weather can turn. And, you need to cover your head and ears with our winter cycling caps.

Our Brits winter cap, featured in Bicycling Magazine, is available as well as many other styles.

Don't wait until the weather turns ugly, now is the time to get the right winter cap while you are having a fine coffee at Musette Caffe!



Thanks Thomas... we are very happy to be part of the Musette Caffe/Raiment family!

Our winter cycling caps now available!

courtesy: Thomas (Musette Caffe)

TGIF: Christmas, Musette Caffe & Coupon

Need help with your Christmas shopping?

Ready for Christmas?

Christmas is fast approaching. Need help with your Christmas shopping?

We have wonderful gift ideas for the cyclist enthusiast on your list. Make sure you order early to have your gift arrive in time for Christmas.



Remember when we received some fun Harris Tweed fabric samples from our friends at ilSoigneur?
We had a sneak peek from Thomas, at Musette Caffe, that a cool boutique called Raiment Cycling Clothing will soon open. From the corner of our eyes we saw the Harris Tweed ilSoigneur musettes, recognizing their finely made Harris Tweed musettes.


We have the Make it Show coupon combined with our Red Dots Cycling coupon ($5 Off with purchase of $50 or more at the Make it Show only!) waiting for you at Musette Caffe. This also give you $1 off admission at the door. There is only a limited amount of coupons available so go on down have a delicious espresso and grab a coupon to see us November 8-11, Make It show, Croatian Centre Vancouver.

Skank it up on the SKA Piccola Wallet

You're Welcome, Jam...

Skank it up!

It all started with a request on making a custom SKA cycling cap.

Ska: A music genre from Jamaica in the 1950s. Characterized with heavy moving bass it's popular with the 1960s British Mods.

Jam from the UK was looking for a special SKA cycling cap. We loved the idea! And there's a cool tie-in of the chequered pattern of the 70s-80s Peugeot cycling teams.

We had problems finding the chequered pattern fabric... it was a quest. After trying many suppliers we did come up with a small supply and introduce a limited edition SKA-licious cap. Jam asked us to produce a SKA La Piccola wallet and we did have enough fabric to make him two.

It sure was fun to Skank it up with Jam!

SKA-licious Cycling Cap.

Richard

Making it Easier: Select your Size on Etsy!

Red Dots Cycling.

We have been wishing this from Etsy for a long time...

Now, it's a reality! Etsy has made it easier and darn convenient to help your cycling cap shopping experience. They added a Size Selector above the 'Add to Cart' located in the upper right-hand corner of the page. Size choice is important, in the past, we impressed upon you to state your size choice. Not anymore.

It's an integral part, just pick your size and Add to Cart!

TGIF: Make it! More Cycling Caps.

Follow the 'Red Dots' to see us!

Here's the floor plan for the upcoming Make it! To simplify your journey to see us, Carolle has made it easier. All you have to do is follow the red dots to our booth #121!

The Make it! show will expand with more vendors, more fun. Let's not forget, bring your love ones and enjoy beer/wine, live music and just have fun! If you're going to one craft show this year, then this is the one. Here's the link for $1.00 off admission.


We have made enough winter caps to replenish our stocks, now we realize that our regular caps are dwindling down. Carolle is serging away on some popular regular caps for stock. On the table now: La Francaise, Paris-Roubaix, Cappello Nero and Falling Leaves!


I'm glad to be recovering from a stubborn cold. While I was resting in bed, Carolle has taken control in production. Now, I'm feeling better and appreciated the time 'off' to recuperate. I'm sure glad it's happening now and not during the Make it show!


Have a good Friday!

Richard