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


Monday 3 December 2012

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!







Saturday 1 December 2012

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

Wednesday 28 November 2012

The perfect stocking stuffer: Piccolo & La Piccola

Just one example of our new Piccolo Pouch...
fun and colorful!



As Christmas is nearing we have more Piccolo Pouches and La Piccola wallets to make as the perfect stocking stuffer.

Go ahead and check out our new fun designs because everyone deserves one of these practical recycled rubber inner tube products!


Tuesday 27 November 2012

A New Wool Winter Cap.




After checking our supplier we found a little bit of Brits wool fabric. Also, another beautiful British Wool that is black with tiny grey dots. We quickly made the decision for a new upcoming winter wool cap. Fits in well because our Nite Rider and  Black Sheep winter caps are now discontinued.

We thought of a few names for it... so stay tune!


Friday 23 November 2012

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.


Wednesday 21 November 2012

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!






Sunday 18 November 2012

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.

Friday 16 November 2012

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!



Thursday 15 November 2012

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!


Monday 12 November 2012

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!