Friday 26 April 2013

TGIF: Scream of the Wolfman

Scream!
via horropedia




The image of the wolfman screaming sums up our crazy week. I don't know if it was a full moon, the stars not aligning right or just stress screaming out. When things don't turn out there seems to be an unmistakeable way for it to amplify.

I'm sure glad it's TGIF.

Things should return back to normal!

Tuesday 23 April 2013

La Francaise & OrangeMan Back in Stock!

Vive La Francaise!
Photo: Red Dots Cycling




We are happy to re-stock two of our popular cycling caps; La Francaise and OrangeMan!

There is a change to La Francaise -  no longer will we include the red dots because we were not 100% satisfied how the way it looked. Our idea was to showcase our red dots as a great way to brand our caps - so we'll keep it on the back burner for now.



We decided no more heat pressed red dots... for now.
Photo: Red Dots Cycling



3 Cheers for the OrangeMan!
Photo: Red Dots Cycling



Sunday 21 April 2013

Cool Blue for Ride Studio Cafe

Looking cool blue
via facebook.com/ridestudiocafe



Here's our latest custom cycling caps made exclusively for Ride Studio Cafe of Lexington, MA.

We have made the black cap in the past, and they liked it so much they ordered more. It's a classic. Ride Studio Cafe has been one of our long term clients now and their logo is a beautiful teal blue. It's hard to match this color, and it's a challenge to find it.

Last year, we first discovered this fabric by chance, whilst shopping for winter fabric. The teal blue is so beautiful we decided to buy it. We bought the remaining amount of fabric from the store in the hope of using it for a cycling cap. It's made of linen/cotton. So, when RSC contacted us for a blue cycling cap, well we had it and pitched it to them and they ordered it.

You know when things are aligned so right... it works. The new cycling cap looks so fine!




Our custom cycling caps for Ride Studio Cafe.




Friday 19 April 2013

TGIF: Venga! Venga! Cycling Cap, Tempo/Paris-Roubaix are back & Singer Fashionmate Update.

Richard with the new Venga! Venga! wool polyester
cycling cap!
photo: ReddotsCycling




Due to increasing demand for a lite wool blend three season cycling cap, here it is...

This is our new cycling cap called, Venga! Venga! It's a wool polyester brown/black plaid, comfortable enough to wear during Autumn, Spring and perhaps during summer. Wool has natural properties keeps you warm in cool temperatures and breathes well when it's warm.

What does Venga! Venga! mean? Crazed Basque cycling fans yell, 'Come on, Come on!' when they see their favorite cyclists ride by. Think of the Tour of the Basque Country or any race wherever the Basque based Euskatel team is riding. Along with a chocolate brown stripe we add a hint of Basque Orange to show our allegiance. This is a sneak peak look and we plan to go into production next week.


Also, we are working on re-stocking our favorite 3-season cycling caps. We now have ample stock on two favorites; Tempo and Paris-Roubaix!


My beloved Singer Fashionmate 257 is currently in the Singer ER. At this point, there's little chance for survival as I keep my fingers crossed for good news. I need to look at options for another sewing machine. It's emotional, I've had it since 1972 without a glitch. I'll found out next week as to the prognosis.


Our indiegogo campaign is about to hit $1000! Imagine what we can do with a new embroidery sewing machine on our new Venga! Venga! cycling cap!




Friday 12 April 2013

TGIF: New Elastic, Le Grimpeur, Coupon Code & Aussie Aussie Aussie!





It has been a busy week so ...TGIF!


Whenever we can include recycled materials in our products is a plus for sustainability. It is a pleasant surprised to find this elastic from our supplier. A material that is hidden in our caps but deserves to be revealed. It makes us feel good to use this product; 72% Polyester, 28% rubber... 70% total recycled fiber. Made by Singer and not made in China but in India! Now that it's tested it is used in all of our new cycling caps!


Carolle and I would like to Thank Guy of Le Grimpeur for his excellent post of our cycling caps and indiegogo cycling cap campaign. Read it here. We love it when people talk about us!


Speaking about our indiegogo campaign, we just received our first contribution from Australia. Always exciting that our campaign is viewed around the world!



We just wanted to say a quick thank you to all our fans for your support! Here's a 10% discount code to use on our site across our full range. Starts today until April 22nd!         

Coupon Code: 10THNX



Cancellara about to ruin Vammarcke's Sunday.




Kudos to Carolle, she woke up with me at 4 AM to watch the exciting action of Paris-Roubaix. Now, I don't think I can convince her to wake up at 5 AM this Sunday to watch the Amstel Gold Race!




Monday 8 April 2013

SOS Singer Sewing Machine with Help From Jen & Jim





It's so important to have friends to count on, in a time of need.

This past weekend, we were reminded how good our friends are. We worked on Paris-Roubaix Sunday, waking early at 4 AM for the exciting race. The day started early enough. Joey was over to work on his costume for his upcoming play. So, time was divided between his project and our ongoing huge custom cap order.

My Singer had been purring along, like it already does. Then suddenly, I noticed a muffled sound that reminded me that I needed to perform some maintenance. The sound grew consistent and loud. To my horror after lifting the top lid I discovered one of the gears was broken in half! Probably the only piece of plastic in this almost all metal Singer 257 sewing machine.

I had to quickly make a decision. Again, by this time my day was rather long and I'm tired so the thought of not having my sewing machine working (this is the first time ever) to finish my order didn't quite cause a panic. I was cool as a cucumber and I contacted my friends Jim and Jen for help. I've known these two for a long time, true friends. We've done so many crazy things together even crossing Canada, in three days in a snow storm, in a pick up truck.

Jen was so nice and invited us over to pick up her machine. She had it ready to go and showed me how to thread it. Now I can finish my custom cap order on time...

Thanks to the power of two good friends... Jen and Jim!

Friday 5 April 2013

TGIF: Over a Week & Vancouver's New Bike Station

New and free
via vancitybuzz.com



Our indiegogo embroidered cycling cap campaign has taking more time than we anticipated.

We haven't had the time to relaxed. It's emotionally exciting and draining. It's like a full time job maintaining it; answering questions and taking care of the social media side. We are juggling many balls and we are the middle of a huge production for custom cycling caps. The feedback has been very positive. Since launching our embroidered cap project our online sales have doubled. Which is very good. Also, lots of exposure on other cycling posts - very grateful for this. If you missed it's here and here.

It's now over a week since our launch and we would like to thank everyone for all the positive feedback.

We have 34 days remaining... our campaign just started so contribute and share our link!



Interesting news from our fair city...

The power of the bike speaks tomorrow with a new bike repair station opening in Vancouver. We support this idea...


“This is awesome, we should have more of these in the city”, says student and avid cyclist GP Mendoza, “they open up future potential for cyclists of all ages and abilities”. Having access to tools for free, as well as being near a high-traffic bike route, will benefit and ease the ride of anyone with a bike.


The two bike stations will be at the Woodwards Atrium and Science World (next to the free air pump).