Introducing the New, Venga! Venga! Cycling Cap

Our new Venga! Venga! cycling cap

Photo: Red Dots Cycling

The production of our newest 3-season cycling cap is finished, the Venga! Venga! cycling cap is now available on our website!


We love the enthusiastic Basque cycling fans screaming, 'Venga! Venga! (Come on, Come on!) to their cycling heroes. We love their enthusiasm for cycling.

VENGA! VENGA!... Forever!

Cycling writer, Rein van de Wouw said it so well of the Basque cycling fans, "And so these boisterous, passionate, intense individuals come to the bike races, to their natural home of the mountains which are the proving ground of the hard climbers. They don't have a word for God: he is simply "the Lord of the high place". Like brigands, they colonize the roads, crowd the approaches, commandeer the heights - and they party, booze, sing and laugh, sometimes sitting in lines on the tarmac to perform their strange rowing ritual. And when the riders appear, they jostle and wave their big flags and roar them through."


This beautiful lite wool polyester plaid cycling cap is good looking to wear on and off the bike. With a touch of Orange we're closer to the Basque cycling fans!

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!

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

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.

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!

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!

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!

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).

Indiegogo: Introducing Our New L'equipe $35 Perk

With your contribution of $35 gets you one Cappello Nero Cycling Cap

w/  embroidered Red Dots Cycling logo.

photo: Red Dots Cycling

There is 37 days remaining on our exciting indiegogo campaign of offering embroidered cycling caps. So, to spice it up we are excited to introduce - L'equipe $35.00 Perk!

It's a good one, contribute only $35.00 and be part of the team, receive: one Special Edition black linen/cotton cycling cap embroidered with Red Dots Cycling logo!

This design is based on our best seller -  Cappello Nero. When we first started to sell online, this black classic cap was among the first five caps offered. Right from the start it has remained a favorite. What's not to like!

We had a customer that lost his Cappello and loved it so much bought a new one. Talk about Love!

Contribute $35 - and join our team!

Our Cycling Caps Are Versatile Off the Bike, Too!

We just love it how our happy customers

show different ways to use our cycling caps.

courtesy:  Rob from Toronto

We hope everyone is having the chance to enjoy and relax this fine Easter long weekend.

Carolle and I know how important it is to combine our famous cycling caps with one of our favorite recreational activities.

We know our cycling caps are made to be versatile on and off the bike.

Thanks to Rob for sharing this photo of his Capello Nero Rosso cycling cap and his favorite cold one!

TGIGood Friday: Jukeboxprint & indiegogo update

TGIGF...

Yesterday, we picked up from jukeboxprint (Gastown Vancouver) our new 1000 business/hang tags!

It was long overdue. We designed and had them printed by Jukeboxprint. Usually, we wouldn't go for a high glossy finished card. For this design - it just works!

We are very impressed by the packaging and ...what 1000 cards look like.

Our indiegogo project update:

It's been an emotional roller coaster ride. From the time we launched the project, we never felt ready but we decided to launch our project with some fear and trepidation. Hard to perceive how people will react. We believe it's a solid idea to help our client's to have an even better product.

Crowdfunding is big deal around the world and also here in Canada. There is a National Crowdfunding Association of Canada.

After we launched our campaign we did some researched. It is interesting that it is a multi-billion dollar industry - almost 1.5 billion dollars was raised through Crowd Funding Platforms in 2011 with over 50% raised in N. America.

We feel that it's a natural progression of Social Media (communicating to one another), to go on a platform, reveal yourself, tell your story and raise funds for something we believe in.

It's great to part of this and like the adage... just to go for it!

So, go ahead and contribute to our project to offer the best embroidered cycling caps. There is no small amount. Remember we only need only $10.00 dollars from 1500 people to achieve our goal!

Thank You!

Carolle & Richard

My Dream Embroidery Machines

Since launching our indiegogo project,  folks have asked us, "What is our dream embroidery machine?"


Well, this was a quest in itself. Embroidery is so popular that you can actual find machines ranging from $500 to $12,000 dollars! Obviously, the lower end $500 machine would not satisfy the needs of a trained seamstress (like myself). This machine would benefit the entry level crafter that wants to experiment with sewing and embroidery.

The 6-needle embroidery machine.

My eyes are on the second level industrial embroidery machine (above image). This is a 6-needle embroidery machine and would be fantastic; advance hoop setting (specializing for hats), 1000 stitch per minute - the works. This machine is made for production. But it does not sew. The price is in the 5-digits.

I swear by my 1967 Singer Fashion Mate sewing machine. Since working with my Pfaff serger, I have found a new love for the Pfaff brand. So, for half of the price of the 6-needle machine, I can have a fantastic sewing and embroidery machine. Bear in mind, this is NOT industrial machine. It would take me more time for production. Pfaff stands for high quality, I would still be able to produce a high quality product at a longer time.

Having said that, I would be HAPPY with either machine. Of course, these machines will not produce a custom logo, so I will have to purchase a special embroidery software. And, then we will be ready for custom embroidered cycling caps!

Carolle

Shared LOVE!

It's so cool and wonderful.

After a few days since introducing our embroidered cycling cap project the response has been very supportive from many good folks.

It means the world to us that people believe in our campaign and are willing to help us achieve our dream.

What can $10 dollars mean in daily life? A quick lunch, a pint of beer, coffee and something sweet? So, we figure if 1500 folks would be excited in our project and willing to give just $10 dollars then we can reach our goal. This would change our lives forever. And, in addition of the new equipment would help grow our business so we can expand our studio.

Thank you for helping us fulfill our dream!

And...