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SPRING CLOTHING NEWSLETTER – FEBRUARY 2009

The slightly refreshed design has been well received, so well that on club rides now we are regularly getting anything between 70% & 90% of the group in club kit. This really helps with our ‘professional’ appearance on the road and should hopefully help us to gain more respect from other road users when we are riding as a group. It would be great if one day we could achieve a 100% turn out in club kit, especially for key events such as the club ‘100 in 8’. In order to make everyone aware of what we feel is the best way to achieve a ‘team’ look I will list a few guidelines as to how we see the club clothing should be accessorised, which might be timely if members are considering making purchases in readiness for the warmer months and the forthcoming racing season. I will also provide an overview of the garments we currently have in stock so you all know what is available currently, and the benefits of each particular garment.  

In order of current popularity; 

1)  1045 – Thermo Dry Training Jacket –  This is your classic winter jacket, in a bombproof fabric that is exceptionally warm, resistant to wind and still stays warm when wet. With three rear pockets this is a tough garment that would typically be worn in the deep winter months. Varying the base layer beneath it from thin to thick (never needed more than one yet) affords a level of versatility, but irrespective of what you wear under this, it’s a very warm jacket!

2)  1034 – Sleeveless Rain Jacket – A.K.A ‘The Gilet’ this is perhaps our most versatile garment. Recent versions have a windblock front with a Coolmax and mesh back. It can be worn over the 1045 in Siberian conditions, it can be worn over a 1052 in the spring and autumn to make a combination that is nearly as warm as a 1045, but of course then the outer layer can be removed and put in a back pocket if the day warms up. It can be worn over a 1024 during the cool start to a late spring or summer morning, or indeed later on in the evening! It can even be used in early and late season road races as the mesh panel in the back allows a race number to be seen, and in extreme conditions a close fitting 1034 could be worn under a skinsuit in a time trial. As the cliché goes, ‘never leave home without one!’

3)  1052 – Thermolycra Training Jacket – This is the ‘halfway’ house garment which you could wear for most of the year with the exception of the warmest months, perhaps best suited to temps of 8-14 degrees it can be made very flexible by perhaps the addition of a 1034 for colder days, and perhaps with just a thin short sleeve undervest it could be suitable for warmer days. Designed to be stretchy and a bit closer fitting than a 1045, this is also the ideal pre-race warm up garment.

4)  1024 – Short Sleeve Road Jersey – The classic cycling top, which when we all started I guess it’s the only one we thought we would need! Suitable for training and general riding on the warmest days and the standard uniform for road racing with perhaps the addition of armwarmers for colder days. We now stock this garment with a standard full length zip for when you are swaying up Alpe D’Huez (or even North Hill) with the front undone, and as always it has three rear pockets and is constructed from the coolest, most breathable fabric. This garment is the most altered by the minor facelift of the club clothing, making a really striking garment. Even the girls seem to like it!

5)  1001 – Short Sleeve Skinsuit – Always popular with our hardcore of Time Triallists, the skinsuit has also evolved with the facelift. Taking its design cues from the 1024, it’s a striking and very safe example of an aerodynamic suit with a greater percentage of white now in the design. Front zip and the new ‘grey’ seat pad complete the package.

6)  1009 – Bibshorts – Another classic garment, the skinshort has evolved to the bibshort to avoid those gappy jerseys and cold backs and kidneys. With a breathable mesh bib to keep you cool, and the new grey seatpad once again, super comfortable for both touring, training and road racing.

7)  1076 – Cotton Race Cap – With the advent of the comfortable helmet you might have imagined that we would see the demise of the ‘Cotton Cap’ made famous in old sepia photos of the top professionals over the years. However they are the perfect companion to the modern shell helmet, providing warmth, extra comfort and they keep your face dry when it’s raining. The hats we stock are of a high quality and of course the traditionalists that don’t favour a helmet can perch them on their head to achieve the classic ‘Miquel Indurain’ look!

8)  1014 – Lycra TT Overshoes – These lightweight shoecovers smooth out the contours of your shoes, help to reduce the aerodynamic disadvantage of your twirling feet, look good, keep your shoes clean and that’s about it! They don’t really add any real warmth; they are purely cosmetic and aerodynamic!  

That deals with the eight items that we currently hold in stock but you will notice there are a multitude of other items listed on the attached price list. These we do not stock and if they are required would need to be ordered when we place the next bulk order. Please note that we are only able to guarantee the listed prices on current stock garments. I will need to issue a new price guide before we place the next bulk order.  

Other suggestions: 

Helmets – Try for white, matches your club kit and any other kit you may have and keeps your head cool and safe.

Armwarmers – If not club, then white works well, particularly with the new design.

Trackmitts – Saves hands if you are unfortunate enough to come off, worth wearing, black easy, white looks good, but can get dirty.

Tights/Shorts/Bibknicks/Legwarmers – If it’s not club kit, it’s got to be black!

Socks – If you can see them they’ve got to be white! If it’s raining black, but keep them well hidden under your overshoes. Lance has never got this one right!

Overshoes – Black neoprene is the sensible option for winter/wet riding.

And that is about it! I hope this may be of some help to our newer members and help us all achieve a professional look on the road, and help to develop the club’s team spirit.

Regards to all

A.

Lycra Shorts, Bibshorts and Bibtights, etc. are Dark Green with “Chelmer” panel on rear and side. Thermodress Bibtights/Skinsuits have black tights with yellow panels.

‘Thermodress’ is what is commonly known as ‘Roubaix’ Material. 

Non stock skinsuits are available front or rear zip, and with or without thumb-loops on long sleeve variants. Special sizes of all garments are available upon request.

Samples of all garments are available for inspection.

Also please note Chelmer socks are still available as seen here

Any questions please contact Antony directly or email here and I'll pass it on

Click to download order form or kit design plan

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