I've seen a bunch of the TT jerseys on the trail.  Where do they come from?

That does seem like a bit of a mystery to those of us who haven't been around very long, doesn't it?  I think you get a jersey when they teach you the secret handshake in a back-woods ceremony.   Given all they lycra shorts though, I'm kind of scared to ask.  

Actually, I was just talking to our esteemed leader about this on Saturday.  I see all kinds of Trailblazer gear on the veterans, but haven't seen any available for purchase.  (Except for a handful of socks last week and a single small jersey at REI.)  You'd think we'd have it available on the site, or at least at the meetings.  Jim said that all we really need is someone to step up and get it going with some new orders.  We could then sell it at the monthly meetings and/or through local shops.  

We also touched on the issue of price.  Selling Trailblzer branded items at a small mark-up is a great way to raise a little money for the club, but at the same time, we don't want to gouge our own members, nor do we want to materially reduce the amount of stuff purchased since it's such good adverstising for us.

I'll let the veterans and officers fill in the blanks on whatever I've missed, but wanted to let you know that you are not alone in asking about this.  Basically, it's like everything else in the club:  If we want to see it happen, all we have to do is step up and volunteer to lead it!

Mike

hop wrote on 01/14/08 at 4:10pm:


They don't, there are many choices of shirts that are not tight... I think there is some connection to the road apparel.... I think many of the veterans tend to wear more Lycra than newer riders because for a long time I would guess that is what was avail. But when you think about it it makes a ton of sense when manuvering a bike under you through the trails the lycra does not hang up on seats/seat clamp levers etc. 

I agree I would love to see a THTB Jersey designed like some of the FOX jerseys in both long and short sleeve versions ... I guess they are more DH/FR/Moto style 

"I'll side with you on the tight issue, but there's no way I'm ever going back to cotton tee-shirts for athletic activities.  I want the moisture-wicking and fast drying I get from jerseys and other sportswear."

Yea, I do a base layer as well, something like Under Armour....so if the cycling jerseys are made of that material, it makes a little more sense to me.  I guess whatever the user is comfortable in works...I was just curious if formed followed function or vice versa....

One of the major reasons we don't stock jerseys is ca$h flow...

In the past the Dirt Divas experienced a myriad of cash flow problems when they used to stock jerseys...As a trail building club, we need resources available for building and maintaining the trails and equipment...To make a $5K purchase, only to sit on half the jerseys waiting to sell kills our cash flow...

In the past, we pre-ordered the jerseys...We generally purchase some extra stock for the club and shops to peddle...But the club's investment is minimal...And the mark-up per jersey has generally been $5 or less (just to make a little cash)...

As was mentioned by MBSlater, if you want to see it happen, we need volunteers...The Trailblazers function on volunteer time and a few of us are nearing or past the burn out stage...We need others to step up, design the jersey, sell the sponsor space, take the orders (pre-paid), place the order, sort on arrival and distribute to the buyers...It's a drawn out process, but it is manageable...

We have dealt with Gita in the recent (2006-07) past (we did a run of Pearl Izumi around 2000) so you would be open to find another supplier...Keep in mind the set-up for the screening process (or whatever it's called these days - sublimation?) can be an added cost...

Many of us come from a racing past, hence the tight lycra (although I tend to wear my jerseys big - I am a medium but wear an XL jersey...OK, maybe I'm a large and NEED an XXL)...We could leave it up the the discretion of the volunteers to pick a style...

In the past we have provided jerseys, both mesh and standard, LS thermal jerseys, socks, vests, jackets, gloves, arm warmers and probably some other items that I can't recall...The decision is yours...

The only caveat is the inclusion of our club logo...Big and bold, front and rear....

Quote:


If we have to do that gay handshake I'm going to request my membership dues back!    

 


BTW You "DO" have to know the secret handshake...


Mark [/quote]
If that's the picture on the underpass of Davie street on the Statesville greenway, I think I'll pass

Quote:


39....I'll take one. 

I got one of the last ones and it was sleeveless. I thought I wouldn't like it but it was great in the summer heat. Much cooler than short sleeve. In winter I wear a long sleeve under it. Color coordinated of course 

White Bread wrote on 01/14/08 at 10:01pm:

Yup.  That's the one!

34   I'll take a short sleeve and a sleeveless.   And if we vote on a color I want orange and the same company as the red shirts.