After a little trouble getting through customs due to a misplaced packing slip, my team’s kits arrived for us to pick up yesterday. So, I left work about 30 minutes early to head over to Sunshine Cycle Shop to pick mine up. I’m very pleased that we are using the same design this year, but I was a little disappointed with one mix up.
First for the good news. These kits got a bit of attention when they came out last year. Some say they are a little busy, but most people I run into really like them. Riding in other cities, I’ve been stopped and asked about the design.
2010 POA Cycling Team jersey
After a ride in Austin, Texas, I swung by Mellow Johnny’s, Lance Armstrong’s bike shop in Austin, to look through Kevin Livingston’s Pedal Hard facility. As I was getting ready to walk out, Kevin interrupted a conversation he was having to say to me, “Great kit. Where is it from?” I told him and he said, “It grabs attention like a Rock Racing kit, but without the garishness.” From a former pro, that was pretty cool!
We are going with Hincapie Sportswear again this year. This particular kit is the Hincapie Velocity line. The jersey is a 12 panel jersey with breathable panels where you want them most to help keep you cool. The fabric is very light weight and slick. I’m sure a properly fitting one would have you sliding through the wind.
The bibs are my favorite item. Lycra leg bands now replace the little rubber leg grabbers that used to be around the legs. The cut is good and the padding in just the right places. It is also made to hold up well over a long season of wear.
The Lycra leg bands include the Giant logo
Of course, it all wouldn’t happen without our sponsors. A special thanks to Piedmont Orthopaedic Associates for being our primary sponsor and Eastside Chiropractic for giving us both financial support as well as some incredible service support. You are very appreciated and I’ll sing your praises!
A shot of some of the great sponsors
So as I was there at our sponsor Sunshine Cycle Shop to pick up my uniform, I picked up my packages to take a good look. The first thing I saw was an “L”. Uh oh. This was the bad news.
The night we test fitted the Velocity line, there was a lot of going back and forth about what size to get. For me it seemed that the large bibs fit best, but the medium jersey was definitely what I needed. However, what happened is behind us, but I ended up with a large jersey… and folks, it is LARGE.
At first I was pretty disappointed. I was really looking forward to finally getting the stuff and then to have it not be right kind of got under my skin. Now I’m getting over it. Sure it is large, but I can still wear it and and Dr. Mruz told me, I can always get it altered.
I do have to throw this in as a parting picture. This kit also means something to me because it is the first time my company is sponsoring a cycling team. It is a small deal, but who knows what the future will hold… Worthwhile Racing?
The seeds of something bigger?
Alright… let’s go racin’ boys!
