A little while back I posted about an “Irie” jersey I received from Knights of MoBay.  Although I am a short, white Canadian on the outside…inside lies a true rasta man just trying to get out.  Because of this, it was no doubt that I loved the jersey and have really enjoyed the relationship I’ve built up with Royston who owns the company.

Knights of MoBay (KOM) have become one of our sponsors on Loving the Bike and as my way of saying thanks, I wanted to dive a little deeper and talk more about the company and how they began.

How did Knights of MoBay begin?

Royston from KOM: “When I started cycling seriously a couple years ago, I had a hard time finding jerseys that fit and didn’t look like the front quarter panel of a Indy race car crowded with logos.  I started Knights of Mo’ Bay (KOM) Apparel to meet a need of Big Bubba cyclist you wanted a little more style in their jerseys.

My family is from the Caribbean and I wanted to wear a more relax reggae feel jersey symbolizing beach, music and the good life in the Caribbean.  My daughter was also engaged in a number of triathlete events and I designed jerseys for her and her friends.  They wanted female empowerment designs sans the pink and flowers.  I came out with a couple jerseys and shorts and knew I was onto something when one of my customers told me, ‘she doesn’t wear my gear to the gym if she is not in the mood for cheerful people in her face.’”

Then Came the Shorts and Other Gear

Royston from KOM:  ”I designed Reggae shorts with the “One Love” message on the back, but ran into Bob Marley copyright issue, so I changed it to IRIE (Jamaican for everything all right).  I ran off a dozen, thinking that I would get a pair and somehow sell the others over the summer.  I went to an event and people followed me back to the car, asking where they could buy those kool shorts.  I sold them out within a week and started a whole IRIE line of kits, jerseys, bib shorts, shoe covers, vest, caps, socks and arm warmers.

I have shipped IRIE kits across Europe, the Caribbean, Japan and yes the heartland of the US.  Who knew so many people want to relive the memories of hanging on the beaches of a Caribbean island and taking in the vibes and other things.  I saw a quote from one of my customers in an email, ‘I have to admit – it’s my all time favorite jersey to ride in – soooo comfy.  I’m so uptight and type-A that the IRIE thing is almost paramount in my life.   My wife hates it and thinks it’s silly that I’m wearing a Caribbean jersey…but everyone else LOVES IT.  I get compliments all the time’.”

Creation of Gurls Ride Out

Royston from KOM:  ”I also started getting request from female athletes for jersey designs that were not flowery.  My daughter who also has a strong personality, critiqued my designs and we have developed a number of female appealing kits, like Cycle by Day, Dance by Night Salsa and Tango jersey.

Expanding the IRIE and Female Empowerment themes on on my KOM website became difficult, so I am in the process of spiting the two clothing lines into Knights of Mo’ Bay and Gurl’s Ride Out!  I hope you enjoy my designs, because the majority of them are inspired by you, my customers and I am always interested in speaking with friends about new ideas.”

Like many of you, I have a ton of cycling T-shirts….but one of my favorites has got to be my Viva la Bicicleta.  Not only does it feel good and look great, but the philosophy behind the company is one that I totally believe in and support:

“Our philosophy is simple: get everyone out on a bike and riding.”

Amen to that one, right?  I can also tell you that the feeling and passion behind this company is truly legit. I just so happen to personally know the good man who started Viva la Bicicleta and he is one of the most genuine people in the world.  His name is Al Bastidas, and he’s also the founder of the Austin based, Please Be Kind to Cyclists organization.  Viva donates 10% of every purchase to Be Kind’s, Victim Relief Fund (a program that helps uninsured bicycle riding victims of traffic accidents).

Okay, so if you don’t know Spanish and haven’t yet figured out what this name translates to, it is “Long Live the Bicycle” and was inspired by the idea that all the world’s problems can be solved simply by riding a bike.  Amen, once again.

One last comment and then I’ll give you the details on how you can win your very own Viva la Bicicleta shirt.  I don’t know about you, but I’m quite particular about my t-shirts and only end up wearing the ones that really feel good.  I can honestly tell you that one of these is going to be the best fitting shirt you’ve ever put on.  My friend Al is a quality guy, and the Viva la Bicicleta products are definitely quality made as well.

Win a Viva la Bicicleta Shirt

This Contest is now Closed.  Congratulations to @jeremyridesbike and J B who win the Viva la Bicicleta shirt of their choice.  Thanks to everyone who entered and told us what Viva la Bicicleta means to you.  Be sure to head over to www.vivalabicicleta.com to get a shirt of your own.

We’re giving away two T-shirts and here’s what you need to do in order to get in and win one.

Head over to the Viva la Bicicleta shopping page and see all the designs they have available, and then leave us a comment including two pieces of information:

1. Which design you like best.
2.  What the phrase “Viva la Bicicleta” means to you.

Get your comments in by Noon EST on Friday and we’ll announce the winner Friday afternoon.

Viva la Bicicleta is only able to ship within the US so unfortunately this one is only open to someone within the States.

I know so many people who have always wanted to design their own t-shirt, and I’m here today to offer you that chance if you are one of these people.  The good folks over at Fibers are offering one of our Loving the Bike readers the opportunity to create your own, or choose from one of their pre-designed cycling shirts.

A few weeks ago they approached me and asked if I’d like to try it out.  Like you, I’m one of those people who have always thought it cool to create a T-shirt so I told them I’d love to give it a try.  However, I’m currently trying to spend less time on the computer instead of more, so I didn’t put as much effort into my creation as I would have liked.  But I was able to see how the Fibers process works and if it’s something I would recommend to our readers.

Of course we already have our Loving the Bike t-shirts and kits over at Groucho Sports (with a new kit design coming out soon), and I’d love for you all to have one of your own.  But for anyone looking to create a single or small number of unique shirts…..this is a great way to go.

I found the design process quite simple and there are a lot of featured cycling images that you can use in your creation.  You can also upload your own graphics as well as text and more tools that will help build your shirt.  Once you’ve got it designed, you can choose from over 50 different shirts, in sizes from infant to 5XL.

Have a look at the Fibers pre-designed Cycling T-shirts and have a better look at how the custom design process works, and then enter our contest to win one of your own.

Enter to Win:

In order to be in on the winning, leave us a comment below telling of some of the things you would include in your own custom designed cycling t-shirt, OR which pre-designed Cycling shirt you like best.  That’s it.  Get your comment in by Noon on Monday April 16th and we’ll announce the winner Monday afternoon.

The contest is now closed.  Congratulations to Tom Bilcze who wins a pre or custom designed Fibers shirt.  Thanks to everyone who entered and thanks to Fibers for their involvement in this contest.

The contest is now closed.  Thanks for all your great merchandise suggestions and for entering yourself in our Loving the Bike Jersey giveaway. Congratulations to @ozarksbiketrail who was randomly selected through random.org.

For those who didn’t win and would like any of our Loving the Bike or #bikeschool merchandise, it is on right now at 30% off until December 1, 2011.  Head over to http://gear.grouchosports.com/category/groucho-collaborative and get yours now.  Use Discount Code: LTBBKSCHOOL to get your 30% off.

We’re back with another jersey give-away this week….but this time it’s extra special because it’s one of our own.  That’s right this is your chance to win one of our Loving the Bike Jerseys.

It would be kind of strange to review our own clothing, but one thing that I’ll say is those guys over at Groucho Sports sure know how to put together some mighty fine product.  We buddied up with Groucho last May and introduced the Loving the Bike line of Jerseys, Kits, and T-shirts so that everyone out there could become part of the “Loving the Bike Army”.  But the one thing we haven’t yet done is give one of these beautiful jerseys away….So today is the day.

Enter to Win:

It’s really easy to enter this one.  Simply leave a comment below letting us know what other merchandise you’d like to see from Loving the Bike.  Yep, that’s it. The contest closes on Thursday at Noon EST so get in to win right now.  The winning comment will be selected using random.org and we’ll announce who won on Thursday afternoon.

In addition to the jerseys, we also have Shorts, Kits, and T-Shirts.  For more about our Loving the Bike Collection from Groucho Sports, please visit http://gear.grouchosports.com/category/collaborations.

Just wanted to come at you with a self promotion of our Loving the Bike, Loving the Run, and #bikeschool merchandise and offer you all a 10% discount from now until the end of July.  The good folks at Groucho Sports are discounting all our products so you can buy yourself some mid-Summer clothing, and look mighty fine in the days to come.

Head over to our SHOPPING PAGE and check out the kits, jerseys, and shirts we have available.  To get your discount enter LTBLTR in the area that asks for a “Discount Code”.

We’re always looking for feedback so let us know what you think of our stuff.  Give us your feedback, send us a picture, or let us know what other products you’d like to see us providing.

Shopping Page: http://gear.grouchosports.com/category/collaborations

Discount Code: LTBLTR