B. Spoke Tailor

Hamish Bowles fitted for Lumatwill bike attire

2010-07-30T16:45:00.000-07:00

Hamish Bowles, editor at large of Vogue Magazine, visited Oakland last weekend for a story about a few days in the life of Novella Carpenter, Oakland urban farmer and author of Farm City, Penguin Press. He stayed at Ghost Town, Novella's west Oakland urban farm, and went on a bicycle tour of Oakland, stopping to fish and forage and, of course, get fitted for bike knickers! He order a made-to-measure Lumatwill vest and knickers. This is the before pic. We'll see if we can't get an after photo from Hamish. Look for his story in an upcoming issue of Vogue.

Read about B. Spoke Tailor and other Bay Area Bike Fashion designers in the SF Chronicle

2010-06-28T17:12:00.001-07:00

Read online if you missed the print version of the paper yesterday! Thanks, Eric Gustafson, for the coverage.

B Spoke Tailor website is live!

2010-06-10T10:30:00.000-07:00

Visit the new B. Spoke Tailor website. Wool bike knickers are at long last available for purchase online. Visit now!

SF Gate interview with Jodie Van Horn

2010-05-26T11:21:00.000-07:00

B Spoke Tailor featured in the Oakland Museum's Airport exhibit

2010-05-04T15:39:00.000-07:00

2010-04-09T14:47:00.000-07:00

Lorena Beightler

2010-03-30T17:18:00.001-07:00

DSC05250
Originally uploaded by B. Spoke Tailor

In here custom B. Spoke Tailor suit, outfitted for the Sacramento tweed ride on Sunday. Wool plaid flannel jacket and kick-pleated skirt. All made for riding. Thanks Lorena.

Sacramento Tweed Ride Custom Fitting this Sunday, Feb 21

2010-02-18T11:31:00.000-08:00

Please join us for a Sacramento exclusive custom tweeds fitting at Hot Italian Restaurant. This fitting is in anticipation of the March 28th ride, and for the first customers we have a limited number of custom garments we can promise to be delivered by the day of the ride. So come early.

We also offer off-th-rack wool knickers, recycled tweed top tube covers and fingerless gloves, recycled merino wool arm warmers, hats and mens briefs, tartan vests and skirts and more.

Yes, Bridget!

2010-02-03T22:49:00.001-08:00

DSC04825
Originally uploaded by B. Spoke Tailor

Settle down! Oakland, I know. We like it. Hella. Hecka. See Bridget live this Friday at the Actual Cafe. Part of the Oakland Art Murmur. Performance cheerleading. Oops. Sewing. Arm warmers personalized by spectators. Not to be missed. Wool.

SF Bike Expo Fashion Show

2009-11-28T21:33:00.001-08:00

Gwen's Fashion Show
Originally uploaded by dustinj

Adam Shapiro in english tartan wool knickers. Riding an Xtracycle Radish.

SF Bike Expo Fashion Show

2009-11-28T21:30:00.001-08:00

Gwen's Fashion Show
Originally uploaded by dustinj

B. Spoke Tailor tweeds. Tartan on Bridget, Lumatwill Dashing Tweed on Eddie. Thanks for the pics, Dustin!

Shawn Hattfield's western knickers

2009-11-28T21:10:00.001-08:00

20091017_0079
Originally uploaded by Bici Girl

These were a piece in Shawn's bespoke wedding suit. He is also wearing B. Spoke Tailor vest, western shirt and jacket.

Bike Expo Fashion Show

2009-11-24T15:57:00.001-08:00

Bike Expo Fashion Show
Originally uploaded by richardmasoner

Bridget Frederick, a designer and the manager of recycled products at B. Spoke Tailor, and Eddie Johnson, model at the SF Bike Expo/Momentum Magazine Fashion show last Saturday at the Cow Palace. The suit is a Dashing Tweeds Lumatwill. The skirt, vest and hat are English tartans. Bespoke suits are available by appointment only. Contact nan@bspoketailor.com. And of course, our famous recycled sweater arm warmers. Available at the Sunday morning Temescal farmers market in North Oakland or at Mission Bicycle Company in SF.

Photo by Richard Masoner

Velo Wonderland

2009-11-13T13:57:00.000-08:00

The holidays are upon us! Join B. Spoke Tailor and many other local artists engaged in bike-related art and culture for this party that is a collaboration with the East Bay Bicycle Coalition.

Upcoming Events: Bespoke Cycles and B. Spoke Tailor knicker fitting

2009-11-13T13:50:00.000-08:00

Bespoke Cycles and B. Spoke Tailor, collaborate to offer a unique opportunity to be fitted for custom riding knickers. Join us this Sunday from 6-8 pm in Noe Valley SF (corner of 24th and Castro). We offer knickers for both men and women in wool gabardine, superfine suiting and flannel. These knickers are well loved-street tested, perfect for riding in this climate, for work, for day and night-life. All sales are final and the products are guaranteed to satisfy. Prices begin at $175. December delivery.

Upcoming events: SF Bike Expo and BikeStyle fashion show

2009-11-13T13:37:00.000-08:00

Momentum Magazine, in collaboration with Gwendolyn Lee Productions, will be a presenting an inspiring display of bike fashions by designers from around the Bay and beyond. Please join B. Spoke Tailor and others from all segments of bike culture to celebrate the bike and rider as seen on today's city streets. The show is part of the SF Bike Expo at the Cow Palace in SF this coming Saturday night, November 21. We will be selling our fine bike attire, including the fantastic and quite functional riding raincoat pictured here, as well as one for men. Recycled merino wool arm warmers, wool bike knickers (get yours Saturday made-to-measure), wool riding jackets, shirts and more.

Bat Costumes by S. Spoke Tailor this time next year.

2009-11-01T14:47:00.001-08:00

Surf City CX (Oct 31, 2009)
Originally uploaded by Mark Nakamura

Paul Musso sent us this link. Nan Eastep made a bat costume for him 2 years ago for a cyclocross race. This year she made Phil of rideSFO and the SF Bike Expo wings and a mask. In 2010 we plan to devote a couple of weeks to bike costuming, so stayed tuned. Happy season of the dead!

Arm Warmers and Under-the-Helmet hats

2009-10-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

B. Spoke Tailor arm warmers and under-the helmet hats are recycled from high quality wool sweaters. They are available now at the Temescal Farmers Market in North Oakland and at Mission Bicycle Company on Valencia in the Mission, SF.

Recycled sweater hats and arm warmers are $50.

This pic was taken outside of the Awaken Cafe on 14th @Broadway in downtown Oakland.

Interbike Fashion Show

2009-10-08T12:44:00.001-07:00

Check out the interview with Nan and the B. Spoke Tailor Tweed Suit at the Interbike Fashion Show!

Click here for movie link

Eddie Johnson

2009-09-09T18:19:00.001-07:00

Eddie
Originally uploaded by B. Spoke Tailor

Wool Bike Knicker fitting in Portland, this coming Sunday. The host is cycling enthusiast Chris Streight.

When: Sunday Sept 13th, 7:30-9:00 pm

Location: 6710 SW Mayo Street. The Red house on the corner of SW 68th and Mayo Streets.

Phone: 503-318-4277

The wool knickers are made-to-measure and available in flannel, gabardine and pinstripe superfine suiting. We also have a limited quantity of double-faced checks and glen plaids.

The knickers are $175 + shipping (FOB Oakland, CA). Nov delivery.

Josh Ross invents his bespoke suit tour.

2009-08-07T08:56:00.001-07:00

Josh Ross
Originally uploaded by B. Spoke Tailor

Josh will be "life streaming" about the design, creation and adventure product testing of his suit over the next year. He is a social media mogul willing to share ownership. He plans to, well, watch the video.

Bill Mitchell will tour the world in his bespoke suit

2009-08-07T08:35:00.000-07:00

Bill Mitchell will ride his bike around the world on a 3-year tour. Will his bespoke suit endure the trip? You can't follow him on Twitter, browse photos of the tour on Flickr, or poke him Facebook. The tailor will have to update you with poetry from telepathic accounts and perhaps an occasional email. We will post an image of the suit and rain cape upon his departure with in the next few weeks.

Maurice of Dirt Rag and Bicycle Times

2009-08-07T08:12:00.001-07:00

DSC02592
Originally uploaded by B. Spoke Tailor

Maurice Tierney, Publisher of Bicycle Times Magazine, choosing the fabric for his bespoke suit.

Gary Fisher Bespoke Suit

2009-08-07T08:07:00.000-07:00

Gary Fisher in Oakland. His next bespoke bicycling suit will be cut from Guy Hills Lumatwill tweed. You can follow the progress for this suit here or follow B. Spoke Tailor on Twitter.

Molly McCoy in her bespoke suit

2009-08-03T12:04:00.000-07:00

Molly rode the East Bay Tweed ride. Check their website for the next Bay Area ride. Thanks Colin!

Relocating on bike

2009-07-06T08:03:00.001-07:00

DSC_0144
Originally uploaded by Bici Girl

Nan hauls Isaac Rodriguez's (Cycles of Change) rig to the new tailor studio in the old Ride SFO space on Peralta in West Oakland. About 15 trips using three rigs did the job. See Pamela Palma's (Bicigirl) and B. Spoke Tailor pics of the move on Flickr.

Triangulate

2009-07-06T06:36:00.001-07:00

Triangulate
Originally uploaded by ANDY_MOOG_BOY

Andrew Di Pietro posted this pic to Flickr a while back. It is a favorite pic of the knicks! Where are you, Andrew?

Paul Musso in action

2009-07-05T18:27:00.001-07:00

IMG_9902
Originally uploaded by hotMARK™

These are one of the first pair of B. Spoke Tailor wool knickers (then JoyRider Clothing). Paul Musso and I collaborated back in summer 2007 to create the original design.

BST featured today in urbandaddy.com

2009-06-17T21:50:00.000-07:00

See pics of the bicycling suit at flickr.com:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bspoketailors/3637449456/

Frank tips his hat

2009-06-17T21:31:00.001-07:00

Frank tips hat
Originally uploaded by B. Spoke Tailor

Bespoke bicycling suits are available now by appointment. Email nan@bspoketailor.com.

Jason Ferrier of Xtracycle

2009-06-16T23:32:00.001-07:00

Vest Close Up
Originally uploaded by Artbandito

He is wearing recycled merino wool sweater arm warmers, converted tweed trousers to knickers and recycled vest.

Recycling is so delightful. Your can try it yourself at home.

And in terms of offering them as part of the product line, it cuts on labor costs, which is what makes domestically produced garments pricey.

Eddie Johnson in reflective striped wool knickers and vest pack

2009-06-16T19:09:00.001-07:00

Oakland Library 4
Originally uploaded by Artbandito

Visit B. Spoke Tailor Booth every Sunday morning at the Temescal Farmers Market in North Oakland to see more of these and other fine bike attire.

Nick in Vintage 60s Stock Pinstripe Worsted Bike Suit

2009-06-16T19:01:00.001-07:00

On The Lawn 12
Originally uploaded by Artbandito

B. Spoke Tailor in now making custom bicycling suits. Choose from a side selection of stock flannel, tweeds, pinstripe supers, gabardines, and Guy Hills and Kirsty McDougall's Luminescent Tweeds. (See http://www.dashingtweeds.co.uk/.) Email Nan for an appointment. nan@bspoketailor.com.

East Bay Tweed Ride

2009-06-06T21:57:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by brooke!

Sam and John in the Oakland Rose Garden midway through the Ride.

East Bay Tweed Ride

2009-05-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

The Tweed Ride hits the streets of Oakland on Thursday, June 4th. The Tweed Ride is international in scope, and the Bay Area has its own spin on it. (Have a look at Laura Brennan's Momentum Magazine blog and Flickr to see hundreds of photos of the SF Tweed rides.)

My question is, "What is tweed, anyway?" I say wooly woolens! The fabric of yesteryear, the garb of the golden era of bicycling. Let's ride together to honor the cyclists that have gone before us, that went in wool before petrochemicals provided racing cyclists the aerodynamicism of spandex, that impossibly minute but entirely needed winning edge to the race. Big oil had just about displaced wool (as well as other great natural fibers) and the bike is bringing it back! Let's ride, not race. Lets demonstrate wool is not just sporty, rich, haughty, insulating and wicking. It's perfect. It's poetry. It's at your local thrift store. There are also tweed B. Spoke Tailor knickers at Tip Top Bike Shop.

B. Spoke Tailor will offer some new creations inspired by the Tweed Rides as prizes for style, cleverness and charm. The ride itself rolls them all together. Hope to see you there.

Vest Pack

2009-04-22T00:29:00.001-07:00

DSC02477
Originally uploaded by B Spoke Tailor

Vest Pack

2009-04-22T00:28:00.001-07:00

DSC02478
Originally uploaded by B Spoke Tailor

Phil of ride SFO

2009-04-22T00:26:00.001-07:00

DSC02471
Originally uploaded by B Spoke Tailor

Thanks Phil, for setting up such a great scene at the Sea Otter for all of us bike gear vendors and vendoristas. We had a great time. You are the godfather.

Andy Bruno of Bicycle Times

2009-04-22T00:22:00.001-07:00

DSC02544
Originally uploaded by B Spoke Tailor

Look for the Under the Helmet helmet hats recycled from merino wool sweaters at Temescal farmers market (www.urbanvillageonline.com). Maybe at Montanovelo if you are lucky. Or make one yourself! The face and chin strap in the neckline of the sweater. Thanks for modeling, Andy. You look angelic!

Phil of ride SFO and Tyler Anspach of SDG Components

2009-04-22T00:18:00.001-07:00

DSC02508
Originally uploaded by B Spoke Tailor

B. Spoke Tailor shared space with Phil of rideSFO and Tyler Anspach of SDG. Phil wears
the new under-the-helmet helmet hat, organizes the great Bike Expo and Swap at the Cow Palace each year in SF (www.sfbikeexpo.com). Tyler makes lovely saddles (sgdcomponents.com). He says he has just the one for my Xtracycle Radish.

Recycled felted sweater vest

2009-04-21T23:46:00.001-07:00

DSC02595
Originally uploaded by B Spoke Tailor

Nan Eastep made this on the treadle machine in a bit of down time at the Sea Otter. It is a felted cropped sleeve lambwool sweater made into a zipper front vest . Zipper finished with a 70s neck tie purchased at the Laney Flea. Hat also found at the Laney flea. Five bucks! The sweater vest series part of the Fall 09 collection.

DSC02463

2009-04-21T23:41:00.001-07:00

DSC02463
Originally uploaded by B Spoke Tailor

Anthony of rideSFO sports the new wool flannel cap.

Laura Brennen

2009-04-21T23:37:00.001-07:00

DSC02543
Originally uploaded by B Spoke Tailor

Thanks for gracing the B. Spoke Tailor booth with your presence.

Wed. April 15th - BST at Earth Day in Oakland

2009-04-06T09:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.oaklandearthexpo.com/Page291.aspx

Along with over 100 local businesses, B. Spoke Tailor will showcase our line of artisanal bike clothing at this year's Oakland EarthExpo, themed "The Sustainable Urban Environment!" Join 5000 engaged and motivated attendees as we kick off Earth Day in Oakland at this popular, festive lunchtime environmental fair.

Wed. April 15th, 2009
10am-2pm

Frank Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA

Free admission

We're Hiring One More Bay Area Sales Rep! & Congratulations To Our New Reps

2009-03-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

We're excited to announce that we've hired 3 bike clothing sales reps! This is great news for the company, & we proudly congratulate our 3 new reps: Chris Streight (inside US sales, excluding Pacific NW), Adam Shapiro (immediate Bay Area), and Michael Kloeppel (Oregon).

We are still seeking to hire one new sales rep in the San Francisco Bay Area to cover the territory of urban and near-urban bike shops. If you fit the description below, this may be a wonderful opportunity with growth potential.

YOU:
-Love sales, bikes and fashion
-Can make cold calls
-Have sales and/or bike industry experience
-Have leads and relationships with bike shops, owners, mechanics, sales staff, soft goods buyers and the like
-Are organized
-Passionately and aggressively pursue the things you are committed to

Your job will be to:
-Seek out and sell to independently owned and small chain store bike shops
-Meet and exceed sales goals for this season

Compensation: Commission on sales and some product for your personal use

Commitment: Sales activity through Summer 09. Review of contract thereafter.

How to Apply
Email bspoketailor@gmail.com for a quick screening. Please attach a resume that focuses on your experience in sales and/or the bike industry and include personal and employer references. If you don’t have a resume on hand, be prepared to give the information to use when you call.

Sat. April 4th, 2009 BST Sponsors Cinderella Classic

2009-03-23T16:48:00.000-07:00

B. Spoke Tailor is excited to announce it will sponsor the 2009 Cinderella Classic in association with the Valley Spokesmen Bicycle Touring Club!

http://www.valleyspokesmen.org/cinderella_classic.php

The 2009 Cinderella Classic/Challenge is scheduled for Saturday, April 4th, starting and finishing at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA. All the ride details, including the Valley Spokesmen Cinderella Training Schedule, will be posted on the above website as they become available. This year, they're offering an optional longer loop, the Cinderella Challenge. Register and find more details on the event website.

Sun. March 29th, 2009 BST featued at Awaken Cafe's new Sunday Trunk Shows

2009-03-23T16:42:00.000-07:00

Click image to enlarge.

B. Spoke Tailor is the featured merchant at Awaken Cafe's new Sunday Trunk Shows this Sunday, March 29th, 2009 from 10am-1pm!

Click here for more info: http://www.awakencafe.com/trunkshows

Featuring local artisans, craftspeople, and merchants, Awaken Cafe's Sunday Trunk Shows are the latest addition to this green business's contribution to the Oakland community. Awaken Cafe is a world-class coffee and tea cafe, an organic beer and wine bar, a fresh and local organic eatery, a community gathering place, an art gallery, and a live music, performance, and event venue in Oakland, CA.

Sunday, March 29th, 2009
10am-1pm
414 14th St. between Broadway & Franklin
Oakland, CA

Sat. March 28, 2009 B. Spoke Tailor at AIDS/LifeCycle Expo

2009-03-23T16:10:00.000-07:00

B. Spoke Tailor is proud to be a Community Supports Partner for this year's AIDS/LifeCycle benefitting the SF AIDS Foundation!

Please join us 11am-3pm this Saturay, March 28th for the annual Cyclist Expo and Roadie Training at the SF County Fair Building on 9th & Lincoln! This action-packed day will include everything from training rides to workshops to great shopping opportunities. Join us for all or part of the day, but don't miss the prize drawing at 2pm, where B. Spoke Tailor will be donating two gift certificates valued at $400 and $150!

Admission is free with RSVP: http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/Calendar/2092189284?view=Detail&id=110321

Workshops and activities will include:
* Fundraising in a challenging economy
* Ride Logistics 101
* San Francisco AIDS Foundation information--find out how your fundraising is making a difference
* Positive Pedalers information--learn about this inspiring group of individuals and their involvement in AIDS/LifeCycle
* Bike Fit
* Nutrition & Hydration
* Stretching & Injury Prevention
* Bike Maintenance
* Massage
* Chiropractic
* Packing Clinics
* Shopping, shopping and more shopping great deals with our Community Supports Partners and special goodies from the ALC Camp Store--visit the B. Spoke Tailor booth!
* First CAREE gear exchange - free cycling clothing and gear available for those who need it (and if you have gently used gear to donate, please bring it!!)
* Tasty BBQ lunches & drinks available for purchase (veggie and non-veggie options)
* Free valet bike parking

There will also be two Training Rides in the morning—so you can get your training in and enjoy the afternoon with the wonderful ALC community. If you've already attended a Training Ride, you know that they're a lot of fun and a great way to prepare for the event in June. If you haven’t yet, Saturday's the day! Training Rides are listed separately on the calendar--please check details and be sure to RSVP separately if you plan on joining one of the rides.

When: Saturday, March 28, 2009
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Where: San Francisco County Fair Building
9th Avenue at Lincoln Way
San Francisco, CA 94122

Free admission with RSVP: http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/Calendar/2092189284?view=Detail&id=110321

B. Spoke Tailor Is Hiring Bike Clothing Sales Reps!

2009-03-23T15:58:00.000-07:00

Designed with the lifestyle bike-as-transport modern rider in mind, all of B. Spoke Tailor's products are classically stylish and artisanally crafted in Oakland, CA with sweat-shop free labor. They have also been tested on the streets and proven to be great-fitting, durable and well-loved by our cult following of bicyclists. We are committed to doing no harm to the environment by promoting bicycling and to creating and sustaining a healthy domestic economy by manufacturing on this continent.

We are seeking to hire four new sales reps, two in the San Francisco Bay Area and two in the Pacific Northwest (Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, BC) to cover the territory of urban and near-urban bike shops. If you fit the description below, this may be a wonderful opportunity with growth potential.

YOU:
-Love sales, bikes and fashion
-Can make cold calls
-Have sales and/or bike industry experience
-Have leads and relationships with bike shops, owners, mechanics, sales staff, soft goods buyers and the like
-Are organized
-Passionately and aggressively pursue the things you are committed to

Your job will be to:
-Seek out and sell to independently owned and small chain store bike shops
-Meet and exceed sales goals for this season

Compensation: Commission on sales and some product for your personal use

Commitment: Sales activity through Summer 09. Review of contract thereafter.

How to Apply
Email bspoketailor@gmail.com for a quick screening. Please attach a resume that focuses on your experience in sales and/or the bike industry and include personal and employer references. If you don’t have a resume on hand, be prepared to give the information to use when you call.

Thu. February 12th, 2009 Tweed Ride

2009-02-05T16:40:00.001-08:00

It’s about time our fair city celebrated the fine pleasures of Herringbone, Bow Ties, and Bicycles. We refuse to endure anymore spandex! Nor will we sully ourselves by “corking” — or whatever it is the kids call it these days. Our fine brethren in jolly old England really know how to sport a cap--so I say, so shall we!

Break out your dashing B. Spoke Tailors wool finery, smartly set that cap on your head, straighten your tie, and join us for a fine ride through the grand city of San Francisco!

We will sally forth from the gorgeous Dolores Park near the majestic bell at the 19th Street entrance. The ride will begin at 6:30 pm and from there we will peddle a winding course through the streets — waving to all the beautiful faces we see along the way.

Of course as it is February, it may be brisk out and maybe even a little wet, but your wool knickers, waxed cotton raincoats, and recycled wool armwarmers, legwarmers, and helme hats should keep you warm and dry. However, if the cold still seeps through never fear as our destination is Irish coffee at the marvelous Tosca Cafe.

More info: http://catcubed.com/2009/01/28/thursday-tweed-ride-feb-12th/

Pics from the London Tweed Run: http://www.flickr.com/photos/roxysreal/sets/72157612934832373/

Sun. February 8th, 2009 B. Spoke Tailors at Temescal Farmers Market

2009-02-05T15:01:00.000-08:00

B. Spoke Tailors will be at the Temescal Farmers Market this Sunday with new products!

We're excited to share the latest additions to our line with you--waxed cotton raincoats for men, and spats and helmet hats constructed out of recycled wool sweaters. So far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, & we're sure you'll love them, too!

As always, we'll also have our classic wool knickers, waxed cotton raincoats, vest packs, and recycled armwarmers available for purchase. With B. Spoke Tailors clothing and accessories, you and your loved ones will stay warm and dry on your winter rides--& look great doing it!

Sat. February 7th, 2009 East Bay Hills Mixed Terrain Alley CX

2009-02-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

B. Spoke Tailors is proud to sponsor the East Bay Hills Mixed Terrain Alley CX. Join us this Saturday for 30 to 50 miles of roads and trails in the Oakland and Berkeley hills...

We have B. Spoke Tailors prizes for the top finishers! Winner will receive a pair of our wool knickers ($150 value); recycled wool armwarmers and legwarmers ($100 value) for 2nd place; and a recycled wool helmet hat ($60 value) for 3rd place.

Photo by Pamela Palma

REGISTRATION/SCHEDULE

11:30 am Registration starts at the northwestern corner of Lake Temescal. $5 includes registration, a route map, and food and refreshments (read: yummy BBQ & beer) at the end.
12:30 pm Ride starts. We expect the first riders to complete the route in about 2.5-3 hours.

GETTING THERE

By BART, exit Rockridge Station. Go to Broadway via Chabot Road or Keith Avenue. Ride up the hill to Lake Temescal. Turn right into the parking lot. We'll be set up somewhere on the lawn directly in front of you.
By car, park on Broadway if you want to save yourself some money.

FAQ

Will I need to carry a bag for the ride?
No. However, if you want to bring a bag with a change of clothes or whatever else, we will have a bag check at registration.

Will I need a lock for the ride?
No. Unless you plan to leave your bike locked to a tree in the middle of the forest.

Well, if I don't need a bag and I don't need a lock, what do I need to bring?

A Bike - The route is about 50/50 road and dirt, so bring whatever bike you think is best suited for the conditions. Just keep in mind that the East Bay is very hilly and some of the trails may be muddy. Unless you're Adam (128), I strongly discourage riding a fixed gear without a front brake.
Layers - Depending on the weather, bring enough clothing to stay warm and dry throughout the race.
Water - Since the ride will take place in several regional and local parks with water fountains, water will be readily available. However, I recommend that you carry at least one water bottle to get through some of the drier sections.
Tools - While the route will never take you too far from civilization, I strongly encourage riders to bring at least a spare inner tube, patch kit, multi-tool and pump.

More info: http://eastbayalleycx.blogspot.com/

Ride safe, and we look forward to seeing you this Saturday!

David sent me this pic to share

2009-01-24T20:07:00.000-08:00

This is a great expression of how it feels to be building BST! Thank you all for your help, your purchases and your patience in waiting for your handmade garments, and the gorilla marketing you do wearing your clothes and vest packs. Happy New Year and new white house to you all!

This photo is by Eugenio Recuenco

B. Spoke Tailor in Seattle and Vancouver this week!

2008-11-04T14:36:00.001-08:00

Nan will be representing B. Spoke Tailor in a tour of Seattle and Vancouver this week, Nov 6-9. Hope to see you at Mobius Cycles, Mighty Riders, Momentum (see above flyer for location), Dutch Bikes, and/or Free Range Cycles.

The Mobius event is a custom knicker fitting. The Momentum Magazine event is a clothes conversion demo. All the others are at bike shops. You can test ride the clothing on commuter, folding and work cycles.

2008-10-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

Clothes Conversion Demos at the Temescal Farmers' Market

Hi Everyone! Welcome to the new B. Spoke Tailor blog.

Our first entry is about how we love to recycle clothes into bike clothes. We want to show you how practical, fun, and creative it can be! Local bicyclists and those who sew are invited to join us creekside to learn how to convert trousers into knickers and sweaters into arm warmers.

Over the next two Sundays, Nan will treadle you through the how-to of:

recycling used pants into knickers by cutting off, hemming, adding velcro or snap knee tabs and a phone pocket to make your work pants or wool suit pants into knickers ((Jay in his bike knickers))
recycling wool sweaters into stylish arm warmers using our custom pattern and adding used bike tubing for elastic to the top hem ((Wendy in her arm warmers))

If you do not sew, we offer other options. You can purchase our recycled knickers ($50) and arm warmers ($45). Or, bring used clothing suitable for us to recycle and receive $5 off these prices. Additionally, we can help you be more visible on your bicycle by sewing reflective safety trim to your waistcoat or vest.

Join us to learn how it's done on Sunday October 26 or Sunday November 2 at the Temescal Farmers' Market. The market takes place from 9:00-1:00 in the parking lot of the North Oakland DMV, located at 5300 Claremont Avenue. See you there!

((Genevieve in her vestpack, knickers, and wool safety gaitors))