Formed in June 09, Here Come the Belgians is a non-elite anti-team celebrating all things cross, cobbled and Belgian.
Seeking a different experience to the traditional cycling club, its aim is to harness the energy of a vibrant internet cycling community with grass roots racing and riding based around Cyclocross and Spring Classics. There is no race programme in the style of a racing team, more a collection of individual experiences through rides and racing, in whatever location a member may be, that all can share in and contribute toward.

Thursday 25 March 2010

Better late...

...Than never.


As has been well documented previously with the smattering of race reports, we've seen our first cross season come and go. On our journey of mud, rain yet no tears, we invested in some winter kit which was duly designed, ordered, paid for and delivered, then posted onward to each eager purchaser.

Or so I thought. One kit went for a journey.

It was to make a journey of less than 20 miles.
It went 30 - to Sheffield.
It hung around for a while there...it was hip, there was a scene.
It then split and relocated to Belfast.
It hung around there for a longer while...in a warehouse, full of other good stuff hanging around (think Indiana Jones and the Lost Ark)
By now it was bored with travelling and came home. To me. Back where it started.

To begin it's journey again as I posted it onward. For the second time.
It finally arrived at it's destination.
Phew...Relax, deep breaths, sighs of relief.


So aside from this travelogue what about the kit.

Our kit needs were supplied by Champion System and I've resisted commenting about it until we've had chance to rigorously test the stuff. So how have we found it?


We ordered Techfleece jerseys, Windguard jackets and euro winter hats and it's surpassed our expectations in many ways. The quality is there, the cost is very affordable, the material is robust in the face of multiple mudbaths and washing cycles. In action the Techfleece jersey has been used in foul, cold weather conditions with only a summer baselayer underneath and was plenty warm enough. The Jacket has all the features of jackets £100 more expensive and looks pretty damn cool with a über sharp print. Oh, it's works pretty well too - I was carried away by the aesthetics.



So in summary I'm happy with our choice so far. Champion System's ordering procedure was hassle free and as a designer gave me some semblance of control (are all designers OCD?). Their customer service was spot on and from design to delivery was a smooth process.

So what next? Summer shirts, arm warmers and Gilets are on the horizon.

Team Members watch your inboxes. Prospective team members keep an eye on the blog.

1 comment:

  1. Just a couple of points
    1. Windguard Jacket is far better than my more expensive one and has been well used this year with no ill affect from the salt, mud and washing sometimes three times a week.
    2. Techfleece - does what you expect and again has seen some pretty hostile abuse so far

    The design is great - top marks Dunc, I have received so many comments on the kit.
    The only worries I have are getting my son to take off his Belgian T -shirt and the cheeky giggle I got when paying for petrol at a motorway service station from the Eastern European girl taking payment. She liked very much my funnt T-shirt (well I think that's what she said!!)
    Excellent job done by Dunc and I am salavating at the thought of summer kit

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