The Return of the Son of the Killer Tees

With all due apologies to Frank Zappa, it seemed appropriate to note that what I’m about to announce isn’t exactly new news.

We blew through most of this year’s run of Roubaix shirts in fairly short order, so I did a second run and in an effort to respond to those who have requested non-black T-shirts, we did a run of the Roubaix shirts in gray. We looked at what could be done to try to do this shirt in white, but there was no way to work the graphic that didn’t make it look like a photo negative. So gray it is. This is but one of the terrific designs Joe Yule of StageOne Sports has done for us. Stay tuned for more of his work.

And this first day of the Giro marks the return of the Eddy ’72 T-shirt with the amazing illustration by Bill Cass. It’s back in black and Belgian blue. No apologies to AC/DC will be forthcoming. Or necessary. Just give it a second.

You can find the Eddy shirt here, the shirt and baseball combo pack here and the Star of Roubaix shirt here.

 

The RKP Tee

It’s been written that this isn’t an age for creeds. I’m not one to argue with that view. However, for most of us cycling isn’t so much a sport as it is a belief. What we take from cycling, from the fitness gained to victories earned, can be summed up as lessons. We’ve learned things, things that influence how we see the world.

The central truth of cycling in my life has been that in suffering on the bike, I’ve gained insights that have informed me, taught me about the world in ways I could never have guessed, nor even wanted. While the Zen koan “knowledge is pain” is beyond true, it doesn’t speak to the journeys we make, either literally on the bike, or metaphorically through the bike. ‘To suffer is to learn’ is the simplest, most direct recognition I can make for what cycling has given me.

So why not have it on a T-shirt?

One of the unanticipated dividends of starting a blog has been the opportunity to explore fun projects with an extraordinarily gifted graphic designer. The upshot is getting to commission some of the coolest items I’ve enjoyed as a cyclist. Joe Yule at Stage One Sports is simply the best graphic designer I’ve worked with—and I’ve worked with some good ones. He’s responsible for everything from the RKP logo to the kit and, of course, our popular Roubaix T-shirt.

I just asked him to make a shirt he’d like to wear.

 

 

The Return of the Killer Kit

With our stock running low, the time has come for another order of the best looking non-ProTour kit going. Designed by Joe Yule of StageOne Cycling Apparel—the same graphic designer responsible for the stylish look of the Garmin-Transitions team—and produced by Boulder-based Panache Cycle Wear, this is one kit that never fails to get compliments.

We’re going to be doing things a little differently with this order. We’re ordering plenty clothing for stock so you can purchase stuff any time the urge strikes, but we’re also offering a discount of up to 20 percent (depending on the item) to those who pre-order.

We’re also adding another item this year: the secret weapon. A thermal bib short is one of those items that may see use for only three or four months per year even in cold climates, but they are the unheralded heroes of many a Spring Classic. To get a better sense of their value, you can check out my review of Castelli’s thermal bibs called the Claudio.

While the standard bibs are blue, the Roubaix bibs will come in black; consider it a humble nod to the conditions they are meant to endure. And like the other bibs, these include Cytech’s best chamois, making them as comfortable as anything you can find. The Roubaix bibs, unlike the blue bibs, are strictly pre-order.

Pre-order Pricing:

• Blue Bibs: $105
• Roubaix Bibs: $120
• Jersey: $95
• Arm Warmers: $30
• Knee Warmers: $30
• Wind Vest: $95

Pricing includes shipping, except for international orders, which need to add an additional $10.

Get your order and payment in by November 1 to take advantage of the discounted pricing.

RKP accepts Paypal and Google Checkout. Send your payment to killerkit@redkiteprayer.com.

Sizing comparison for Jerseys, Vests and Arm Warmers

Panache	Capo Forma	Voler	Hincapie	Castelli
Extra Small	Extra Small	Extra Small	XXS	Extra Small
Small	Small	Small	Extra Small	Small
Medium	Medium	Medium	Small	Medium
Large	Large	Large	Medium	Large
Extra Large	Extra Large	Extra Large	Large	Extra Large
XXL	XXL	XXL	Extra Large	XXL

Sizing comparison for Bibs

Panache	Capo Forma	Voler	Hincapie	Castelli
Extra Small	XXS	XXS	XXS	Extra Small
Small	Extra Small	Extra Small	Extra Small	Small
Medium	Small	Small	Small	Medium
Large	Medium	Medium	Medium	Large
Extra Large	Large	Large	Large	Extra Large