We’ve got some new folks riding with us, we’re happy with our first experience with the kit provider (with a caveat, about which read on, ladies), and the weather is gonna be just about perfect for saddle time for a bit here in Central Texas.  

Time, then, for new folks to grab some team colors, and for others to order the correct thing this time instead of the very incorrect thing.  The BWCC Team Store is open again, for, say, a week.  Less than that, if we finish sooner.  

The link for the store, and some lessons learned too, are below.  But here is a good place to talk about the big caveat about our current team kit: basically, it doesn’t seem to work super well for ladies, and I’m working semi-feverishly to find an alternate kit provider.  The design will, I hope, be the same or very similar (y’all ladies want to do something a little different just for fun?) but the idea is for the fit and function to be as good as the looks. Bless ’em, I think our current provider just isn’t real great for that on the women’s side.  

So stay tuned.  I’m on it.  

So.  Here’s BWCC Team Store #2.  And here are the notes/instructions our boy Ben in Nebraska suggested I post as well (additional notes and observations follow):

Store is ready to go with jerseys and bibs. Let me know what close date you’d like for this, but its live now.

Recommended content to send to team members

Size Guide Size chart points to a very form fit. If there is any question I recommend sizing up.

Product Catalog – descriptions here.

Please order from a desktop or laptop computer. These are custom orders with many important details that are better viewed on a large screen.

Order Instructions

1. Click Store Link https://custom2.champ-sys.com/teamstore/?BalconesSeptember2021
2. Click thumbnail image of product you want (Jersey for example)
   i. Select the style of that product you would like (images shown on this window are stock, not your design)
   ii. Enter preferences, sizes and quantities for that product (you will see your design associated again on this window)
3. Click Checkout
   i. Login if you have ordered in the past
   ii. Sign Up if this is your first order
   iii. Pay from PayPal landing page using your Credit Card or PayPal account. Watch for a confirmation email/receipt from PayPal momentarily
   iv. Please double check your order details for accuracy, there are no returns on custom garments. You can access your account and review order details anytime after you order, log on here

Notes and lessons learned and whatnot: 

• Probably best not to wait until the last day or two.  By experience.  
• I’m happy to help answer questions about ordering, so don’t be shy about asking.  The goal is to get comfortable stuff you can use for years.  I’ll help and I’m sure others would too.  
• It feels true, what Ben says about “if in doubt, order a size larger than usual.”  But only a little, with the “club cut” option (in my experience).  I got two Performance (middle of the three levels) jerseys and they fit basically like any non-Italian club cut jersey I own (Pearl Izumi, Voler, whatever–I’m a medium in all those and in Champ-Sys as well).  The sleeves, I will note, are pretty tight and I think probably that’s a design decision on their end–doesn’t bother me and looks fine.  
• Speaking of which, if you want to try on a Medium “club cut,” I’m happy to provide.  Or an XS which is far far too big for my tallish 9 year old.  Others may have larges or other sizes to offer for a quick try on.  
• By the way: “club cut” is kinda basically a jersey made for a normal human who doesn’t race bikes.  Even a fit one.  “Race cut” (an option you might be given, see below) is a reeeeal tight fit that, let’s just say, feels like a sausage casing.  I have one single race cut jersey and I ordered a size larger than almost every other jersey I have; it fits like an unattractive sausage casing when I’m in fat mode and like a slightly-less-unattractive sausage casing when I’m in better shape.  Point being: “club cut” is for normal people, “race cut” is when you want to show off your saddle and gym work.  As if leaving us in the dust on climbs and sprints doesn’t do that already, y’all.  Just saying, not shaming.  
• There are more options than you might think even after doing homework on the provider’s site.  Be ready to be offered “longer sleeves” and “race cut” and two chamois options (“gran fondo” is the thicker one, which I love), and probably some I’ve forgotten.  
• We can open up another Team Store anytime we need to and can meet the minimums.  I love the kit quality from these guys but the killer thing about them is the low minimums.  So anyway don’t stress if you miss this one.   
• Next team store, the plan is to have MTB stuff and jackets and whatnot.  Much less of a daily use kinda thing but hopefully great quality and a good price.  Plus we will always have existing designs of jerseys and shorts and stuff for new members, replacing pieces, etc.  Once it’s designed, it’ll always be available to get.  (With this provider anyway.)

OK, that’s all I got.  If you have questions or anything, lemme know.  Have fun!

See you out there.