Hey, Wanna See Something Cool?
One of my favorite parts of writing this blog is that every year, I get to work with the guys at Twin Six to design the annual FatCyclist.com / Team Fatty gear. Here’s an idea of how it works:
- They ask me if I have any ideas about general direction for the design.
- I say things like, “Well, I think it should look really good, and there should be orange. Oh, and also stripes!”
- They send me over several designs based on my very lucid and cogent feedback.
- I look at all the designs and start feeling very sad that I can’t just use all of them.
- I forward the designs off to the core team and ask their opinions.
- I discard the design the core team selects as their favorite, because the core team has no design sense at all.
- I tell Twin Six things like, “I like option A, with this part from option B, and that part from option C.”
- Twin Six starts weeping softly, because the stuff I like wouldn’t work together in a jersey, at all.
- Twin Six sends me a revised version of one of the designs, making changes that are not what I asked for, but somehow capture what I really wanted.
- I weep with joy, because once again Twin Six has created the most awesome jersey design I could ever hope for.
And so, after this rigorous and highly-scientific process, I’m happy to show you what the 2012 Fat Cyclist / Team Fatty jersey will look like.
Here’s the front:
And here’s the back:
What I Love About This Jersey
Every year, I love the Fat Cyclist jersey Twin Six comes up with; they somehow manage to turn my incoherent hand-waving into exactly what I want. In this case, what I really wanted was a very clean, old-school, classic design.
I also wanted a design that didn’t have different colors for men and women. I wanted the pink “Fight Like Susan” collar band, and the “Win” symbol to be in pink on everyone’s jersey.
So this year, while there will be both women’s and men’s cuts for the Fat Cyclist jersey, we’re all going to be wearing the same colors. That makes me happy.
And more than anything else, what I love about this jersey is that it raises a bunch of money for the fight against cancer. Specifically, 50% of all profits from this jersey go to the fight against cancer. (The other 50% gets split between keeping Twin Six in business and sending my oldest son to college.)
There’s More Coming Soon
Of course, Fat Cyclist gear is more than just jerseys. To go with the jersey, there’s going to be:
- Bib Shorts (mens / womens)
- Long Sleeve Jersey(mens / womens)
- Wind jacket (unisex)
- Wind vest (unisex)
- Socks (unisex)
- Hoodies (mens / womens)
- Track jacket (unisex)
- Tech T (unisex)
- Bottles (unisex – ha!)
I’ll be showing you the designs for all these other items this Tuesday.
When You Can Order And When You’ll Get Your Stuff
As with every year, I’d like you to pre-order any gear you want. That way I don’t have to be smart about how much of everything (and how much of each gender and size for each item) to order.
The pre-order starts this Tuesday, July 12 at Midnight (CT), and will go through Tuesday, July 19 at 5:00pm (CT). [Update: originally I said "January where I should have said "July." My brain is old.]
I’ll have lots of details in Tuesday’s post with links and stuff.
Team Fatty is Doing Some Cool New Stuff in 2012
I know it seems like I live by the seat of my pants, but I’m actually talking with some folks about some very interesting and exciting new things Team Fatty can do next year. So this might be an extra-good year to buy a jersey. Nudge nudge, say no more, say no more.
OK, I gotta go pack. The Hammer and I fly to Davis for the LiveStrong Challenge in one hour. Yikes.
Comment by Eric | 07.8.2011 | 11:11 am
Do you mean July, not January I hope?
Comment by Hautacam | 07.8.2011 | 11:13 am
Ummm — that would be Tuesday JULY 12 through Tuesday JULY 19, right? If you really mean January 12-19, then you are getting waaay out in front of this project!
I dig the jersey update. Molteni-esque, in a good way.
Comment by Up North | 07.8.2011 | 11:16 am
It’s way to hot – and green – here for it to be January.
Comment by Darrell | 07.8.2011 | 11:17 am
I like the jersey but I wish it would have the full length zipper. I have 3 FC jerseys so far and I like last years the best although I do use the white one a lot when it is hot and sunny outside. As the others commented I hope that the order date is July so I can have one sooner.
Comment by NYCCarlos | 07.8.2011 | 11:34 am
yeah… boo 3/4 zipper! YAY FULL ZIPPER! (you know me though… I’ll buy it anyways.)
The thing about zippers is they can be either full-length OR hidden. Not both. For this design, no matter what color, a full-length zipper stripe going down the middle of the jersey wouldn’t look good. So: 3/4 zip it is. Are you kinda amazazed that there was actual thinking behind this decision? -FC
Comment by KM | 07.8.2011 | 11:48 am
Can’t wait to see the matching shorts. I like the retro look. I may take the plunge this year and get a kit. I need one…or two.
Comment by BigShorty | 07.8.2011 | 11:51 am
Team Fatty will be represented at the original Tour de Donut in Staunton, IL this weekend!!!!!!!
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 07.8.2011 | 12:06 pm
Fatty,
I’ll order some in July and some in January, problem solved.
Did you think of copying some pro teams jersey? Picture a Team SKY jersey with the words FATTY in lieu of sky. Orange instead of green of course.
Or I kinda of like the one on the left:
Comment by becky | 07.8.2011 | 12:26 pm
Can anyone tell me how the men’s jerseys run in sizing.. I would like to get one for my Husband, but he has overdeveloped Latissimus dorsi and most jerseys don’t fit him well. he can wear an XL pearl izumi plain old jersey, don’t know if it’s cut a certain way, but that gets boring after a while.
Comment by Nooch | 07.8.2011 | 12:53 pm
I’m 213, broad shouldered, with about a 38 waist and wear the XL.
Comment by Susie H. | 07.8.2011 | 1:17 pm
Very excited to meet you in Davis! Rock on, Team Fatty!
Comment by Christina | 07.8.2011 | 1:20 pm
Love it. LOVE IT!
And the unisex water bottles? That’s the finely tuned humor I keep coming back for :)
Comment by Mark J. | 07.8.2011 | 1:32 pm
Jersey looks great. Great job Fatty and Twin Six. You guys rock. I wish I had more disposable income so I could buy one of everything…e-mail my wife will ya?
Comment by Liz | 07.8.2011 | 1:37 pm
Looks great.
Best wishes in Davis, everyone! Have a great weekend.
Comment by KK | 07.8.2011 | 1:44 pm
Like!
Comment by Elisabethvi | 07.8.2011 | 2:13 pm
I just emailed Twin Six this morning to find out when this would be taking place. Woohoo! I can’t wait! (What to buy? What to buy?)
Super Excited!
Have a great time in Davis!
Comment by Shelley | 07.8.2011 | 2:15 pm
Stylish, as usual. And the Fatty T6 kit is, by far, the most comfortable I’ve ever worn.
Davis, here we come!
Comment by Santi | 07.8.2011 | 2:24 pm
Reminds me of the original MOTOR jersey from T6. Very cool.
Comment by Paul Guyot | 07.8.2011 | 3:19 pm
I love the look. Now where’s the pull tab? :)
My son and I will be riding the Tour de Donut (the Original) in Staunton, IL this weekend.
We will be representing Team Fatty in spirit… until Twin Six makes KIDS SIZED TEAM FATTY GEAR!
hinthinthinthint
Comment by Sofie | 07.8.2011 | 3:36 pm
Hi Fatty,
The design looks great. I can’t wait getting some new fatty jerseys to Denmark. But I must admit I am just a tiny bit disappointed that there is no pink jersey. The thing is MTB is at least in Europe so masculine. The bikes, the clothes, the bike shops – all targeted men. So I love my pink jerseys because then you know this is a woman riding. An orange jersey, though it is really great looking, just doesn’t do the same.
Sofie
Comment by Michael in TN | 07.8.2011 | 3:49 pm
Looks great!
BTW – I’m doing the 24 Hours of Booty ride in Atlanta in October. I need a good headlight/tail light recommendation. Do you have a favorite?
Comment by Raph | 07.8.2011 | 4:54 pm
Looks phenomenal. This year am getting one! My first, so happy.
Sizing indications would be great as I’d love to really wear it.
Comment by george | 07.8.2011 | 4:58 pm
Another request for a full length zipper, pretty please!
Comment by Cookster | 07.9.2011 | 12:58 am
Love the look. I love the 3/4 zipper too.
I WILL be placing an order. I am just starting a collection of novelty jerseys.
I have only recently (6 months or so) been reading your blog (recommendation from office manageress) and I look forward to reading it, unfortunately work server restriction prevent me from reading it at work, booo, booo, :(
Looking forward to reading about the full gear disclosure on my wednesday your tuesday.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 07.9.2011 | 3:09 am
@ Comment by Paul Guyot | 07.8.2011 | 3:19 pm
I agree. Kid’s sized Fatty gear would rock! (or do we subject our children to peer review(not the scholastic kind) when they wear clothes that say fatty(regardless their size)
@ Comment by Michael in TN | 07.8.2011 | 3:49 pm
Does Fatty have a recommendation? Go back to his Rockwell report when he lit the trees on fire.
“It was during this eight miles that I fell in love with the NiteRider Pro 1400 LED setup (Full Disclosure: NiteRider provided this light setup at no charge for my use during this race, but now I’m totally going to buy one). It was so powerful. So bright. The light covered such a large area, and so evenly. It felt better than car lights.
“This is amazing,” I thought. “I had no idea bike lights could be this good.”
And then I realized: I had only turned on the “flood” light. This thing wasn’t even going at full power. I pressed the switch again until it was burning at full brightness, at which point the leaves on all nearby trees burst into flame.”
http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/06/14/moab-to-st-george-rockwell-relay-part-iii/
The trick will be how to get him to lend you his.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 07.9.2011 | 3:32 am
Great gathering tonight in Davis. An unusual group of strangers, meeting, with a common cause. NYCarlos rode his bike….from the hotel.
Saw the most awesome set of rollers (only bike geeks could find rollers awesome) and tried to get permission for Fatty to demonstrate, but we were shot down. Photos should find their way to the fore, of the rollers at least. Maybe I could build a set and send them to him for Christmas (now where’s my lathe?)
Fatty had no problem with the food unlike his first exposure to Californian Fusion,
but there’s always tomorrow.
Comment by TimD | 07.9.2011 | 4:08 am
Never really liked the full zip style, much prefer a short zip. After the bugs discussion the other day, I keep my zip zipped.
Like the design, very classic, old school. The real dilemma is what to get. My current favourite piece of Fat Cyclist gear is my gillet, but over the winter my long sleeve shirt from last year was most often worn.
Anyone in the UK thinking to get stuff sent via normal post rather than the Priority shipping which was the default, think carefully. Last year, by the time I’d paid Royal Mail handling charge and duty, it probably cost me more.
Comment by Lime Crush | 07.9.2011 | 10:29 am
Your oldest is going to college already? Wow.
I think that thought five times per day. – FC
Comment by roan | 07.9.2011 | 10:56 am
Great meeting the Fatties at the Hall of Fame. Tried to see if Fatty could be inducted, he’s way too young, though some of his childhood vintage bikes were on display. Hey if any of ya are reading this ‘czech’ out the Little Prague, had a perfect evening dinner outside.
Comment by Dawn | 07.9.2011 | 1:02 pm
Any chance you could add, “Do these shorts make my butt look fast?” to the back of the shorts…
Comment by Heather S | 07.9.2011 | 2:47 pm
“Any chance you could add, “Do these shorts make my butt look fast?” to the back of the shorts…”
Bwah ha ha!
Comment by evil3 | 07.9.2011 | 3:20 pm
!!!!FATTY!!!!
Where is the live strong band on the sleeve? With all of the help that goes into Livestrong I would proudly have that yellow sleeve cuff, as well as the pink win.
Comment by Heber Chad | 07.9.2011 | 7:21 pm
Well done Twin Six and you too Fatty for all the incoherent hand waving. My wife is already mad at me for spending too much money and I haven’t whipped out the credit card yet. Is there such a thing as spending too much money on bike stuff? Nah.
Comment by NoTrail | 07.9.2011 | 8:26 pm
Love the design Fatty. I’ll definitely be placing an order next week. :)
Oh yeah, nice meeting you again.
Comment by Grant in Newcastle, Australia | 07.9.2011 | 10:16 pm
looks great, and hopefully will arrive just in time for me to do my 100 miles of nowhere… It has been too cold and dark down here is Aus, and I have been too soft (and/or injured) to do it yet…
Comment by bob | 07.9.2011 | 10:41 pm
Cool new kit and a Monty Python reference! What could be better?!!?
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 07.10.2011 | 12:48 am
For those not there at Davis tonight, Fatty speaks as well as he writes! From the heart, reminding us all that at the end of the day cancer sucks! To reach out to stranger, friend, and family alike. To let them all know that, we will, together, FIGHT LIKE SUSAN, and LIVESTRONG.
I am proud to do what little I can, I am proud to be part of this very unique team.
Comment by Niall | 07.10.2011 | 3:43 am
Please, Fatty, convince TwinSix to bring back the armwarmers. Please?
Comment by Maggi | 07.10.2011 | 5:12 am
Love it! Totally stoked to lay out some hard-earned (well, earned, at least – let’s not exaggerate) cash for this sweet gear. Yet another example of excellent work from, Brent & Ryan — you guys ROCK!
Comment by Yahoo!Rob | 07.10.2011 | 9:35 am
I second the arm warmers!! Black would be perfect with thus kit!
And to the amazing people I met last night in Davis – ride hard today – after i finished the course yesterday I received an email that one of my *young* friends has been informed that his cancer has returned. Please ride for him as well as the many millions of others who have been impacted by this scourge.
Good luck on Cardiac Hill – it’s a tough one.
LIVESTRONG!!
Comment by ChefJT | 07.10.2011 | 1:38 pm
i probably have a half-dozen assorted Fatty jerseys and I think I can safely say this new design is my favorite!
Comment by Darren | 07.10.2011 | 1:54 pm
I really enjoy the Victoria Secret ad on the right side of the page too….. Now hoe do we get one of the Victoria’s Secret Angels into a FC Jersey???
Comment by Jimmy joe lorna jean | 07.10.2011 | 3:25 pm
So, how much do you weigh these days? Still on egg & avocado diet?
Comment by KT | 07.10.2011 | 5:03 pm
Sweet design, but how about a sleeveless jersey, please? :)
On a side note, I got to see Fatty and The Hammer coming off their 105-mile ride today (I did the 45-mile version so I was happily rested and fed by then). Too shy to say hello, but they were busy being shoo’ed out of the way of the end of the finish shoot.
Fun times! First ride ever, but I’ll do it again!
Comment by Kathleen@ForginAhead | 07.10.2011 | 7:33 pm
Love it!
Hope you all survived the Davis heat!
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 07.10.2011 | 9:02 pm
@Comment by Yahoo!Rob | 07.10.2011 | 9:35 am
What I remember you talking about was the ‘false flat’ on the way to the lake. Nothing about a Cardiac Hill. Now I know why.
@Comment by KT | 07.10.2011 | 5:03 pm
Sorry you did not join us at the tent for pie. Fatty would have asked “why you takin’ that pie?” (since you were rested and fed) and then you would have been able to talk to him. HAH! (the pie was for everyone)
@Comment by Kathleen@ForginAhead | 07.10.2011 | 7:33 pm
It was warm but not too hot, by Davis California standards. I look forward to getting Fatty’s report, since he was orbiting in a realm far above us mere two wheeled toilers.
Comment by Wine Dog | 07.10.2011 | 9:46 pm
Love love love it. Another awesome design by Twin Six.
Comment by Kate | 07.10.2011 | 11:31 pm
Yay!, no more pink jerseys! *happy dance*
Comment by NYCCarlos | 07.10.2011 | 11:52 pm
done davis. It was my single greatest ride of all time. The company, the weather, the terrain, the view, the complete destruction of my ego… what an amazing trip. If you didn’t come this year, you should definitely try next year!!!
Comment by Jeremy | 07.11.2011 | 12:11 am
I second that, Carlos. What a ride! I’m still a little euphoric (and awake after a couple of naps).
It was great to meet so many new (to me) Fatties and the kids from the Texas 4000. I’m so glad I took this time to be here in Davis.
And, to put it in writing, I was more starstruck meeting Elden than I was having Lance cruise by at arm’s length. Fatty, your superpower is amazing to see in action.
Comment by Maggi | 07.11.2011 | 5:59 am
@ Comment by KT | 07.10.2011 | 5:03 pm
KT, that was your first ride ever? CONGRATULATIONS! That is just plain awesome. Hope it kicks off many future awesome rides. Good job!
Comment by Yahoo! Rob | 07.11.2011 | 7:27 am
@ davidh-marin,ca: I couldn’t really tell the pitch of Cardiac Hill due to the distortion caused by my flowing tears. ;-)
Sounds like you all had a great time! Next time, I’m going in a pack!
Comment by HeidiR | 07.11.2011 | 7:28 am
@Dawn 7/9 1:02 “Any chance you could add, “Do these shorts make my butt look fast?” to the back of the shorts…”
I LOVE this! I hope you don’t mind if I borrow this :) I wonder what the phrase inside the pocket is this year…?
Comment by KT | 07.11.2011 | 8:47 am
@ Comment by Maggi | 07.11.2011 | 5:59 am
Maggi — I think it might just have kicked off doing more rides … I had a lot of fun! Next time, 70 miles, just shy of Cardiac Hill … I’m a local so I know better ;)
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 07.10.2011 | 9:02 pm
Pie?!? I missed pie … rats, would have talked to anyone for pie ;) Next time!
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 07.11.2011 | 9:19 am
Carlos- you failed to describe your exit style from the peloton. THAT was being discussed as a shirt slogan( or was it a shorts slogan?)
Jeremy- I agree, Elden is the kind of guy you want to have pie with…and tell fart jokes.
YahooRob- “..distortion caused by my flowing tears.” Riding that 105 miles alone should get you a ‘golf clap’ from all of us. Oh, and Rob. Get Carlos to tell you how you exit said pack, on Cardiac Hill.
Heidi R, Dawn- My wife has a sign for the back of her bike; “It looks smaller on my horse” That could fit on shorts?
Loved meeting everyone, hope to see many again at Levis Gran Fondo? Angie says she’s working on a Fatty Group for that.
Comment by stuckinmypedals | 07.11.2011 | 10:00 am
@NYC Carlos. Sorry, but your comment about how you left the peloton was only the second greatest line of the trip. I think you’d agree that Lance edged you out for the top spot. Terry and I laughed about both lines all the way home last night!
@davidh-marin, ca. The pie was the perfect end to the ride. Thanks.
Thanks again, Fatty, for inspiring me to pursue ways to help others. It was a true pleasure meeting you and The Hammer.
Comment by Doug | 07.11.2011 | 10:45 am
No horse on the rear, no order this year.
Comment by roan | 07.11.2011 | 11:31 am
AH…PIE…the first cut is the kindest. Thanks, Fatty.
The first taste is bliss.
Comment by NYCCarlos | 07.11.2011 | 1:24 pm
I believe the comment everyone is referring to is my reference to getting dropped so hard by the fast guys on the climb – “I got shot out the back like Peloton Diarrhea”
Comment by MoN #4450 | 07.11.2011 | 1:29 pm
So, NYCCarlos did that earn you an honorary daisy?
Comment by Microchip | 07.11.2011 | 4:56 pm
Very nice design. I’m curious about the logo with the horse rearing on its hind legs.
Comment by Kevin | 07.11.2011 | 9:01 pm
So is there a motivational quote from Dr. L stashed somewhere on the jersey this year?
Comment by RodNeeds2Ride | 07.11.2011 | 10:43 pm
“Are you insinuating something?” “No, no, NO, no, no, no….Yes!”
Comment by brokeMBA | 07.12.2011 | 8:18 am
Please plead with Twin Six to a Full Length Zipper to the jersey! Just think of it! With the Full length zipper, the awesomeness of this jersey would eclipse even your mashed potato recipe. Perhaps unleashing awesomeness of that magnitude is too much to handle, but I, for one, would risk it because it’s flippin’ hot outside.
Long sleeve jerseys, jacket, wind vest, and hoodie are all full zip. The jerseys are 18″ hidden zip – providing plenty of room for air flow while riding and a huge opening for pulling it off even if it’s soaking wet. The full zipper is a big disruption to the front graphic, as it’s a big stripe down the front of the chest. -T6