We've been pretty busy here at Almanzo. We're working on getting our non-profit status so that we can continue to bring you free events like the ones we have right here in the Midwest, we've been scheming on plans for May, drawing up designs for the rider packets and last, but certainly not least, designing jerseys. We'll try to keep you informed on everything that's happening otherwise, but right now we want to fill you in on the jerseys, bibs and jackets.
We are proud to announce that we have found a new source for the 2012 Almanzo jerseys. We tried to make this relationship work last year, but for one reason or another it just didn't materialize. This year it did. Hidden Bay Sports, in Hayward, Wisconsin will be printing, sewing and shipping our jerseys this year. We're pretty excited to have sourced an American company for our apparel needs.
In years past we've used Champion Systems(CS) because it allowed us to keep our margins at a level that we liked, and since the jersey sales are a huge portion of our fundraising, the bigger margins meant more money for cool stuff come race day. That said, we never really had a good experience with CS. The clothing was all made someplace outside of the US and the sales people were very cold and always matter of fact. Happily, this is not the case with Hidden Bay. Hidden Bay Sports is real people, making real stuff...just the way we like it.
The bottom line is this: There comes a time in everyone's life when they need to make an important, life-style decision. For us, that time is now. We have decided to forgo the larger margins, make cut-backs where we need to and support something we believe in. We have decided to put our money where our mouth is.
The jerseys this year will be available in a raglan (read: racer) style. We tried on a couple of samples and they fit very similar to the Almanzo jerseys of years past. The bib-shorts followed suit. Also, this year we will be offering two different jacket styles; a lightweight and a heavyweight. In case your wondering, the heavyweight would be perfect for riding in the weather we're having in Minnesota as of late. In fact the sales rep from Hidden Bay, Kyia, told us her husband wore just the heavyweight jacket and a short sleeve Craft jersey in the 2011 Almanzo and stayed warm all day (that's saying a lot).
Without further adieu, we give you the details.
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| 2012 Almanzo Racer Jersey |
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| 2012 Almanzo Flannel Jersey |
Short-Sleeve Jersey (in Flannel or Racer) - $80
Bib Shorts (will match either jersey) - $100
Lightweight Jacket (in Flannel) - $120
If you'd like your order shipped, please include a $10 shipping fee. (To pre-order, click the contribute button at the bottom. Please include the size and color in the comments section of the payment.)
Also, once we receive your order, we'll send you a confirmation email with your size, quantity, etc...and then contact you again right before we ship at the end of February.
We hope you'll consider pre-ordering, it makes a huge difference in how we make things happen come May.
Respect,
Chris & The Almanzo Crew
Any samples to try on?
What's the pre-order deadline? Hoping for some xmas bucks to cover it...
HI! Kyia the sales Rep from Hidden Bay Sports.
On the sizing I generally tell people to order your t-shirt size for the "racer" fit. If you want a looser fitting jersey order one size up.
The sizing chart Chris has linked is pretty spot on but as with anything you have to adjust with personal taste; if you want a very loose fit or have other personal characteristics you are looking for. We run very similar to most of the high quality main companies on sizing.