After 2 months trading weve had a good go at the press, both national and local. Weve been on the telly, sold more than our estimation. All well and good, but now its starts to get a bit more serious! We now have to sell in this next month more than we have already done in the last 2.
Its a challenge, but we`re up to it. Shutt VR has some good stock, a great material in Dry-Wool and we are introducing new items. The Ladies Jersey will be with us in 3 weeks and shorts are being manufactured. I have a meeting this week regarding winter fabrics, so its all go on all fronts. Unlike the weather, which is raining as I look out of the window.
Legs still, sore so a steady Earlybird ride in the morning should get things sorted.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Friday, 15 May 2009
Cycling legs! They ache.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Team Shutt.CC at The Hampshire Hilly 100
Team Shuttvr.com had its first outing last Sunday inthe Hampshire Hilly 100. I went down to ride with our southern correspondant Peter `The Swan` Swann, in what turned out to be a cracking event. Fast start, puncture after 15 miles, big effort to get back on, blowing at 55, recovering at 65 then massive effort to make up the lost time on `The Swan` Who was instructed to "leave me to my fate". All on suprisingly hilly route, I know its called the Hilly 100 but I`m from Yorkshire and you know what we are like!
A top 10% place was talked of, but due to the puncture 8 mins were lost and this put me top 13% with the `The Swan` 10.5% I think. Minus the 8 mins and wed have been in our desired finishing positions. Still not bad for an old bloke and a bird and Gold standard was acheived.
We rode in team kit, Shutt No 5 White, which made us feel like a team, if nothing else, at least.
A top 10% place was talked of, but due to the puncture 8 mins were lost and this put me top 13% with the `The Swan` 10.5% I think. Minus the 8 mins and wed have been in our desired finishing positions. Still not bad for an old bloke and a bird and Gold standard was acheived.
We rode in team kit, Shutt No 5 White, which made us feel like a team, if nothing else, at least.
Monday, 11 May 2009
Its been busy, as you can tell from the date of the last post. Just the day to day running is more than enough to cope with. Its been a fantastic 2 months, so much so we've actually run out of jerseys and had to sew up more just for stock. The Bespoke service is in overdrive, bulk order designs are waiting to be approved and sewn. We introduced a new colour way, Shutt No 5 Black, Grey band and White shoulders which has already gone into its third run. Shorts are on the way once we get the flocking right, there`s a women's jersey being sewn for testing (ready for sale 3 weeks hopefully) and a new colour way Black with White band another No 5.
Let me find some time to write a blog every other day! Yeah right!!
Friday, 10 April 2009
Cycling Weekly & Beyond Leeds
A couple of points here. after reading Cycling Weekly for 32 years Its suddenly hit me that the UKs No 1 Cycling journal has a double meaning - Cycling every week and Cycling weakly!!! I know, I know but it hit me yesterday and things like that matter to me.
Point 2, Shutt VR are in this weeks Cycling Weekly, Page 46 top left. A nice little piece on the company and what our jerseys are about. Then on page 36 and the contents page a picture of a cyclist having a drink. So whats so good about that? Well he has on a Shutt No 5 Glacier blue on Black, in small. Its a small cause I sent it to CW for a review. So I suppose that during the review, the rider got hot and needed a drink. What a coincidence.
Then we also appear in a magazine called Beyond Leeds, a nice feature on us and the whys and wherefore of the comapany. a splendid gesture by Mark Bowness `Boney` to everyone in town. So Boney will be getting a good night out shortly.
Point 2, Shutt VR are in this weeks Cycling Weekly, Page 46 top left. A nice little piece on the company and what our jerseys are about. Then on page 36 and the contents page a picture of a cyclist having a drink. So whats so good about that? Well he has on a Shutt No 5 Glacier blue on Black, in small. Its a small cause I sent it to CW for a review. So I suppose that during the review, the rider got hot and needed a drink. What a coincidence.
Then we also appear in a magazine called Beyond Leeds, a nice feature on us and the whys and wherefore of the comapany. a splendid gesture by Mark Bowness `Boney` to everyone in town. So Boney will be getting a good night out shortly.
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Shutt VR Cycle circle
Grim weather is still with us, especially in the morning, which is when we ride. Early, 6.30 meet up then ride before the day starts. I rode this morning in wet, grimy & gritty conditions, cold wind and rain along side Ged & James, who normally you can trust to keep a conversation going. However today the talking was sparse for a couple of reasons, both to do with the conditions. When the wind howls through the trees and past ones ears, its impossible to hear, so its pointless as the answer to anything said is `what`? After a while this becomes tedious. Then with the rain stinging in the eyes, cheeks and forehead it takes all of the powers to concentrate going in a line that doesnt end up in a collision with an inaminate object! Has this been going on for the last 4 months? I believe so. What is the answer to the above `social cyling problem`? Nothing, just wait til the sun warms up the air and then catch up on 5 months of chat.
Anyway, enough of this drivvel. I have work to do designing jerseys for clubs, groups and Companies to fill the rest of the day. Then pack and post the days orders then write posts then think about the winter gear then make sure the ladies garment samples are fitted right then order some more fabric then make sure its been sent then start to look for further fabric for summer accessories then answer e-mails then see if the press are going to publish the photos of the the new colour way for the stock Shutt VR No5 Calico Jersey. Then..... well im sure something will rear its ugly head and have to be dealt with. Like going out tomorrow in the grimy & gritty conditions, cold wind and rain.
Anyway, enough of this drivvel. I have work to do designing jerseys for clubs, groups and Companies to fill the rest of the day. Then pack and post the days orders then write posts then think about the winter gear then make sure the ladies garment samples are fitted right then order some more fabric then make sure its been sent then start to look for further fabric for summer accessories then answer e-mails then see if the press are going to publish the photos of the the new colour way for the stock Shutt VR No5 Calico Jersey. Then..... well im sure something will rear its ugly head and have to be dealt with. Like going out tomorrow in the grimy & gritty conditions, cold wind and rain.
Saturday, 4 April 2009
Away from the action.
The rest of the guys, no women in our group unfortunately, are doing a Belgium classic today. The Tour Of Flanders Sportive. Full race distance, 159 miles, and all those cobbled climbs. By now they will be well on their way experiencing a peleton of 17000! This is why Im feeling left out, I was going but circumstances were such that I had to cancel at the last minute. Imagine 17000 cyclists of all shapes and sizes all enjoying themselves going fast along one of the most famous routes there is.
I did get out this morning, up to Grassington halfway up the valley with 2 other stay at homes, but it wasnt the same. I have a not bad fitness, which seems a bit wasted on a `stroll in the Dales`. I know I can carry it through going towards my next event but I really would like to have expended it on the soil of Flanders!
Still, the sun came out on the return section which dried off the Soft Blue No8 after a wetting on the way out.
Dreaming of Flanders.
I did get out this morning, up to Grassington halfway up the valley with 2 other stay at homes, but it wasnt the same. I have a not bad fitness, which seems a bit wasted on a `stroll in the Dales`. I know I can carry it through going towards my next event but I really would like to have expended it on the soil of Flanders!
Still, the sun came out on the return section which dried off the Soft Blue No8 after a wetting on the way out.
Dreaming of Flanders.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
White Rose Challenge Cycle Sportive
SHUTT VR is to Sponsor the White Rose Challenge Jerseys
We are to line up alongside the organisers of the Superb WHITE ROSE CHALLENGE set in our locale, here in the magnificent Yorkshire Dales! We will be giving away Jerseys to the most successful male, female and junior (under 16) riders, successful being the most sponsorship money raised.We look forward to working alongside WRC and Cancer Research to make the ride the best days sportive in the UK.
For Enties please click
To get our name associated with such a prestigeous event as the WRC is a great honour & an opportunity for us to gain exposure to thousands of cyclists on the day as well as provide jerseys for such a great charity as Cancer Research.
We are to line up alongside the organisers of the Superb WHITE ROSE CHALLENGE set in our locale, here in the magnificent Yorkshire Dales! We will be giving away Jerseys to the most successful male, female and junior (under 16) riders, successful being the most sponsorship money raised.We look forward to working alongside WRC and Cancer Research to make the ride the best days sportive in the UK.
For Enties please click
To get our name associated with such a prestigeous event as the WRC is a great honour & an opportunity for us to gain exposure to thousands of cyclists on the day as well as provide jerseys for such a great charity as Cancer Research.
Monday, 30 March 2009
A good Sunday
Punctures on Saturday meant a lonely ride back as I told the Shutt VR Lads to ride on as time scales have to be adhered to for families. It wasnt that bad though, only about 15 miles with 12 of that being helped by the roaring tailwind. Sunday turned from a very cold frost and ice ridden early morning start into the best ride of the year. Well for aesthetics anyway. 6 turned out to start losing one new member after about 18 miles as he wasn’t quite up to keeping up on the hills. Then as the morning wore on an Ill member then decided that it was best to curtail the ride short as the Tour of Flanders is looming and best not spoil that.
So 3 left taking 6-8 miles on the front at a go saw us heading deep into the dales. The sun was up and affording us magnificent views across the valley. Unfortunately, the sun was on the opposite side and we still had to put up with cold hands and feet. Turning up to Kidstones, the sun got higher and started warm us up. Its quite incredible how the body absorbs even the weakest bit of sun and thus gives cheer. Whilst climbing at this point the London-Edinburgh `vintage` car rally came noisily past, big Bentley blowers and smaller MGs gave the impression of how a mid war tour must have been. Noisy cars spuing out rich fumes whilst grinding gears trying to get around hairpin bends. Very atmospheric!
The long swooping descent into another valley not often visited was tremendous fun. A little ice every now and then but nothing too bad. A quick left into a very picturesque village enhanced the `from bygone times` feel to the ride with the distant rumble of the cars further down the valley. Up a steep little bank and over the top saw us drop into Wensleydale and into a head wind which had decided to change its direction, so still being in our faces as so far had been on the ride. The sun was now warming up the day and it was noted there was not a cloud in the sky, all the moisture has dropped as frost and the air was crystal clear. A day for photographs.
Riding into Hawes it was time for a quick bite of energy bar before the `hill of the day` Fleets Moss, the hard way. What a hill, it rises straight in front of you and shows itself in all its glory. Consistent at about 1-8 then rearing up at at least 1-4 for the top 200m, it certainly makes those legs ache. Rewarded with far-reaching views of the fells and tops, deep into North &West Yorkshire to Lancashire from a height of 1869ft. (I believe). The descent down of this monster is fast and technical. Sharp bends, hidden dips and long swoops turning this way & that. The real deal here as the road enters the Langstrothdale and falls gently away in one of the most spectacular valley bottom rides in Yorkshire. Sun shining, clear skies, a meandering road next to a limestone bedded river and most importantly of all, no cars.
Still the wind in our faces, nothing new there, down past Hubberholme and into Buckden the pace was fairly high with the 3 of us all taking our turns, not much conversation now as we looked around at the beautiful steep banked valley walls that bound Kettlewell. The back road is always a treat, no cars and narrow lanes. The rest of the journey is just a visual treat, Hebden with its offset main street curling down into a lost valley rising up over upper fell meadows, to the fabulous view looking down on Burnsall from the North, the fell dark and brooding contrasting with the green of the fields and the blue of the meandering ox-bow river.
Only Appletreewick and Barden to go now, legs were getting tired now but onward we pedaled, congratulating and thanking each other for what was a memorable ride. If you weren’t there you missed out on a good 80+ miler. I recommend you do it one day. Oh, and no mention of our Shutt VR jerseys so easily available at http://www.shuttvr.com/ !
So 3 left taking 6-8 miles on the front at a go saw us heading deep into the dales. The sun was up and affording us magnificent views across the valley. Unfortunately, the sun was on the opposite side and we still had to put up with cold hands and feet. Turning up to Kidstones, the sun got higher and started warm us up. Its quite incredible how the body absorbs even the weakest bit of sun and thus gives cheer. Whilst climbing at this point the London-Edinburgh `vintage` car rally came noisily past, big Bentley blowers and smaller MGs gave the impression of how a mid war tour must have been. Noisy cars spuing out rich fumes whilst grinding gears trying to get around hairpin bends. Very atmospheric!
The long swooping descent into another valley not often visited was tremendous fun. A little ice every now and then but nothing too bad. A quick left into a very picturesque village enhanced the `from bygone times` feel to the ride with the distant rumble of the cars further down the valley. Up a steep little bank and over the top saw us drop into Wensleydale and into a head wind which had decided to change its direction, so still being in our faces as so far had been on the ride. The sun was now warming up the day and it was noted there was not a cloud in the sky, all the moisture has dropped as frost and the air was crystal clear. A day for photographs.
Riding into Hawes it was time for a quick bite of energy bar before the `hill of the day` Fleets Moss, the hard way. What a hill, it rises straight in front of you and shows itself in all its glory. Consistent at about 1-8 then rearing up at at least 1-4 for the top 200m, it certainly makes those legs ache. Rewarded with far-reaching views of the fells and tops, deep into North &West Yorkshire to Lancashire from a height of 1869ft. (I believe). The descent down of this monster is fast and technical. Sharp bends, hidden dips and long swoops turning this way & that. The real deal here as the road enters the Langstrothdale and falls gently away in one of the most spectacular valley bottom rides in Yorkshire. Sun shining, clear skies, a meandering road next to a limestone bedded river and most importantly of all, no cars.
Still the wind in our faces, nothing new there, down past Hubberholme and into Buckden the pace was fairly high with the 3 of us all taking our turns, not much conversation now as we looked around at the beautiful steep banked valley walls that bound Kettlewell. The back road is always a treat, no cars and narrow lanes. The rest of the journey is just a visual treat, Hebden with its offset main street curling down into a lost valley rising up over upper fell meadows, to the fabulous view looking down on Burnsall from the North, the fell dark and brooding contrasting with the green of the fields and the blue of the meandering ox-bow river.
Only Appletreewick and Barden to go now, legs were getting tired now but onward we pedaled, congratulating and thanking each other for what was a memorable ride. If you weren’t there you missed out on a good 80+ miler. I recommend you do it one day. Oh, and no mention of our Shutt VR jerseys so easily available at http://www.shuttvr.com/ !Thursday, 26 March 2009
The right choice!
Choosing the right bike shop for your needs is part and parcel of the cyclist`s life. Do they do road bikes, Mtb`s only? Do they provide a good service at a reasonable price? Will they kindly let you off the price of a tube until your next visit to get you home after a mishap with a couple of flints? Is the clothing up your street ie, at the right price or the favoured brand?
How do you know unless you visit it a few times? Well the modern way is via the internet, the ubiquitous web site that tells you all about the shop. What a great tool to get inside the shop and its staff. Or is it? Looking for selective retailers to sell our Shutt VR jerseys, Ive spent the day trawling round the bike shops in 3 cities today. Ive visited about 30-40 shops. Some quickly some in depth, all from the comfort(?) of my office chair. I found myself only contemplating the shops that had `decent` websites. the ones without Im sure were more than adequate and provide exactly what I want, but as they were not in the so called `21st century` communications wise, they were immediately discarded.
This is not the right way to decide who we would like to take our goods, surely I should get on my bike, map in hand, jerseys in pannier and visit each and every one. This I would like to do, but do I have the time? Yes! Is it fitting for a `Rep` not to be dressed smartly? I dont know that one, but as we all are cyclists it shouldn`t matter that Im in riding gear & not wearing a suit, should it? I think Ill give it a go to guage it!
Any thoughts on this?
How do you know unless you visit it a few times? Well the modern way is via the internet, the ubiquitous web site that tells you all about the shop. What a great tool to get inside the shop and its staff. Or is it? Looking for selective retailers to sell our Shutt VR jerseys, Ive spent the day trawling round the bike shops in 3 cities today. Ive visited about 30-40 shops. Some quickly some in depth, all from the comfort(?) of my office chair. I found myself only contemplating the shops that had `decent` websites. the ones without Im sure were more than adequate and provide exactly what I want, but as they were not in the so called `21st century` communications wise, they were immediately discarded.
This is not the right way to decide who we would like to take our goods, surely I should get on my bike, map in hand, jerseys in pannier and visit each and every one. This I would like to do, but do I have the time? Yes! Is it fitting for a `Rep` not to be dressed smartly? I dont know that one, but as we all are cyclists it shouldn`t matter that Im in riding gear & not wearing a suit, should it? I think Ill give it a go to guage it!
Any thoughts on this?
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