100% New Zealand Merino Cyclewear
Made in New Zealand
Reviews of Aspiring Cyclewear...
(By LAURA BASHAM - The Nelson Mail )
Looking back has given Nelson woman Rosemary Weir inspiration to move forward with a business making merino cycle jerseys.
Aspiring Cyclewear uses retro designs in the style of cyclists' woollen jerseys from the 1940s and '50s.
Sales of her New Zealand-made jerseys, marketed through her website, are growing as the popularity of cycling increases.
The idea for the business came as she looked for a change of direction from her hand-weaving business, and a knee injury from tramping resulted in her taking up cycling.
"I'd always worn merino tramping and I wanted a bike jersey that performed as well."
She could not find many that were specifically designed for cycling, so decided to create her own.
Her son Stuart, a keen cyclist in Melbourne, uses old Italian bikes, so she came up with retro designs.
She designed the jerseys with Ben MacMillan, who made the patterns.
They are made of merino from Levin-based company Levana Textiles and manufactured by Glenduan Apparel in Nelson.
"They are all New Zealand-made, and a lot of people appreciate that," she said. "It's my point of difference."
To sell the jerseys, Mrs Weir set up a website eight months ago, an exercise that proved to be a steep learning curve but also an invaluable asset to her fledgling business.
It has enabled her to promote her product and to connect with cycling events, offering the jerseys as prizes.
She also values the personal touch, and has enjoyed meeting other cyclists and selling the jerseys at the Nelson Market.
At $155 for a lightweight jersey and $175 for a medium-weight one, Mrs Weir has found that her customers are willing to pay for quality and recognise value for money.
Her business is still small, selling between 10 and 20 jerseys a month, but she is starting to promote her product to clubs and through a cycle touring company in Britain, and is investigating retail options there.
"I'm doing it in a small way, and have chosen not to borrow large amounts of money in a recession. I'm happy to grow the business slowly, and it's working by word of mouth and cyclists wearing them," she said.
She says her son Stuart is her staunchest supporter and promoter.
Personal Testimonials
"Thank you, thank you, thank you for making such a wonderful product. I live in the US and visit NZ 2-3/yr. During my last visit to Nelson in December I met you and purchased a short and long sleeved shirts. I've been using them while riding in Colorado mountains. Just completed an 80k trip today and through wind, sun and clouds (temp: about 15c) your shirt keep me extremely comfortable. I love them!!!! Just wanted you to know. Thanks again!!!!"
David Johns USA"I recently acquired a short sleeve Aspiring cycling top. While I liked the look of it, I was very interested in how it performed. I have been cycling/racing for the past 19 years and have a wardrobe of cycling tops, but none are merino. So I thought the best way to test this merino top was to wear it cycle touring around Akaroa over Easter for 3 days solid. If I wore any of my other cycling tops for 3 days straight, my riding companions would be riding upwind of me by day two. However, with the merino top not one bad smell was evident. Even though I am a female and am only supposed to have a natural glow when under pressure, there were times where I was on my limit riding up 400 vertical metre climbs repeatedly for hours and felt pretty saturated in sweat. However, I never felt uncomfortable from heat and the top dried quickly on the descents. Overall I was very stoked with the top, both on performance and looks!"
Brenda Clapp"I received my jersey and almost immediately wore it to and early morning recce on Fleetwood Prom. Later that day it was out again on the actual ride. 2 days later we were out MTBing with a group in rather inclement weather and the jersey once again kept me warm, cool and dry as and when it needed to. A few more off road rides followed over the next week and then it was off to Cardigan to meet my friend Sheila and take part in the Preselli Angel Sportive ride. It was a cool day with a chilly wind, but when the sun came out on the climbs it was very warm indeed. Again the jersey seemed to know what to do and kept me comfortable even when swooping down chilly descents after sweating up the other side. Much more cycling has followed and the jersey is an automatic choice every time."
"So, thank you very much, and to anyone out there wondering if an Aspiring Cyclewear Merino wool top is going to be their next purchase I would say to definitely give it a go. Not cheap, but then again it’s not rubbish either!"
Nige Cole UK"You have a superb product at a reasonable price & it has been a pleasure dealing with you"
Keith Goddard"I really like the jersey. People seem obsessed with wool for warmth but it's true benefit is its versatility. I was out in it (the Aspiring jersey) yesterday in temperatures over 30C and climbing hills. I have also been out in it in around 15C and been OK. Polyester barely compares".
Chris Ratcliffe."I am very pleased with the short sleeved jersey, perfect in all respects. I will be ordering a long sleeved one for winter."
Dave Beadle
RETRO INSPIRATION: Rosemary Weir of Aspiring Cyclewear with her designs made of 100 per cent Kiwi merino wool. PATRICK HAMILTON/Nelson Mail
"Chris and I have just been cycle touring in Vietnam. I thought I would send you this photo. The photo shows one of the many kids that rode with us. This kid stayed with us for 5kms and when he could catch his breath would ask me questions. I wore my Aspiring top everyday. I didn't wash it as nothing dried due to the humidity (I lightly sponged it a few times). The top never smelt and kept cool and warm when needed. We hope to go back in a few years and do Cambodia and Laos also.
Brenda, Mapua, New Zealand
Rosemary Weir
1 Charlotte Street,
The Brook, 7010,
Nelson, New Zealand
++64 (0)3 548 0989
info@aspiringcyclewear.co.nz
