New British ‘cross clothing brand Schlamm launches over the pond in Portland, Oregon but its roots are set firmly in the gritty Peak District.
Drawing on the experience of Simon Burney, a long time manager of ‘cross racing teams and author ‘Cyclocross: training and technique’, Schlamm caters for those wanting cold and wet weather clothing with much of the kit reflecting their passion and expertise of cyclo cross with some specialised garments like zip-off bib tights featuring.
But it’s not all about ‘cross racing, so don’t be put off if you’re not a fan of getting caked in mud riding around a field for an hour, as there’ll be a range of men and women’s clothing for cold and wet weather riding. “The brand is firmly set in the great outdoors as befits its Peak District roots, with a range of men’s and women’s cold and wet weather gear suitable for anyone who prefers to spend more time outside than in.”
“We tried to make it a bit more of an interesting experience than just buying a training jacket or pair of bibtights online,” says Simon, “now you can buy some Koksijde bibtights or a Wetzikon jacket and read some irreverent facts about the place, or a race that has been there. I’m not sure if it will help in a pub quiz but there is a lot of interest in the history and tradition of ‘cross and hopefully this will increase that interest at the same time make people smile, because if you can’t smile about racing round in the cold and mud then it’s a lost cause!”
And while the company has set up base in the US at the home of the US Grand Prix of Cyclo Cross, the British weather and its demands have been “invaluable in R&D.”
