Product.
Velosole is inspired by a simple ethos; we want to make products for cyclists who share a love of style and function.
This week saw the launch of our first social media campaign.
Judging the appetite for our inaugural product, the Velosole Panache trainer, is a crucial next step in our journey en route to production. We’ve had some great feedback from friends and family, but ultimately entering the public’s eye through advertising will (hopefully!) demonstrate the long-term value we can add to the market.
Expressing our ethos, brand and product in a single snapshot is no mean feat. But starting by targeting Londoners’ who index highly with cycling content, we believe this is going to strike a chord with our target audience:
Clicking through from our ad takes you to our new landing page, check it out here: velosole.com.
For prospective customers to engage with us further, we’ve also set up Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to add to our existing Strava Club. It’s early days on these channels, but there’s more content coming so feel free to like and share if you like what you see!
Any feedback or ideas on our advertising? Please feel free to comment on this post, reach out via socials, or email us here: velosoleshoes@gmail.com. As ever, watch this space, and please subscribe to this newsletter stay up to date with progress!
Velostyle.
Drawing on decades of inspiration from cycling and fashion’s characters and classic designs, here’s what’s making us tick right now.
The cycling boom is in full swing and it's shifting from solely a leisure activity to an integrated part of everyday life for many people. The correct clothing and accessories are becoming must-have items, and in the case of commuting, offer the perfect opportunity for a cyclist to marry style and function.
In any growing market there are grey areas. Working out what’s hot and what’s not in commuter wear can be a total minefield. Trust us, there’s nothing worse than parting with hard earned cash on a product that overpromises and under-delivers.
So, what are we going to pair with our Velosole Panache trainers on our commute? Here’s some tried and tested options.
Headwear.
Alex Howes, USA Road Champion and EF Education-Nippo rider.
POC have quickly become challengers to the Oakley throne with both their helmets and eyewear. The ‘Require’ sunglasses (£175 RRP)1 and ‘Ocatal’ helmet (£180 RRP)2 , as seen worn here by Alex Howes, have become favourites on the pro and amateur scene.
If the price tags are off putting, here are cut-price alternatives that still offer all important style and function:
Quecha Hiking Sunglasses (£17.99 RRP)3
Giro Agilis (£69.99 RRP)4
Upper-body.
Albion Zoa Jacket (£175 RRP)5
Don’t become a ‘fair weather’ commuter, get a warm jacket and cycle to work all year round. Cool on and off the bike, the ‘Zoa’ jacket from relatively new British brand, Albion, is a flagship product from a company that embodies everything we know and love about style and function. Multiple zip pockets, a two-way main zip, and breathable insulation in black or orange colours - this jacket is one of the best around.
BTWIN City Cycling Visibility Rain Jacket (£64.99 RRP)6
Decathlon’s answer to Rapha’s Commuter Jacket; arguably it’s better looking, it’s definitely better value. Water and windproof with reflectivity front and back, it keeps you warm, dry and safe on your daily cycle to and from work.
Lower-body.
Rapha Technical Trousers (£110 RRP)7
A classic chino, made from durable and breathable material, the Rapha Technical Trousers have truly become a staple for urban commuters. There’s no expense spared in the detail, with zip pockets and fold away reflective strips proving smart design features.
With a blended eye for design and practicality, these are a ‘do it all’ trouser that adhere to one of our own mantra’s by improving experiences for cyclists’ daily lives; because a cyclist’s identity follows them both on and off the road.
Our Rides.
Hackney Classic. 05/03/218.
Being based in East London grants great access to rides out into Herefordshire and Essex. The reality is, however, that if you only have a finite amount of time then getting as far as Epping Forest is only just doable in a 30km loop, and most of that is on main roads. The luxury of South West London’s Richmond Park doesn’t exist out East, so we’ve started getting inventive!
Ezra Street, just off Columbia Road.
Whether just stretching the legs, or building your base fitness, exploring the cobbles of Hackney is a great way to spend an hour.
Synonymous with the Spring Classics9, pavé10 (or cobbles) seem like alluring historical features - a nod to ancestral origins of society and transport. But ride them on a bike, and an entirely different perspective is apparent.
Granted, this is no Flanders11. None of these cobble segments last more than 200 meters, nor are they hill climbs akin to those in the Belgian countryside. But a full on effort on one of the many sections of cobbles around East London will be a battle, as your bike (and teeth!) chatter over the bumpy surface and you struggle to keep power flowing through the pedals.
Regents Row, alongside Regents Canal.
If, like us, the indoor training sessions don’t always seem appealing, then get imaginative. Put your mind to it and there’s always something different on your doorstep!
Join us on Strava, here.
https://www.pocsports.com/collections/sunglasses/products/require
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/POC/Octal-MIPS-Helmet/SJ48?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&co=GBR&cu=GBP&glCountry=GB&id=1331149&ds_eid=700000001845766&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=UK_EN_Profit_Google_Shopping_All+Users_Brand_All+Products_Desktop&ds_cid=71700000047514192&ds_ag=B_A_1331144_POC_Octal+MIPS+Helmet_Men%27s+Helmets_180+GBP&ds_agid=58700006883297347&ds_k=PRODUCT_GROUP&ds_kid=92700061903588280&ds_kids=p61903588280&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmcWDBhCOARIsALgJ2QeVQADbjE73gh6eBUIgqkMAVAR4JLUBpaxLeT-zuDz5j8_kKtPVXyUaAu_KEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/adults-hiking-sunglasses-mh140-polarising-category-3/_/R-p-301164
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/giro-agilis-helmet?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=104170757&kpid=104170757&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Shopping+-+All+Products&utm_medium=base&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmcWDBhCOARIsALgJ2QesFvZh1y_MEbGDJFAF8JfxbYatOvjhDLU7ERaK2J9QBQ4kJL3Ix3gaAvxpEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.albioncycling.com/product/zoa-jacket-black/
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-city-cycling-ppe-certified-visibility-rain-jacket-540-navy/_/R-p-169384
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/mens-technical-trousers/product/RDT03XXEMP
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/giro-agilis-helmet?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=104170757&kpid=104170757&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Shopping+-+All+Products&utm_medium=base&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmcWDBhCOARIsALgJ2QesFvZh1y_MEbGDJFAF8JfxbYatOvjhDLU7ERaK2J9QBQ4kJL3Ix3gaAvxpEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.strava.com/activities/4895507274
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/news/2252/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-classics-monuments-cobbles
https://bikeraceinfo.com/glossary.html#:~:text=Pav%C3%A9%3A%20French%20for%20a%20cobblestone,to%20take%20to%20avoid%20trouble.