Bike Ride "Momentos"

[tprevost]

In leiu of T-shirts, what would you like to have as an event givaway???

Waterbottles
Socks
Caps
Visors
??????

I'm trying to think of something other than the 'normal' t-shirt that people would actually keep and use after the fact.

I'd love any comments and suggestions that come to mind....

Thanks!

Tracy

[Shaula]

SOCKS!!! That would be different. You can rack up the t-shirts!

[caligurl]

i like the socks idea!

caps might be cute!

visors... no :o

waterbottles.. personally.. that would be a no cuz i have a bunch and i don't use them.. i always use my polars! others, however.. might like them!

patches are always nice (but i like the socks idea better than a patch!)

the patch kit we got at tour de palm springs was useful and unexpected! (patch kit.. as in tire repair! lol!)

i like medals, too! a couple of rides i've done has given them out...

[Eden]

My most used bike ride swag has been a little microfiber pouch for keeping my glasses in and a bottle cage carrier that I put my tools/tubes in (like a cage rocket, but a little less high tech). Other little nifty items have been custom lip balm and a little zipper pull thermometer (both from the Chilly Hilly -there's a theme ;) ).
Water bottles are usually the wrong size for my bike and tee shirts I have a plenty, but socks do sound like a fun idea.

[bouncybouncy]

SOCKS!!!!

never can have enough socks!!! i like hats too, but they can start to add up like tees...and to get a decent waterbottle to use as a give-away is probably not cost efective??? maybe...all the waterbottles i have gotten as freebies are leaky...

so again...i vote socks (besides...you can use the left-overs for a secret sister...hehe)

[Adventure Girl]

And if you do give socks as swag, remember that one size does not fit all! Be sure there is a choice of sizes (just like t-shirts).

[caligurl]

oh... i like eden's lip balm idea too (but still like socks best, if you are counting votes!) i ALWAYS carry a lip balm.... and if you go that route.. make sure it's a good scent/flavor! (got one at a vendor and it smells like ben gay.. ICK!)

also.... got a little purse/wallet thing at smog to surf... .i THOUGHT It would be really cool and useful.... \they both sit on a shelf unused!

so socks or lip balm! :cool:

[Eden]

The lip balm was the good kind - nice and smooth and ummmm tutti frutti.

Oh- and there's a local hospital that is the title sponsor for a lot of rides around here now (and the title sponsor of my team plug plug :rolleyes: ). They give away what they "ouch pouches" that have band aids, gauze pads, alcohol pads, antibiotic ointment - basically all of the stuff you need for minor road rash. Being on the team I have lots of them around and they are very handy.

[Pax]

How about the lip balm coupled with small bottles of sunscreen...handy and useful.

[Adventure Girl]

A small first aid kit is a great idea!

Or how about tubes of sunblock.

Or hand cleaner stuff. Maybe something like this stuff:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=14939
http://www.teamestrogen.com/images/products/AC-CYCLEAN_lrg.jpg

[bcipam]

I guess what everyone is saying is a "goody bag." It can be filled with 1)hand cleaner (which I have gotten, used and loved, 2) a ride patch (to commemorate the ride), 3) a route holder (I've gotten these at rides as well - its a little velco device that fits on the handle and holds a route slip), 4) sun screen or lip balm is nice and also 5) something nutritional like a Luna Bar or something. I must rather have these things instead of another t-shirt. But definitely want a patch as a keepsake of the ride and date.

[shasta]

I'm a tshirt person if I can get my size. Socks are good. I also personally like pins (buttons?) and collect them. Easy to hang yet not a lot of "stuff" to dust. Also stuff I can use and toss (lip balm and the such).

[Dianyla]

Miniature sticks of BodyGlide. :)

[Deanna]

I once got a pair of arm warmers for one of our clubs events with the event name at the cuff. Very unique to cycling and useful.

[Dirt Girl]

I've been on our mtb clinic committee several years. We did the t-shirt thing a few years, but one year had bandanas printed with our design. A multi-use item, some people use them as a sweatband. Me and my allergy-pone nose used to struggle with tissues all the time until someone told me to carry a bandana. Clean ones are good in some first aid situations.

Other things I've gotten and liked are the gels and energy bars.

[Blueberry]

All of the T-Shirts I've received are the standard men's variety and *they don't fit me correctly* If you want to do clothing, at least have some women's shaped T-Shirts.

I second the suggestion of Bandanas. That's a great one - inexpensive and very useful. Map holders are also good, as are socks (provided they're cycling specific, of course:)). Water bottles aren't so good, unless you're going to splurge for a good one.

Carrie Anne

[tprevost]

WOW! You ladies are awesome! I was talking to my LBS regarding being the mechanical sag and the Pearl Izumi rep happened to be there and he actually was the one who mentioned the sock idea (which I loved!). I was thinking of a PI sock (S, M, L choices) along with some sort of patch (or one of the other great ideas mentioned above :D) as part of the whole theme. Apparently PI has a budget for this stuff as a way to help the stores that sell their clothing...

This is all kinda coming together so I'm starting to think its an omen that I should go forward! Thank you all VERY much!!!

Any more ideas?????

Tracy

[Susan126]

I have so many t-shirts that my drawers won't close! I had to buy a plastic storage bin and place many of the ones I rarely wear into bin. And I can never have enough socks! Just ask my hubby! :D He always makes a comment (or two) regarding my large sock collection!

[caligurl]

well... again... i still like the sock idea (with a logo from the ride on it!)

and a patch is nice!

but i wanted to add another idea that the bandana suggestion made me think of... i would rather have a buff (http://www.buff.es/) than a bandana... i have several that i wear as neck warmers or sweatbands or scrunchies.. over my mouth when it's cold! they are really usefull and IMO better than a bandana! (however i would give the bandana to brie and she would look cool in it!

i sure hope you have this ride on a day we can come and it doesn't conflict with another ride! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Aint Doody]

An idea for the socks--we're having our ride--Century Ride of the Centuries--on Memorial Day Week-end and are doing socks. Sock Guy will design socks for you. They charge like a $50 initial set up fee and then the socks are priced according to quantity. The fellow I talked to there was so helpful. We told him roughly what we wanted as a design, and he emailed us a design they did that was just perfect. The design is on the cuff and then the body of the sock says CROC 2006 on one side and Pendleton, OR on the other. The turnaround is roughly 6 weeks, I think. It's worth contacting them. www.sockguy.com

[caligurl]

sockguy did our breathless agony socks that we got last year! if i remember... i'll take pic of them when i get home and post it!

[Steph_in_TX]

I do an ride in the area that does the Sock Guy socks made specifically for the ride and they seem to be a hit. T-shirts are fine, but most have such hideous designs or colors, IMHO, that I wind up only wearing them for dirty work. However, I wear the socks a lot. They were even a hit with DH, who generally only likes white cycling socks.

[bikerHen]

I have so many t-shirts that my drawers won't close! I had to buy a plastic storage bin and place many of the ones I rarely wear into bin.

I'm a quilter. So when I hear too many t-shirts, I think make a t-shirt quilt. They are a great way to do something useful and fun with a pile of old shirts. PM me if you want more information. Bikerhen

Edit: Got interupted with work. Gees!
I have to add I love t-shirts! Always have. I can never have to many. Socks are kinda cool too. I am slowly adding to my sock collection as well. They would be a fun thing to get from a ride. No bottles! I got a small blinky light with a clip on the back last year on a ride. I've used it alot. BikerHen

[Lise]

Small blinky light is a great idea! I agree with everybody else about socks. Would that I could turn my t-shirt collection in for socks! Lise

[tatormc]

I'm a quilter. So when I hear too many t-shirts, I think make a t-shirt quilt. They are a great way to do something useful and fun with a pile of old shirts.

My hubby has a friend that has all his ride t-shirts turned into a quilt. I haven't seen it yet but it sounds really neat. Hopefully I'll get several more shirts and can do the same.

[tprevost]

... sounds like the general consensus is socks w/event logo. I love all the other ideas too so perhaps I can incorporate some of the other ideas as well... Hmmmmm... lots to ponder!

Thank you all very much for your input!

Tracy

ps. Caligurl, I'd love to see the sock picture AND, just make sure all your rides are on BikeJournal and I'll do the best I can to make sure there are no conflicts! ;)

My original idea was an "Old Town to Wine" tour in Temecula but am having a really tough time getting a route long enough... gorgeous ride though, I haven't given up yet. I'm also looking at Escondido which has some very beautiful rural areas - I think it would be much more enjoyable for the riders if the traffic and stop signs/lights were kept as minimal as possible so that's what I'm aiming for. I'm meeting with the city of Temecula tomorrow so maybe they can add some ideas on route expansion.

[Duck on Wheels]

I'm a quilter. So when I hear too many t-shirts, I think make a t-shirt quilt. They are a great way to do something useful and fun with a pile of old shirts. PM me if you want more information. Bikerhen


Hi Hen, I have quite a T-shirt collection, many up in the attic in bags and boxes waiting for me to figure out how to quilt stretchy fabrics. Is it doable? Do please tell me how! Meanwhile, I'm still collecting more. :rolleyes: So for me T-shirts are still fine as ride mementos, at least if they're cool designs.

[caligurl]

ps. Caligurl, I'd love to see the sock picture AND, just make sure all your rides are on BikeJournal and I'll do the best I can to make sure there are no conflicts! ;)

My original idea was an "Old Town to Wine" tour in Temecula but am having a really tough time getting a route long enough... gorgeous ride though, I haven't given up yet. I'm also looking at Escondido which has some very beautiful rural areas - I think it would be much more enjoyable for the riders if the traffic and stop signs/lights were kept as minimal as possible so that's what I'm aiming for. I'm meeting with the city of Temecula tomorrow so maybe they can add some ideas on route expansion.

i forgot to take a pic last night! my ride was longer than anticipated.. (see my other thread!)

i added a few more of my rides to bikejournal last night... even a couple that i'm not sure about.. (i.e. amtrak) but put it on my list anyways... in case we decide to do it again (i will NOT ride my ruby for that one though! they aren't puttin her on a truck to take back to irvine! but i digress!)

temecula sounds wonderful! and it's such a pretty area!!!!! escondido is nice too! and neither are too far (although temecula is closer! lol!)

i'm already happy.. we are gonna have good/cool swag AND rice krispie treats.. what more could a gurl ask for!?! http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/195.gif