Hi, this is Nobuyoshi from Blue Lug global team.

I’m usually working at out warehouse and mainly in charge of global wholesale.

 

Today, I’d like to introduce this safety vest with eye-catching printed logo.

Yes, this is actually collaboration merch between a bike shop in Melbourne named Off Course Bike Shop and Blue Lug!

 

In case you don’t know about Off Course Bike Shop, let me talk about them a little bit.

Off Course Bike Shop is a bike shop originally known as “Commuter Cycles” which Huw Vellacott found in 2008.

(The guys being held by everyone in the picture below is Huw.)

He started riding MTB as a teenager inspired by legendary riders such as Missy Giove and John Tomac.

In his early 20s, he preferred cars and had a break for a while from bikes until late 20s when he found Commute Cycles.

 

He made up his mind and started his own shop even though he’s never worked in a bike shop before.

 

Founded as Commute Cycles literally for commuter bikes in 2008, they’ve been gradually going “off course” by doing more of touring and adventure bikes, and they changed their name to “Off Course Bike Shop” in 2024.

 

“Whether it’s about riding the long way home from work, or a scenic singletrack to a beautiful camping spot, we believe that the adventure really begins when you go off course.” -Huw Vellacott

 

That’s why they use “Off Course” instead of “Of Course”.

I meet lots of customers from Australia in our shop and everyone knows Off Course Bike Shop.

They’ve been well known and supported not only by their local community, but also among the whole Australian cyclists.

We can trace back to 12 years ago when we got the very first e-mail from Huw about our original Fairweather bags.

I just can’t believe it’s been more than a decade.

Sime (in the right side) and Chuyan a mechanic from Blue Lug Hatagaya shop have known each other for long time.

They firstly met at Saint Cloud in Melbourne and Chuyan even hosted him when he visited Japan.

But, in this May, their shop has been completely burnt down from the fire occurred in the night.

Fire department investigated and reported it’s not suspicious, but the entire building and much of stock have gone.

Currently, they’re doing their business at their another location near the shop temporarily.

We’ve already shipped some new orders after the fire and hope they’re doing alright.

To represent our deepest appreciation for their long time support, we made this safety vest.

We’ll donate all the proceeds of this vest for supporting Off Course Bike Shop.

It features of cute logos from Off Course Bike Shop and Blue Lug printed randomly.

Reflector works really nice like this picture, so it allows you to be high-vis even in the late night.

Have a safe ride!

Compared to the whole society, I believe this bicycle community is not that big, but I always feel it’s wonderful how everyone helps one another as friends who share a love for the same thing.

 

We do appreciate your kind support for Off Course Bike Shop!