Following on from World Mental Health Day yesterday, we wanted to carry on the conversation and keep pushing for change. One of our Sweedish ambassadors Oscar has been organising a charity ride for the past few years raising awareness and money for mental health illness. With thanks to Oscar and his friend Anders, Stolen Goat […]
As we rolled quietly past our 7th birthday in July I began contemplating our journey thus far and, as I often do, I reflected on the beginnings of Stolen Goat and what it really means to be part of The Herd. It may sound corny, but Stolen Goat was created by myself (Tim Bland) as […]
Adventure snacks On Your Bike: Grab & Go Recipes to Fuel Your Adventures I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: one of my favourite things about cycling (other than the snazzy lycra and exploring the great outdoors) is the snacks. Anyone who’s ever experienced the dreaded mid-ride “bonk” (a term which means something […]
Job spec: Product Manager, Full Time, Hook Hampshire // This is a core position in Stolen Goat. The candidate will work directly with Tim (founder), and SG lead designer Trevor, and our key suppliers on an ongoing basis to improve the current offering and expand the range where there are gaps and growth opportunities. Stolen […]
Rethinking the Jersey: a thoughtful piece of apparel Last year Stolen Goat launched a jersey (see here) to help raise awareness and funds for mental health charity Rethink (www.rethink.org). Very simply, we named our design “Rethink” and incorporated both the colours of the Rethink charity as well as covering our jersey in a positive “plus” […]
Stolen Goat clothing has been available to buy on Wiggle since 2015. Our new SS19 Collection will not be available via Wiggle or Chain Reaction Cycles. Some people have asked about our reasons for taking the step to move away from the WiggleCRC platform, which may seem counter-intuitive on the surface of it, so I […]
It’s been a while since I wrote personally on this blog, Rob does such a great job of managing the content on stolen goat but from time to time I wish I had more time to contribute to this part of the business. Warning // Some Gushy Stuff // Cards on the table… I’m writing […]
Stolen Goat Christmas Gift Ideas Christmas is fast approaching. We get to pack in parties, presents and holiday riding. And we plan next summer’s adventures whilst feeling super-confident after a couple of drinks….. That 300km gravel ride we need to get super-fit for? Done. The “really short” long weekend in Mallorca? No problem, the parents-in-law […]
Goodbye summer haze, hello winter breeze As the longest heatwave in recent memory comes to a definite close, attention quickly turns to keeping the rain out and the warmth in. Take note – we are talking about retaining warmth, not retaining humidity and perspiration! It’s no good if rain meets an impenetrable barrier in your […]
Today – 10th October 2018 is World Mental Health Day #wmhd World Mental Health Day is a day created for mental health education, awareness and to rid of the social stigma associated. The day was observed for the first time on 10th October 1992 and started as an annual activity of the World Federation for Mental […]
Before you get into this – did you know you can join us on strava! Maligned by many for encouraging competitive riding on public roads, the fitness tracking app Strava has the ability to turn even the most ordinary ride into a race. But not everyone uses the app in quite the same way, or […]
Riding in Mallorca I do a fair amount of overseas travel for work every year, but it’s never the type of travel where I can settle in, take in the sights and get a feel for a new place. It’s high-paced. I’ll fly for anywhere from 8 to 16 hours to get to Europe […]
“Cycling is a source for social, economic and environmental benefits – and it is bringing people together” – European Cyclists’ Federation Secretary General Bernhard Ensink What is World Bicycle Day? World Bicycle Day is on Sunday 3rd of June. It’s a day developed by the United Nations as a day of awareness in regards to the multiple societal […]
The Tour de France comes to Yorkshire, 2014. Photo by Bryan Ledgard. Yorkshire, the proudest of English regions, a county that is home to some of the most sublime landscapes England has to offer, and a place that has managed to attract more than a few international events to its humble borders. The 2014 visit […]
World Bipolar Day falls on 30th March every year World Bipolar Day is a day designed to raise worldwide awareness of the condition and change the social stigmas regarding the disorder. Someone who experiences the condition isn’t any less of a person than a person that does not, nor should they be considered ‘weak’. Bipolar […]
We were lucky enough to borrow some truly great bikes while we were out in Mallorca last month. Thank you Berganti Bikes and Ridley Bikes for the hook up! If you didn’t know, we launched our new SS18 collection in Sa Ruta Verda, a cycle-friendly cafe in Caimari – Mallorca. This is a popular hotspot for cyclists […]
You don’t have to be the ‘superman cyclist’ to break a speed record, but short of fixing a jet engine on the back of your saddle, just how fast is it really possible to go on a bike? These are the fastest speeds ever recorded by cyclists. So you will know what is really possible […]
Six weeks into the new year the steely resolve of that new years resolution has softened into a mushy apathy, the dark days and freezing weather offering the perfect derailment to your well-intentioned fitness resolutions. But never fear, this post is to help you shake off the winter sluggishness, and start getting outdoors even when […]
What is time to talk day? Time to talk is a campaign created by Rethink and Mind – both organisations for Mental Health Illness. It’s a day designed to encourage everyone to be more open about mental health – to talk, to listen, to learn, to change lives. For too long, many people with mental health […]
Last year we published a blog post in which Bruce (one of our brand ambassadors) explained his fight against Mental Health illness. Read here if you missed it. Since then, Bruce has been working very hard on himself and his future. Find out how he’s been getting on and what he’s been up to here. Following […]
So its been a couple months since I last wrote for SG. A lot has happened in many ways I guess. I have made good strides forward in feeling better and seem to be coming to grips with depression and how it manifests itself in my day-to-day. The doc is pleased and thinks I’m ready […]
It’s that time of year where the weather is bleak, the festive cheer has disappeared, we’ve all eaten and drunk a bit too much and feeling perhaps a little less motivated to get back on the saddle. It probably doesn’t help that when we wake up it’s dark outside and being under the covers, wrapped […]
New Year New You – A term easier said than done, for some of us it may last a few weeks, for others, longer…. but ultimately we end up going back to our old ways because it’s what we know! Here’s some pointers on pushing on through… Brush The Dust Off The Bike Now is the […]
For Uk Mainland customers the last chance to order for Christmas is Thursday 21st by 2pm and the only way to hopefully guarantee you receive your order is if you select ‘Next day delivery’. For International customers, we use DHL Air Express, it’s the fastest thing going so you should be good up until Friday 15th […]
Today is the day of the Ninja, a day dedicated to remembering and honouring these ancient warriors of Japan. As you may have seen, we recently launched a new ‘ninja’-like range called Kuro, so, what better day to talk about it than on the day of the Ninja? Ninja – An acient Japanese warrior of […]
It’s that time of year again! The lead up to Christmas can get a little stressful for various reasons but finding the perfect gift doesn’t need to be a struggle. If you’re shopping for a cycling fan, look no further! Here are a few gift ideas for the cycling fan in your life! We’ve separated […]
When the family are snuggled on the sofa watching Christmas TV, you can be out on the frozen roads, tyres scorching the streets in the cold air, icy snot like crystals on your chin. Ah, Christmas, the season of sitting around over-eating whilst your bike sits lonely and unloved in the garage….But before cabin […]
Behind the Kit p/b Stolen Goat: Tim Panagis – Motivation Hello Goaters! It’s been a long time since my last post and for that, you have my apologies. I do have a pretty good excuse though because in late August I got married to the love of my life and then soon thereafter headed off on a […]
Every time we have a mental health awareness week my spirits sink. We don’t need people to be more aware. We can’t deal with the ones who already are aware” – Professor Sir Simon Wessely, president of the Royal Society of Medicine. Full interview published via British Medical Journal Yes, you read that correctly. Mental […]
The last 3 years have been tough for the cycling industry. In 2012 when stolen goat was formed on a laptop from my kitchen table we were in the midst of a cycling boom. The Olympics, Bradley Wiggins etc etc all paved the way for a mini boost in the sport’s popularity. This is a […]
In the market for a new cycling helmet?….. Well, look no further! A collection of stunningly crafted helmets designed by various artists will be on show at London bike shop and cafe Look Mum No Hands from Friday 1st September. With artists such as Grayson Perry and Stephen Jones to name a few, this is […]
A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business. – Henry Ford This week stolen goat turned 5. Despite owning pairs of jeans that are older than this – I realise that 5 years is not an insignificant amount of time to survive in business. The word ‘survive’ is apt here. The first […]
Top 10 pro cyclists to follow on Instagram, it’s not about the number of followers…. Instagram is one of the best ways to see the goings on of a pro cyclist. Follow them and have an insight into what their busy lives entail: race days, training, travelling, dietary plans, hobbies, time off, messing around, personal things, cool products […]
The Jonesie Diary # india edition Greetings from across the waters: I’m currently sat on a beach in North Goa. Most triathlete / athletes take a break from their training schedule post race season – for me this year my rest month was delayed by a few months to incorporate a 5 week trip to India […]
How to start racing – The Jonesie Diary – Where it all began Where #teamjones began……How to start racing……Let’s start at the beginning…. I get asked these types of questions a lot….. ‘How do you do it?’ ‘I could never compete at that level – how to start racing?’ ‘You must be so strict with […]
Winter Blues Winter riding – Short daylight hours, layers of kit, freezing extremities, poor riding conditions, all add up to the reality – I HATE WINTER! I find it a real struggle to get the outside bike miles in once the clocks have changed. I have a little chart: So as you can see, slim […]
“You can’t take over the world without a good acronym” ― C.S. Woolley What a year it’s been for SG! I’m physically tired and emotionally worn out but at the same time full of energy and optimism for the future of this growing business. 2016, like every year I have headed up this business since 2012, […]
Two office workers are talking. The woman says, “Bet you I can make the boss give me the day off.” The man replies, “And how would you do that?” The woman says, “Just wait and see.” She then hangs upside down from the ceiling. The boss comes in and says, “What are you doing?” The […]
“You can always find a distraction if you’re looking for one.” ~ Tom Kite Here at stolen goat we’re all about working more effectively in order to free up time for fitting more adventures into our life. Whatever your chosen sport – cycling, running, mountain climbing, whatever – I think we can agree that being stuck […]
The boss is away hooray? For the past week, owner of stolen goat Tim has been away on holiday (much deserved) and left us to fend for ourselves. Everyone thought, great, come in, laze around, go out for rides, get away with the bare minimum and go home. Oh we were so wrong….. When the […]
It’s Friday! Here at stolen goat we take our Friday’s very seriously! so…….. All of the SG herd are preparing to venture off into the wild, for their weekly Friday ride. The weather isn’t too good here, it’s not sure whether to rain or shine. So we’ve all got our Orkaan kit on, ready for any situation! […]
Yep, there comes a time in every man’s life when he needs to make room for another project in the shed. For me, that moment is today. I’m selling my utterly beautiful custom steel Donhou. If you don’t know Tom Donhou then go check him out. I met him in 2011, he was a brand new […]
It’s around about this time of year that I get all reflective on the year gone past. I like to share these thoughts and experiences, be they good or bad. It is perhaps a little self indulgent but people always ask me – “how is business?” – from which I am expected to give a […]
stolen goat has been running for just over 2 years now. Friends & family are always interested to know what it’s like running my own company, and I think that most people are very curious about what it’s actually like. I know that I was very curious for the 7 years I spent working in a corporate […]
If you live in the UK and watch TV, chances are you’ve seen the Be More Dog campaign by O2. It’s a good campaign, good fun – and engaging. The essence of the campaign being that dogs are care free and have a “Carpe Diem” or seize the day attitude. That’s cool. But I’m not […]
Image: my 2 daughters enjoying a pedal powered roundabout on holiday The Goat is an awesome animal. But it needs food, drink and occasional play & relaxation to keep it performing at it’s best… It’s been over 2 years since I had more than a day off work. In that time a second daughter has […]
Few people have divided the opinions of the cycling world in recent times, and quite possibly ever, as Lance Armstrong has. Where usually a veritable rainbow of opinions emerges, in his case seemingly, there aren’t even 50 shades of grey. It’s black or white, love or hate. Like Marmite. Yet, while I have a very […]
As promised last week, I’ll tackle the first question that was asked. This one came from Victoria on Twitter and she wanted to know: What do you do when things go wrong? The very short answer actually comes from the boy scouts: always be prepared. However, there are different kinds of ‘preparedness’: physical, mental and […]
No, I’ve not rewritten the laws of Physics. Though, who wouldn’t mind a cheeky Nobel Prize? No, this is about a different sort of black hole. Last weekend, I did an 18 mile trail race. It’s a distance I have never done before. It was a completely new experience and a big challenge and my […]
Over the last year or so – an outrage has slowly risen amongst the cycling community. This outrage comes in the form of baseball caps being worn on the podium instead of the beloved cycling cap. Trivial as this point may seem – the cycling cap is an iconic accessory of our sport. It is […]
Above – my 2 Children Daisy & Emily… could they be the future leaders of Stolen Goat Corporation??? On a personal level this year has been a genuine roller coaster for me. Ditching your steady, well paid, corporate job that puts food on the table for the whole family in favour of running a company […]
If you’ve ever bought something from Stolen Goat then you will probably have received a request to review your experience a few days later. It is completely optional of course, some people feel compelled to offer feedback, some don’t. It’s all good. I made the active decision when embarking on the review system that I […]
This weekend contains Small Business Saturday (7th December). You may or may not have heard of this – it’s a way of getting people behind small business in the UK. Stolen Goat definitely falls into the Small Business slot, we’ve only been going for a year or so and whilst we are growing we are […]
With Christmas just around the corner, here is a selection of super cool presents for cyclists that won’t break the bank. All of the following come in at under £30, but you can see the whole list here: cycling gifts for under £30… Cycling T-Shirts starting at just £18 Cycling inspired tees make an excellent […]
Apparently at this time of year – some people start buying each other gifts! Forget that, it’s not Christmas quite yet so lets all focus on ourselves for a bit longer shall we? If the thought of doing the Christmas shopping sends shivers down your spine then have a look at these lovely items which […]
pic: ©Stefano Sirotti The days of frivolous cycling in the warmth of the Sun are starting to slip away. But we are still cyclists right? We may not cycle as much (although many do) but we still ride our bikes. The thought of going out in the Autumn and Winter is often worse than the […]
I am a cyclist, I am also very much a tech fan. I’m betting you are the same. There is something about cycling that seems to attract tech geeks. Most of the cyclists I know are heavily into tech and gadgets and indeed most are in or have worked in the software industry or come […]
It’s around about now each year that people start telling you that Autumn is on its way – you need to start wearing warmer clothes and being depressed. To be honest, this message mostly starts because all the retailers have got their Autumn / Winter stock in the shops! But it’s bullshit! Right now is actually […]
Let’s face it, most of us (OK all of us) cannot climb the Pyrenees like some kind of Columbian Mountain Goat. Watching the Tour de France makes me realise just how lame I am at climbing, but hey – it’s what cycling is all about. We all “hate” hills and yet we all seek them […]
It has to be said, I’m an efficiency nut. Whether I’m working, cycling, running, or whatever I’m striving for 100% efficiency. I think it’s why I love cycling so much, particularly road cycling. Cycling races are typically won by the most efficient team or cyclist. Take a look at Team Sky in action over the […]
Eliza Southwood is one of our favourite print artists here on Stolen Goat. She produces some fantastic Limited Edition hand pulled, silkscreen art prints, most of which are cycling specific. She recently gave us exclusive rights to sell her limited edition run of her wonderful Cime de la Bonette prints, and I suddenly realised that I had no […]