Wear Your Local Dirt: Inside Our Core Designs
- Jace
- May 16
- 3 min read
I have always been ridiculously picky about what shirts I wear. Some fit wrong, some are downright uncomfortable, and for the longest time, I just stuck to basic black, gray, and blue because I didn't really have a sense of "style."
But when it came time to finally make my own merch for the channel, I realized I had developed a very specific taste for quality. I do not mess around when it comes to choosing what shirts I print on.
Here is the story behind the official SoCal Biking Classic Tee and Hoodie, how they are made, and why I chose these specific designs to represent our community.
The Origin Story
Ok ok, so here is the thing. I used to work in a print shop, where I handled graphics and documents and frequently practiced my design skills. Since then, I have been a professional Media Specialist coming up on six years now. While mainly focusing on photography and video, I had the opportunity to refine my graphic design skills through side gigs creating marketing materials and logos.
It all finally came together when I got a day job that involved heat presses and t-shirt printing. I also happened to be getting back into cycling with my dad around the exact same time. You can put the rest together.
The Quality (No Cheap Blanks Here)
I wanted a true staple for our brand. I actually have a contract with Independent Trading Co. and get my blanks directly from them. Their apparel is absolutely top-notch, which is exactly the standard I wanted for my own line of clothes.
The Classic Tee: Printed on the Independent Pigment Dyed black t-shirt (PRM180PT). It is a premium 180GSM short sleeve made of 100% cotton jersey. They use a fine 26 singles yarn that gives it a super soft hand feel. It features a tear-away neck label and a comfortable, relaxed men's standard fit.
The Classic Hoodie: Independent is famous for their hoodies, and this one is incredible. Printed on the black IND280SL Avenue Midweight Pullover, it is an 8.5oz fleece with a boxy fit and a drop shoulder. It features blind-stitch sewing, a double-layer hood, and no drawcords for a super-sleek, contemporary look. When I start selling hoodies again, this is the blank it will be on.
The Design Details
Looking at the SoCal Biking logo, I wanted someone to be able to instantly recognize it. I want them to see it out on the trails and say, "That's SoCal Biking."
Plus, the orange-on-black just looks straight-up clean.
The Main Chest Logo: Featured on both the tee and the hoodie, this logo uses a sleek sport-type font with a futuristic touch. The sportiness nods to cycling, while the yellow-to-orange gradient is a direct nod to those gorgeous Southern California sunsets.
The Circle Icon (Hoodie Sleeve): This one means a lot. It is a California sun setting with my dad holding his bike high above his head. This was his signature pose back in our 2017 and 2018 era. It is still an absolute classic, and that is exactly why it remains our Instagram profile photo today.
The Full Back Logo (Hoodie): By combining both the icon and the text, I wanted something a bit more full for the back of the hoodie. It is a great blend that pops perfectly on the black fabric and is absolutely full of Southern California vibes.
Handmade in SoCal
These are not just dropshipped from a random warehouse. I hand-make them myself. I order the blanks and press the designs onto the apparel right here in OC. It is a whole process, and I am only one guy (well, my dad likes to help out, too). So just know that when you purchase a SoCal Biking tee or hoodie, you are directly supporting both me and the brand.
These designs are available on our Etsy shop right now.
If you're not interested in purchasing...what the heck!? Jk, I get it. But hitting subscribe on YouTube or following us on Instagram is absolutely free and just as helpful. Dad and I constantly hop on our bikes, so tag along with us as we do!
Cycle on!
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