So this is where we need your help. Essentially, “you” are Groucho; and to be honest, there is no way we can do this without you. Stay tuned to this blog, and follow our progress as we work to bring you one of the few cost conscious, highly functional, yet extremely fashionable lines of endurance gear around. We’ll be asking for input, ideas, and feedback along the way. And we’ll definitely be soliciting people for testing and trials, so please stay tuned.
So…if you’re reading this, you’re probably very similar to us in nature. You work out 6 days a week, you actively participate in at least one endurance sport (maybe two), you’re not afraid to push yourself to the limit, and you love every second of doing so! You probably won’t be running an Olympic marathon anytime soon, and you definitely won’t be trailing Lance in the next Tour de France. However, you do require gear that supports your efforts, contributes to your success, and satisfies your personal sense of style. You understand the benefits of materials that are breathable, sweat wicking, and that block harmful UV rays. However, you still find yourself running in aged graphic T’s and cut-off sweats. These are ours:
Why do you continue to wear this aged selection of clothing? Because a trek through your neighborhood, down a random country road, or though a local park just doesn’t justify spending the money required to stock up on an appropriate selection of dry fit runner T’s. The thought of spending $200 dollars on a few fancy cycling jerseys moves your ambition to ‘look the part’ down a few notches to a category of lesser importance. Let’s face it; there are other areas that really do substantiate spending the extra dollar. Like your shoes!
The idea for Groucho came from this very frame of mind. We embark on the quest to find something to wear each and every time we go for a run. And go for a ride. Or we wear the same thing multiple days in a row. On many occasions, we find ourselves jumping on a shiny new road bike, head hung low, dressed in an Old Navy tank and a 5 year old pair of basketball shorts. But don’t get us wrong, we like Nike and Under Armor just as much as everyone else. We just don’t require gear worthy of an NFL great such as Adrian Peterson. Or gear that’s flame retardant and/or can stop a bullet. Or that can turn us in to super human figures. A reptile perhaps:
And we definitely don’t want to pay for these benefits.
Groucho was derived from the term “retro-grouch.” A retro-grouch is defined as someone who prefers older components and gear. From this, we created Groucho-- a title given to those who prefer decent gear, but don’t want to pay the price. Those who play hard, but prefer gear that is not so hard on the wallet. Be a Groucho. ~Groucho
