The Final Lap š“ā¤ļø
Well, here we are, 12 years, 100ās of 1000ās of riders and about a million bacon butties later...
Weāre writing with big hearts and slightly wobbly chins to let you know that this will be the final season for Fat Lad At The Back.
It all started when Richard had a moment of pure genius (or madnessājuryās still out) and wondered why on earth there wasnāt decent cycle kit for people who didnāt look like pro racers. Pedal forward and that spark turned into something way beyond what we ever imagined: a brand, a movement and a global community of glorious misfits who proudly wear their kit (and their curves) with pride.
FLAB hasĀ neverĀ just been about the clothes. Itās always been about the people and including every body, every shape, every size. Weāve stood firm on our values (no sweatshops, no shortcuts, no BS) and weāve loved every second of it.
But, like all good rides, this oneās coming to an end. Not because the wheels have come offāfar from it! The business is doing well and weāre proud to say itās going out on a high. But for me (Lynn), this path was never the plan and after over a decade at the helm, itās time for a change. Iāve been itching to start a new chapter and the time has come to close the lid on the FLAB toolbox.
What does this mean for you?
š„Ā We're still open!Ā You can still shop as usual, but this seasonās stock is the last of it.
āļøĀ No Autumn/Winter collection.Ā Once itās gone, itās gone.
šļøĀ No sales or price slashing.Ā This isnāt a clearance sale, itās a respectful roll-down of the shutters.
š¦Ā Backorders and custom kitsĀ are still being made and will be delivered as planned.
šĀ Got a gift voucher?Ā Use it sooner rather than laterāweād hate for you to miss out.
š§¦Ā More gear incoming!Ā Final bits like socks and undershorts are still en routeāso keep your eyes peeled.
And yes, the legend that is Amy is sticking around to help me see it all through, with her usual brilliance and sassery. After that, weāre off to explore pastures new (probably not on bikes, though!).
So, one last thank you!
You lot. Youāre the reason we kept going. Your stories, your smiles, your āI never thought Iād wear lycra but now I love itā momentsātheyāve meant the world. You helped us shift attitudes, challenge nonsense and make cycling a space forĀ everyone.
Weāre leaving with full hearts, no regrets and a hell of a lot of love for each and every one of you.
The FLAB flame will keep burning in every one of you who believed in what we stood for: that you donāt have to look a certain way to ride, to move, or to belong.
Ride on, you beautiful bunch and thank youātrulyāfor everything.
With all our love,
Lynn & RichardĀ š
Team FLAB (Forever in Spirit)
Sorry to hear you have decided to close down. Just a pity that you were still accepting payments for gift cards only a month before you closed without making any reference to the purchaser that they would not be valid for 12 months as you promised in your email. At least the Ā£60 birthday present was a nice thought from my daughter.
I am very sorry to hear that you are closing your doors after all of these years. I have purchased a number of things from you and it has been fantastic. In fact I was just coming back to purchase some more.
Hopefully this is not inappropriate, but can you recommend another online store that I can look at to get extra large cycling gear?
I just heard about your brand and I read this?! This is fucking bullshit. You have no reason to close down and fulfil a neglected void in the cycling/athletic wear market. And until you change your mind, I say fuck you.
I found your cycling gear in 2018 and it was a GAME CHANGER for me!š„° I loved having gear that allowed me to ride in all weather conditions and I was both happy and a little dismayed when I sized out of FLAB due to weight loss but my group of friends that I introduced to cycling were also big customers. I wish more clothing companies understood more fabric doesnāt equate to less style, less colors, less selection while tripling the cost! I wish you the best on your next adventure and I hope you truly understand what your gear meant to your customers.š„°š„°š„°š„°š„°
I understand moving on and I wish you the best. And I am so grateful for the sizing and the lengths of your jerseys and shorts, which I canāt find anywhere else! I would start my own company (and willā¦.do you mentor?) for these. I think itās that important. Can we talk about how to keep this gear available?