COMPANY HISTORY
As a young man, Mark Jackson fell in love with bicycles, and was an avid bicycling tourist by age sixteen. He had a complaint, however, and it was that the bicycle clothing available to cyclists at the time was of inferior quality and very poorly made. The rainwear leaked, the riding shorts were uncomfortable, and a "practical" touring short did not even exist. At night, while sitting around the campfire after riding all day, he made lists and drawings, and dreamed about the clothes he could design that would make cycling more comfortable. Later, putting those ideas aside, Mark found an outlet for his love of bicycles by starting his own bicycle shop.
Twenty years ago, in the midst of that bicycle shop, J & G Cyclewear began as Jackson & Gibbens Bicycle Clothing. The shop was located in the bicycling friendly community of Eugene, Oregon. And since it rains a lot in Oregon, Mark was always trying to find good, durable rainwear for his customers that was functional, and affordable, too. He remembered his earlier dreams of making bicycle clothing, and realized that the only way he could offer that rainwear to his customers was to make it himself. So, armed with only his ideas, and knowing nothing about fabrics, patterns, or any other of the "nuts and bolts" that go into making a garment, he began his research.
After a lot of trial and error, where every conceivable thing that could go wrong, did; exhaustive testing, included night riding to test visibility, and time under the garden hose when there was no rain, he was satisfied that he had a rain jacket that he would be proud to present to his customers. And, when he did, the customers loved it! So, from that humble beginning, Mark sold his bicycle shop, and Jackson & Gibbens began its evolution.
Over the years, with a determination to provide customers with the most functional, durable, quality garments at the best possible prices, the line of products has grown. It now includes other essential bicycle clothing, including touring shorts, Lycra riding shorts, and bicycle jerseys. We’ve also added a line of bicycle patrol clothing for police, security, and paramedics.
Today we still adhere to the original ideals that Mark envisioned as a young man. We are still a company that enjoys what we do, and we are greatly rewarded when our customers are satisfied. We concentrate on the quality, value, and durability of our bicycle clothing. We use the best fabrics and materials; and our workmanship is impeccable. And to further ensure their exceptional quality, we’re proud to say that all J & G Cyclewear products are still made in Oregon.
Mark Jackson 1947 - 2009
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