Been Bag Cycle Clothing Ltd

[Corinne]

Hello Everyone,

I thought you guys would be the ones to ask for any pics and stories/memories you might have about been bag.

My Mum, Molly Lowe (she used to be known as Molly Beens to many in the industry...) set up the company back in the late seventies after making a pair of shorts for my Dad. His mate said 'me too' and soon she was making shorts, jerseys, jackets originally for road cyclists and then in the late 80's early 90's were the forerunners in designing clothing for the Mountain Bike riders that was for a first in cycle clothing in the UK.

Been Bag made clothing for many cycle teams both professional and local clubs and were regulars exhibiting at the CTC raleigh in York, the International Cycle Festival in Harrogate and most of the Mountain Bike races with a tent in a field!

I have an old Been Bag catalogue that I can post pictures of if anyone is interested and might act as a prompt to our ageing memories!

The reason for the post is that despite having had the company for over twenty years we have little to look back on. Mum is in her mid seventies now and I thought it would be nice to put together a scrap book of the business as much as I can.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated and many thanks in advance!

Corinne

 

[firedfromthecircus]

Hey Corinne. Nice to have you on board and with a definitive version of the start of the company as well!
I know the company has come up in conversation a few times but I'm not sure how much material is out there. It would be great if you could post up pics from a catalogue.
My own recollection is a bit hazy but Been Bag, Bula, Pony and Etto were the names to have IIRC. Of that lot I still have a Bula hat. Good luck in your search.

 

[hamster]

I remember them in Durham (IIRC there was a shop in Durham on Crossgate) in the early 90's just as I started my first job. Certainly then it was the kit to have!

 

[Corinne]

Hi,

Thanks for your post!

Yes, my parents lived above the shop at 64, Crossgate and the Been Bag factory was at the back where all of the machinists, cutters, designers and printing went on! We did quite a lot of work for the Durham University Rowing team too being the one of the first to wear the all in one 'skin suits' which were so similar to the ones cyclists were wearing.

It was the kit to have she would have been doing great business these days with the new popularity in cycling!

 

[Corinne]

Thanks for your reply - I will scan the brochure and post it asap - it's got a few pics that I think some people will get nostalgic about

 

[WD Pro]

I think one of my fat chance tops is bean bag ?

WD

 

[xerxes]

Re:

I had a pair of Bean Bag winter "longs" years ago, they were sort of ribbed woollen tights with a nylon seat. I think practically everyone in the club had a pair at the time.

I found all my old cycling gear at the back of the wardrobe at my parents house a few years back and unfortunately threw most of it away, including the Bean Bag tights, as 30 years of pies has rather put me off wearing skin tight clothing.

 

[Midlife]

Have you posted this in the road section as well? BITD Mick Bradshaw (hard as nails time triallist) used to help Been Bag if I remember.

Shaun

 

[mattr]

My first pair of lycra shorts were some horrifically coloured purple and black been bag shorts. Purchased for something like a fiver from the bargain bin at the stand on the York rally sometime in the mid 80s..........

 

[Ollie]

Hi Corinne !
Some pictures of the catalogue would be fantastic !
I have some Been Bag Orange gear and it's particularly nice to see it was made in my home town.
Great to hear from you and best wishes, Ollie .