{"id":172939,"date":"2019-03-22T11:17:18","date_gmt":"2019-03-22T11:17:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=172939"},"modified":"2019-03-22T11:17:18","modified_gmt":"2019-03-22T11:17:18","slug":"lynn-bye-of-fat-lad-at-the-back-on-making-plus-size-cycling-gear-for-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2019\/03\/22\/lynn-bye-of-fat-lad-at-the-back-on-making-plus-size-cycling-gear-for-women\/","title":{"rendered":"Lynn Bye of Fat Lad At The Back: On Making Plus Size Cycling Gear for Women"},"content":{"rendered":"

As we\u2019ve discussed before<\/a>, finding plus-size cycling gear can be challenging at best and downright demotivating at worst. Fat Lad At The Back (FLAB) is one of the brands trying to change that. Despite being rejected by Dragon\u2019s Den (for its controversial name), Richard and Lynn Bye were determined to bring their vision to life. In 2014, they succeeded when they secured a nation-wide distribution deal for the brand which is proudly known by its Co-Founder\u2019s former nickname.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They started with a men\u2019s line, but women started asking \u2018what about us?\u2019 so Lynn turned her attention to the women\u2019s range. She designed a completely female-focussed collection, which took into consideration women\u2019s curves, women\u2019s comfort and which would flatter every size or shape of the female rider. This week, we talked to her about the brand\u2019s provocative name, the importance of community, FLAB\u2019s strategy of inclusion, and what we can expect from them in the future.<\/p>\n

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Richard and Lynn Bye were determined to bring their vision to life.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

FLAB has obviously established itself as a force in the industry but what has been most surprising about how it\u2019s been received?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

We have an edgy name, which some people completely misunderstood and thought we were being mean to fat people. We\u2019ve definitely had some hate mail \u2013 irate men and women who can\u2019t believe that we would have such a bitchy\/offensive\/cruel name. Ironically, many of the upset were thin people, being offended on behalf of fat people, which, frankly, says more about their attitude to FAT than it does about our name.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m fully aware of the pressure women are under to be perfect but some people have really failed to get that the brand is actually challenging the stereotype. I think some people just take to the keyboard without looking at who we are and finding out about what we do.<\/p>\n

Not everyone gets our self-deprecating humour but wearing the jersey means you\u2019re owning the joke. \u201cSo what if I\u2019m a fat lass on a bike, now what have you got to say to me!?\u201d<\/p>\n

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On the other hand, there\u2019s also been lots of support. What has been the most rewarding part of seeing FLAB grow and the community that has developed around it?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

We knew we wanted a brand with a community at its heart and growing that has come with its challenges. We are still a small company in a highly competitive industry and there\u2019s always too much to do and not enough time or manpower, but the community has been an important part of our development.<\/p>\n

Richard and I are humbled by some of the comments people have made to us. I can\u2019t tell you the number of times we have heard \u2018I bought a bike, but I only went out on it once because I felt so stupid in the wrong gear\/or people were really cruel and I was called horrible names.\u2019
\nThe brand has genuinely empowered people to get on their bikes, make positive life changes and enjoy a healthier, happier life.<\/p>\n

People come to Fat Lad\/Lass at varying stages of their own personal journey and we\u2019re with them through their trials, tribulations, enjoying their successes and supporting their failures.
\nWe actively encourage people of all abilities to cycle together \u2013 getting more experienced cyclists to mentor beginners and the less experienced. We also bring many people from the community together at our annual Big Fat Bike Ride \u2013 a cycling Sportive we hold every year in our home town of Ilkley.<\/p>\n