The EDZ Keswick team have been busily re-designing our shop window again. This time the them is a Tour de France inspired cycling theme featuring our favourite Merino sheep.
Here are a few photos of the shop this afternoon:
Come along to the EDZ outlet shop at 60 Main Street Keswick CA12 6JT and take a look at our lovely window display and grab a bargain in our EDZ Merino Sale which is still continuing in store and online at www.edzdirect.com
EDZ are pleased to be supporting an expedition to Iceland this Summer. Here is what it is all about from the students themselves...
The planned route for the trip
On 12th July, 11 students from the universities of Oxford, Oxford Brookes, Reading and Gloucester will begin an exciting and ambitious expedition to Iceland. Over the course of 23 long (20 hours of daylight) days they will complete a traverse of the country on foot from its northern to southern-most points: Rifstangi to Kötlutangi. This will be a route of over 450km and, laden with all their food and equipment for the duration, they will be carrying a significant weight on their backs.
In addition, Iceland plays host to some infamously inhospitable landscapes and weather. During the trip the students will have to cope with bleak volcanic plains and powerful rivers, as well as heavy rain and strong winds. The students will have to work together as a team to cope with the heavy loads, challenging terrain and the many other difficulties that Iceland will no doubt throw at them.
To aid them during this challenging expedition, EDZ has supported the trip by providing each student with a package of merino clothing. They will have few chances to wash their clothes and will experience some fairly extreme weather conditions, but the Merino base layers that EDZ have supplied will no doubt be equal to all this and the students are thus hugely grateful to EDZ for its generosity. Watch this space for more updates and photos of the Icelandic adventure!
EDZ are proud to be a sponsor of Supermoto rider Chris Hodgson. EDZ have been working with Chris for many years and its a pleasure to see him going from strength to strength. He recently triumphed in Australia to win the 2015 Australian Supermoto Championship.
Chris' Winners medal
We will be catching up with Chris in a few weeks time and we will be posting up a profile on his adventures so far. In the meantime, we are sending huge congratulations to Chris, keep up the good work!!
If you thought that Merino Wool was only beneficial in Winter then we are here to give you the low down on why EDZ Merino garments should be at the top of your kit list this Summer:
1. Keeps you Cool
Merino has natural climate control properties making it comfortable to wear in hot conditions
2. Moisture Control
Merino wicks moisture and is absorbent and dries quickly
3. Anti Odour
Merino has awesome anti odour properties and can be worn for days without getting smelly
4. UV Protection
Merino provides excellent protection from the suns rays
5. Keeps you Warm
And when it is cool Merino is much warmer than cotton and synthetics
6. Travel Light
Merino garments will not need washing every day, even after a day of hard activities. You will need to pack less clothing which is especially great if travelling on budget airlines or needing to fit all of your kit into a backpack.
7. Easy Care
When the time does come to wash EDZ Merino garments, simply put them in the washing machine on a 30c wash!
We'll be giving you even more information over the coming weeks, hopefully as the sun begins to shine! Be prepared and get your EDZ Merino garments and accessories online at EDZ Direct or at our Keswick Outlet shop at 60 Main Street, Keswick CA12 5JT.
This weekend (Saturday 6th June 2015) sees the annual Trawler Race take place in Maryport, just down the hill from EDZ HQ. Naturally we will be out supporting this event which is not only a sight to behold but will also be raising funds for Maryport Rescue and Maryport Sea Cadets.
It is one of the great things about being based in a coastal town that we get to witness some rather quirky traditions, with the Trawler Race being one of them. For all of you wondering what on earth a Trawler Race is, let us explain.....
Maryport started out life as a small village and was once a very busy port. Even in the days of the Romans, when Maryport was known as Alauna, the harbour was used to bring in supplies for the large fort which was built above the town. The port grew and was thriving for many years and the town was kept bustling with visiting sailors and local fishermen.
Although the port is not as busy as it once was, the fishing tradition remains close to the hearts of the people of Maryport and the Trawler Race became an annual event. The local fisherman, along with a handful of boats from nearby Isle of Man, pit themselves against each other in some good spirited racing. The skippers are encouraged to decorate their boats in a theme of their choice and have their crew dress up with a prize being awarded for the best dressed boat on the day. Locals and tourists alike gather on the harbour side to wave off the trawlers and they race from point to point before returning to the harbour for some well earned festivities!
Trawlers heading out to the race start point
This year the race has been expanded to include more of a festival feel with attractions including a continental market, fair and bouncy castles as well as stalls from emergency services including Cumbria Constabulary, Cumbria Fire and Rescue and the Blood Bikes with many more in attendance.
So if you are in the area this weekend pop along and take a look! The market and stalls with be open from 10am with the Trawler Race starting at 1pm.
Team EDZ will be out supporting the event, although in an off duty capacity to enjoy the event to its fullest!
Duke of Lancaster's Regiment First Battalion passing by EDZ HQ
Today (20th May 2015) the EDZ team were out on the pavements to welcome the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment to Maryport. The Regiment were given Freedom of the Town and around 130 soldiers from 1st Battalion came along to parade the streets of our home town.
Regimental Band
It was a proud moment for many local people who lined the streets to applaud the soldiers and school children were allowed out from school to excitedly wave their flags and bunting to welcome the Regiment to the town. The procession passed straight by our HQ and the EDZ staff were out to add our cheers and applause to those of the school children who had assembled just across the road from our office.
Team EDZ had a great view of the parade
EDZ are proud to be a Cumbrian company and are pleased to see the people of Maryport offering their gratitude to our local army regiment. We understand that this Battalion is due to deploy for Cyprus very shortly and we are sending them our very best wishes for their upcoming tour.
The Regiment passing by heading for the town centre
The EDZ Team will be attending the Keswick Mountain Festival this week. The Festival runs from Thursday 14th May until Sunday 17th May with lots of things to see and do.
We will be exhibiting in the Festival Village with a large selection of our products and some great show offers, including 20% off our Merino T-shirts and Merino Base Layers.
For full information on the Festival take a look at the official website:
The EDZ shop team have been busy re-vamping our window display and we think they have done a rather good job. Hope you all agree!
If you are in the Lake District this Bank Holiday weekend then don't forget to visit our outlet shop in Keswick. You can find us at 60 Main Street, Keswick CA12 5JT.
Our opening hours are:
Monday -Saturday 9.30am-5.30pm
Sunday 10am-4.00pm
The Merino sale is now in full swing in the shop with some great deals to be had on Merino items and an in-store exclusive 'interesting rail' which is definitely worth taking a look.
For all of you that won't be in Cumbria, as always EDZdirect.com will be there to provide you with the full EDZ range and a great SALE section with free standard shipping to UK customers. EDZ HQ will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday but will be back open as usual at 9am on Tuesday.
The second of the fell races sponsored by EDZ will take place tomorrow. The Lords Seat race, organised by Keswick Athletic Club is a 5mile race with a climb of 430m. Good luck to all of those taking part and we look forward to seeing the winners in their EDZ prizes
We are exhibiting at the Classic Bike Shows at Stafford this weekend. Our team will be on hand with our full range of products and some great show offers. We hope to see you there!
EDZ HQ is perched on the outskirts of the Lake District. Recently EDZ team member Claire confessed to only having been up one fell in her entire life much to the amazement of our seasoned EDZ product testers who are up there on an almost daily basis. So this weekend, Claire took to the fells with her partner Neil and French Bulldog Cooper. Here is how she got on....
The view on the way up
With the weather turning nice this weekend we decided to head out to take Cooper for his first Lake District fell experience (admittedly only my second attempt at a fell). I've tested many EDZ products in the gym and on low level walks but I couldn't help but feel I was missing out when listening the adventures of the other members of the EDZ crew. With the route downloaded we set off in search of Bowscale Tarn which apparently is the home to two immortal fish. Unfortunately I cannot tell you if this legend is true as we got lost by starting in the wrong place at Mungrisdale and headed off up a hill instead!
The weather was pleasant albeit it a little breezy. I opted to wear my EDZ Merino Zip neck top which proved perfect for the hike up. I could definitely feel my body temperature rising during the fairly steep climb but the Merino worked well to keep me cool.
Cooper taking in the view
Cooper was the first to reach the top and enjoyed a sniff about whilst we tucked into some sandwiches and cake whilst taking in the view. It was definitely colder on the tops and I was pleased to say that the Merino once again was there with its thermal properties to keep the chill off. I was also pleased of the anti-odour properties meaning I wasn't sweaty or smelly during our stop off.
The view from our picnic spot
After some more ascent, we decided that we were probably heading a bit out of our depth. Bang on cue appeared the Mountain Rescue helicopter, a sure sign that we should head back down towards Mungrisdale
Fly past from the Mountain Rescue helicopter
The walk down was definitely a bit colder as a few more clouds creeped in to view and the wind started to pick up. Although the Merino was keeping the chill off, I donned my EDZ Midlayer for a bit of added insulation for the rest of the walk down.
To celebrate our first fell success (ok so it might not have been the fell we had planned but it was nonetheless a fell) we headed to the pub. Again the Merino triumphed and I was suitably cool whilst relaxing in the late afternoon sunshine in a beer garden.
EDZ's James Tilleard (right) presenting new Yeti jackets to Maryport Rescue's David Topliss (Left)
EDZ are proud to be continuing our support of Maryport Rescue, who are an independent Lifeboat and Rescue Service based near to EDZ HQ in Maryport.
This year we have supplied the team with our EDZ Yeti Jackets. We will be popping down to see how the team are getting on with their jackets in the next few weeks so watch this space for more details on the great services provided by Maryport Rescue and for their comments on our jackets.
EDZ are pleased to be supporting a couple of local fell races this month organised by Keswick Athletic Club.
We will be supplying the winners of Men's and Women's races with an EDZ Merino T-shirt, and EDZ multi-tubes for winners in their respective age groups.
The races will take place on:
Wednesday 15th April The Grisedale Grind Wednesday 29th April Lords Seat
The EDZ team were out enjoying the sunshine this morning and taking in this view from Latrigg towards Keswick and the Newlands Valley. Lets hope the good weather continues for the Easter weekend.
If you are in the Keswick area this weekend don't forget to pop in and visit our outlet shop.
With the Bonneville rebuilt and great riding weather coming together how can you enjoy empty roads when you live in the heart of the Lake District? Answer: get up early. This morning I was up and away at 6am. The sky was crystal clear and the air still. I guessed it would be on the fresh side but had little idea how that would translate. I chose heavy bike boots with thick socks, winter gloves with silk liners, riding jeans (mistake) and my heavyweight leather jacket under a thick fleece top. At the last moment I remembered my EDZ Inner Shell which easily slipped under the jacket. It doesn't appear that it can add much to rider comfort for its ridiculously light weight but I knew better. It had once turned a chilly evening ride in Corsica into a very pleasurable event but this morning would be a much greater test.
The Bonnie fired straight into life and I felt a touch guilty that it's throaty exhaust note might wake the neighbours so early on Easter Sunday. As quietly as possible I motored out through Windermere which to be honest wasn't that quiet at all but nothing like the deafening roar this machine makes when you really give it a fistful. This operation and its subsequent auditory onslaught shortly followed as the twisting Kirkstone Pass quickly opened up. It was indeed fresh. Even with my choice of an open faced lid the visor kept misting up if I didn't direct my breath anyway except downwards. All felt good on the top half of my body and not a single sneaky draft. The same couldn't be said for my legs. Knees in particular.
I dodged 2 low flying pigeons, a few sheep, as expected and a bunny which surely had to escape a tyre this morning of all mornings. Just after cresting the Kirkstone summit the temperature plunged as often happens when you enter new valleys. Ahead was something I hadn't anticipated. Heavy frost smothering the low lying fields around Brotherswater. My hands and knees started to stiffen with cold and I had to concentrate even more to keep the visor clear.
By the steamer pier at Genridding on Ullswater I couldn't continue any further so pulled into the parking lot. The soft early sun was grazing the craggy slopes of Helvellyn but in the valleys it would continue to stay marginally above freezing for some time yet. I warmed my hands over the hot engine and fumbled a phone shot. The occupants of an ancient campervan stirred and offered me a wave but not the hot brew I really wanted.
It was just after 6.45 with hands tingling back into life that it was time to continue. As Ullswater swings to the east I was met with a low sun in my face. The hike in temperature was welcome but riding into the dazzling light on this twisting read wasn't. That said the traffic wasn't exactly heavy. Only one vehicle seen since departure. A white van. What else!
At Aira Force I took a left and climbed up the fast winding lanes through Dockray and Matterdale and out onto the high moorlands to the north. I passed a blue farm Landrover. Vehicle 2. I was now on the A66 to Keswick with the sun on my back but my hands slowly returning to a deep cold ache. With a completely empty trunk road as a foreground, Blencathra and NW fells made a stunning picture bathed in rich golden light. My long shadow projected dead ahead in perfect symmetry. I could see my jeans flapping in sync to the even beat of this freshly fettled twin.
I peeled off the A66 and took the lovely road through St John's in the Vale which I know could be the coldest valley yet. Silver frost covered tents pitched for the bank holiday. I imagined how cosy it would be wrapped in a good down sleeping bag and then realised I needed to stop again as slick clutch operation was essential on this stretch. The sun was again hidden as I cruised to a halt under a lovely old road sign to the church. It took 10 minutes to bring life back to my hands but my the knees were now beyond hope! I was careful not to burn my paws on the hot engine and kept well away from the exhausts. Slowly the trick worked its magic and I set off once more.
The bike felt great and in my own opinion so well suited to these smaller roads. It's nimble yet it delivers more than adequate power when needed. I'm surprised at how the torque has improved since the rebuild and shifting is kept to a welcomed minimum on this, the coldest stretch. Another left and I'm on the homeward leg passing Thirlmere to my right. A light breeze riffles the surface in feather like patterns. The faint scent of resin mixes with the cold air as I passed along the forested shore and soon the gradual climb to Dunmail Raise was behind me. The temperature shifted up a few notches as Grasmere came to view. Car 3 appeared. Bread was being delivered in Ambleside and 10 minutes later I rolled back into base. It was 7.30. My hands were nearly dead again. My knees ached with numbing cold but my feet and torso were just fine. There was not a moment to inspect the steed in the time honoured way as I scuttled to the kettle with all speed. Revival was all that was on my mind.
It was a great ride and made out of choice unlike my earlier biking days when it was out of necessity. I was daft not to have used my insulated bike trousers but what really astonished me was how effective the EDZ Inner Shell performed and kept me going. There's nothing to it and yet it adds way more to comfort than say an extra fleece which there may not be room for anyway. It's a gem and compresses smaller than a tennis ball so there's always room for it in a pocket or under the saddle.
For the potential cynics I'm not paid to write this but I do know the EDZ team and was curious to try this item out. It really doesn't look like it can add much to rider comfort which I guess is why many bikers will overlook it. Many of the old guys will tell you about stuffing newspaper down the front of their jackets. This works in the same way but is a little more convenient and you don't end up with newsprint all over your tee-shirt.
Spring has sprung, and it's time to dig the bike out of the shed, pump up the tyres, WD40 everything, and endure that saddle-sore first ride! But what about those cold mornings and passing showers? Spring weather can be (slighly more) unpredictable than summer. That's where Merino wool comes into its own, offering natural climate control in changing conditions.
Put an EDZ Merino base layer under your jersey to manage that sweat on the up's and stop the chill on the down's. A Pair of our Merino Capri's will keep the knees oiled. The EDZ Ultra-shell fits easily in a jersey pocket ready to be deployed against wind and those April showers.
Once you've familiarised yourself with our Multi-tube you wont know how you lived without it. Stop the chill with this and one of our Helmet liners for low-profile streamlined comfort. Finally, keep the momentum going with energised feet: EDZ Merino wool socks keep your feet warm without over-heating, even when wet.
As Winter sets in for another year, it's worth remembering the basics of layering. We layer up thin layers of clothing to trap air warmed by the body between each garment. Some fabrics are better than others. A good layering system will take advantage of fabrics which promote the movement of moisture away from the skin and out through the layers, whilst trapping warm air.
The EDZ Performance Layering system is designed to be flexible. Add a layer for extra warmth remove a layer to cool down. Here's 4 layers to keep you warm this winter:
200gsm Merino Baselayer - wear it next to the skin, it's your first and best line of defense against the cold, with anti-odor and moisture management properties. Men | Ladies
200gsm Merino Wool Zip neck top - Either worn as a baselayer or second layer, the Merino Zip neck is the ultimate in climate control with a front zip for venting when things hot-up and high collar for extra protection around the neck. Men | Ladies
Midlayer Microfleece - Our soft to touch, lightweight fleece fabric contours the body with a precise fit. Amazingly low bulk for freedom of movement, yet super insulating. Men | Ladies
Yeti Jacket - Have you ever heard a yeti complain about the cold? The Yeti is our no messing insulation piece, made from double sided high-loft fleece. Lighter and smaller packing than a conventional fleece yet warmer. Men | Ladies
Finally, depending on your activity you might want to finish your layering system off with a windproof layer to stop the exchange of warm air for cool and prevent wind chill. Our Windshells can be worn over any combination of layers. Check out our windproof layers.
This Autumn see's the launch of several new products from EDZ, and some new colours added to our already varied Merino range.
New in the Natural 190gsm Merino range is a men's and ladies Vest top, which is great as thermal layer next to the skin. A lot of people asked for these last winter to wear under shirts or in situations where a vest would be more discrete but still give merino warmth to your core. Its also great as a vest top for high activity and hot sunny conditions.
Also new for this Autumn is the Men's Merino Wool Capri. This is another response to customer demand. The Capri is ideal as a thermal long-john for wearing with high boots, such as Ski, Snowboard or Motorcycle boots as it doesn't interfere with the wearers socks and avoids the problems of bunching fabric on the shin. The Capri also works well as a legging for running or other aerobic activities.
We are doing Children's baselayer sets for the first time, for ages 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12. These are the same Superfine grade Merino Wool we are known for, with flatlock seams, in two great colour choices.
Our Keswick shop manager tells the story... Sometimes you get a crazy idea and it just keeps coming back. If you're like me and always looking to fit your outdoor hobbies into any remaining slot in your busy day you may have discovered the cycle commute or even a run commute is a great outdoor fix. Well, I hate running on the road (no offence if you're a roadie) so I decided I would run home over #Skiddaw. Only, that wouldn't quite get me home, so I stashed my Bike at a secret location near Bassenthwaite, and from there I would ride the last 8km home. Sounds far fetched, I know. But on Tuesday night that was my #MegaCommute. The term 'Mega Commute' is used in America for the six hundred thousand commuters who travel at least fifty miles and ninety minutes to and from work. Wow, that sound like hard work... I got away from work later than planned because I was faffing with my gear choices. It may sound silly but I was a bit nervous and quite excited too. I had been scheming this little adventure for a while but never quite got round to doing it.
The ascent of Skiddaw on the Keswick side is steep, once you climb past Latrigg it gets a bit painful. The steepest bit hit and I dropped to a walk. It was a beautiful moon lit night. The Mountains to the south west faded to blue with wisps of cloud, the almost full moon high over Clough Head shone bright. The steepest part ended and I started to run again. It's a great feeling running in the mountains. Passing behind Skiddaw Little Man the red sunset disappeared. Should I get the headtorch out?
Swinging around to the pass behind Little Man the view opened up again to the last red of the sun to the west, with the twinkling lights of Keswick behind. Breathtaking. Pulling on an EDZ Merino Tube in headband mode I pressed on into swirling cloud coming and going over Skiddaw summit ahead. By the time I was on the summit ridge it was fully dark, but every time I went to grab the head torch the cloud would clear and a massive moon lit the ridge line in front.
Its always windy on top of Skiddaw. I have run here a lot in the last few years and refuse to believe anyone who has been up there with no wind or cloud! Windshirt and Headtorch well overdue I battled against the wind to pull over a Pertex jacket, Merino gloves, and to swap headwear for an EDZ Thermal Helmet liner (they make a great no nonsense hat).
The cloud closed in proper now, so had to run with headtorch held low to stop the glare. Found the descent path to Carl Side (tricky to find sometimes in the dark and the mist) and we're off! apart from a couple of exposed bedrock steps its pretty fast down to Carl Side. By the time I got there I had warmed back up so stripped back to my Merino Baselayer. I love the dynamics of the zip neck: open zip to cool off, zip back up when you cool down, sleeves up/ sleeves down. The path along Ullock Pike is very runable, with switch backs to avoid the craggy bits. Out of the cloud now the views across to the coast with all the street lights and the blue tones of Bassenthwaite Lake below. It was a great evening to be out, and a privilege to have the mountain to myself.
By the time I joined the road I was 20mins behind what I had anticipated. Never mind that, I had ran out of water and was feeling a bit of cramp in my left calf. The road was easy and fast though and I was in Bassenthwaite village before I knew it. Bike retrieved,Pertex shell back on, flashing lights fitted... The ride home was slow and hard though. It's up hill all the way, gradual enough to make it hard but flat looking enough to doubt how hard it feels... and I felt sick from eating a chocolate bar on the run up the road, with no water to wash it down. The cramps were getting worse and I had no choice but to plod along in an easy gear. And that is what makes a mini adventure like this so great: The real high moments and the struggles. I got home to my wife's bolognese (yum), and wondered what my next Mega Commute will be. "I think I might drive tomorrow"...
Its always windy on top of Skiddaw. I have run here a lot in the last few years and refuse to believe anyone who has been up there with no wind or cloud! Windshirt and Headtorch well overdue I battled against the wind to pull over a Pertex jacket, Merino gloves, and to swap headwear for an EDZ Thermal Helmet liner (they make a great no nonsense hat). 
