Vest and Patch

Earlier this riding season, I did a group ride with the Low XII Riders, a Masonic Riding Chapter of the Widows Sons. The members, and their ladies, all sported black leather vests with a big patch representing their chapter on their backs. I thought it looked great and I wanted a vest and patch…something that represented TEAL on WHEELS.

My husband, Charlie, suggested we go to the Military Supply store in Brewer to look at vests. I found one there, the tags on it exclaimed it had two hidden inside gun pockets. We, I didn’t need any gun pockets, but the vest was a good fit and I bought it. Next to get a patch designed and made. That presented an issue until a neighbor said to just get the teal cancer ribbon on the patch. I was trying too hard to put too much on the patch. Once I simplified it, the patch was ready to go. I asked around for a place where I could get the patch made. Logo-Motion, in nearby Brewer, Maine was the place to go. Val, the owner, was great to work with and she produced a beautiful patch in a teal matching my bike’s color.

Now, I had to find someone that sewed on leather. I went back to the Masons and asked for some help. Joe Sargent, from the Wayfarer’s Chapter of the Widows Sons, connected me with Jan from Downeast Maine. Jan sews patches, cleans houses, and makes wedding cakes…a JILL of all trades! She was great to work with and sewed the patch for me at no charge, just because she wanted to help me out. Thank you Jan!

So, now I have this great vest with a great patch…a real conversation starter! On my first ride, just local on Mount Desert Island, several women asked me what TEAL on WHEELS was? That was the opening for my conversation and sharing of an ovarian symptom card with them. One was the manager of a convenience store who followed me out of the store and into the parking lot to ask. The other lady asked me while I was at a gas pump filling up my bike.

Keep your eyes open for me to be scooting by wearing my new vest! It’s a beauty!