ILE for Eclipse Racing

Features

May 13, 2024

Eclipse Racing is a Bay Area bike racing team focused on supporting WTFNB (Women, Trans, Femme, and Non-Binary) cyclists. We’ve had an ongoing partnership since 2016, and we’ve produced various team bags to match their kits over the years. This season’s bags feature a combination of Navy, Cyan, and Lavender VX21 XPAC to complement their colorful 2024 kit.

We recently tagged along with the Eclipse team at the Berkeley Streets Criterium to check out the new Race Day Bag in action while riders Suzzette Abbasciano and Stephanie Hayos competed (with Stephanie taking 1st place in the crit and 2nd in the overall omnium!). Check out our interview below to learn more about Eclipse:

What’s the story of Eclipse Racing?

Eclipse Racing was founded in 2015 with the goal of creating a welcoming, fun, competitive, and supportive space for WTFNB (Women, Trans, Femme, and Non-Binary) cyclists to race bikes. Cycling often looks pretty homogenous. We strive to change that by showing up and showing out at cycling events in the Bay Area and beyond.

Road is our primary discipline, but our riders also race track, gravel, mountain bikes, and cyclocross. You can also find us volunteering at local races, serving as board members at other cycling orgs, leading group rides, participating in mentorship programs, and more.

What’s on the radar for the team this season?

Our next major races are the Oakland Grand Prix and Giro di San Francisco, both coming up in September. We had an amazing team camp in Napa in February and are hoping to have another get-together in the summer to regroup and discuss personal and team goals.

What's the inspiration behind this season’s kit design and bag colorways?

With this year’s kit, we wanted to stand out! The colorful and dynamic design makes us visible in the peloton and to cars when training on the road. Our kit also reflects the diverse and fun spirit of the team. ILE’s Lavender and Cyan XPAC fabrics tie in perfectly with our colors.

How do you use your Race Day Bags and Travel Packs during the racing season and in your everyday lives?

I love my Race Day Bag because the variety of zippered pockets helps everything stay organized and accessible. I use one interior zip pocket for my Garmin, heart rate monitor, headphones, and extra charging cable, while the other pocket stashes my nutrition, and the side pockets hold extra water bottles. If I'm driving to a race, I use the exterior pocket for my cycling shoes, and nestle my helmet on top of spare layers and a change of clothes.

I use the Travel Pack in the same way, but the additional capacity allows me to use it for longer trips and non-bike activities. These backpacks are versatile and durable enough for any adventure.