A traditional hip flask with a cycling design
Tue, July 1, 2014 
Some of the finest whiskey in the world comes from Scotland, so it is fitting that a company that specializes in hip flasks to carry the precious liquid, is based in Edinburgh, Scotland.
When the company contacted me offering to send me a flask with a cycling design, I was a little reluctant at first to accept their offer. I know very few cyclists who actually carry alcohol with them while riding.
However, there are some objects like this that are just nice to own, or to give or receive as a gift. So I thought why not, and accepted.
When the flask arrived I was immediately struck by the fine workmanship. The flask itself is stainless steel, with a “Captive” screw-top that you can’t lose. It is covered with a faux leather material that is printed with a bike race scene from the late 1800s when the bicycle and bicycle racing was in its infancy.
The picture itself is intriguing, the cyclist front and center races so fast he meets himself on the back of the flask where the picture joins perfectly.
A lesser quality object would not (See picture right.)
The design is by Ted Baker, also fitting as I understand he started out as a men’s shirt designer in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Ted Baker name is embossed in gold on a brown leather label that is actually stitched to the cover with the picture, before it is glued to the flask. Just another small attention to detail that went into the design and making of this flask.
The flask holds 6oz of liquid and measures 3.75 inches wide x 5 inches tall. It is 7/8 inch thick and is curved to fit in a hip pocket as is traditional. It comes in a gift box that has the same cycling design.
The cost is 27 (British Pounds.) $46.19 US Dollars. There is a 5% discount for my readers by entering code: thanksfor5
For this particular cycling design flask go to http://buyahipflask.com/6oz-bike-hip-flask
There is also a huge choice of other more traditional designs here: http://buyahipflask.com/ These flasks would make a very nice gift, to give or receive. Or for a special presentation they could be engraved.
Finally the company suggested I give one of these flasks away as a prize for a Tour de France competition. I thought that was a great idea. So send me a list of your top ten finishers in this year's Tour.
You can go to this web page http://www.steephill.tv/tour-de-france/ and scroll down the right side of the page for a complete list of teams and riders. Pick out 10 of them and email the list to me.
Please don’t post the list here in the comments, or others will copy it. My email is davesbikeblog[AT]gmail.com (Of course put @ instead of [AT]
The winner will receive one of these fine flasks, pictured above. The winner will be the one with the most riders listed that actually finish in the top 10. In the event of a tie, I will choose the list that has most riders nearest to the correct order of finishing. So pick your top 10 in the order you think they will finish.
The TDF starts this Saturday 5th July. And because we are getting so close I will accept entries up until next Tuesday 8th when the Tour will have left the UK and Stage 4 will be on French soil.
Update 7/9/14: Entries for the TDF Competition are now closed. Thanks to all those who participated. Your lists have been saved and the winner will be anounced when the Tour ends.
Update 7/29/14: The result of the competition is in the comment section below.
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Reader Comments (5)
Were I a better metal worker, I'd build a custom cage for this beautiful flask. It certainly doesn't belong stashed in a jersey pocket.
Actually, whiskey comes from places like Ireland and Kentucky. Scotland produces whisky. As does Canada.
"Whisky" is just the preferred spelling in Scotland. Canada, and Japan. So as an Englishman posting and article in the US, Whiskey works for me.
Dave.
TDF Competition result,
Everyone picked Froome or Contador as either 1st or 2nd, so when these two scratched from the race it made everyone's list a choice of 8 riders, so it evened out fairly.
Jack Painter and Lee Sutherland each picked 4 top 10 finishers, with 3 in the right order. Luckily the hip flask company generously gave me 2 hip flasks, so Jack and Lee both get one as joint winners.
Thanks to all who took the time to participate.
Dave
hello..that's a nice blog and want to know more about that.