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What do you do when
you can't find bike wear to fit your size? You make your own....at
least, that's what Angie Ho from Core Rat did!
 BIKEsutra: Tell us a little about
yourself
Angie Ho: I'm a 39 yr.
old single mom of an 18 yr. old teenager. Being an adrenaline
junky, I excercise 4-5 days per week, in all weather, and have
recently taken up running, due to the snow. Riding has been
minimal this winter. I eat very healthily, take care of my body
and spend 99% of my time in the woods. I also don't watch TV
when I'm not out, and if I am not too tired to focus, I paint.
BIKEsutra: I
heard that you were a bike messenger before, what made you choose
that line of work?
Angie Ho: Well, I didn't
want to work in restaurants or bars anymore; the job sort of
landed at my feet, although I didn't ride a bike much (just
to UBC from Kits) and I didn't know downtown at all.
A
friend introduced me to his boss one day while I was sending
resumes downtown, trying to get a job almost anywhere, even
at shoe stores on Robson St.! One of the bikers broke his arm,
and I was hired the following day; with one day to ride along
with a senior, and that afternoon I was handed my own radio.
 BIKEsutra:
What got you started in designing your own wear?
Angie Ho: There wasn't
any cycling wear for a small person, especially for a small
woman; I wanted to wear black, not the neon European style jerseys
which were available at the time, so I started making my own.
BIKEsutra: What is the story
behind the name "Core Rat"?
Angie Ho: There is a blurp
about the history
of that name on my site...my despatcher at Gelco, now known
as Dynamex I believe, use to call for us as "core rat's"
when he came back from his lunch break. It translates as slang
for "core" downtown core, and "rat" for
alley rat.
 BIKEsutra:
What was the product you had the hardest time designing?
Angie Ho: I went through
a hard time finding the "right" fabrics, and consistant
suppliers. The Armour and Shorts were the most time consuming,
considering I have only grade eight sewing. Being a rider though,
of course did the trick, and "trial and error" is
the means by which I learned.
BIKEsutra: I know that some
of us out there are curious about your bike. What bike do you
ride and what is the setup?
 Angie Ho:
Last year, Rocky
Mountain gave me a 2001 Pipleline Prototype, although it's
not on the market this year as they have combined the RM with
the Pipleine to come up with the "Switch". It's a
great bike, because I have short legs, and I can drop the seat
all the way down. That was the priority when choosing a bike
for myself. Also the terrain here in Squamish is very up and
down; so the lock out and changeability of the rear triangle
for climbing or descending is great.
I
also have the Stratos 7" front forks, Hayes disc brakes,
front and rear, with an eight inch rotor on the front; a 115
ml. 40 degree stem with a med, rise bar. My brakes are reversed
to be the same as my Beta Trials Motorcycle, which I ride tons
in the summer months, starting from the May long weekend, until
Thanksgiving, up at my fave play area at Onion Lakes (off the
Duffy Lk. Rd, between Lilloet and Litton)
 BIKEsutra:
Any tips on the latest product that you are designing?
Angie Ho: The Fork Guards
are the newest item on the list. Fork Guards for the Stratos,
Boxer, and Marzocchi forksare now available, with the Monster-T
Fork Guards coming out hopefully next week! Our Battle Shorts
are now available in the "Long"-version, coming to
below the knee for more coverage. Delux Jackets are now in colours!!
BIKEsutra: Any advice for
bikers who aspire to run their own company?
Angie Ho: Be professional.
Be honest.
We'd like to thank Angie for being such
a sport and for agreeing to be interviewed.
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Core Rat Hardcore Arm Armour
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Core Rat Hardcore Leg Armour
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Core Rat Hip Pad
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