About Us
Free Spirit Bike Jerseys began with a Bike Shop and a License Plate...
Kathy Sarns (artist) and husband Pat Irwin (Pro Endurance Cyclist) together started this wearable-art bike jersey business in 2003, sort of by chance!
Pat had a bike shop and Kathy had an art gallery. One day Pat asked Kathy to design a shop bike jersey using her Alaska license plate artwork that she had created for the Alaska Gold Rush Centennial. Their first jersey, Alaska Gold Rush, was so popular that they decided to do another design.. and another, and another... and so began Free Spirit Bike Jerseys.
The first year, when Bicycling Magazine saw their Gold Rush jersey and wanted to feature it, Kathy had to scramble to make a website before the article came out!
When you call or email Free Spirit Wear you will talk to Kathy or Pat.
Kathy creates her original artwork from her sketches in Affinity Designer for each new bright jersey design and Champion System produces them.
In between making new jersey designs and running the business Kathy volunteers - coaching Junior Nordic (xc skiing for kids ages 4- 12), coaching adult skiing, and organizing trail clearing work parties thru Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park.
Pat was diagnosed with MS in 2003, had to stop racing a few years ago and helps with the business wherever he can. He often rides his bike to do errands. He is also their main model - since he is affordable! You can see how long they have been doing this, as Pats hair gets shorter and a little more grey.
"Over the years we have enjoyed getting to know our customers, especially when you post or email about your cycling adventures - and the positive attention our jerseys generate. We are so inspired by ordinary folks doing extraordinary rides & adventures, and how much fun they have wearing our jerseys."
One couple said someone loaned them a car for a day because of a conversation inspired by their Free Spirit jerseys as they rode across the country! Our goal is that people love their jerseys and that wearing them makes the world a little brighter place.
Video put together by Pat & Kathy & their friends wearing Free Spirit Bike jerseys
Relaxed Fit for Regular Folks
After many years of Alaska Jersey designs, they've since expanded to other USA State jersey designs (and a few specialty- wordless ones too). And because so very few people are shaped like pro-cyclists, their cycling jerseys are “relaxed fit for regular folks” and available in plus sizes up to 3X.
All Free Spirit Wear Jerseys (mens and womens) have “elastic-free hemline and sleeves” and people LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, the way they look and feel!
Customers tell us over and over again: Our attractive designs create positive attention and good conversations, thus making their trip, ride, hike, ski, or run even more enjoyable!
A quote from a long time Free Spirit customer: "It's not just that they look good, people are really happy and proud to be wearing them!"
Free Spirit Bike Jerseys have been in TV & the Movies: such as "Chuck", "This is 40" and "Reveal the Path"! Also Kathy was interviewed about her wilderness adventures and is featured in the movie "Canyons and Ice: The Last Run of Dick Griffith".
Positive Attention: A customer told us that while he was riding in the not-so-friendly busy traffic outside of L.A. he was surprised that motorists were actually waving & smiling at him, & giving him thumbs up when he wore his Free Spirit Bike Jersey!
We ship orders each business day from Wisconsin. If you call or email, you will talk to Kathy or Pat directly from our home in Alaska. Our products are 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Wear it- LOVE it - or Return it!
You, the customer, are the reason we are in business and we will do "whatever it takes" to be sure you are happy with every Free Spirit Bike Jersey purchase!
Want to inspire others?
Whether your goal is to bike to work twice a week, travel around the world, or just start getting out more for exercise ~ we support you wholeheartedly and we LOVE to hear about your fitness goals, stories and adventures while wearing one of our jerseys! And HEY - You never know who you might inspire!
Please send your FREE SPIRIT WEAR photos, adventures, and stories via e-mail or tag us on Instagram or Facebook - and we'll make you world famous (in our world anyway) on our social media sites. We use first names only when we post- or NO name at all if you prefer!
Ride Safe and Smile Often (and GET out of the office whenever possible!)
Kathy & Pat