Loose Riders and The Cult of Shred
Loose Riders and The Cult of Shred
Loose Riders began in 2012 as a humble Facebook page dedicated to the jungle trails of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Founded by riders who wanted to share their local knowledge of gravity-oriented lines, the initiative quickly evolved from a digital community into the Loose Riders Global Alliance. Today, it stands as one of the world’s largest mountain bike clubs, boasting over 100 chapters worldwide. Asia itself is home 12 Chapters alone ranging Japan down to Indonesia. This “Global Alliance” is built on a non-elitist philosophy: it doesn’t matter if you are a professional shredder or a beginner; the goal is simply to get out, get loose, and not take life too seriously.
In 2013, one of the founders, Tim Soeten — a Belgian expat and longtime BMX rider with experience in fashion and garment production created a small run of T-shirts to support the local chapter. The response was overwhelming, and it quickly became obvious that what had started as a grassroots effort had the potential to grow into something much bigger. What started with simple club t-shirts has grown into a comprehensive line of high-performance technical wear. This was the beginning of the apparel range that we now know today for its distinctive style, fit and durability.
The Apparel Line
Loose Riders apparel is characterized by its “Cult of Shred” aesthetic, collections are functional and art-driven, inspired by counter-culture, punk rock, 80s BMX & skateboard culture and streetwear. Their jerseys are crafted from recycled materials — specifically recycled plastic bottles — offering moisture-wicking properties and a durable, lightweight feel.
Beyond jerseys, the range includes ride shorts and pants, technical socks, and casual “lifestyle” gear. The brand has also expanded from technical and lifestyle apparel to a wide range of accessories, protection, and MTB components.
Loose Riders still remains rider owned and run with its HQ in Chiang Mai which in turn has turned into a bit of a must visit for local and traveling chapters. The HQ not only contains the production facility but also jump lines for those wanting to shred.
Check the range and the chapters out at loose-riders.com
