Charles Ostiguy, the man behind Collectif Parlee

When cycling, we often identify with a group, a gang, a club, sometimes even a team. Although the term "collective" is rarely used to describe a group of friends who ride together, that's exactly what Charles Ostiguy created five years ago. His goal was simple: he wanted to get together with people who shared his love of cycling. Inspiring, isn't it?

As a self-employed worker, Charles is always busy. In addition to managing the Collective, he is working on his new brand, Patio Surf, and co-hosts and co-produces the Radio Bidon podcast. A father, accomplished athlete, and devoted partner, he took a few minutes to chat with us about cycling, his schedule, and his side projects. 

Interview by Mathieu Bélanger

Let's start with an easy question: what bikes do you ride?

Parlee Altum Disc, Parlee Chebacco, Pivot Mach 5.5.

What did you do before you started biking?

Whitewater kayaking.

When did you start biking?

When I was a child, like most people. But more seriously about 15 years ago.

Why did you turn to biking?

Because it's easy. I like to leave the house and hop on my bike instead of having to travel somewhere to do a sport, as you have to with kayaking.

Why did you want to start your own bike team?

In 2007, I first joined a team (Brunet) to race with other cyclists. At the end of the first season, I realized that I had ridden quite a bit on my own... So I decided to get some friends together, people I used to ride with, and start our own thing, which would become Archibald Genetik.

How did Archibald Genetik become Collectif Parlee?

Archibald Genetik was a traditional racing team, with sponsors, everyone dressed alike, and the hope of performing well in races. Except that wasn't exactly what I wanted. I wanted to be with people who shared my love of cycling, who had made it part of their lifestyle; racing became almost secondary. At the same time, I had become the representative for the Parlee brand, and I was looking for a vehicle to promote it. That's how the Collective was born: it's a combination of the cycling lifestyle of a group of riders from diverse backgrounds and the need to promote a brand.

How would you describe the Parlee Collective at that time? 

Like a laboratory. We weren't looking for sponsors, we just got together and tried things out, like making films.

With the evolution of road racing in Quebec, the arrival of gravel, and the resurgence of cyclocross, where does the Parlee Collective stand now?

The decision to participate in an event should be based on enjoyment and the desire to be there. If we were still really into road races, we would still be doing lots of them. That said, getting off the paved roads suits us just fine.

In 2017, you started talking about Patio Surf. An obscure brand that no one really understood. It was only this year that things took shape. The first Patio Surf kits (which quickly became known as Team Patio) were released. Can you explain exactly what it is?

Surfing the patio means putting the world to rights with friends over a beer around the kitchen island. That's all there is to it. I want us to focus on the pleasure of getting together as a group, on the importance of not taking ourselves too seriously and having intelligent fun.

One thing led to another, and you started co-hosting and co-producing a podcast with another member of the Collective (and contributor to the Vélo Cartel blog), David Desjardins. The interviews are well conducted and often feature international cyclists such as Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Michael Woods, after his third place finish at the World Championships last fall. How did you come up with the idea for Radio Bidon?

It was David's idea, and he had been talking to me about it for at least two years. I wasn't convinced at first, but he eventually won me over. And thankfully so, because it was a brilliant idea.

What is the purpose of Radio Bidon? 

Getting together with other cycling enthusiasts to talk about what drives us. The discussions on Radio Bidon pretty much the same as the discussions we have in real life. The other goal is to continue spreading the name of the Parlee Collective.

How do you manage to get interviews with celebrities such as Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, given your size or influence?

It's surprisingly easy. Athletes' web pages often include links to their press officers. My colleague David's impressive network of contacts is also very valuable.

Are podcasts still relevant in 2018?

10,000 listens in the first year, sponsors: I would say yes. However, sound quality is important. There are too many podcasts that sound bad and quickly become tiresome.

Is there anything new planned for Radio Bidon in 2019?

We're continuing our momentum, with the possibility of recording shows at events, as we did at the Tour de Beauce this year. The schedule isn't set in stone; we're guided by current events and the ideas of our three merry men, including sports journalist Simon Drouin.

If you would like to learn more about Charles' projects, I invite you to follow the page. Facebook page of the Parlee Collective or their page Instagram.
To listen to episodes of Radio Bidon, visit their page. SoundCloud or on iTunes.
Otherwise, you might bump into Charles at Vélo Cartel, on the Sentiers du Moulin trails, or at a cyclocross race near you.
You can also visit the website patiosurf.com to discover clothing from Collectif Parlee and other bike accessories.