Issue 86 · January 14, 2026
All issuesHello & welcome to the 86th edition of the B-Mail. The term "eighty-six" in the restaurant world means someone is kicked out for good. You probably know that. But did you know, the term traces back to a Prohibition-era speakeasy called Chumley's on 86 Bedford (right across the street from our West Village store), where staff would call "eighty-six" and patrons would sneak out the back door? Neither. Did. We. And that's why ChatGPT is great for looking stuff up but WILL NEVER TAKE MY JOB WRITING THIS B-MAIL. You need real lived experience and to enter a veryyy specific state of mind we refer to as "not not delusional" to come up with this stuff. You're probably wondering, Bandit, what does this have to do with anything? The truth is, other than the fact that this is the 86th issue of the b-mail, it doesn't. Showbiz, baby!
Bringing it home... Let's see here (*looks at Slack message from boss*), we have a Strava Challenge ripping right now, the Chicago Flagship is officially open in all it's glory, and... you should keep your eyes peeled for an update about the 2026 Bandit Grand Prix next week.
BBBB-Mail: Chicago build BTS, Alan's race report, an "off-year" in pro running, talking shop, and how to stay super warm.
01 — Chicago build BTS
Largest postseason comeback in franchise history? New Bandit Flagship? With a Soloway Coffee?! Chicago, dare we say that we are officially up outrageous. Peel back that digital curtain and come see some behind the scenes of the making of the new digs. Eight piece custom soundsystem, scan-to-unlock Member fridge stocked with Cadence, dressing rooms significantly nicer than anything in our office... Come thru.
STEP INSIDE
02 — Alan's race report
Part-time Bandit model, jewelry designer, software engineer, Ft. Green Runners spiritual leader, and road-racing monster, Mr. Alan Yoho went for broke this past weekend in his half marathon debut at Houston. We chat ice cream sundae horror shows, pre-race nerves, and his 5k-by-5k inner monologue in his quest for an auto PB.
RACE REPORT
03 — An "off-year" in pro running
Without a major world championship to close the year, '26 is what some in the biz would call an “off-year.” But in the meandering logic of Rossi’s track-and-field-filled brain, that’s precisely what makes it an "on-year" for fans. When the structure loosens, unpredictability takes over—and unpredictability is the spice of life. Right alongside turmeric. Shoutout turmeric. If Molly opening the year by dominating an ultra is any indication... grab ya popcorn.
PRO SCENE
04 — Talking shop
Through revolutionary state-of-the-art AI geolocation satellite systems, the very center of the Toronto run scene has been triangulated with precise coordinates landing you at the corner doorstep of neighborhood legends, Culture Athletics. Co-founders Nigel and Sarah, two of the finest folks you'll ever meet, share how they're working towards "making the world a better place, one athlete at a time."
INTERVIEW
05 — And how to stay super warm
Product names come in many forms, but the best names explain exactly what the product is. Like The Container Store where they sell containers, or Task Rabbit where you can hire rabbits to hangout with. And in our case, Superwarm™ where the fabric is... really, really warm. But like all these names, there's a deeper story behind it. Learn how we made our most insulated fabric system ever.
IT'S IN THE NAMEMolly Seidel with the dominant performance for the start of her ultra era. The infatuation's guide to to the most exciting restaurant openings in 2026. Pitchfork's list of the 55 most anticipated albums of the year. The graphic and motion design trends that you'll see driving the aesthetic in 2026. Vinyl NYC, a new book, captures the exploratory rooms of NYC's record shops. Jacob Kiplimo’s final XC bow: Champion of the World. What does copying aesthetics even mean in the age of the internet? Details are beginning to drip about the location for the '28 Olympic Marathon trials.
Download our 100% free half & full marathon training iOS app, The Program.