Polka dot jersey - do I need to be a good climber??

popette

Title says it all. I love the Polka dot jersey from the TDF. I want to buy one as ladies stuff is usually too short for me and the guys stuff fits just right. Do I need to be good on hills to wear it (as my husband keeps telling me)?

MICHAELCYCLES

Absolutely yes, if you are struggling with your bike up a hill wearing that jersey, everyone (and rightly so) will slaughter you!!!!!!

andyp

If you like it wear it. Don't listen to those who feel that you have to earn it to wear it - most of us never get the chance.

As for michaelcycles comment... :roll:

CarlosFerreiro

Surely until you are getting semi-serious about competing you may as well wear anything you like the look of? Wear it as a sign of what you aspire to be, if it is not what you are....

nolf

Is climbing one of the things you are good at?

It doesn't matter how you compare to others, but I think if climbing is your strong point then go for it!
However if you're much better at the flats or sprinting maybe consider the green jersey?

Or maybe even the White Young riders jersey

popette

I also have a pink giro italia top because it's pink and it fits me. But I've never won, nor am ever likely to win, the giro.
b*****ks to it, I'm going for the dots.

ddraver

don't seriously

I ve got one ...wore it for 5 minitues and had to put myjacket on over the top i was so embarresed

this on a gourgeous summer day in the south of germany

you ve been warned

popette

nolf wrote:

Is climbing one of the things you are good at?

It doesn't matter how you compare to others, but I think if climbing is your strong point then go for it!
However if you're much better at the flats or sprinting maybe consider the green jersey?

Or maybe even the White Young riders jersey

I enjoy the challenge of it but i wouldn't say I'm that good yet. I just like the design really - I thought it was a bit girly.

popette

ddraver wrote:

don't seriously

I ve got one ...wore it for 5 minitues and had to put myjacket on over the top i was so embarresed

this on a gourgeous summer day in the south of germany

you ve been warned

why were you embarrassed?

popette

nolf wrote:

Is climbing one of the things you are good at?

It doesn't matter how you compare to others, but I think if climbing is your strong point then go for it!
However if you're much better at the flats or sprinting maybe consider the green jersey?

Or maybe even the White Young riders jersey

now if I wore the white young riders jersey, I think I would be laughed at having passed 30. I look like more of a green jersey I think but again, it was the design I liked rather than the meaning behind it.

off to my bed now

heavymental

Get it! According to my fave jersey I'm the world Masters Time Trial champ hey, its my colour, it was cheap and I like the stripes!

Lifeson

Do you think all the people who wear Man Utd tops or Chelsea Tops actually play for them?
Most of them wouldn't even be able to play football, at least your wearing the clothing and doing the sport, go for it Poppette

jibi

Popette

Get it and post a photo.

Then we can tell you how great it looks, and make you feel good about it
george

ddraver

I'm warning you...........

the snorts of laughter you get from every person who come snear you will grind you down......basically you have to over take EVERYONE and look like your casually breezing past them.....

I liked the design too, and thought it was a step down in gayness from hi-viz, but for some reason, people don't laugh at you openly for wearing hi viz (not that i wear it often)

georgee

hmmm... favourite things to do on a good ride.

a) Tackle some juicy looking hills
b) Spank any idiot wearing a inappropriate jersey

you're just giving more amunition for those of us looking for a challenge, it's like passing someone who's riding a 5k bike, the feeling of superiority is sublime.

AndyGates

Get the jersey. It'll motivate you to ride hills you'd normally walk, just in case anyone's looking!

ddraver

ah see now it DID do that!!!!

squired

Ignore anyone who tries to judge you on the jersey you are wearing. If you like it, buy it and wear it, simple as that. Most people will probably have no idea what it means anyway.

It could be worse - you could be 10 stone overweight walking round in a Chelsea football shirt... I know what I'd rather be seen in!

alecstilleyedye

i spare my tdf green jersey (other than commuting) for rides with really nasty climbs. that way it looks appropriate (as i struggle upwards) without looking like you're trying to impress anyone

gpx001

Wear what you want and ride how you want ,the important thing is that YOU enjoy it - ignore the sneerers - I say. I quite often wear a yelllow jersey as it helps car drivers to see me, but I don't think I will never lead a cycle race and quite often get overtaken by some very serious looking roadies

hammerite

I was going to get the polka dots too, but wear it as a "I'm rubbish on hills, but I'm willing to take the piss out of my self". But instead I bought a cofidis top in support of Mr Wiggins, the next day Cofidis weren't in the tour.......

I'd go for it, seems a safe option!

John Stevenson

I've always understood the rule[1] was that you can ride in anything you like, but if you're going to race in a jersey that has implications you better be able to live up to them.

I always remember reading about some poor bugger who turned up to the cyclo-cross nationals in a polka-dot jersey and had to put up with people yelling, "Come on, spotty"[2] at him. As he got lapped.

[1]<aaaaargh! class="CaptJackSparrow">Well it's more like a guideline</aaaaargh!>

[2]And, I suspect, much worse.

popette

I'm going to buy it today and may even post my pic on here if it looks ok ish.

The goal I'm working towards is to complete the etape in 2009. I've taken your advice onboard and will not wear dots for that event

In the meantime, I'm sure I'll be fine around the flat of cheshire. Bring on the sneers!

Buggi

i've bought one and i'm naff on hills. i bought mine because i climbed the Cat 4 from Stage 1 on this years TdF when i rode to Paris, so i wanted a 2007 one to commemorate it. i didn't climb it very fast (although i did beat the timetrialer! snigger) but i never said i was good at hills and i'm proud i got to the top of the Cat 4 so i thought i'd treat myself and the lads i was with said i should be proud i did it and get myself a jersey.

and i can wear it round here because it's all flat and no one knows how naff i am at climbing.

but to be honest, i'm gonna stick it in a big picture frame with other London to Paris memorabilia, including my medal, and put it on my wall. but i might wear it a few times first.

so i would say, go out and get it.

mr_hippo

I'm no good at climbing but good at descending - I need a red jersey with the white peas on it!

popette

mr_hippo wrote:

I'm no good at climbing but good at descending - I need a red jersey with the white peas on it!

:shock: 8)
glad I'm not the only one.

passout

Wear it and claim that you are a good climber online - that's what half these bozos probably do.

Ignore the critics - I wear my yellow with pride and I'm not even on drugs!

Salsiccia

mr_hippo wrote:

I'm no good at climbing but good at descending - I need a red jersey with the white peas on it!

You mean like this one?

http://www.ileach.co.uk/post/bob/winning.html

This was the Vuelta KOM jersey for a few years in the '80s, as modelled by the great Robert Millar.

sonicred007

Salsiccia wrote:

mr_hippo wrote:

I'm no good at climbing but good at descending - I need a red jersey with the white peas on it!

You mean like this one?

http://www.ileach.co.uk/post/bob/winning.html

This was the Vuelta KOM jersey for a few years in the '80s, as modelled by the great Robert Millar.

now thats a cool shirt

to be honest, I got a team s/s jersey off ebay cos I liked it and it fitted me - no idea who it is and if anyone asks, which surprisingly they have, I say exactly that

Buy the KOM and enjoy your cycling... although I tend to agree with the race wear comment

T1berious

Surely ones cycling attire is more about choice rather than ability? I regularly ride a time trial bike (see pic) on my commute while wearing a Kona jersey as I zip past people they don't shout "tsk filthy part time mountain biker" :shock:

I did a 50 mile ride on Sunday with a friendly bunch of riders from the Kenton Cycle club, no one sneered or offered a rebuke at what I was wearing or riding.

I think the people saying you shouldn't wear something should get over their own issues and not try and impose their views on others.

Last time I checked its a free country, wear what you like.



Yes I commute on it, race on it and love it!

ddraver

yes but the polka dot jersey is not like wearing a team jersey.......MTB or not