So, my dad bought me a Cofidis cap...
neil_sheehan2000
Posts: 529
...because I borrowed a cap of his recently when we went for a ride. My question is: not knowing anything at all about the team, would it be particularly bad form to wear it? I mean, I know that some people have strong views on team kit, yellow jerseys, etc, but would I be harshly judged for wearing a hat emblazoned with the colours of a not particularly good team? I mean, it's hardly the equivalent of pootling to the shops in a KoM jersey, is it?
(p.s. he nearly bought me an Euskatil Euskadee cap (apologies for spelling), so I suppose I had a lucky escape- especially in Glasgow...)
(p.p.s. please don't say "you shouldn't wear the cap, you should wear a helmet instead"...)
(p.s. he nearly bought me an Euskatil Euskadee cap (apologies for spelling), so I suppose I had a lucky escape- especially in Glasgow...)
(p.p.s. please don't say "you shouldn't wear the cap, you should wear a helmet instead"...)
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yes = wear it
No = don't
Don't be a baby and ask permission.
(I never wear a helmet unless racing.)
Except a national or world championship jersey unless, of course, you had actually won the title.
I disagree - the teams sell it to the public because they A. want to make money and B. want them to wear it. Free advertising. If they didn't - they wouldn't sell it!
This debate has been had many a time - and the only thing I personally disagree with is people wearing national team kit when they haven't 'earned' it. But I ride for a national team so maybe I'm a little more sensitive to the matter. :oops:
They are an awful team, the way they treated Lance when he was ill. And one of them doped in the 07 tour and got the team thrown out.
I wear my Discovery Channel cap with pride though.
That's the point I'm making. Unless you've earnt national selection, won the national or world championship then it's bad form in my book to wear these type of jersey.
Wear what you want - don't seek approval from others.
I don't see an issue with team or sponsored kit, I'm thinking of building up a collection of jerseys from teams with the worst reputations for dopage
however I think a yellow or polka or a world championship band jersey would be wrong because they are given to be worn by the person who won or is winning a specific race
a bit like wearing a jersey of your favourite football team is ok, but you wouldn't wear a champions league winner replica medal would you
--Jens Voight
The tradition is you can't wear it unless you've earnt it or slept with it...
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They should also contact the bike companies to tell them to stop producing limited-edition team bikes in yellow, pink or WC stripes because Joe Public has no right to ride one too!
If you haven't led the tour - you also haven't ridden well enough to be signed for a pro tour team ?
Its only a jersey at the end of the day. And chances are - you're a lot cleaner a rider than most winners of big tours ?
Except for this -
http://www.musicbands.com/Tuxedo-Cyclin ... ce=froogle
While this is all very true (and indeed, I LOVE my team kits and wear them a lot on the bike), the analogy is a little different because in cycling a jersey has genuine significance.
When you win the champions league, or if you are leading the premiership - your team doesn't wear a different jersey.
When a rider wins the worlds, s/he doesn't just become world champion - they wear the jersey!
Because pros need to stand out in the peleton, it matters more.
But go nuts.
Never wear one myself like, but dont see a problem with those who do.
Looks a bit like the TdF Young Rider jersey, I ride a Spesh and have one of these jerseys, what if people think I'm (a fat) Andy Schleck!
Very true, you should save that one for the wedding day!
Many people do where the Champions league tops though... Here's another thought. Is it wrong to wear something like the Liquigas jersey in the Pink Giro colours, or the Red Vuelta? A bit like supporting your football team with a T-Shirt or replica top that says as much. The only difference I generally see is that at least we (cyclists, I mean) have the decency to generally only wear them whilst undertaking the sport; not on holiday, going down the pub, taking someone on a date etc etc.... Of course rugby tops is another disussion entirely 8)
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When I worked at British Cycling I couldn't get my hands on any GB kit through official channels but stuff would always pop up on eBay - riders selling off stuff they had been given. So I guess it just shows that even some of the riders don't care! But in general it wasn't available to the public.
My National Team (Ireland) kit is hard to find - but you CAN buy it. But it's not sanctioned by the governing body for sale.
Do the same if you dont like the hat...
If however its a case of "People might point and laugh because im wearing a team hat", then you are exactly like the MILLIONS of people that wear footie shirts every week, and get stick from supporters of the rival teams.
Different hats either fit nicely, or look censored !
If the hat fits, wear it. If not, go find one that does fit...
Interesting, I saw a Cofidis top in a bike shop and thought to mayself, there's no way I would buy that considering the disgusting way they treated Lance Armstrong when he was under treatment for cancer. No morals at all, at least Oakley showed some support someone who was in need of it at the time.
My rationale for buying was simple. I needed a new jersey, I wanted something a little different that was a bright colour and I thought it was a good opportunity to support the race that was otherwise free to watch.
I have attended about 6 pro races this year and apart from paying to park at the nat champs it hasn't cost me a penny beyond petrol money. I feel happy knowing that my purchase goes a tiny way towards making pro racing a viable concept.
Just on the Cofidis LA angle. Do we have both sides of the story?
im 16 stone and find myself struggling for breath on most hills =P
Would be kinda funny to burn myself out overtaking someone on a hill, to then pass out 20 feet ahead wearing the polka dots of a champion!
Really though, people need to chill out about cycling fashion and what other cyclists think..
Look at our heroes... There is no athlete in this UNIVERSE that looks at Wiggins and thinks "Wow.. thats the physique I want!".. His fitness is another story, and thats what I love about cycling....
Im overweight but working my way down, but im a lot fitter than some of my friends that are sports mental on things like football.. The difference being that a 35 stone Man Utd fan feels comfortable wearing the kit despite not having the lower body strength to stand up, let alone score goals for their club of choice, but a cycling enthusiast that rides and I'm sure mentally, emulates some of the greats is demonised for having the bare faced cheek of donning colours that pros wear..
Get off your Penny Farthings ( our version of a high horse... see what I did thar? eh eh? yeah im funny =P ) and ride without prejudice!!
I'm a censored climber too, but it would at least match my favourite socks
those that get paid to do it and,
those that pay to do it (me)!
Where does a percentage of the money come from to pay for the pro's kit? whether you like it or not they have to sell X amount of replica kits to the public to pay for the investment!
this is life, in motorbiking they sell replica leathers and helmets of the pros, obvious the football industry would collapse without the sales!
If you are good enough to earn your kit then great, but if like the rest of us you have to pay for your kit then wear whatever you want!
Bobby
As for KOM or Leaders jerseys, just hope you are up to the challenge as every man and his dog will be challenging you over every rise or sign post :shock:
Nah my point is if you haven't earned it then you can't wear it, but team kit is fine.
Just my 2 cents
The only rule I have for myself is not to mix and match, so no Garmin shorts mixed with Cervelo tops etc.
I don't think that when I'm puffing up a slight incline in Sussex at 10mph that I'm going to get confused with Thor Hushvod, even if I decide to wear a world champion jersey.