That in football/hockey etc it's OKAY to wear the same clothes as a pro, and even the same number, with that pro's NAME right accross the back, but cyclists are shunned by other cyclists for wearing pro kit ?

Also, why does anyone care either way what other people are wearing as long as they're just out on their bike having fun and being safe, even if they do look like a dork ?

Face it, we all look like dorks to the outside world. Disco shorts or not.

Interesting question...I guess the same would go for having a big a$$ "3" (or whatever NASCAR sticker) on your rear window.

Maybe it has something to do with the combination of pro gear + active participation in the sport vs. wearing a LeBron jersey while acting like you are in the middle of an important conversation on your cell in the middle of the mall, etc. Either way though, isn't the "wannabe factor" the same? How dorky would it be to roll into Starbucks with a flashy, tight Disco or CSC uni and order a latte? Possibly excuseable if you just finished a long ride, but that's beside the point.

Cycling is still a fringe sport in the US, sadly, and you would think it would follow that we wouldn't be so critical of what others who share a common hobby and enthusiasm are wearing. That said: I personally think those Wheeties, Bert and Ernie, or other corny jersey designs are worse than any team logo out there. Still though, I prefer to disempower the naysayers and keep a low profile by sticking to basic colors and conservative designs.

I'm interested to see where this thread leads.

in hockey, when you wear a full team kit of a pro team (socks and jersey) you do look like a dork. it's only acceptable if your under 12 years old. now if it was your own team kit from an old team that you were on, then its cool.

It doesn't bother me.

Ditto, I could care less what some else wears.....

That in football/hockey etc it's OKAY to wear the same clothes as a pro, and even the same number, with that pro's NAME right accross the back, but cyclists are shunned by other cyclists for wearing pro kit ?

Also, why does anyone care either way what other people are wearing as long as they're just out on their bike having fun and being safe, even if they do look like a dork ?

Face it, we all look like dorks to the outside world. Disco shorts or not.

A person wearing a Jerome Bettis jersey has no chance of being mistaken for the actual player. The public knows better. Like many other sports, becomming a pro takes years of sacrifice and freakish genetics. These guys paid their dues and earned the pro jersey. For some cyclists, it's a matter of respect to not just shell out $80 and ride around in the same jersey real pros have to earn. It starts to seem like the poseurs are taking advantage of the fact that the general public could very well mistake the poseur for a real pro.
I have to wonder how many people in here who belong to a cycling team or club would mind seeing a stranger riding in their team's or club's kit, knowing damn well the dude never rode with the club, never paid dues, and never contributed to the success of the team/club in any way. I wonder whether they'd mind seeing the poseur riding like an idiot in traffic, wearing their team kit.
It could be a matter of experience. I have no proof or data, but from what I've seen, most of the riders wearing pro kits have never belonged to a real team, their unattached. Once they join a team or club, they start developing respect for the pro sport and it's traditions.

A person wearing a Jerome Bettis jersey has no chance of being mistaken for the actual player. The public knows better. Like many other sports, becomming a pro takes years of sacrifice and freakish genetics. These guys paid their dues and earned the pro jersey. For some cyclists, it's a matter of respect to not just shell out $80 and ride around in the same jersey real pros have to earn. It starts to seem like the poseurs are taking advantage of the fact that the general public could very well mistake the poseur for a real pro.
I have to wonder how many people in here who belong to a cycling team or club would mind seeing a stranger riding in their team's or club's kit, knowing damn well the dude never rode with the club, never paid dues, and never contributed to the success of the team/club in any way. I wonder whether they'd mind seeing the poseur riding like an idiot in traffic, wearing their team kit.
It could be a matter of experience. I have no proof or data, but from what I've seen, most of the riders wearing pro kits have never belonged to a real team, their unattached. Once they join a team or club, they start developing respect for the pro sport and it's traditions.

I think it's all good. If someone wants to kick a Disco kit then it's all good, that doesn't mean I won't make fun of them of course, but hey, to each their own. And by making fun of them, it's more a good natured ribbing as opposed to being mean, just for clarification for anyone out there. If you like a team, and respect them, and want to wear their clothes while riding; why the heck not? I do know a lot of folks that ride and race bikes, and have for years, and they still bust out some pro kits once in awhile. Although, I have enough of my own team kits to not have to wear anything else when riding, so normally, I just throw on the team kit. Which some people look down upon as well, which is funny.

Maybe it has something to do with the combination of pro gear + active participation in the sport vs. wearing a LeBron jersey while acting like you are in the middle of an important conversation on your cell in the middle of the mall, etc. Either way though, isn't the "wannabe factor" the same?

And when you wear your LeBron jersey for a pickup game like everyone around here does, what's the difference then? How about a Jets jersey to play touch football in, like you see all the time?

I don't wear full Pro kit out of respect for those who wear it because they've earned their way onto the team. And I don't wear ANY kit from local teams because I could actually be mistaken for a team member, and I don't want that--again, respect for those who put in the work. And of course I'd NEVER wear any kind of team kit in any kind of race, unless I was actually on the team.

But I DO wear my CSC jersey (last year's) with plain shorts on a fairly regular basis. I'm a huge fan (my wife says I have a crush on Jens Voigt, but it's not that, really it's not), and I'm promoting the team, and I think it's a cool-looking jersey. Nobody's going to confuse me with a CSC rider, but if you see me out there in my jersey, and you object because you think I'm trying to pretend I'm a CSC rider, well, you can cram it with walnuts.

Seriously.

If you like it and are a fanatic, or want to acknowledge your support, then cool... go on with your bad self. The same can be said for soccer jerseys, football, etc. If you want to support them, the team, etc...then wear the clothes. Hell, maybe if we wore the clothes more, there would be more sponsors willing to sponsor cycling... who knows.

The thing is, why would one care? Just because some fat dude on a rickety bike wants to wear a Disco costume, why is that wrong? You see people doing it for nascar, or whatever... personal preference, just because its not your preference doesnt make it wrong. I have to admit that sometimes it looks pretty ridiculous... but that goes for many facets of life... have you BEEN to a Wal Mart recently, its no different.

Is it my TASTE to wear a full Kelme, Navigators or Disco kit... no, but does it do me any good or make me any cooler to chastize them on a public board... no. So, why even bother? There seem to be more important things to worry about.

If you want to show your fandom- a team waterbottle is ok. One you found at a race for free is way cooler.

4 flabby old men who form their own team, ride together, order their own kit and show up on centuries, charity rides, brevets, etc. are far cooler than a lone guy dressed up like haloween pretending to be Lance.

Say I'm out on a muddy cyclocross bike with 38mm knobbie tires that buzz like a Cessna trying to take off and we pass a guy on the road like he's roadkill. Explain why that guy should not give me his jersey right there and then? Oh yeah, I identify with my bike, not my laundry.

'meat

ps- mud doesn't slow you down, and 38mm tires at 80psi can roll pretty decent.

Wear whatever jersey you want. People who obsess over other rider's jersey's are a little wierd IMHO. Want to support your favorite team or rider by wearing their kit? Go for it. Usually that stuff is pretty good quality kit, better then the average performance crapwear de jure.

That said all Primal Wear jerseys are abominations.

:D

The "Pros Earn their jersey" argument is so f'ng lame. You know what, if you and I do not buy their team stuff, they might not even be able to earn anything. Yeah, I am sure some cycling fans will rush to buy Saeco coffee machines (or Mapei tiles?), but team wear is an important source of revenue for the teams.

If you think others "cheat" by pretending to be a pro and looking cool to the general public, while in fact you are out there looking cool in your $400 castelli/assos outfit, you seriously have security issues. The truth is, THE PUBLIC DON'T CARE.

In my case, I get last years' pro kits for 1/3 of the cost of castelli/assos.

I think it's all good. If someone wants to kick a Disco kit then it's all good, that doesn't mean I won't make fun of them of course, but hey, to each their own. And by making fun of them, it's more a good natured ribbing as opposed to being mean, just for clarification for anyone out there. If you like a team, and respect them, and want to wear their clothes while riding; why the heck not? I do know a lot of folks that ride and race bikes, and have for years, and they still bust out some pro kits once in awhile. Although, I have enough of my own team kits to not have to wear anything else when riding, so normally, I just throw on the team kit. Which some people look down upon as well, which is funny.

I should clarify that my comments pertain to only some of the full-kit riders out there. And I only offered a possible answer to why some care. Everyone has their own standards. Everyone has their own favorite pro rider or pro team and there's nothing wrong with showing your support than wearing the jersey. Me, I prefer second tier team jerseys and small-nation national champion jerseys. I figure I have a better chance of fooling people. I really should learn to speak Finnish if I'm going to continue wearing the blue cross jersey though.

cyclists are shunned by other cyclists for wearing pro kit ?

I've never encountered this type of behavior. Don't know what else to say....

I've never encountered this type of behavior. Don't know what else to say....

way too much energy on this topic.....wear what the hell you want/or not....just ride.

Len

The "Pros Earn their jersey" argument is so f'ng lame. You know what, if you and I do not buy their team stuff, they might not even be able to earn anything. . . . but team wear is an important source of revenue for the teams. . . .If you think others "cheat" by pretending to be a pro and looking cool to the general public, while in fact you are out there looking cool in your $400 castelli/assos outfit, you seriously have security issues. The truth is, THE PUBLIC DON'T CARE. . . .

!Dale El Viento! You're right on the money. Pro team kits do generate money for the teams and the sport in general. Meanwhile, the public couldn't care less. Do you think even a casual cycling fan who sees a fit white guy rolling around Texas actually thinks that it was Lance, or even pauses long enough on his cell phone call to care? Come on.

This is really all about domestic roadie culture, which has more in common with the insecurities of 13-year middle school girls than is does with the sport itself. None of this pomp and appearance matters. Let's look at the worst case scenario: an old fat guy in a full Disco kit down to the socks and a Trek with Dura Ace. Lame, right? He's a poser, right? Well, it doesn't matter. His money is supporting our sport and he's giving props to his heros who he no doubt emulates. This is just as true if he's young and fit.

It is different if it's a local club, sure. There, the reputation and membership interests weigh in heavily. But, with the pros, I mean, come on. Don't go projecting your insecurities onto others who just want to give props to their heros.

From what I've seen in Italy and France compared to the UK, I have a theory.

In countries where cycling is a big sport, you see the occasional full pro team kit guy, but you see fare more riders in club gear. The only person I saw last October wearing full kit was a Quick Step pro in Bergamo a day or two before Lombardia.

On the roads round Como, we only saw plain kit riders or full teams in team strip.

Unless they were fan clubs!

In the cycling world as a whole, it's a myth that cyclists who wear pro jerseys are shunned.

The people who make fun of pro jerseys are typically beginner / intermediate riders who don't feel confident in their own abilities.

Better riders wear what they feel like.

In the racing scene, it's bad etiquette (and illegal) to wear a team jersey that you are not affiliated with during a race. During group rides, however, racers will often wear old team jerseys, things they bought in Europe, jerseys given to them from friends on other teams, etc. The only jerseys that are universally shunned, however, is probably primal wear and the wearing of National or State Champion jerseys that were not earned.

Of course, pros will usually wear their own kit because of contract stipulations. And they really could care less if people wear pro jerseys or not -- if anything, they are probably a little flattered.

Actually, there's little difference between sports in my mind. I play hockey, and if you showed up for a game wearing full NHL dress, or just an NHL team jersey (or even the ole' Soviet CCCP getup for that matter), then you'd look like a dork. Now if you're just wearing it around while not "playing the part", then it's less dorky I guess. Same with cycling, eh?

One difference though is that pro bike jerseys are advertising billboards, whereas football, baseball, basketball, and hockey are still largely devoid of corporate prostitution (thankfully). Maybe NASCAR getups are a better comparison, but I think any sports getup filled with advertisements looks kinda dumb outside of when participating in the actual sport.

So, when it comes to cycling getups I figure if you are going to shell big bucks for a kit, then for godsakes join a team and use their getup. They look just as good as a lot of pro jerseys, they cost as much or less, and plus they don't go out-of-date so easily. It doesn't matter how much you ride or what your results are. Support your local cycling community!

That in football/hockey etc it's OKAY to wear the same clothes as a pro, and even the same number, with that pro's NAME right accross the back, but cyclists are shunned by other cyclists for wearing pro kit ?.

How often do you throw on the matching jersey, pads, helmet, cleats and skivvies for a pick-up game?

I personally couldn't care less what you wear. As long as you wear something. And not shorts that have all the lycra worn off the ass either.

Nobody wants to see that.

I have a couple of pro tour jerseys that I have no problem wearing. I own a USPS jersey from the '04 campaign, because I liked the red stripes across it. I also just bought an 06 Quick Step jersey because I loved Boonen, love Bettini, and really love blue. My bike is blue, my shirt is blue, and I like to wear blue underwear whenever I can. I like it when girls wear blue bras. That makes me happy. And blue panties.... I digress...

Anyway, I am not going to come down on anyone wearing a pro-tour jersey. I wouldn't wear the full kit because that's a bunch of money. I wear my own team kit most of the time anyway, and guess what? it's blue.

Anything beats a plain yellow or plain red shirt. Dang, it's just boring. And it doesn't stand out in traffic. I don't want to wear Spongebob or the Cookie Monster (though he is blue).

I like those Carnac shoes at the banner at the top of this screen, because their blue.

Interesting question...I guess the same would go for having a big a$$ "3" (or whatever NASCAR sticker) on your rear window.


GO # 3!

I've got a CSC jersey because its an Assos jersey that I got for about $50. I kinda like the team too but not that much. Just a quality jersey for a great price. I personally don't give a rats behind when I see another rider in a pro kit. I'm on a team and I occasionally see non team members out in our jerseys (sponsor is a bike shop so they sell 'em). It doesn't bother me either. Maybe I'm just not uptight enough? ;)

BTW, I wouldn't wear a Disco or, even worse, a TDF yellow jersey replica around here. I live in Austin and with my luck, I'd be tooling around and have Lance pull up next to me and say "nice shirt...."

I've got a CSC jersey because its an Assos jersey that I got for about $50.

Hmmm - between the Motobecane and the $50 Assos CSC jersey, I'm starting to think that we are twins separated at birth.

I love that jersey - it is one of the most comfortable jerseys I own. I did get some weird looks the first time I wore it on a group ride, because about 50% of the guys are actually sponsored and wear their team kits.

They quickly realized by my panting and sweating that I was NOT actually on team CSC.

It starts to seem like the poseurs are taking advantage of the fact that the general public could very well mistake the poseur for a real pro...Once they join a team or club, they start developing respect for the pro sport and it's traditions.

There is no tradition for not wearing the kit of pro teams. There is one of not wearing jerseys like the world championship jersey, national championship jerseys, and to a lesser degree an event's leader's, point leader's, mountains leader, etc. If you seriously think someone is going to mistake you for a european pro if you wear a pro team's jersey, you have a delusional grip on your abilities.

I have been cycling for a quite a long time and I have never met this mythical rider type that you imagine who tries to trick people into believing he's a pro by wearing pro kit. I don't know if it's projection or what but you have some serious issues.

As elviento mentioned, you can get some really decent clothing for a good price. Back when Assos was sponsoring CSC you could get their bibs for a fraction of Assos' regular price. Much more comfortable than the local team's crap made by Voler.

Hmmm - between the Motobecane and the $50 Assos CSC jersey, I'm starting to think that we are twins separated at birth.

I love that jersey - it is one of the most comfortable jerseys I own. I did get some weird looks the first time I wore it on a group ride, because about 50% of the guys are actually sponsored and wear their team kits.

They quickly realized by my panting and sweating that I was NOT actually on team CSC.

yeah, I caught some good natured grief for mine too. Explaining its a full zip Assos jersey for $50 usually shuts 'em up though. :D

You people wear clothes when you ride???

There is no tradition for not wearing the kit of pro teams. There is one of not wearing jerseys like the world championship jersey, national championship jerseys, and to a lesser degree an event's leader's, point leader's, mountains leader, etc. If you seriously think someone is going to mistake you for a european pro if you wear a pro team's jersey, you have a delusional grip on your abilities.

I have been cycling for a quite a long time and I have never met this mythical rider type that you imagine who tries to trick people into believing he's a pro by wearing pro kit. I don't know if it's projection or what but you have some serious issues.

As elviento mentioned, you can get some really decent clothing for a good price. Back when Assos was sponsoring CSC you could get their bibs for a fraction of Assos' regular price. Much more comfortable than the local team's crap made by Voler.

I do it all the time. Since motorists have no clue about the actual speeds and skills a pro possess', it's quite easy to fool them. I'll ride in a small Euro trade team kit and tell them I'm home on vacation from the Protour. Heck, I can fool most cyclists, let along motorists. Most of the time they'll just ask if I'm XXX pro rider. I'll say yes, sign the young lady's chest, and ride off flexing my magnificent calves. It's my way of dealing with my "issues".

btw, What, Voler not bling enough for you?

Personally, logowear is offputting to me. Paying to be someone else's walking billboard strikes me the wrong way. Fine if someone else wants to, but it's not for me.

Sporting an '8' on you window is one thing. Plastering your Neon with Budwiser logos is another thing entirely. Similarly, a team cap is one thing, but full team kit is a special form of silly. You end up paying way to much money to emulate an organization that exists only to advertise giant corporations. Now, if you happen to think that CSC is a kick-ass consulting firm, cool, ride the full kit. Otherwise, there's something about it that just doesn't work for me.

It'd make more sense to me if they had names/numbers on the jersey, so some personal identification could take place. I could wear Maggie's jersey, but drop $79 to shill for Liquigas? Pass.

Disco's one of the more understated kits out there, but it's simply overdone. As Yogi said: Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded.

A jersey at the football game or the mall is one thing. Pickup hoops in a 23 jersey? Fine for fashion, but you're gonna catch a lotta crap when you blow a layup. And that's what this is really all about. Nobody cares what anyone else wears, but if I'm not the fastest guy in the group, that maillot jaune is going to earn me a few extra pokes. It's not a fashion problem. Nobody thinks the Joe wearing kit thinks he's fooling anyone. It's just trash talk.

But there IS something funny about the folks in full kit and a crazy-expensive bike, and running shoes, or the helmet on backwards, or other hints of cluelessness.

I have 4 Kelme Jerseys. Light green/white/blue stripes. I liked the team way back when they won the team classification in the TDF, the jerseys I bought are Euro cut, pro quality, I got them for $20 each, and they're highly visible in traffic.

What's the issue?

I was given a full Postal kit (jersey and shorts--the last year they were a team) as a Christmas gift. They are the best quality cycling clothes I own. I much prefer to wear my RBR kit, especially as I rode in a charity ride in a team by that name from this board--sort of a sense of pride. It seems this is similar to wearing local team kit if you are a member of the team. However, my Postal stuff is quality fabric and made well. I like it and wear it from time to time (I even have a bike in team colors from the same year). Yes, I'm a poseur--I've confessed this before.;) But I like it and it looks good to me. No, I don't have any delusions of being a pro or even riding like one, and I've yet to get any grief from anyone for wearing it on group rides. If some un-informed motorist thinks I'm LA, then that's too bad for him. I'm certainly not pretending to be him or even like him.

...and I've yet to get any grief from anyone for wearing it on group rides.
Remind me to give you some grief John, and loads of it!! ;o)

think about nascar, home depot spends 20 million or more to sponsor a team and they see value in it. Why? because it makes sense and they get a return on the money spent, how many home depot or tony stewart shirts, hats, jackets or other things do you see in a week. they are making money on that sponsorship. But cyclyists won't wear team jersey's or other things. wonder why there isn't a bigger cyclying series or races in the US. its all about the money, or what a sponsor can see as value in the advertisong dollar, and they aren't going to spend it on cyclying if they can't sell shirts or other ads to get a good return on there investment.

think about nascar, home depot spends 20 million or more to sponsor a team and they see value in it. Why? because it makes sense and they get a return on the money spent, how many home depot or tony stewart shirts, hats, jackets or other things do you see in a week. they are making money on that sponsorship. But cyclyists won't wear team jersey's or other things. wonder why there isn't a bigger cyclying series or races in the US. its all about the money, or what a sponsor can see as value in the advertisong dollar, and they aren't going to spend it on cyclying if they can't sell shirts or other ads to get a good return on there investment.

Maybe the racing series would be more successful if more riders would join a club and take part in races wearing their own club's colors, like they do in Europe, giving the grassroots sponsors publicity. This way, the money goes back to local clubs and USA Cycling or another domestic organization.
Instead, many poseurs would rather pay more for a replica pro jersey and pretent they're racing for real.

I have a couple of pro tour jerseys that I have no problem wearing. I own a USPS jersey from the '04 campaign, because I liked the red stripes across it. I also just bought an 06 Quick Step jersey because I loved Boonen, love Bettini, and really love blue. My bike is blue, my shirt is blue, and I like to wear blue underwear whenever I can. I like it when girls wear blue bras. That makes me happy. And blue panties.... I digress...

Anyway, I am not going to come down on anyone wearing a pro-tour jersey. I wouldn't wear the full kit because that's a bunch of money. I wear my own team kit most of the time anyway, and guess what? it's blue.

Anything beats a plain yellow or plain red shirt. Dang, it's just boring. And it doesn't stand out in traffic. I don't want to wear Spongebob or the Cookie Monster (though he is blue).

I like those Carnac shoes at the banner at the top of this screen, because their blue.

Wanted to "update" the forum on this topic.... In a cruel twist of irony, I went to pick up my 2006 team kit at the shop yesterday. Guess the colors for this year......

Give up????


Yellow center panel, red side panels on the jersey. Shorts are black with yellow side panels....Nice.

Ditto, I could care less what some else wears.....

You COULDN'T care less.


sorry. pet peeve. :)

Instead, many poseurs would rather pay more for a replica pro jersey and pretent they're racing for real.
:eek:

The only team jersey I've got is for a team that doesn't exist anymore.

I don't feel bad while wearing it - I consider it sort of like wearing an old
Minnesota North Stars jersey, sort of supporting what used to exist.

I wouldn't mind a nice team jersey of an existing team but a full kit is
a little bit too presumptious for me (watch me while I go get a full team
kit of some team I couldn't possible ever qualify for).

I usually like to get something that reflects something I do participate
in though - so I do have a matching roadbikereview jersey and shorts,
ditto for mtbr.com.

My brother-in-law, who is a huge fan of Russian history bought me an
CCCP replica that I've yet to wear, maybe I'll give that a shot soon.

The only team jersey I've got is for a team that doesn't exist anymore.

I don't feel bad while wearing it - I consider it sort of like wearing an old
Minnesota North Stars jersey, sort of supporting what used to exist.

I wouldn't mind a nice team jersey of an existing team but a full kit is
a little bit too presumptious for me (watch me while I go get a full team
kit of some team I couldn't possible ever qualify for).

I usually like to get something that reflects something I do participate
in though - so I do have a matching roadbikereview jersey and shorts,
ditto for mtbr.com.

My brother-in-law, who is a huge fan of Russian history bought me an
CCCP replica that I've yet to wear, maybe I'll give that a shot soon.

The old North Stars jerseys rule! The new Stars jerseys just remind me of the %*@#$ sellout by that illustrious scumbag, Norm Green.

Hey, your need to "qualify" to wear a team kit is really non-existent. Believe me, you'd look like LA compared to a certain SPBRC rider that shows up at many events and routinely gets lapped 3 times every race. NTTAWWT, i.e. getting lapped or not looking totally "pro". It's all good. It's a free country, and anyone can join a team.

Don't get me wrong. I am not really against people wearing pro kits. It's just that I think it's better to get with a team and represent the locals. Even non-racing clubs like TCBC have club jerseys. Although, this year TCBC's jersey is hideous, IMHO. They actually voted for this clown outfit!

48535

It is cool to wear the kit of the team you like. People who have a problem with what other people wear, are too caught up in superficial stuff. You can respect the riders, and team, and still wear a pro jersey. I am a Marine, I know what it is to earn a "kit." If I see someone wearing stuff from my beloved Corps I think "cool."

Instead, many poseurs would rather pay more for a replica pro jersey and pretent they're racing for real.


You caught me.

Would it still be a wannabe factor if one is wearing a jersey of a team that has been disbanned over a decade ago?

I have a Motorola color Eddy Merckx bike and I find it very difficult to buy jersey to go with the bike and still look decent. If i go for generic color jersey it looks odd. If I wear other team jersey that's even more idiotic especially if the teams are current running teams. I can't seem to have a choice but to buy a Motorola team jersey to have everything go together. I guess that's a disadvantage of having a team color frame is you can't really get away with wearing anything else other than the team jersey

hahahahahahahah - another thread that wishes it was dead.

If you can ride like a pro dress like a pro.....


I'M SORRY! DON'T FLAME ME!

I don't care what anybody wears--some of the best times I ever had didn't involve any clothing at all. But I DO think spending $80 for a shirt that's too tight around your gut and makes you look like a NASCAR Pontiac reflects badly on your intelligence.
I don't wear football jerseys or hockey gear, either. But I do have a ball bat behind the seat of my truck.

i wear my English soccer jersey, #5 Beckham because they're my team.
i rock my CSC jersey because i too have a crush on Jens.
i've got a Terrel Owens jersey because he's the man, no matter what you think.

what impresses me about another rider is their ability, i couldnt care less if they wore a pink fluffy kit and a purple helmet or a full Disco kit. "push down, go forward, everything else is details"....carry on. Screw what other riders look like, if riding in a full team kit makes you enjoy cycling then go right ahead. Whatever keeps you in this sport that we all love, continue doing so and ignore the fashionistas.

The only time that a full kit looks ok is when I'm cruising at 20 mph and someone in a full kit blows by me. I bought a Liberty Sequros long sleeve jersey for this winter. Its a $120 jersey for $45.

I bought a Caisse D'epargne jersey 2 weeks before the tour started. Wen i got it, the team wasn't winning classics, let alone the tour (not saying Landis didn't, cos i don't really care anymore). I bought it cos i liked the design and the colours. I also have CSC taxc bottles, not beacuse i wanted CSC stuff, but because i liked the colours and they match my bike and kit. The week after the tour finished, i got looks from like i was wearing a full disco kit in 2005.

I was given a full Postal kit (jersey and shorts--the last year they were a team) as a Christmas gift. They are the best quality cycling clothes I own. I much prefer to wear my RBR kit, especially as I rode in a charity ride in a team by that name from this board--sort of a sense of pride. It seems this is similar to wearing local team kit if you are a member of the team. However, my Postal stuff is quality fabric and made well. I like it and wear it from time to time (I even have a bike in team colors from the same year). Yes, I'm a poseur--I've confessed this before.;) But I like it and it looks good to me. No, I don't have any delusions of being a pro or even riding like one, and I've yet to get any grief from anyone for wearing it on group rides. If some un-informed motorist thinks I'm LA, then that's too bad for him. I'm certainly not pretending to be him or even like him.
I agree with you John. I have jerseys I've been given by friends and relatives that don't know much about cycling except what they see on the news. If they go to a bike shop I wonder what the salesman is going to push on them? $$$. So if you are given a team jersey do you tell the person I'm sorry I can't wear this I'm not a racer. Hey I usually buy what on sell so if It's Disco at 60% off that's me. Believe me no one is going to confuse me and George.

..I too have a crush on Jens.


me three