Ah the joy of American Cycling!
The Tour of California is a beautiful and wonderful race, and just happened to end in my neighbor town of Pasadena. For the riders, the 5 mile loop around the Rose Bowl and neighboring hoods would be an epic cold rain end to a 90+ mile day on the bike, in the rain. Not your typical pleasant Rose Bowl experience. I say, let’s do the Tour in May, and forgo the European races, yeah?
The best thing about Los Angeles is, of course, the style. People have to look good, but how so in the rain. The cold, wintry rain of a SoCal winter?
Hordes of well dressed SoCalites huddles under umbrellas and grimaced under their stylish shades as they hoped for a glance of the giants of cycling as they whizzed past at speeds over 30 miles an hour.
The tragedy of the rain of course is all the bike apparel covered in rain gear.
Unfortunately the BIKE chic camera was not available for this spectacle in the rain, but we can give you some idea that on a background of gray, with with a filter of rain, there was not yet much to see.
The most fashionable teams in cycling were, however present. The argyle -clad boys of Slipstream-Chipotle were sporting their great sky blue and light orange argyle kits. It is fun and refreshing to see lycra looking so chic these days. While argyle is not new, (think Trek VW mountain bike team), this is a nice modern rendition, and the boys get an A+ for cycle chic from BIKE chic! OH and the bike, by FELT, is absolutely wonderfully beautiful! Lucky guys!
Naturally, we can’t go on without mention of the infamous Rock Racing. In true SoCali style, Michael Ball’s team rolls and strolls in style. For those who are unaware, Rock Racing in largely fueled by Rock & Republic, a rock n roll jeans company. And in true celebrity style, Ball has signed the Lion King of Italy and brought this Milan dream out of retirement at the age of 41... Mario Cipollini. I was standing near the RR bus (ahem, one of them) when the Rolls Royce rolled in. Like amateur paparazzi, swarms gathered to get photos on their cell phones and digi cams. it was great. Here we are in the USA, and people are giving the attention of Europeans to cyclists. Ah, I breathe a sigh of relief, perhaps the day of cycling being chic in the USA is here! And of course at BIKE chic, that is what we are all about! Hot people in hot cycling apparel, well hot apparel. Period. As for the Rock Racing team kit? Well, it may take some getting used to the black and green techno death skull look. The jury is out. I like different and edgy designs, which Rock Racing’s kit is different and edgy. Is it BIKE chic worthy? Yeah, we’ll get back to you after we let it grow on us for a bit.
So what about the race? Well, Hincapie (George, of Team High Road) won the stage in true Champion form, and um, no I don’t like their kits. They could use a good designer! Even though Hincapie owns an apparel company... ah well...
So the BIKE chic camera is now back in action, and next time, I promise, PHOTS!
here’s to Fashion, Fun and the Good Life on a BIKE!
-La Fashionista
BIKEchic.com
Amgen Tour of California: Cycling Fashion Statements!
Amgen Tour of California: Cycling Fashion Statements!
Monday, February 25, 2008
