Should amateur cyclists ever wear a replica champion's jersey?

[vernon]

I saw someone in a Sky replica kit a few weeks ago in Sheffield.

Except I realised I recognised him when I got a bit nearer and saw he had a little Union flag and the word 'Swift' down the side...

Having only a passing interest in the professional side of cycling, I had to google Swift and Sky as there was implied significance in your posting.

I wouldn't recognise the chap and hence be unable to determine if he was a replica kit wearer or a genuine team rider. I suspect the vast majority of the population would also be unable to identify any professional riders other than the big hitters like Wiggins, Froome and Trott and hence not care about the legitimacy of the right to wear replica kit of any description.

Now if I wore a Sky replica kit it would bring a whole new meaning to 'expansive sky'

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Cycling seems to be the only sport that seems to be totally preoccupied with that everyone else is wearing.

Wear what you want , there will always be some one who will judge you no mater what you wear , if your fat or thin, if you stunning or ugly ...

I have a replica football world cup in the shed , (got it for Christmas with bubble bath in) its quite a nice ornament adorning the shed shelf, strangely I don't actually feel I won the world cup by owning it, and don't ever remember Knobby Styles , Geoff Hurst , Gordon Banks, Norman Hunter or any of the others knocking on my shed door to confiscate it or call me a pretentious so and so.

 

[srw]

The author of that article in the Guardian isn't a journalist.

Trevor Ward is a former professional cyclist (postman) who is now a freelance writer and travel editor of Bikesoup

http://www.theguardian.com/profile/trevor-ward

Some non-journalist. Newspapers have always relied on freelancers - I'm reliably informed that a member of this forum used to write on a freelance basis for the Times.

 

[srw]

Anyway, back on subject. I take a fundamentalist and entirely prejudiced view of the matter - no-one should ever wear any professional or team kit of any kind that they're not entitled to by virtue of having played for the team in question. The whole replica kit industry is a multi-billion pound fraud playing on insecurities and tribal feelings.

 

[roadrash]

"The whole replica kit industry is a multi-billion pound fraud playing on insecurities and tribal feelings. "

and there was me thinking i bought the shirt because i liked it,.................I didnt realise i was insecure and wanted to belong to a tribe

 

[Simmer]

Being a bit new to this cycling lark there really does seem to be this big split between those who are precious and those who just get on their bikes for the ride.

Would I wear a champions jersey or such ? I wouldn't even of known about the red/green/yellow/polkadot meanings if I hadn't of read this thread... don't outcast me because of it ! and no.. I don't wear team kit or any of the above, mainly so I don't look a twat on my hybrid and "all the gear, no idea". .. there again now I know how much it winds some people up I might get a champions jersey, wear my sunglasses inside my helmet, ankle socks that don't match my frame and a sleeveless shirt so my tan lines are undefined......

I wear padded baggies and a hi-vis green jersey from sports direct... at least the cars can see me

 

[bof]

Anyway, back on subject. I take a fundamentalist and entirely prejudiced view of the matter - no-one should ever wear any professional or team kit of any kind that they're not entitled to by virtue of having played for the team in question. The whole replica kit industry is a multi-billion pound fraud playing on insecurities and tribal feelings.

Hmmm, I rather like my Comunidad Valenciana gilet - that team were the druggiest of the lot and I don't think my many insecurities played a part in that purchasing decision nor am I part of the drug taking tribe.

I wear my one ancient replica shirt (GAN ca 2000) for recovery rides and my club top when I go for a blast.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

The other day I, while I was driving up Blackheath Hill, I got overtaken by a rider in full BMC kit. It took me 2 miles to catch up with him at 30mph. When I finally went past him I noticed he was riding a Pinnacle - so probably his commuting bike, and I'm reasonably certain he had much fleeter bikes in his fleet. He was a good rider, highly visible using clear hand signals. I don't see who could begrudge him the comfort and practicality of his kit.

Personally, I'm not a big logo fan - I've even been known to remove them from Levi jeans - though in reality I don't care enough about what I look like to bother any more. However, I have found myself wondering whether I would feel right in a Wiggle-Honda strip. Firstly, I like the kit. Secondly, I'd like the team to continue to do well and I've adopted Laura Trott as my daughter because my real life one doesn't cycle. But what concerns me is whether a slow rider in his 60th year would look silly in a women's team strip.

 

[subaqua]

I had a pair of rainbow gloves as a teenager. bought from Halfords of all places ( when they were a half decent bike shop)

 

[Leodis]

When you get to the stage of wearing lycra in your 30 something the print doesnt matter.

Might get a KOM though, just to get the extra hill race and get the youngens blood boiling trying to catch me.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Cycling isn't a fashion show Wear what you want.

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Try telling big bird he should not be wearing yellow ....

 

[Rob3rt]

Won the Giro innit' thats why I wear the pink, nothing to do with being a big jessie!

Hello Kitty helmet you say? Sponsored by Sanrio, they just don't know it!

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

Having become a little dimensionally challenged lately I will definitely not be screaming it to the world by wearing yellow

 

[Mile195]

If it doesn't cost me full price, then I'll wear it. I have a 2008 replica TDF yellow jersey. It cost me £10 off the clearance rail at TK Maxx (In 2010, I ought to add!). Still the most comfortable top I own.