I need to express my opposition to this ‘made up’ rule posted on Velominati. While some of their other rule are spot on this is just wrong…
Cycling caps can be worn under helmets, but never when not riding, no matter how hip you think you look. This will render one a douche, and should result in public berating or beating. The only time it is acceptable to wear a cycling cap is while directly engaged in cycling activities and while clad in cycling kit. This includes activities taking place prior to and immediately after the ride such as machine tuning and tire pumping. Also included are cafe appearances for pre-ride espressi and post-ride pub appearances for body-refueling ales (provided said pub has sunny, outdoor patio – do not stray inside a pub wearing kit or risk being ceremoniously beaten by leather-clad biker chicks). Under these conditions, having your cap skull-side tipped jauntily at a rakish angle is, one might say, de rigueur. All good things must be taken in measure, however, and as such it is critical that we let sanity and good taste prevail: as long as the first sip of the relevant caffeine or hop-based beverage is taken whilst beads of sweat, snow, or rain are still evident on one’s brow then it is legitimate for the cap to be worn. However, once all that remains in the cranial furrows is salt, it is then time to shower, throw on some suitable après-ride attire (a woollen Molteni Arcore training top circa ’73 comes to mind) and return to the bar, folded copy of pastel-coloured news publication in hand, ready for formal fluid replacement. It is also helpful if you are a Giant of the Road, as demonstrated here, rather than a giant douchebag. 4
Hmmmm not so sure about this!
#1 by Wombat on July 20, 2010 - 5:37 pm
As Burt Reynolds said in Smokey and the Bandit, “I only take it off for two things, and one of em aint sleepin.”
#2 by Ianto on July 20, 2010 - 8:21 pm
I 100% agree – Wearing a cycling cap whilst not cycling makes one look like a douche. The cycling cap gains its appeal from its close association with the glories of cycling. If you only wear them whilst riding your single speed four km into the city, that decreases the core association. This is also why I maintain that a filthy, faded cycling cap holds more credit than a clean one.
#3 by anguskingston on July 20, 2010 - 9:14 pm
Absolutely! People wear a lot of ‘baseball’ hats.. but they don’t play baseball, ‘US Navy’ caps are popular but they’re not steering battleships! Truckers hats…. not driving trucks, skullcaps.. but not always thinking of the old testament.