Great shots of the Cilo/Aufina Retro Jersey from Prendas Ciclismo

via prendas.co.uk

Another US style cap maker

I saw the Cognition Caps ad on the Ecovelo blog and checked it out.

They are another maker of what tend to call US, as opposed to Continental, style cap. Sort of rounder with a smaller peak again. I’m not saying I don’t like them, it’s just interesting how two distinct styles have evolved.

They’ve got a wide range of plain, like this one, to special fabrics and wool.

“In the 31st minute of a 45-minute ‘cross race you’re not thinking about how cool your cap looks, you’re just grateful it keeps the sun and sweat out of your eyes. Cycling caps are a great place to combine form and function, and if our style can help draw attention to cycling and maybe inspire people to ride a bicycle, we’re all for it.”

– Sad thing is because I am often coming last thinking about how ‘cool’ my cap looks is all I have left!

Paris – Nice

Raymond Poulidor and Jacques Anquetil at the 1966 Paris – Nice. Interesting seeing the sponsors. Ford and BP. Would car companies sponsor cycling today?

Slipstreamin’ away….

Why not give the gift that keeps on giving. A Garmin Slipstream cap from Velogear (who, I should add, were incredibly fast on the delivery!)

No.9 to the start line.. No.9

Martano at the 1934 Tour de France

Look at me! No hands!

Yellow jersey wearer Antonin Magne (left) with teammates Charles Pélissier (center), and André Leducq on the final stage of the 1931 Tour de France

This photo is from www.WoolJersey.com – Aldo’s picture of the day. What a remarkable archive of classic cycling images.

Gitane (via the wonderful La Gazzetta Della Bici blog)

Look at this balance of cotton on nut…. you’re not suggesting he’s pushing Gitane?

Simon Lamb says he would do anything for one of these caps. I would like to see that happen. If you have one…. give it to Simon.

Cycling cap websites

I was Googling cycling caps.. as I do,  mostly because I am searching for some design inspiration, when I came across http://www.cyclingcaps.net. When I say came across it was more like Google hit number 1.

So what does the cycling cap website poll position holder offer? Nothing that I can see yet. Maybe it’s a place holder for a bigger dream being funded by some prominant Google Ads leading me to what will probbaly become this sites competition. But there was copy:

An Evolution of Cycling Caps

Nowadays, not all of us could really look at cycling caps as something made to protect us from something. However, way back in time when helmets were not yet mandated to be worn by riders and cyclists, the cycling cap was their only protection. It was the one that kept the sun out of the rider’s face. It also served as something that keeps bugs and flying debris away from the rider’s eyes when riding. When it’s raining, these caps served as shields from the drops that may directly fall on the cyclist’s eyes.

Then the helmets were introduced. These pieces of clothing became less common. However, some still put one on under their helmet. Maybe this is to keep sweat from dripping freely. Or maybe this is just done out of respect of the piece’s former function. Well, whatever the reason is, when worn in malls or in any other place, a cycling cap is indeed something that enhances our looks. It has become something fashionable. This article will look into some of the best cap manufacturers that make these available in the market today.

..and so the page goes on. The next page, under the title “Cycling Hats’ (which I am not sure of the difference, except it spreads your Googleabilty further) continues with this:

They keep the sun’s rays out of the eyes.

Biking is of course an outdoor activity. So you really can’t avoid the sun’s kisses and glares. But when it becomes too bright, we all could attest that it really reduces visibility. This is because the eyes biologically close a little when they detect light that is brighter than what they could bear. This is to protect them from harm. So to put a little shade on the eyes to keep them open throughout the ride, then it is wise to wear a good cycling hat.

They protect the eyes from bugs.

When you’re a nature lover or an adventurer, biking in arduous terrains is the things for you. This is fun and really thrilling. However, we can’t deny the fact that there might be flying bugs there. So to keep your eyes and parts of your face from possible collision with these flying invertebrates, you should wear a hat in addition to the helmet. Its visor or the front brim will be the one that will do most this job.

They keep your hair in place

Your long hair might cause disturbances when cycling. They may cover your eyes and face and distract you, causing you to fall or collide with something. Therefore it is very important to keep them in place. Tie them if possible. And in order for you to be really sure, wear a cycling hat. Its tight fit will really hold them in place and prevent them from covering your face.

They protect your bald spot (if you have any).

Hair is there to serve a purpose. It cushions the head, especially when we put something hard over it. A helmet is indeed something very hard. So when the ride gets bumpy, the helmet that you are wearing may rub against the bald spots on your head, causing painful blisters and scratches. In order to avoid this, it is good that you wear soft but tight fitting caps. They will serve as the cushion.

What will become of this site.. #1 poll position holder. Watch and see.

I must say that at least the URL owner made the effort to post something original unlike www.cyclingcap.com which is a bunch of links provided by Google to generate income while a URL is idle. The site is for sale incidently, as is http://www.cyclingcaps.com/ and so is http://www.cyclingcaps.net/

People wasting good cycling cap related URLs!

No help for Giusto Cerutti

Geen hulp voor Giusto Cerutti / No help for Giusto Cerutti, originally uploaded by Nationaal Archief.

Busted bike, busted wheel, busted knee but the cap remains on.

If I had a choice my barista would wear a cycling cap

via candycranks.com

Coffee at Remy and Lee’s Cafe (I’m not sure if this is Remy or Lee).

Have a good ride on the peak flip is a nice sentiment.