Anatomy of a Photo: Sock & Shoe Game
I know as well as any of you that I’ve been checked out lately, kind of like Luke Skywalker hiding away on Ahch-To. But unlike Luke – who cut himself off from The Force – I haven’t cut myself off from The V, so I find myself compelled to take a moment out to celebrate Billions and Billions’s sock and shoe game.
Massive love happening here.
They are yellow, obviously.
I know I’m probably in the minority here, but love Sagz’ shoe/sock combo. Of course, this from the guy willing to wear this shoe/sock combo.
@xyxax
I suspect some bike maintenance is in order.
Welcome back @Frank
I’ve been plaintively checking the site but to no avail…
@Phillip Mercer
In the same vein as the response “Just wear socks” when I complained long ago to a roommate about dirty floors, I may just switch back to wearing black shoes and socks exclusively.
@chris
Nothing could ever replace nipple lube, a substance that I also somehow manage to get all over my shoes and socks.
sigh…
Look: a post.
I am one with the V; the V is VVith me.
His socks are too high. Also, he needs some white shorts with the World Champion kit. For guidance see the Cipo. The end.
Ok, fine. Hello Frank et al. Wonder if Sagan will ‘sock’ it to them at next week’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad! I thought about this at length, for which I undoubtedly deserve to be cuffed.
@starclimber
It may be hard to tell as I suspect there will be many pairs of Belgian booties being worn! The question is, will Sagan “hose” the opposition?
@wiscot
I’m giving you both a slow handclap for such terrible puns.
On one hand, if Sagan is going well it’s like he can win these sort of races whenever he wants. On the other hand, these are the most unpredictable races and anything can happen.
On another note, Spring is on the horizon in the UK. I rode in this morning at 7:30 AM in glorious sunshine with kneewarmers and thin overshoes instead of my full Flandrian best. Felt lovely.
@Frank
VSP?
I promise I wont mention that the 2017 VSP was never awarded either.
@RobSandy
Snow forecast for the weekend of Strade Bianche in Siena – could do without that!
@wiscot
@RobSandy
Sagan’s not racing HN, so there’s as much chance of him winning as there is of a VSP happening, a new article appearing, customers getting kit and Keepers getting paid.
@Brett
Sounds like a suggestion to add an additional name to the Lexicon definition of COTHO?
I just logged in and wrote this post to remind myself about how this oddball crowd taught me so much about cycling and therefore about life. I will be checking in for further developments.
@Brett
What the hell happened to Fronk? FRAAAAAAAAAAAAANK! Pull out of it, man! Cobble up a Cogal, or something. ‘Please’. I might even attend, again. God help me.
@Brett
You’re right!
@Marcus
Can’t add enough C’s.
I know the combo is horrible but I’s just gotta love me Rule #28
@KogaLover
Are you and ChuckP related by any chance?
@wiscot
No we are not, but I dig his mix of colours. My usual sock choice is plain white though. These are the only non-old-skool socks I have.
@KogaLover
But we could be!
I have a couple pairs of plain black (or mostly black) socks but no plain white. I actually need to get a pair or two of the latter.
Some other shoe/sock combos I dare to wear.
@chuckp
What strikes me is not the fact that you wear these combos (way outside of my comfort zone btw, but respect!) but rather the fact that you make an effort to take pics of those. I can see you saving these pictures, and waiting for that solemn moment where you can finally post them…. Would be good for an AOP article or Freudian sockiology.
@KogaLover
For me, socks are like neckties. A way to make a “statement” and not slavishly follow the crowd or convention. But they don’t always have to be “loud” or “in your face.” For example, these Primal socks.
@chuckp
“Yes, we are all individuals!”
“I’m not.”
@chuckp
Plus, making your escape from the kid’s playground can be good sprint training, depending on how irate the parents are…
@RobSandy
Anarchists of the world, unite!
Gentlemen!!! Some sense please! I refer you to the amazing Tiesj Benoot at the end of the race where the only items that remained white were his socks and shoes!!! Pro!
@chris
Fuck, I wasn’t ready for that.
and, Welcome back @Frank, good to see you peeping about. I too had concerns for the demise of the scriptures. I was starting to think there may be a need for a crusade.
@ClydesdaleChris
Every ride is a crusade, brother.
My latest. Picked up a pair of Fizik R3Bs for cheap on eBay because they had some cosmetic blemishes. Qhubeka Charity socks from Versus (I got a pair in black too). I know … a little subdued for me, eh?
With the black Qhubeka socks.
@chuckp
Looking good…
@chuckp
Those hands look like they’re trying to pull your socks down to a reasonable height ;)
@MangoDave
Agree, socks are too tall. The white of the white socks does not match the white of the shoes. Black socks are better.
@KogaLover
No … My legs are too short!
Newest kicks I’m reviewing for PEZ. Lake CX402s. Look up their retail price! Heat molding for a custom-like fit. Stiffest yet most comfortable shoes I’ve ridden. But not lounge slippers off the bike.
@chuckp
Wow, they cost! Never really get the heat moulding concept. I’ve had loads of off the peg cycling shoes, all have been comfortable but all have stretched and changed over time, which I take care of with the straps etc. Can you reheat and re-mould them after they have stretched?
Not sure if I posted this a while back but I’ve fitted a pair of these as I have a high arch that standard footbeds don’t reach. Really impressed with the home custom ones. Stick them in the oven till the indicator changes colour then pop them in your shoes, jump in, cook your feet till they cool and jobs-a-goodun.
@Teocalli
Now that type of heat moulding DOES make sense to me.
@Steve Trice
Lake tells me that they can be re-molded as many times as you want. FYI you’re not heat molding the entire upper. The brown part in this pic is what you’re heat molding. Basically, you’re custom forming the cup/heel of the shoe.
Lake also makes custom heat mold-able footbeds and I’m hoping to get a pair of those too. I have low arches/flat feet and the stock insole has just enough arch support that I can feel it. Not to the point where it hurts or a bother, but I can definitely feel it more so that the insoles in my other shoes.
The other shoes currently in my stable are Pearl Izumi Pro Leader III and Fizik R3B. Both have very stiff carbon soles, but the Lake CX402 is stiffer. But way more comfortable to ride. It’s hard to describe. Just wearing the Lake CX402, you can feel how “stiff” and “tight” they are. Yet, that all sort of “disappears” when you ride.
Look for my review on PEZ!
@chuckp
I do have a pair of Lake shoes, cheaper ones, and they are as comfy as my Sidis tbh. The CX402 sound great, but fortunately I got a pair of Sidi Laser Vernice at about 70% off at the end of last year; I’ve only used them twice, so that prevents me feeling the need to reach for my credit card and buy more Lakes.
@Steve Trice
When I think of Lake shoes, what comes to mind immediately is Andy Hampsten in the ’88 Giro.
@chuckp
What a great photo that is. Isn’t the harrowed face of Cioccioli a throw back? Remove the headband, make the pic black and white, and he could be in a race with Coppi.
In Frank’s bio: “his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking” Not entirely true. You’re a guitarist as well! I totally understand. It complicates things a little when you struggle with the mind numbing choice of whether to spend part of your future retirement money on new wheels or that Mesa-Boogie combo that you’ve been lusting after. Yes, this time I went with the Boogie and some pickups.
Today’s shoe and sock combo
This is a test
Okay, now that we’ve addressed the bike and the rider, what about riding itself?
COMMANDMENT NUMBER 3: TAKE IT EASY, YOU’RE NOT A PRO. All this talk about “hardmen” (by the way, the book was a trifle, barely worth the effort) is irrelevant to you. So are Greg LeMond (his correct name) sayings, “V,” and the other lures to try to make you feel guilty about not pedaling like a crazed madman every inch (sic, dammit) of every ride. You are not a professional bike rider and never will be one. (Ignore this commandment if you are a professional bike rider, which is unlikely if you are reading this). Take it easy on your rides, relax, enjoy the scenery, don’t emulate everything the pros do (except for the few, it’s not a lucrative career path anyway). If it helps you ride, you can even use a motor. And while you’re at it, stop referring to legs as “guns.” It’s confusing, and besides guns are used to scare off possums and kill people.
Hi. As the erstwhile manager of this site is out to lunch and the kind persons who have been contributing to it this past year have decamped to a new site, I thought it would be fun to step in and continue the work of the site, but with a better slant. Thus, I present The Cycling Commandments: The New And Improved Testament. I use “commandments” to give these precepts greater moral authority, and also because, at least for now, I have ten of them.
This sock love article is the perfect place to start because it illustrates COMMANDMENT NUMBER 1: GET A LIFE. Why obsess with sock length or even sock color? Why worry about practically any aesthetic of bikes, gear or clothing? Don’t you realize that it makes you appear to be a nerd? someone who has nothing better to do or concern oneself with? Also, why waste the energy and effort to be “compliant”? So the next time you sense yourself worrying about the proper length of bar tape, or whether your tire labels are lined up with your tire valves (you really couldn’t find the valves otherwise?), or whether the pedals are in the “proper” position when you take a photograph of your bike, or whether its proper to use common sense and carry what you need for a ride in a bag attached to the seat vs. a mythical rule against doing so, Get A Life and forget about it.
Closely related is COMMANDMENT NUMBER 2: NOBODY GIVES A CRAP. What are you, a model? Do you think a potential boyfriend\girlfriend might be enticed by your appearance, when you’re sweaty and dirty from a ride? Are you afraid the Bike Police are going to give you a demerit on their Cool Riders list because you have a Shimano derailleur with a SRAM cassette? Wrong-o. No one is looking at your bike or clothing. Nobody Gives A Crap. Stop fretting.
Okay, now that we’ve addressed the bike and the rider, what about riding itself?
COMMANDMENT NUMBER 3: TAKE IT EASY, YOU’RE NOT A PRO. All this talk about “hardmen” (by the way, the book was a trifle, barely worth the effort) is irrelevant to you. So are Greg LeMond (his correct name) sayings, “V,” and the other lures to try to make you feel guilty about not pedaling like a crazed madman every inch (sic, dammit) of every ride. You are not a professional bike rider and never will be one. (Ignore this commandment if you are a professional bike rider, which is unlikely if you are reading this). Take it easy on your rides, relax, enjoy the scenery, don’t emulate everything the pros do (except for the few, it’s not a lucrative career path anyway). If it helps you ride, you can even use a motor. And while you’re at it, stop referring to legs as “guns.” It’s confusing, and besides guns are used to scare off possums and kill people.
Closely related is COMMANDMENT NUMBER 5: DON’T RIDE ON ROCKS. Cobblestones are an anachronism. There are better ways to build roads now. With few exceptions, you are not in Belgium (and even Belgium has paved roads), and you certainly are not Eddy Merckx (see Commandment Number 3). And why bother to ride “off road” or to seek out gravel (i.e., small rocks)? What’s so bad about nice, smooth pavement? What are you if you try to avoid it—a masochist? Do you also drive your cars into potholes? Sheesh, use your noggin.