Rule #28: “White is old school cool. Black is cool too, but were given a bad image by a Texan whose were too long. If you feel you must go colored, make sure they damn well match your kit.”
You bet white is old school and for good reason, it is the only color of cycling socks that is truly acceptable. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, what color did Merckx wear? What color did Jesus wear in his all-too-short cycling career, Kelly, Coppi, Rik Van Steenbergen, Rik Van Looy, I could go on and on. Not one of them have worn anything but white socks. Years back, black shorts were a regulation of the cyclist’s uniform. It may have not occurred to people to try other colors but black shorts were the only allowed color. Perhaps white socks fell under the same regulations; I’ll let @Oli answer that question. Black socks, god damn it people, are not cool, maybe on a mountain bike while getting wicked air, but not in the world of road riding.
I’m obviously outnumbered by the other Keepers here or the Rule would be three words, “Socks are white.” Every one of the Keeper’s executive board meetings seems to end with me drunkenly banging the table, paraphrasing Bones, “In the name of humanity, Jim, Rule #28 must be revised,” as I slowly slide off my chair and disappear under the table into a puddle of my own sick.
Only in the last fifteen years have the standards been lowered and now it’s a total confusion of bad taste. Again I implore the jury, have we no pride in our guns? A tanned, shaved, well-honed gun can only be properly punctuated by a white sock. Granted the sock pool has become so fouled it’s nearly impossible to even find all-white socks so I won’t be an absolutists (cognoscenti?) but please, mostly white. I won’t even argue length, I find tall socks (Wiggo tall) an abomination but I guess that shows how damn old I am.
Let’s reverse the trend. We have wasted too much energy worrying about podium caps when not many of us are on the podium yet each and every day we ride we make a decision about our socks. If you want to look Pro, get in the know, have a sack, don’t wear black. Write your local Keeper and make your position known.
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@Oli
While I'm a massive fan of celeste, I'm afraid those socks may only be paired with the Bianchi Kit I'm sure you have laying around. I know I've got one of these kits, I can only assume you do as well (not that it ever gets worn).
That year the guy above should have win the Tour...
@Oli:
celeste is a thing of beauty, glad I am not the only one here that enjoys the Italian, unmistakable flare and passion that goes with such a color. Its a love hate relationship, as many of my buddies wouldn't get caught dead riding such and poke fun at the color, calling it bilious or snot rocket flare. Whatever, read'm and weep, Coppi rode it, Pantani rode it, and that settles it.
PS: frank, can you please rebutt the eternal second german from the mix up in the above picture, as he was accidentally wearing the Italian celeste kit. Must have been a fundraiser for beer drinking, partying and crack dealing. Grazie friend.
Actually, back on point, those socks need white shoes bro.
@frank
that picture is priceless but that really does say alot
-did he lose a bet?
-ok, maybe he got mixed up w/girlfriend, I mean she is hot, and put her shoes on?
-com'n, whats the deal?
I mean, I would certainly not think less of him if he came out w/uggs on and a bold coffee, or a quad SHOT of espresso, or w/a dark ale, but a pink drink on top of that? That is just wrong, as SHE has the JO
@frank
I do have a pair of the shorts that were recently donated to me, but not the jersey. I stopped buying team kit in the 90s. I pretty much only wear my own kit these days.
@Souleur
White shoes I have none, and new shoes aren't on the cards just yet sorry.
@Pedale.Forchetta
YES! My favorite Tour ever.
@Oli
I know what you mean. But Ulli was so cool that year, I bought the kit. Never really wore it. Just bought it in homage.
@frank
Thanks for reinforcing the point visually. I dare not post more fuggly photos at present as I haven't yet sorted through all the hate mail from the last time.
@Marcus
Accessing my vast knowledge of all things Australian (and a popular internet search engine), I would put the bionic ear, the wave-piercing catamaran, and Kiwi (why?) shoe polish (our household brand since forever), as superior examples of OZ inventiveness.
@Oli
I'm still trying to figure out how you got your foot into the inky void of deep space to take that photo.
@Gianni
Here's my solution, 5 pairs, $12 and no colour nor branding anywhere near them!
gah work computer system & the photo uploader appear not to be friends...
@xyxax
Cold. So cold...