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The Color White

Boonen in his final Paris-Roubaix

I saw the Black Crowes in concert some years ago, and as the band swung into their first number, Chris Robinson casually strolled onstage wearing head to toe white sequins. Later in the show, he remarked that nothing quite makes you feel like a virgin like wearing white.

The color white is indeed a bold statement. A white house declares to the neighborhood that the homeowners are committed to give nature the what-for and keep it pristine at all times. Similarly, the Cyclist who wears white declares that they are willing to take their chances against road grime, despite effectively turning themselves into a human mudflap.

White is like hanging a “Kick Me” sign on Nature.

I personally find it irresistible. White bar tape and socks, even on a bike I expect to get dirty, is a must. I do admit to going through phases where I’ll experiment with black or orange socks or bar tape like a temperamental tween experimenting with talking back to their parents. But I always find myself irrevocably drawn back to white.

When I was 13, I bought my first Selle San Marco Regal saddle in perforated white leather. (I promptly crashed on it). It matched my Scott Drop-Ins which were wrapped in white Benotto bar tape, as well as the white spatters on my early Nineties paintjob. It was many years later before I bought myself some White Ladies. And to be fair, as much as I love my Orange Damsels, there is nothing like a clean, white pair of socks matched to a clean, white pair of shoes. Just ask Tom Boonen.

White sunglasses are a must as well, and after a short foray from the path, I’m back on the white helmet program. White jerseys tend to look sharper than their dark counterparts (assuming your physical qualities don’t require the slimming effect of black.) I’m on a quest for a white bike, but people seem loathe to make me one, as they are apparently unlucky. (I’m going for the next best thing: silver sparkles.)

White is bold and requires a concerted effort to ensure one keeps it pristine, but it pays you back by Looking incomparably Fantastic. It seems the only place where white doesn’t look better is on bibshorts. Go figure.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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frank says:

Jun 8 2017 at 4:46 pm

@chuckp

@RobSandy

Here’s a pic with my black/white Lizardskins. I know you can’t really tell, but the white is more “off” white than “bright” white (which it was when it was new). I wanted some brightness/color for this riding season hence the current pink (most obviously, for the Giro, but real men wear/do pink), but may eventually (after this season) go back to the black/white colorway. Overall, it’s a good look on my bike. Particularly with the white seatpost (3T Dorico Team).

Is your wife wearing a sleeveless jersey? Two demerits.
frank says:

Jun 8 2017 at 4:50 pm

@universo

Velominati central did not like that # symbol in this image filename on the first pass. Here — Green River Rd

The repainted MX Leader looks badass. And I have to say the unorthodox white saddle/black bars looks the business as well.

Here's the design I'm planning for the Silver Don Walker (see bitchy post above.)
frank says:

Jun 8 2017 at 4:55 pm

@Blackjohn

I also saw Chris Robinson, head to toe in white, a long time ago at the Roadmender in Northampton.

He knew he could carry that look off, if you’re not sure you can, the answer is you can’t.

I saw him at First Ave in Minneapolis. It was a great show; I've seen them a few times and they are really hit or miss because the band is so volatile. But when they are on, they are as swingin' as any hard rock band can be.
frank says:

Jun 8 2017 at 5:00 pm

@chuckp

Like @MangoDave, I may have posted this before. But here’s my circa early 90s Reynolds 653 steel is real Hollands with black/white fi'zi:k Aliante saddle and white bar tape.

Loves me that Hollands. Please, PLEASE post us a pick of the 90's-style STI/DT combo?

@wiscot

@chuckp

@MangoDave

I’ve posted this before in The Bikes section. For most of it’s life I’ve run black tape and saddle. The white/white has been on the last couple of years.

Very classy looking. With the bike’s colorway and the white bar tape, you could run either a white or black saddle and either would look great.

I’m think a black saddle would be perfect. It would connect nicely to the brake hoods and stem and complement the rear wheel.

Blue bar tape would go Full Pantani. That would be a tight program.
RobSandy says:

Jun 8 2017 at 5:03 pm

@frank

@chuckp

@RobSandy

Here’s a pic with my black/white Lizardskins. I know you can’t really tell, but the white is more “off” white than “bright” white (which it was when it was new). I wanted some brightness/color for this riding season hence the current pink (most obviously, for the Giro, but real men wear/do pink), but may eventually (after this season) go back to the black/white colorway. Overall, it’s a good look on my bike. Particularly with the white seatpost (3T Dorico Team).

Is your wife wearing a sleeveless jersey? Two demerits.

Attention to detail...well, this is why you're a Keeper.
litvi says:

Jun 8 2017 at 6:10 pm

@frank

Loves me that Hollands. Please, PLEASE post us a pick of the 90’s-style STI/DT combo?

Blue bar tape would go Full Pantani. That would be a tight program.

I'll see your STI/DT combo and raise you one pair of Record Titanium 9S Ergopowers.

Yes, that's Nuovo Celeste tape. Finished with my nod to The Color White:
Cary says:

Jun 8 2017 at 10:21 pm

@MangoDave

I’ve posted this before in The Bikes section. For most of it’s life I’ve run black tape and saddle. The white/white has been on the last couple of years.

pegorettis are simply gorgeous. pure elegance.
DoctorNurse says:

Jun 8 2017 at 10:39 pm

Personally, I have always felt that the current stealth/murdered out/black-on-black-on-black bike design trend introduced a degree of banal geneticist and conformity to what should be an individual expression of one's athletic personality.

Of course, people just buy what is available, but this is why I have always sought out (or commissioned) white bicycle equipment- Always stylish, often leading the pack and reliably elegant

https://goo.gl/photos/gehcWzTZvEqGzzPFA
Teocalli says:

Jun 8 2017 at 11:38 pm

@Buck Rogers

@Teocalli

@chuckp

@KogaLover

Just won an old, all black, Brancale Belgian hairnet off of the French ebay site for 45 euro. Looks to be in great shape and it was a large size. So hard to find them in large. Cannot wait to get it!

I think that we need to petition the Keepers to add a permanent Eroica thread/tab to the site as nothing screams old school Hardmen like Eroica to me. Talk about riding with ghosts and legends–nothing compares to the Eroica scene for that!

I'll raise a glass and a mouse click to that suggestion.

I also just noticed that Eroica Limburg switched the ride to Saturday and have added an excursion on Sunday to Heri-Chapelle to see the TdF go by. Be interesting to see how many do that and whether the TV coverage picks up on a contingent in vintage gear cheering on the TdF.
chuckp says:

Jun 9 2017 at 4:38 am

@frank

Is your wife wearing a sleeveless jersey? Two demerits.

Rule #99 - WAGs who ride get to do whatever they please because you should be so fortunate to have a significant other who doesn't resent that you ride.

That said, here's a pic of my wife from a coffee ride we did a few weekends ago.