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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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Teocalli says:

Jun 7 2017 at 2:17 pm

@wiscot

These are NOS Detto complete with the grooved locator for clipless pedals that screws into the nailed on base plate. These are all leather, soles too, so I had the local cobbler add a small heel pad to preserve the sole in the heel area.
universo says:

Jun 7 2017 at 7:27 pm

@Buck Rogers

Thnx Buck
KogaLover says:

Jun 8 2017 at 12:31 am

@Teocalli

@wiscot

These are NOS Detto complete with the grooved locator for clipless pedals that screws into the nailed on base plate. These are all leather, soles too, so I had the local cobbler add a small heel pad to preserve the sole in the heel area.

I had those Detto Pietro's years ago, first without cleats (only just started to cycle) and by the time I saw the grooves of the teoclippedals (Freudian mistake?) in the sole, I bought some cleats which I had to fasten with small nails, hammered into the full leather sole (which I waxed regularly of course).

Then, error happened, and after many years of not using them, nor using the real bike, I threw them away. And now I am frantically looking for a similar pair for the upcoming Eroica but haven't found them yet in the right size. So I may go with old black brogues instead...
RobSandy says:

Jun 8 2017 at 2:09 am

@chuckp

@universo

@chuckp

3T LTD Corius bar tape keeps white. There is also a not-so-often mentioned rule about matching bar tape to your seat post manufacturer whenever possible. Confession, I made that part up.

My “problem” is that I absolutely love the feel of Lizardskins bar tape. It’s got enough padding that I don’t need to ride with gloves. And it doesn’t get slick/slippery with sweat. Actually almost gets tacky when it’s wet. I think maybe I need to query Movistar’s mechanics to ask how they keep the team bikes’ bar tape so clean. I think they’d probably tell me that they just change it often.

I know exactly what you mean. For a birthday present I fitted the VMW's Bianchi with the black/white camo Lizardskins tape (the same that Cav and the rest of DD use). It looks awesome but I was surprised how great it felt.

So basically I got bar tape envy. My Fizik tape is looking a bit scruffy after hitting the tarmac a few times, so once I get around to it I'll replace it.

However, I may be buying a new Nr.2 frameset very soon and I'll then be busy building it up with all the old parts (see The Bikes for the full tale of woe).

Don't suppose any UK Velominati have any cheap framesets kicking about in 58cm, that they want shot of?
Blackjohn says:

Jun 8 2017 at 7:44 am

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.
chuckp says:

Jun 8 2017 at 8:01 am

@RobSandy

I know exactly what you mean. For a birthday present I fitted the VMW’s Bianchi with the black/white camo Lizardskins tape (the same that Cav and the rest of DD use). It looks awesome but I was surprised how great it felt.

I was looking at the black/white camo Lizardskins. Not sure how it would look on my Felt. I think it would look really good on a white bike. But an option I may have to consider.
chuckp says:

Jun 8 2017 at 8:02 am

@Teocalli

Just the right tone of Antique White

I am trying to imagine a #9 ride in these.
Teocalli says:

Jun 8 2017 at 8:12 am

@chuckp

Ha Ha! I have an alternative pair for that.
RobSandy says:

Jun 8 2017 at 8:19 am

@chuckp

@RobSandy

I know exactly what you mean. For a birthday present I fitted the VMW’s Bianchi with the black/white camo Lizardskins tape (the same that Cav and the rest of DD use). It looks awesome but I was surprised how great it felt.

I was looking at the black/white camo Lizardskins. Not sure how it would look on my Felt. I think it would look really good on a white bike. But an option I may have to consider.

Yeah, I'm not sure it'd work on my Felt. Although I did consider the grey white camo. But then, did Eddy have camo bar tape? I'll stick to white.

The Mrs' bike is a Bianchi, but it's mostly white with some celeste areas. So any colour but white, black or celeste tape would look rubbish. The black/white camo does look really good though.
Slowtrane says:

Jun 8 2017 at 8:22 am

Talking about the significance of white: https://americanliterature.com/author/herman-melville/book/moby-dick-or-the-whale/chapter-42-the-whiteness-of-the-whale