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Style and Fashion

Michele Bartoli, possibly the pioneer of the small frame and slammed stem.

The difference between Style and Fashion is that Fashion changes, but style is something that persists through the ages. You can’t buy it, and you either have it or you don’t. In other words, you can get all the best and expensive kit and still look complete crap if you don’t have Style. Conversely, you can wear the most crap kit possible and make it look good if you have the gift. That is why photos of Anquetil, the Prophet and Roger de Vlaeminck still blow our minds even though they are wearing completely outdated kit. This is also why Pantani could wear lycra jeans and Cipollini could wear a Zebra suit and make us contemplate trying our hands at it. (We should not.)

If there was an upside to the EPO era, it meant that a number of riders who had immaculate style may never have risen to the top of the fish bowl if it weren’t for EPO. Allegedly. Michele Bartoli was a prime example of a rider who was so doped up that he had plenty of bandwidth left for a complete and total commitment to Looking Fantastic at All Times. Allegedly. Let’s face facts (allegedly): the Mapei kit would have been lining the rubbish bin if it weren’t for riders like Bartoli and Frank Vandenbroucke. And Michele pioneered the mini-frame with long, slammed stem and a meter of seatpin.

I think we all agree that doping is wrong, but it doesn’t feel so wrong when they looked so good. We owe him a weighty debt for his contribution.

Shameless Plug: come down to the Rouleur Classic this week to listen to me cover this topic in greater detail. And then head to the pub with me afterward to hear me do it louder. My speaking schedule is as follows:

Thursday 19th – 22:00: Host Ned Boulting and I will talk about Style.
Friday 20th – 19:15: Host: Matt Barbet and I will talk about what is Cycling means to us as a lifestyle.
Saturday 21st – 13:30: Matt Stephens and I will discuss the dichotomy of being a profoundly innovative sport while at the same time being fiercely protective of our history and culture.

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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View Comments

Haldy says:

Nov 19 2015 at 2:10 pm

@RedRanger

The ultimate style photo.

Agreed!!
Chipomarc says:

Nov 19 2015 at 3:40 pm

Beer and movie night !

Ok, he didn't win the TdF seven times, but rode pretty well back in the 80's
Matt says:

Nov 19 2015 at 4:03 pm

I've always thought the Mapei kit was the tits. Kinda reminds me of the La Vie Claire kit in a way. They don't look similar, but they're instantly recognizable.
Ron says:

Nov 19 2015 at 4:42 pm

A neighboring city is a cycling hotbed, even moreso than where I'm at. LOTS of wildly expensive bikes, lots of $3K wheelsets. And yet, I never, ever see anyone there who actually looks awesome on the bike.

I think it's because they're so busy racing one another on Strava and the Saturday morning A-ride that they can't locate any style. I'm always amazed. I'll ride over there on the weekend and see many dudes out and never, ever see anyone cool.
Apex Nadir says:

Nov 19 2015 at 7:36 pm

@Ron

I think it’s because they’re so busy racing one another on Strava and the Saturday morning A-ride that they can’t locate any style. I’m always amazed. I’ll ride over there on the weekend and see many dudes out and never, ever see anyone cool.

Maybe try talking to all those young dudes. I meet lots of cool people while I'm out riding. Maybe that means I'm not cool, but I'm cool with that.
litvi says:

Nov 19 2015 at 11:56 pm

@Apex Nadir

@Ron

I think it’s because they’re so busy racing one another on Strava and the Saturday morning A-ride that they can’t locate any style. I’m always amazed. I’ll ride over there on the weekend and see many dudes out and never, ever see anyone cool.

Maybe try talking to all those young dudes. I meet lots of cool people while I’m out riding. Maybe that means I’m not cool, but I’m cool with that.

@Apex Nadir knows what's cooler than being cool... Ice cold!
Clank says:

Nov 20 2015 at 12:47 am

@Owen

True enough. Four days in the freezer I can handle. What really hurt was having my immaculate and carefully selected Santini kit compared to underwear.
RobSandy says:

Nov 20 2015 at 1:24 am

@RedRanger

The ultimate style photo.

Immaculate. Flawless.
RobSandy says:

Nov 20 2015 at 1:25 am

@Chipomarc

Beer and movie night !

Ok, he didn’t win the TdF seven times, but rode pretty well back in the 80’s

What's that shit you're drinking?!
frank says:

Nov 20 2015 at 1:53 am

@RobSandy

@chuckp

“Cipollini could wear a Zebra suit and make us contemplate trying our hands at it. (We should not.)”

I’m less offended by the zebra suit than I am by that helmet.

That was one of the coolest helmets ever. I'd totally ride in it if I could still get one that was safe!