I like definition, to place things in a box and tightly seal the lid. It makes me feel comfortable, like another of life’s little mysteries has been stored away for safe keeping. I also love ambiguity; it is the space wherein all interesting questions are asked; the unknown is life’s greatest beauty. You might say that makes me a hypocrite but I prefer to think of it as a paradox.
The subjective choices surrounding aesthetics are an obvious target for this peculiar neurosis of mine, and therefor I am bound by blood to draw hard lines by which I judge with a harsh and heavy gavel. These are lines that may never be crossed until such time that I change my mind, in which case there will be a loudly articulated logic tree defending the change.
And so it is with the choice of sunglass frames which, obviously, should always be white.*
The first mistake the Pedalwan makes when trying their hand at Looking Fantastic is to overmatch their kit. Everything the in monochrome from tops to tails, throughout with the same dominant colors. It isn’t the worst place to start, much better than an uncoordinated hodgepodge for certain, but the eye needs some balanced variety; some disruptions to give it something cling to.
Cycling has a lot happening from an aesthetic point of view; bicycle frames, wheels, tires, shoes, socks, gloves, bar tape, saddles, bidons, helmets, jerseys, shorts, whirring guns…each offering its own shape, design, and color palette. Geometrically, we have variety covered. But when it comes to colors, the sky’s the limit (so long as the shorts are black). We are free to get creative and let different color combinations play off each other. But in the midst of all that noise, the eye needs a lightening rod, something neutral to to take the charge off all that Awesome. This is where white sunglasses come in: they offer a neutral contrast point to the technicolor delight that is the Elite Cyclist.
Looking Fantastic is an art. There is no user guide, no App for That. The choices you make are your own and are in themselves less important than your confidence in them. But never underestimate the grounding power of White Lightning Shades.
* This applies strictly to cycling-specific activities and does not include being shirtless on the beach wearing obnoxious square white shades to try to impress the babes. Also, in case you’re that guy and you’re reading this, the girls at the beach who are sunbathing with their bikini top untied are onto your plan to play frisbee right next to them in the hope of startling them and getting them to sit up quickly. Seriously, its not their first rodeo; try something else. Like not being such a dingbat.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
@frank Yes true, but thanks to some inter web shenanigans, I was only privy to Doucheboy #1 (on the left) in my initial viewing. Ice cream dude only showed up in my view when I responded. I just hope he's not staring at Db #1 while doing that.
@Ccos
Given the apparent camelbacks on both and trendy trainers I suspect they are mates, no sorry I mean I suspect they are together er no I mean.....errr.......
Whenever I see Vangarderen interviewed before a stage all I can think is 'your sunglasses are the wrong color'
To me white shades are the best choice. Or possibly something to match the kit, depending on the kit. The Cannondale guys with lime green frames look good. The Sky guys wearing black frames do not. God forbid Europcar gets dark green shades.
@frank
The nerd with no ice cream looks like he's wearing a pair of "X-Ray Vision" glasses he got off a Bazooka Joe bubblegum wrapper and is saying "Hey! These things don't work! The Chicks are still wearing clothes. What gives, bro?"
Ice cream boy spent his hard earned cash on a cone and looks pleased with his choice.
@wiscot that nearly caused a beer/screen moment. Ok, I have had a few.
@wiscot
Actually it's a picture from the future of a fat Mark Cavendish and a less fat Bernie Eisel.
@Frank, great article....the advice at the bottom has just finally dashed all hope of me ever achieving success with the frisbee trick!
I have these
too cool for school
Also they go very well with white Kask helmet.
@frank
Straight out of Twins casting. The 171 cm Italian guy and the 197 cm (?) Dutch guy. Perfect pair of twins.
Well, the article has done it. Picked up a new pair of White Lightnings. Decided to give the Rudy Project photochromics a try. I wonder if they'll be as adaptable as you've found the Oakley's, Frank. Seems like they are pretty nice shades and well. And, if not, well...there is always another pair of shades to be had. Can't just have an entire drawer full of just Oakleys, need some variety!
meursault - I'm also intrigued at trying out shades from new/different manufacturers. Have a few pairs of Oakleys, those Salice's look pretty darn cool for on-bike wearing. I've been digging some of the Uvex shades on the Giant-Shimano team and the (is it) R+ ones of Saxo-T, though not in yellow/blue.
And hey, if you've got the Italian tricolor on your shades, then on your feet (if you are sporting Sidis), well what is cooler than head/toe Italian flags?