Getting each new copy of Rouleur is almost a religious experience. It is printed on heavy paper, and has a particular smell about it; the pages are printed with a mat finish, so the heavy, rough pages feel a certain way in your hands as you turn them. There is no other periodical that I'm aware of that has the same feel to it; reading each issue is an experience unto itself.
Issue 16 came yesterday, and it has some incredible features, including a retrospective on Team Z – one of the coolest teams ever – and a history of Shimano – one of the most iconic component manufacturers in cycling.
As I thumbed the pages through my first pass of the content, I took some photos in an effort to share the experience.
Of course, you'll have to order one for yourself for the full effect.
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/Rouleur Issue 16/”/]
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
Damn! $120 bucks for 6 issues!!! Unless this is the official written "word" of the Velominati, that is some serious cash. I could buy entire WCP 2010 Spring Classic DVD collection for that kind of money! I currently subscribe to Cyclesport and love that. What is "Rouleur" all about?
@Buck Rogers
Well, it ain't frickin CycleSport for a start! Whole different world.
Point taken after reading Frank's "La Volupte" post. Sounds like an amazing "periodical" for lack of a better term.
I have a brand new "Z" jersey, real European issue. In my drawer. Never worn.
@Buck Rogers
Right you are. It's pretty close to being the Official Word. I have every issue except number one; if I only had one subscription, this would be the one. As much as I love watching bike races, you'll learn a he'll of a lot more from those blokes about the history of the sport than you do from watching a bike race.
Cyclesport is good, but is absolutely on a different planet from Rouleur; no comparison.
@michael
That thing is bomb ass.
@frank
Thanks, but is it ever ok to wear? Retro jersey night at the races. I was thinking of wearing it next year to race as I'm probably going to ride unattached.
@frank
Alright, bit the bullet and ordered 5 back issues of Rouleur. They should be arriving at about the same time I get home from Iraq. Now THAT should be a nice welcome home present!
@michael
Old team kit has always been a gray area for me. I've always felt like I'm stealing something I didn't deserve when wearing team kit of an active team, but old kit is more like a homage thing.
That said, if you're racing, modern gear will wear much better; breathe better, wick better, full zippers, etc. If you're racing unattached, there is a fine kit we can recommend you race in, of course.
@Buck Rogers
which issues? Oh, man, even just the way they smell is an experience...