 Whats with the dodgy kit and fanfare at events that SS’ers are and have been coming up with? From the outside looking in you might be asking yourself: what are these guys up too? What’s the point? Are they looking for attention? Going through midlife crisis? Short of cash to buy decent kit? What? Well its quite simple really, freedom. Freedom of choice, freedom from trendsetters and self proclaimed fashion guru’s, freedom from the notion that you ride this therefore wear that, freedom from being boxed and categorised because of where or what you ride. Just freedom from the misconception that racing and looking like a racer has to be boring, rigid and suck.
Why not be fun, original, expressive and sentimental not to mention a little silly. Its kind of like really getting into going to a fancy dress party and making an effort. The more effort, the more satisfaction but the main thing is that you start having fun even before you even get there. It sets the tone and promises a good time irrespective of expectation. It really does make you feel like a kid again, carefree, invincible and happy. Exactly how you should feel while on your bike, unless you are pro and wearing those names because they pay the bills, then you only get one chance to escape. Single speed world champs, officially. Olympians were wearing over-alls, Pro tour riders were wearing track suits from the 80’s and world cup racers wearing things that made them smile. As for my own experience the whole event was special, but not only the event itself, the kit and effort put into it, made it more of a great journey than a good destination.
My son Jack and I got stuck in with glitter, glue, pipe cleaners and bits of plastic while making a makarapa, my mom sewed some gold rope (in the absence of sequins) to a dodgy shoulder padded jacket we dug out of a salvation army store for 5 bucks, my dad handmade a triangle medallion hanging from a bath chain and some old mans dodgy, dusty blue shorts rounded out the package. Decent effort went into this event but with no effort I have been known to don tweed pyjamas on a cold joburg morning ride, almost raced in jeans in 30 deg heat but my mate rather liked them so decided not to cut them to avoid the chain and often race in a cotton shirt that is 5 yrs old.
So there is no point or reason other than because we can, and perhaps want to, or were dared to, or were given our kit to wear by a mate and you gave him his (this can get hilarious just find someone of the same size). Your bike has already bucked a few trends and unwritten rules so why stop the good times there?
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