Yeah! I wear mine with pride too. Except, I can't get AB up here in Canada. I like the idea of that friendly looking chap holding a mug of ale on the front. I do like my beer though. So I guess I'm drinking it in spirit! I really want to get my hands on Guiness Team Jersey. Mmmm Guiness.... They are available, however only to people who reserved them earlier.

This discussion is old. Wear what ever the hell you want. Its not my place nor anyone else to judge what you wear when your ride or what your level cycling is at. For some people its a need to feel like they belong to something, and want to show commitment. For some people its like a mind thing, motivation what not, they put on the gear and feel transformed. Like, "Hey, I'm wearing this kit, I'm no pro however I will put the best effort into my riding to feel like I deserve to wear it on some level". Some people are insecure about their abilities and compensate by buying the kit and trying to fit in.

I remember watching a series on t.v. a while back called "The Human Animal". It goes all the way back to when humans roamed the planet in tribes and stuck to together as a group. Whether most of us realize it or not, we are trying to be a part of a tribe, find our role and fit it. By wearing the kit and dressing the part that is how some of us achieve this. We can't all be great TdF champions, but we can dress to show that we support and believe in our "cycling tribe" and support our community.

A smaller part of me, also thinks that it should be earned in some respect. I guess getting older has changed my perspective on this point of view. Meaning, if your going to buy the kit and wear it, put in the miles to justify it in some way. Even if you move like a snail. Don't dress like Lance, eat donuts, smoke cigs and stand around the parking lot all day and then go home. As long as you are out there and trying then that is enough for me. We are all poseurs in some way.