Posted this elsewhere over Canadian Thanksgiving; reposting for my American neighbours (neighbors?) Stay safe and healthy.

This cycling jersey was passed on to me some 40 years ago by my cousin’s husband who raced in amateur competitions in Italy. I’m happy to report it still fits. Or maybe it “fits again” now that I’m older and smaller. Either way, it’s wool and warm and perfect for this time of year. It occurred to me, when I last pulled it out of its drawer, that I knew little about the sponsor lettered on the front and back - evidently a welt factory outside the city of Lucca, the birthplace of Puccini and my parents. I wanted to know more. A Google search produced a handful of unhelpful hits, plus one promising LinkedIn address. I reached out, and soon I received a response: “My father owned that company,” wrote Elena Da Tofori. “During the 1980s he founded this cycling team that took part in many non-professional bicycle races. It’s extremely surprising to me that someone still has this jersey.” So, for the record: CONF for confezione, AR for articoli and C for calzature. Producers of leather and faux leather articles for shoes, belts and bags. Elena worked there for a while. Her father passed away in 2004. The factory closed a couple of years later “because of the big crisis.” But, yes, someone still has the jersey. I wore it this crisp Thanksgiving weekend on a ride with my son. It kept me warm, as always. Maybe a little more.

P.S. Elena and I are now Facebook friends.

Keep the poutine gravy off of it.

Very cool.

Very cool!

My wife Francesca grew up in Colle Val d'Elsa, which is at the lower right corner of the map in your post. A beautiful place.

Looks suitably hilly. What are you waiting for? Grab your Italian bike - and your wife - and get over there!