Very, very wrong. For so many reasons. :D

Which way is the hat oriented? If it's backwards, that's so wrong and last century.

This discussion came up on the Aussie sub-forum/thread last month. Mainly between a guy who's starting out on a cycle racing career by wearing a rainbow jersey, and a number of top-quality competition cyclist (retired, but high achievers nevertheless). The rainbow guy was laughed at and told the pelotons would make a special effort to spit him out the back if he turned up wearing one.

Disrespect (and respect) comes in all forms, I suppose. Seems the top-end of competition cyclists have their own way of dealing with poseurs... and after all, it is a pretty small group, so they know everyone who has earned one.

Funny, I thought the same of you and your grammar.

:D :D :D

Though, I think good ol' Rob would ride a different kind of bike...

http://www.modernfix.com/features/02/Halford_Bike.jpg

This is a little different than wearing a Superbowl ring--- since you can buy the jerseys almost anywhere. I would never wear one, but I don't care what someone else wears.

I am more offended by rude motorists... it won't be until all roads are perfect and all drivers are courteous that I will concern myself with what other cyclists wear.

Congratulations, your acne cleared up and you matured. Way to go! Quite a unique experience. I wore mine until I was at least 18 and a half!

You earn the right to wear one just as soon as you plonk the money on the counter at the lbs.

Having said that, I'd be the first one to put sht on any of my mates if they fronted up on a training ride wearing a rainbow jersey (unless they were World Champ). :D

Exactly! The question isn't "What would or should you or I do?" but "How do we get the other 5 billion people in the world to see it our way?" That's too big of a job for me to attempt so I just let them wear pretty much whatever they want.

Good for you. Enjoy the company of others who share your thoughts on what is proper cycling elsewhere. I'll PM you when someone posts something that will meet your high standards.

There is a bit of a difference between military medals & ribbons and military rank/unit insignias, cycling jerseys, WWF belts, Super Bowl rings and such. :rolleyes:

Are we still talking about donuts? Because I love donuts.

Detroit Tigers - wouldn't that be the World Series LOSERS? I guess that anybody could wear their cap because they're not the world champions.

I just thought of one aspect where I might agree with the OP's coach.

I do think it could serve as a motivational tool for a coach to forbid his riders to wear any jersey that aren't earned. But in order to make sure that his riders don't wear them when he isn't looking he brainwashes them to think it is wrong for everyone.

Actually, what I would like to wear (if I shrink enough to fit) is a real Yellow Jersey that was made for someone that never had a chance to wear it in the race... Maybe a 2006 yellow jerseys that they probably had on hand for the banned riders before they were banned...

I assume that they have a few dozen unused jerseys made for each tour for when one of the riders from each team is leading...

I would suspect that the people who are inclined to wear unearned championship jerseys are the same people who would wear counterfeit Rolex watches, put Ferrari 'prancing horse' decals on their Hondas and refer to their local sports teams accomplishments in terms of "We".

Why is it that some people are so inclined to attach themselves to the achievements of others? Could it be that their own lives are unfulfilling? Just some thoughts.

OLN/Versus ran a piece on this last year or the year before. They actually have a bunch of blank yellow jerseys on hand in various sizes. For the "decorative" ones (i.e. with the zipper in the back, for putting on at the podium), they apply a quickie heat-transfer decal of the team's logo or whatever right at the end of the stage (while drug testing is going on and such). For the jerseys that the riders actually wear during the next stage, they make more durable ones, with the zippers in the front, overnight.

So there might be some unused ones, but not likely any from any of the teams/riders that were banned. And my guess is that the race organizers' families and friends get first dibs on those :p

You want a championship jersey that was not award it to a rider who may have had a legitimate opportunity to EARN it.

Why do you feel a need to wear this jersey?

I recommend you read my previous post (up two posts)

Honestly, you're being just as much as an a$$ with these assumptions as those you previously condemned. I just got done with a race this morning where I finished ahead of and behind others wearing and riding "possibly underserved" gear. I didn't care! I had fun. Not everyone has their entire identity wrapped up in one specific thing that causes their panties to bunch up when someone who might not be worthy encroaches upon their territory.

You read way too much into this. Way to jump to conclusions, jackass.

this thread makes me want to go out and buy a WC jersey.

boo hoo, its an article of clothing.. get over it.

No, not really, because I did not target any of my comments toward anyone in particular, however it appears I may have touched a nerve or two.

Also, I have not stooped to the immature practice of name calling, which generally occurs when someone cannot form an articulate argument.

It's called marketing. No more, no less. It's what the corporate and professional sports world runs on. It is human nature for a person to attach themselves... to belong... to success, irrespective of whether their own lives are unfulfilled or not. Success is as fashionable as the wind -- what may be in this year could well be way out next year.

The people who are confident in themselves and what they do couldn't give a rats butt about it and wear whatever they like. One of my favourite sayings is: Fashion is for people who don't have a style of their own.

Yes, including the fact that while you can wear whatever article of clothing you want - including championship jersies, military decorations are protected by law to the recipient of the medal.

Yep, it's a federal offense to wear an unearned military medal.

Perhaps the OP would like the government to pass a law to this effect for sporting event champions. 'Cause, you know, they're doing us all such a service that their attire should be sacrosanct. :rolleyes:

Perhaps you or anyone could explain the intrinsic sacredness of the professional athlete and the real importance of riding, running or throwing an object fast and far, because that seems to be the crutch of your original argument that I am having trouble sympathizing with.

There is lot more to the honor of wearing a medal earned for valor, and conversely dishonor for wearing a non-earned medal.

Silly little boys/or old men who worry about "earning the right" to wear a cycling jersey that is for sale to the public will never know.

For an extreme example, see:
http://www.cnn.com/US/9605/16/boorda.6p/