orguasch

have you notice that the official Tour de France Yellow jersey, is now being sold in your LBS, now my question, will you buy one for yourself and actually were it on your ride or group ride, how will they treat you will they try to challenge you and maybe embarassed you.....by making you eat the dust......

Allister

Personally, any team colours that aren't earned look a little ridiculous to me. A replica yellow jersey just takes it up a notch.

But hey, who am I to judge? If someone wants to spend all that extra money for a jersey, it's fine by me. Ultimately, it's a matter of little or no consequence.

Rich

I think I tend to agree with Al,

If you haven't earned it, then why wear it? Still, who am I to judge...

Rich

ljbike

Since I always ride alone, I'm always in the lead; therefore I am intitled to wear a yellow jersey, and would do so proudly if I had one.

Actually, I look at those who wear team or race jerseys as a show of support for the event rather than an expression of ego. There could also be those who wear them for the vicarious thrill, a wishful empathy for the pro-racers and a sence of pride in being a biker.

There is, to me, no difference between wearing a Tee, a jacket, a cap or a pair of shoes endorsed by a famous athlete in any other sport. Only in Cycling is there this hauty snob attitude. I wonder why.

Personally, the fanciest jersey that I'll own will be the Forums jersey when it arrives in a few weeks. I'll wear that one with pride because it says I'm associated with a great group of people scattered around the globe. I'm looking forward to it. Is there a difference between that and those who wear team or event jerseys? I don't think so.

velocipedio

I have to differ with you there. I have a couple of old Montreal Canadiens sweaters that I wear because I'm a hockey fan. Sometimes I even wear them playing shinny. I have an All-Blacks and a Springboks jersey, and I've even worn them [or their much-worn predecessors] playing a pick-up game of sevens.

The point is that it seems perfectly normal to me that someone would want to show his team allegience by wearing his team colours. Moreover, since cycling is an entirely sponsor-supported sport, the licensing fees that the teams and sponsors get from the sale of these jerseys helps keep the teams racing. So it's not just moral. but financial support from the fans.

Having said that, I think the classification jerseys and championship jerseys, like the white world champion's jersey are a bit gauche. I've seen guys wearing the polka-dot jersey who can't climb... but at least they can dream.

Spire

I don't really see a problem with the wear of the yellow jersey on regular rides. But be expected to show that are worthy ! I guess somebody saw the potential to make money and jumped on it.

Allister

Feel free. I was only stating a personal opinion, and we all know what they're worth. If you want to wear team colours, then by all means do so. It's just not something I'm into myself, but like I said, it matters not.

orguasch

I presicely posted this thread becuase I am really interested in buying a Yellow, a Green and a Polka dot Jersey, I want to find out the reaction of fellow riders If they see a yellow jersey out in the street, will they you know what I mean, I have expirience that during the Tour de France week, When I go out to ride my bike in a Pro.Cyclist Jersey, guys, on board their car will stick their neck out an shout "benga-benga" I know these are shout of encouragement, but what will their reaction be wiith a cyclist wearing a Yellow jersey********************????.

Spire

What are these 2 for? Do they represenet the lead ride in two other races?

Amir R. Pakdel

I have learned that in life there these small things that get you inspired, and if by wearing the yellow jersey someone out there gets their kick and that little extra motivation, then I do not see what is wrong with it.

But it's another matter for someone to wear it and act like a poser. As long as the jersey doesn't go to the rider's head, it is perfectly ok.

velocipedio

In fact, I only have one pro team jersey -- Saeco -- and I hardly ever wear it. Most of the time, I'm in a Revi smoking cyclicts jersey [it has the famous photo of the racers in the 20s TdF smoking]:



Or I'll wear a Voler Don't Tread on Me jersey [get it?]:



Or a Pace Campagnolo jersey.

I wouldn't rule out buying another pro team jersey, but it's have to be a nice obscure second or third division team like St. Quentin-Oktos, Palmans or something like that.

They're both in the Tour de France.

Green: The points competition. Normally won by sprinters [and, for the last five tours, by one in particular]. Points are awarded for sprints along the course of each stage and at the end of each stage.

Polkadot: The king of the mountains jersey. Points in thsi comptetion are awarded at the toips of climbs. The rider who consistently makes it to the top of climbs first [or among the first] thus wins more points, and the rider with the most points wins this jersey.

MichaelW

My yellow jersy has red side panels, so its more for visibility than emulating the greats.
When touring in France I did get people in villages shouting out "Maillot Jeune!" to encourage me up steep slopes

RegularGuy

Chestnut Mountain is a ski resort. It is what passes for a mountain in Illinois. It may not stack up to the Rockies, but it is long enough and steep enough to be challenging. It is on the route of one of my favorite invitational rides. The ride issues fanny bumpers with the riders' names on them.

Lugging up Chestnut Mountain a few years ago, I passed a guy whose fanny bumper said "Marco Pantani." It wasn't Marco Pantani, of course, but it made me laugh. I've been bragging ever since about how I passed Marco Pantani on Chestnut Mountain.

Speaking for myself, I wouldn't buy a replica of the maillot jaune. I don't wear pro team kit either. I don't object to anyone else who does so, though. As a show of support or fandom, I think it's kind of fun.

Want to wear the yellow jersey? Do it up! Nobody is going to mistake you for Lance anyway.

lotek 

If you want to wear a replica Maillot Jeune
go right ahead, doesn't matter what people
think, although I don't think I'd wear it to
a club ride or race
I wear a CSC team jersey but I think
I have the right to since I work for CSC.

Marty

Altwegg

Hi Oscar,

I do not have anything against people wearing a Yellow Jersey during a ride, but I would not wear one myself. Why? Because the Yellow Jersey does not just represent a team, it represents an achievement. It's sort of like buying yourself an Olympic Gold medal and wearing it for all to see. As for me, I'll stick to my $6 Philippine made team jerseys. Don't get me wrong though, I do not think that cyclists in Yellow, Green, Pink, Gold, Polkadot, etc. jerseys are posers. Whatever your choice, I'm sure you'll enjoy your new jerseys!

Cheers!

MediaCreations 

Apart from the Phillipines, where does one get such jerseys?

Altwegg

I have no idea =P

We get a lot of tem here because of the loose copyright laws we have. The jerseys are exact replicas of the team jerseys you can buy from Giordana, Nalini, etc. The only thing different is the material....not as good as real Lycra. Depending on who makes them, the "fake" jerseys can be mistaken for the real ones.

MediaCreations 

At that price you could afford to go through quite a few of them and still save money on what you'd pay for the real thing.

Altwegg

Oh, they do not wear out easily. What I meant was that they do not wick as well as real Lycra. I notice this a lot when I ride indoors. Outdoors, however, they work OK.