The cycling cap was part of any kit: nearly black shorts, team jersey and cap. It would be matching, it would be cotton. In the day before the required helmet, the cycling cap was it. Unrestrained by helmet or hairnet, the cap was the crown upon the head. It would sit high on the head, not pulled down like a baseball cap. It sat no higher upon the head than upon Giuseppi Beppe Saronni’s fine Italian head.
Beppe wore the cap with an unrivaled sense of italian style. The cap perched up there, as if it just landed, light as a feather. How it stayed there in the breeze, we don’t know. Perhaps the Saronni skull had just the perfect shape to hold a cap. We will leave that for the Phrenological scientists and the pathologist.
Rule #22 states the wearing of a cap may be for a brief interval before and after a ride, otherwise it has to be hidden under your helmet. That is a sad state of affairs. Maybe we need a national day of helmet-free cap riding. What is the worst that could happen? Do we have to ride the old timey Strade Bianche if we long to spend a long time in the saddle wearing a V-cap? If we can only wear it for a brief time or while using toe clips, is it an anachronism? Is it time to take it back: wear it in the bathtub, in the car, gasp, while walking in public? This idea has been discussed before here; the cap is ours, we should own it. When and where would Eddy wear it?
Behold the Beppe.
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This video has been posted on the site before too but it deserves a wider audience.
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@Bill Chris
1. You cant store your cycling specical sunnines on a cap!
2. If you think helmets look stupid, get a better looking one.
3. If you think helmets are uncomfortable, get a more comfortable one.
I kind of suspect you were riding before they became law at the UCI and are resiting that which is unfamiliar. Nobody likes change. Even so, I have a few people say helmets are uncomfortable every year but I can say without a doubt my helmet is comfortable, functional, cool in our hot summer and yes, even good looking! If I was going for a quite stroll on the bikes with the family, sure, no lid but only because we don't use roads and see maybe 15km/hr max. Every other ride there is no chance I'd be on my bike without one but that's just me - who has ridden with a helmet all my 38 years.
oh geez. lets not start that debate for the millionth time. maybe @frank should create a dunce cap symbol for people who insist on starting shit on that subject.
@Gianni You have misinterpreted Rule #22, simply as a matter of English comprehension.
According to you "Rule #22 states the wearing of a cap may be for a brief interval before and after a ride, otherwise it has to be hidden under your helmet."
In actual fact Rule #22 says "Cycling caps can be worn under helmets, but never when not riding ... The only time it is acceptable to wear a cycling cap is while directly engaged in cycling activities and while clad in cycling kit."
There is no hint of compulsion or mandatory covering of caps with a helmet. 'Can' means it is possible, not essential or even advisable. Didn't your teacher ever correct you when you said "Can I go to the bathroom?" and they snarkily said "Of course you can, but no you may not."
As is well known in these parts I am also a cap-only rider, like Bill Chris, who refuses to hide the light under a bushel.
In fact I think wearing a cap under a helmet looks pretty douchey. Very few people can pull it off.
It says you really want to be like the old-style guys but you can't quite go that far. Either wear the helmet, think that you're safe and be proud, or wear the cap and accept the style-bonus along with the alleged risk. Not belt and braces.
@Puffy re: point 1, when at the cafe I tend to place my sunnies on the back of my cap upside down (as if they'd basically rotated there over my head), seems to work well. Agree with the remainder of your points though.
@ChrisO
Mind if I put myself in the 'very few' category? I'm quite happy with how it looks, although I think I'm helped by the Lazer's design at the front where it rises to an upward peak on the forehead.
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@Weldertron
V-Balling?????
@Mikael Liddy It will look even better with a V-cog on the brim (hint, hint). And I'm totally digging those vintage-style CMYK kits in the background of the first pic. Sponsored by a print shop I hope?
Cap on under helmet in the few days when the sun comes out to avoid this on my baldy heed
Yeah, love the piece but why is there a picture of Joe Pesci wearing cycling kit at the top?
Funny - funny how?