There’s definitely a chill in the air and the leaves have started to turn. I’ve put the road bike away and the ‘cross bike is in the hallway.
It’s a bit dusty as the damp hasn’t set in yet – I took it out for a bit of deer dodging in Richmond Park last week.
So here’s a few tracks which make autumn riding a pleasure
Featured in her latest collection of adidas by Stella McCartney, due to hit stores in spring/summer 2010, is cycling gear.
Notes to other cycling clothing retailers
The mitts and cap both show signs that Stella has understood the sport and the style of clothing. It’s definitely Spring/Summer gear and the monochrome palette never fails.
The jersey and shorts similarly show touches that are “heritage”. The mid-thigh length of the shorts harks back to the era before “mo’ fabric, mo’ sponsors” became the norm. And the jersey, with its understated zebra print takes the Acqua e Sapone/Domina Vacanza kit of Mario Cipollini and brings it to a level which everyday cyclists can get away with.
Now that is what I call fashion forward.
There’s also triathlon gear which is, according to Grazia is “the next big thing among sporty types”. Here’s the quote from Stella:
“This collection continues to be a great success, and I’m very excited to introduce Triathlon and Cycling as new categories. I’m always trying to push myself and this new collection has everything you need in sports today: it is sleek, stylish and super sporty! Technically, both new sports are exciting, they are very personal yet still competitive, and they combine both a city and country experience which is very important to me.”
Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of year for cycling in London and this weekend promises to be a particularly fine one.
First, there’s the finale of the Tour of Britain on Saturday.
It’s running along the same Embankment course as last year but sensibly finishes on Whitehall instead of the riverside, making for a much better spectacle and better viewing for the fans.
Then on Sunday it’s the snappily titled Mayor of London’s Skyride which follows a similar route along the Embankment from St James and includes a loop into the city via St Paul’s.
It’s the only chance you’ll get to enjoy the sights and company of friends and family on closed roads this year. The very antithesis of a race, despite the best efforts of some, it’s a proper cycling event.
With Sky’s money most definitely on the table, there’s also bound to be plenty of the GB Olympic team in attendance, and I’d hazard that some of Team Sky’s new signings will hang around after the Tour of Britain to meet the public.
Incidentally, we haven’t heard what bikes they’ll be riding next year, or seen anything about the kit design. The rumours seem to be that:
And where will I be this weekend? Newcastle Upon Tyne. Don’t ask.
