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Black is Blue

Posted by Bruce Hildenbrand Feb 8, 2008

I don't think anybody will ever consider me a walking fashion statement on
either side of the spectrum(maybe that's the silver lining!). In fact, my
fashion sense is somewhere between sweat pants and blue jeans, but hey, I
don't care. However, for those of you who religiously watch shows like "What
Not to Wear," "Project Runway" and "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style", here is a blog
just for you.

The third annual Amgen Tour of California kicks off in about a week and based
on my recent visits to some of the pro team camps, we just might have an
honest-to-god fashion emergency. I remember a few years back when powder blue
was the 'in' color so much so that a number of pro teams changed their jerseys
to include the azur shade. Well, it looks like black is the new blue. No less
than three pro teams, BMC, Rock Racing and High Road Sports are wearing
predominately black racing kit.

Call me a colorcist, but I am having a hard time distinguishing between the
three different squads. Add to the fact that the riders will be going upwards
of 30 mph as they rocket down the beautiful California coastline and any subtle
differences such as sponsors logos might just become a blur.

Rumour has it that High Road Sports may be rolling out a new team kit with
a predominately white theme. But, wait, it looks like the BMC boys are riding
white jerseys as well. Oh man, what is a cycling fan to do? Obviously, there
are subtleties between the jersey designs, but I am not a subtle guy.

OK. Maybe I am making a mountain out of a molehill, but I am always on the
verge of getting arrested by the Fashion Police so maybe this is my pitiful
attempt at obtaining a get-out-of-jail-free card. Regardless of what any of
the jerseys look like for the 17 teams participating in the AToC, I am certain
that the riders filling said jerseys are some of the best racers in the world. And,
c'mon that's what it is all about anyway, isn't it?

Bruce



Add a comment Leave a comment on this blog post.
Feb 9, 2008 5:37 AM Reply Guest IntheKnow

There's even more black in the pack this year. Health Net's kits are nearly all black.

Feb 9, 2008 10:08 AM Reply Click to view Bruce Hildenbrand's profile Bruce Hildenbrand

Yup! You are right. The fact that I was just at the Health Net-Maxxis team camp and failed to realize that their kit was all black either confirms my lack of fashion sense or indicates early onset of Alzheimers. Apologies to all the folks at Health Net-Maxxis for not including them in my original blog. We will definitely see them in the thick of the
action at the AToC. Hopefully, we can pick them out.

Fashionably not yours,

Bruce

Feb 11, 2008 11:36 AM Reply Guest Barbara

This isn't just about fashion, Bruce. One of the things I love about cycling is the sight of that colorful peleton strung out along a country road, looking like one long unulating organism. Something important will be missing if the colors are all the same!

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