I tried watching the 2016 Tour de France but lost interest after the first week. I miss the panache and personal style of cyclists from the past. Now, I can barely distinguish one game piece from the next (logos, lego shaped helmets and mirrored shades drown out the personalities of the individual riders. I much …
Tag: archival cyclists
Shopping from the past – Hebden Cord Touring Shorts
Occasionally, an eBay watchlist returns a pleasant ping like these original Hebden Cord Touring Shorts. Alas, they are sized too large for me but I still want to document for my archives. In a few years, all memories of elegant, tailored, non-technical cycling garb will most likely disappear from our collective memory. Here is a …
Update – Archival Rolltop Messenger
If you have ever browsed our grid of bags you might be overwhelmed by the range of available styles – from Rucksacks to Rolltops to Flap Musettes, etc. Most folks identify Archival with our original Archival Rucksack or Archival Rolltop. While both bags are terrific carryalls, I am starting to direct customers to our recently …
Review – Cedar Cycling Standard Jersey
In the last ten years, wool cycling jerseys have become widely available in a variety styles from classic retro reissues to microlight, itch free performance merinos. I prefer my cycling jerseys to be made from a thick wool and resemble designs which date back to the 1920s (interchangeable with shirts designed for camping, tennis or …
Shopping from 1939 – Ideal Cycling Wear
If you’re a cyclist you’re going to wish you could mail order from this vintage, Alex catalog for “ideal cycling wear.” Check out the fancy, shawl collar pullovers, pure new wool scarves, Lacoste collar shirts and doeskin gloves. Was 1939 the last year you could buy stylish, non technical cycling garb that still resembled everyday …
Shopping from ebay- Greenspot Ventile Jacket
Thanks to my Hedbden Cord hunting pal, Hudsonic, for spotting this Greenspot ventile jacket on UK ebay. I’ve been searching for an original version of the Bertram Dudley & Son ventile cycling jacket for ages. For daily use or for cyclo-commuting, I cannot imagine a better design (raglan sleeves, loop pull zipper, functional pocketing). Modern …
Shopping from the past – Hebden Cycling Shorts
Flickr pal Hudsonic sent me these snaps of some deadstock Hebden Cord cycling shorts. Later, I traded him a trail cap for the shorts themselves. Longtime blog readers know that Hebden Cord is one of my favorite, defunct UK brands. The company went out of business over a decade ago – on the same day …
Release – Archival Rolltop Messenger Bag
Intended as a sizable daily workhorse, our Roll Top Messenger takes design cues from our Roll Top and technical cycling bags, but is executed in our top-grade range of natural materials. Features pockets inside and out, a stout leather closure strap, solid brass hardware, and web-reinforced top hem for easy rolling. This is an ideal bag …
Archival Tour de France
I dream of a sports channel that broadcasts sporting events from the past. While I’m aloof to the running of the 100th edition of the Tour de France, I’d love to watch 50 year old coverage of the race. While I cannot provide you with live footage of the 1963 tour, here is some print …
Archival Cyclist – Tillie Anderson
From the Spoke Sniffer archives, here are some terrific snaps of female cycling champion of the world, Tillie Anderson (aka “the terrible Swede”).