For some, training and racing with a group just isn't for them, or their hectic "life" schedules just don't afford them the time to make that 6pm group ride. For others, its just another form of rebellion or the fear of not fitting in.
In terms of fashion, the unattached rider can slant a few ways, wearing the full pro kit from his favorite team [hey, did that dude used to race for US Postal or Mercato Uno?] or looking like their favorite solid colored jelly bean in pack full of stripped mints. In other words, the unattached rider stands out at races for all the wrong reasons.
Well, now there is a solution to the latter; one for which Bicycling magazine's Style Man might even give high praise.
The brainchild [which is amazingly ironic considering he told me he pulled the idea out of his butt] of my former xXx Racing - Athletico teammate, Carlos Cabalu, who likewise found himself without a team after his move to Philadelphia, unattached rider is for the individual who would rather compete in something other than "submissively bland apparel."
Carlos recently sat down with Luke Seemann of Chicago Bike Racing to describe his motivations behind creating unattached rider, and why he's telling the cycling fashion misanthrope, "Don't be a Fred."
Beside the 2008 design above, Carlos also came up with some others for future kit runs. My personal favorite is the Eddie, below, which suits my cerebral nature to a tee [image and copy by Carlos].
Eddie
Make a statement: this racer is not for sale. This template displays all the opportunities you took to say no; no to The Man, and no to the commercialization of your effort. It is also a good way to break the ice with that guy who owns the roofing company whom you've been eyeing to sponsor your team. A little too cerebral? Perhaps. Will this ever make it to the group order stage? Probably not. Still, I figured I'd post this anyway. Because I can. So shut up.To view his other designs or to place an order, go to Unattached Rider.
No comments:
Post a Comment