Cycling/Rugby what is the difference? Part II

Last time we covered the similarities in uniform from the teams’ perspective. However the supporters also need to feel their way carefully in the difficult area of what to wear to show their support of their team.

How much branded gear is too much? In such visual sports with opinionated and vocal fans there is there is a fine line of taste that needs to be negotiated with a delicate and subtle hand.

                      everything matches - a bold choice

                        mixed brands - thoughtfully done

For example, some people, who own all the kit including a dumb poster may be overly upset that HTC-Highroad has to disband at the end of the season (for, as some say, not being able to find a financial backer) as they may feel they will no longer be able to wear the gear, you know, at least in public. 

Of course not everyone thinks you need abandon your old gear. Mum4 only ever wears her replica all blacks jersey from 2007. The away strip that is– as silver is her favourite colour. 

a rugby player considers a change of code

Pathway Bikes – previously known as ‘bikes’

Pathway bike

BikeOnMums have been focused recently on high spec bikes but it has come to our attention that some retailers are experiencing a surprising increase in sales of pathway bikes and that interestingly enough the buyers of these bikes are basing their decisions on the colour of the bikes and the comfort of the seat. 

This information produced the usual amount of scoffing laughter in the BikeOnMums branches. As all of us who are pre-qualified to be in BikeOnMums or similar organisations will know – colour is the most important thing, outweighing even carbon bladed forks and bla bla group sets. And those of us possessed of a basic or raw knowledge of bikes know that it is the paint job and accessories on a bike, even a white bike, that make it interesting and desirable. 

Comfortable 

 Interesting

Binding agreements

   Mum3 who has proven to have a large amount of determination and self control and is trustworthy and powerful enough to have a login access to this site has recommended that BikeonmumsHQ and those that live within a 2.6km radius of BikeonmumsHQ should commit to her 2 week food deprivation plan. 

   This directive arose while we were engaged in a professional advice seeking conversation regarding one of the more self determining (stubborn) Bikeonmums. Somehow Mum3 cleverly redirected the focus of her advice on to me and took the fact that I was agreeing with her to mean that I agreed with her.

 But because Bikeonmums don’t back out of agreements, even ones that they don’t mean to agree to, the plan is underway - for me anyway. And, as always, the best leading is done by example.

   It has been unkindly implied that it will be difficult for some of us here at BikeonmumsHQ to give up items that are, generally speaking, classed as daily refreshments. But what is often forgotten or undervalued is that Bikeonmums have proven that they can give up these particular refreshments for as long as nine months at a time. Something that others are never called upon to do. Others, who were unable to retain for themselves a second X chromosome. The first, and arguably the most important, test of natural ability.

Refreshments; in original state

Cycling and rugby; what is the difference really?

Mum4, while thoroughly enjoying the Tour de France, is pleased that it has finished so she can concentrate on her favourite sporting spectacle; the rugby world cup. In the distant past cycling and rugby were dissimilar sports however, over recent years, rugby has come to fundamentally imitate cycling.

-Focus is on training, recovery and nutrition.

-Rugby game is similar to two 45 minute cycling criterium races with players continually circling the field/course.

-Teams work tactically together to help the sprinters/wings score points.

But perhaps the most obvious similarity is in the clothing. Rugby jerseys used to be long sleeved and made from heavy cotton. Now they are designed to be as light as possible and are the same material as cycling jerseys. 

Different? It's a line call.

An evolution of the Matrix fabric, P3 offers a whole new level of comfort and performance. With a 33% reduction in weight, P3 features a sleek surface combined with a soft texture for maximum comfort. 

The fabric weight is around 220gr per yard which makes the shirt 50 per cent lighter than the 2009 shirt coming from 360 gr to 180gr