GHTA © 2006-2011
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Sweaters Are Better!
With the 2008 cycling season upon us, it is time to get serious about training, nutrition and most importantly, what we wear. I'm talking about club jerseys. This is the year we put Green Hills Trail Association (GHTA) on the map! Riders all across the state of Missouri and the Midwest, (dare I even say the nation?), will learn of the athletes that call North Missouri home. To help with the recognition of our finest, I propose we unite and wear uniforms. While there are many "modern" style cycling jerseys boasting of technology keeping you cool and dry, I vote we go "old school". Let's look into the wool products that are offered. Like they say: "Steel is Real" and "Wool is Cool." To make things even more unique, I suggest we step away from the traditional style of a pullover, zippered jersey and instead, go with a front-button cardigan sweater. You know, the kind that could be a letter sweater. In my high school, all the cross country guys got letter sweaters instead of letter jackets. The football guys, and most girls, laughed at us, but we looked pretty cool. I suggest that we go with a white, wool, letter sweater for GHTA members. There would be two pockets on the front; one on each side. We could use these sweaters year-round as we ride and race in them. They could serve double duty and be worn out to social functions, as well. Put a dress shirt underneath and you are ready for church! On long hot days in the saddle, just unbutton the top buttons allowing a cool breeze to pass through. The long sleeves would keep the sun off our arms. On winter days, they would make a wonderful layering option to build upon. These sweaters would be appropriate both on the trail and on the road. Travel to the trailhead in style. What could be more intimidating to the opposition than hearing the clanking of metal coming up from behind? Since it will be a letter sweater, we would provide an opportunity for members to earn letter(s) that could be sewn on the sweater. Obviously, the letters earned would be the letters G & H (Green Hills) There could be a couple of different ways to earn a letter. One way would be to have members work 20 hours doing trail work. Another way to earn a letter is by placing in a race. What a sense of pride to step up on the podium in your Green Hills letter sweater! That would make people remember us.
Medals won at races would also be sewn on these sweaters. What could be more intimidating to the opposition than hearing the clanking of metal coming up from behind? At my high school, we had a distance runner named Mark Bishop. He won nearly every race he ever ran and he always medaled. He had so many medals on the left side of his sweater that it stretched down to his knees. In order to balance the right side, he put a paperback book in the right pocket. When some of our better riders get so many medals, instead of a paperback book, they could put their "Hills of Hell" trophy rocks in the other front pocket. We would become so popular wearing our sweaters that new mottos would find their way to the mainstream. Mottos like "Sweaters are Better" and "Cardigans are Cool" Yes boys, letter sweaters are the
way to go this year. |
