Right off the bat, the title should give you a hint that you might want to take this one with a grain of salt. Or several.
That said, despite regularly producing some of the most original, creative, highest quality work in the cycling world for the past four years, there’s a fair amount of respect I’m not getting. I don’t think there’s anyone out there doing what I do or even coming close to it—certainly not the people collecting redirects from the parties targeted above.
So I think it’s time to start aggressively calling out the the motivations behind this industry’s self-appointed arbiters of good taste. My last naming of names got a fairly good response—and, really, what do I have to lose? The respect referrals I’m already not receiving?
Of course, the suggestion of an “axis of evil” in the cycling industry is obviously and intentionally bombastic, so if you find yourself on the receiving end of this, just consider it a friendly nudge—but one that leads with an elbow nonetheless.
Oh Cosmo, if think you’re confusing “referrals from corporate entities” with “respect.”
I think you’ve exposed a Circle Jerk rather than an Axis of Evil.
For a second I thought you were going to say the textiles were being made by Islamic fundamentalist and a fine network of “corporations” was hiding this and producing Cycling apparel………then I realized what was going, LOL. I’ll stick to my Assos even though I am not a fan of the Suisse nuetrality/aka no moral back bone, as long as money is to be made.
@Colin R – fixed.
Oh, come on! As an independent blogger/Embrocation contributor, I can assure you that we are not ALL down with the Rapha.
Whats wrong no one turn up at your party!
@Andrew J. Bernstein – it’s true, calling out all of Embro is a wider brush than I like to use.
That said, here’s the work of another “independent” contributor, describing Rapha’s $80 handkerchief (boldface as written):
I think my generalization can be forgiven.
Sorry, I have to skip over to Rapha, Embro and Competitive Cyclist websites and check out this $80 “Incredibly light and smooth, … scarf [that] is like a cloud of feathery air that feels like a million soft kisses when the wind presses it against your skin”.
Don’t fret Cosmo, you know we love you best. Those others just don’t understand a quality blog.
There now, don’t you feel better?
doood-
i wouldn’t wear rapha to a gay bar; and i’m an effete lyrical elitist who can wax eloquently about the beauty of a 3am calisthenics routine and the sublime nature of a bloody nose caused by a well placed elbow.
don’t hate the player cosmo. my respect is much deserved in the sordid circles i inhabit.
now the fact that for 2010 embrocation, competitive cyclist, cicli gaulzetti and international bicycle centers all endorse giordana custom team apparel should have you worried. giorgio andretta is the man with a posse.
You need to add the ridiculous worship of Richard Sachs and his artisan bikes. He, Gaulzetti, the insufferable Swoop and a few others form a laughable mutual admiration society.
This made me laugh.