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le col hors categorie bibshorts ii

le col hors categorie bibs ii

the phrase, 'window of opportunity' is arguably one the has been missing in action of late, unless, of course, you're elon musk or jeff bezos. this past year has pretty much wiped away every opportunity for the majority of us, existing instead in a form of stasis, where mention of the bill murray movie 'groundhog day', has become daily conversational currency. in scotland, the last announcement from holyrood rescinded the 'stay at home' mantra, to be replaced with 'stay within your local authority area', offering something of a dichotomy in the immediate locale.

le col hors categorie bibs ii

around christmas time, just as plans were afoot to move the scottish islands into level one, everything changed, and islay and jura, along with their west coast compatriots, were placed at level three, just where we remain today. with mainland scotland at level four, the restrictions were plain to see: unless essential, you don't move from a higher level to a lower level, a situation that has effectively kept the virus at bay, from an islander's point of view.

however, the change highlighted above, creates a situation for which clarity has yet to appear. islay and jura, and indeed, colonsay, mull and tiree are all islands that come under the jurisdiction of argyll and bute council, meaning, theoretically, that the current advice would give those in mainland argyll, free reign to take the ferry to any one of the above islands. so far, however, it seems sense has prevailed, with islay's roads over the easter weekend, comfortingly clear of any traffic, local or visiting. but the other welcome happenstance for at least two of those easter weekend days, was a bout of unbridled sunshine and warmer temperatures, though swirling snow outside the sitting room window as i write, would tend to suggest that brief period of meteorological abnormality has come to a sudden end.

le col hors categorie bibs ii

ever eager to welcome better conditions with open arms and bare legs, friday and saturday provided the ideal opportunity to hang the winter bibtights back in the cycling wardrobe and break out the bibshorts. and what better welcome for a two-day, hebridean version of british summer time, than the latest to emerge from yanto barker's le col spring/summer collection? the hors categorie bibshorts have been tailored for the new season with a modified and improved cut, featuring an impossibly smooth lycra and one of the most luxurious chamois pads, i've ever had the privilege of wearing.

le col hors categorie bibs ii

as a ten-stone weakling with a 30" waist, i opted for the small size, providing a notably close and comfortable fit that takes a smidgeon of effort to put on. the flat, elastic bib straps are smooth enough to prevent digging in at the shoulders, while the length easily accommodated my hardly impressive 5' 10". there are le col branded elastic hems that keep the impressively long legs in place throughout even feeble attempts to nudge the garmin to ever larger digits. my one disappointment, a trivial one to be sure, is the stealth-like branding, with only a black, shiny 'le col' logo applied to the back for those traling in your wake to witness. if i'd just invested £180 on a pair of such superb shorts, i'd be rather keen to let even innocent bystanders be aware of that fact.

le col hors categorie bibs ii

it's become something of a self-inflicted cliché, to aver that seated luxury such as this is akin to wearing nothing at all below the jersey hem (heaven forbid), but even in those dire moments when discovering there really are no more sprockets left on the cassette, it's plain that the hors categorie bibs have your (logo'd) back. and should you be wondering, the flour featured on a saturday double-egg roll, wipes from the lycra with the least effort, providing, sartorial elegance as you make the acquaintance of a less than adoring public once more.

it would take no longer than a few website clicks to learn that bibshorts can be had for a good deal less than £180, but to paraphrase those 'l'oreal' adverts, they're worth it. and so are we.

le col hors categorie bibshorts ii are available in navy/white, black/black, or black/white (as reviewed). sizing ranges from small to 3xl at a retail price of £180.
le col hors categorie bib shorts ii

tuesday 06 april 2021

twmp ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................