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showerspass trailhead merino/bamboo hooded sweatshirt

it was an ibis cycles embroidered cap that did it. what cycling now refers to as a podium cap, but most of us know as a baseball cap, is an integral part of the uniform of many around the island. it would be an unusual day indeed to cycle the highways and byeways of the principality without at least one boy-racer passing in his matt black corsa, baseball cap peak pulled low over the eyebrows. for no reason whatsoever, i've always wanted to be able to wear one of those and look as if i was born doing so. sadly, baseball caps generally make me look like a complete dork; and as for the practice achieved by the female of the species of having their ponytails peek above the rear adjustment strap, just don't get me started.

but around the turn of the century, two american chaps arrived on the island, bringing with them a single-speed mountain bike, painted lagavulin green and known as an ibis single-malt. aside from kindly letting me play on the bike for a day, they also presented me with an ibis t-shirt and a beige coloured baseball cap. that was the first and only baseball cap that didn't make me look like a dork. at least, from my point of view.

that cap is long gone, though to where, i'd be fibbing if i said i knew. and as the years roll by, any need to appear 'down with the kids' has melted into the ether. nowadays, it's sensible trousers, sturdy, waterproof jackets and leather brogues, a uniform that not too many years past, would have been total anathema to a bike-riding jazz drummer with a ponytail. but apart from a totally unrealistic notion that chick corea will soon phone to ask that i play drums on his next tour, is the sneaking suspicion that i ought at least to be prepared in case he does.

having watched youtube videos on which steve gadd plays drums with mr corea, it takes only a matter of moments to realise that brogues and sensible jackets would hardly allow me to fit seamlessly into this world of percussive creativity. sweatshirts and jeans; that's the ticket.

however, you well know that no matter my possible ascent to superstardom, the velocipedinal bug will be there, no matter what. meaning that, even during soundcheck at the blue note, there's nothing that says the hooded sweatshirt can't be fashioned from merino wool and bamboo, all the while sporting cycling pretensions. yes, the very mention of the word trailhead in the name would offer indications that we're in mountain bike territory here, yet 'tis but a short hop from springy farm-gates to the world of cyclocross, the very type of bike i'm sure would fit in the back of chick's tour bus.

meanwhile, back in the real world, i have worn said merino/bamboo hoodie, day in day out for over a week, safe in the knowledge that the fabric provides a force-field against odours and is thus safe in which to be dressed while in polite company. the hood will (just) actually pull over the top of a helmet, though i'm mystified why anyone would want to, while the zipped, two-sided, front full-width pocket is large enough to carry a showerspass wind jacket. though the bamboo/merino knit is soft and marvellously cosy, windproof it isn't, so a quick burst into the hinterlands at this time of year, needs a smidgeon of protection.

the hood features two lengthy drawstrings that dangle fashionably down the front of the sweatshirt while the sleeves are of excellent length when stretching for the brake-hoods. and unlike virtually any make of baseball/podium cap you care to mention, i'm satisfied that the hoodie is bereft of inherent dorkness. i'm aware that, unlike yours truly, not all of you will be adept at filling the drum chair with chick corea, but that's not to say that the showerspass trailhead hoodie won't confer the air of someone who just might.

now, go practice your paradiddles.

the showerspass trailhead hoodie is available in either grey or blue (as reviewed), in sizes ranging from small to xxl. cost is £95 with free shipping on all uk orders. | showerspass trailhead hoodie

monday 05 february 2018