Last year I was approached by Stephen Ball of Lancashire Pike, a business that designs classic outdoor clothing, making it in Bolton, Lancashire. Stephen had spotted that I own a vintage cycling jacket, a Bertram Dudley Greenspot, the staple of every cyclist in the fifties and sixties and he asked to borrow it in order to remake this cycling classic in Ventile.
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| Bertram Dudley & Son Ltd cycling jackets |
After some weeks the jacket was returned and Stephen sent me a sample of his Ventile homage to the fifties British cycling jacket to try out. I wore it at L'Eroica last year (image below) and it was warm and comfortable on a chilly day's cycling. Sadly I had to return it afterwards as it would have been stylish, waterproof and wearable on or off my bike.
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| Wearing the Lancashire Pike Ventile cycling jacket at L'Eroica Britannia 2015 |
This is a superb updated version of a classic cycling coat. It has arrived just as the popularity of classic cycling has taken off, with rides like L'Eroica Britannia going from strength to strength and driving demand for retro cycling jerseys, cycling shoes and equipment. Available in green, blue stone or cinnamon from Lancashire Pike £330. See also their range of up-to-date retro climbing and ski wear.
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| Manufacturing the jacket |
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| Lancashire Pike's modern classic Ventile cycling jacket |
