On the other side of the ocean in Portland, this season's first cyclocross race, the PDX Trophy Cup, kicked off on Tuesday. It was actually supposed to start last week, but the event was cancelled due to dust from wildfires, making this week's start highly anticipated.
SimWorks' Gishi-kun, who is currently out there, is also participating—how envious! It’s truly #crossiscoming, so is everyone else ready? Besides getting your bike ready (anyone still rocking last season's setup?), feel free to reach out to us for advice on clothing as well!
The heat has finally subsided and we've been having many comfortable days, but short-sleeve jerseys are still very much useful for rides. We've just received a jersey from Portland that is perfect for this time of the season.
When you talk about the start of cross season in Portland, you can't leave out BreadWinner Cycles. They really stood out at this Trophy Cup as well.
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Photo by Gishi
What they’ve newly released as their original jersey isn't a CX skin suit, but a very simple merino wool blend jersey. This jersey was created by ANTHM Collective, which is based in the same Portland as they are. Deeply connected to both cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts, ANTHM Collective builds their products on a community basis, and everything including the sewing is done in a Portland factory.
Born from the close relationship between the maker and the user, this is their version of a masterpiece—basic and something you'll want to use forever—incorporating feedback from Tony and Ira, who even participated in Rapha's Continental Ride.
The golden ratio of 40% merino wool and 60% polyester is meticulously calculated to place the merino wool on the inside against the skin and the polyester on the outside, allowing for quick moisture absorption and wicking while maintaining warmth even when you sweat. Thanks to the natural properties of wool, which resists odors even after riding all day, it’s likely to get a lot of use during multi-day weekend ride trips.
If you combine it with a vest, windbreaker, or arm warmers, it’ll be great through mid-October, and it's also a handy piece for early spring. It’s equipped with spacious back pockets and a zippered pocket on the right side for valuables. The edge of the back pocket is marked with a reflector, so even though it’s all black, you can use it with peace of mind in the coming season as the days get shorter.
It’s a comfort that becomes addictive. Please come by the shop, try it on, and experience that golden ratio for yourself.