Homage to a Yellow Jersey.

I remember when this jersey first came into my life, it was back in 2009, pre John O’ Groats to Lands End. We found it looking unloved in a discount clothes store and adopted it. It fitted the bill perfectly, it was light, breathable and above all it was cheap. I personally wouldn’t wear a yellow jersey, perhaps to avoid Tour de France comparisons or possibly because it’s such an ugly colour but that didn’t deter Jamie from snatching it up. The jersey wasn’t even designed for cycling, more like tennis, but that didn’t avert its new owner.

I wouldn’t like to speculate how much time I’ve spent staring at that yellow jersey as it was carried on the back of the cyclist riding in front of me. All I know is that it’s been through a lot, It’s been worn everyday on three long bike tours, standing up to the rigors of being hand washed in sinks and showers every night before being hung out to dry in campsites all over Europe.

I’ve watched as my favorite red jersey has faded in the sun, shrunk, and become tattered all within the lifespan of that yellow jersey, a jersey that looks exactly the same as when it was purchased four years ago. Its resilience astounds me and I’ve no doubt that it will still be going strong many tours from now, in fact it will probably outlive the both of us.