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 |
Very nice, but I'd get to wear it about once a year. That's a good thing!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever come across a Ventile gillet?
Not a bad look. I always just take a light rain coat/windbreak when I go cycling but this looks much more elegant.
ReplyDeleteDear Grey Fox, thanks for the report on the Greenspot revival. Nice that it's made in Bolton. I wish Lancashire Pike every success but just for the sake of completeness, Hilltrek have been making a Double Ventile jacket modelled on the Greenspot now for a few years. It is less tailored than the LP version looks. I own one and am very happy with it. I use it a lot simply as a soft-shell. You can get it in Flame Red which stands out quite nicely in traffic.
ReplyDeleteThat's great information. Thanks for sharing this blog. I did a search and found your blog and glowing review. It's been a big help! Thanx!
ReplyDeleteRe "Hilltrek have been making a Double Ventile jacket modelled on the Greenspot now for a few years. It is less tailored than the LP version looks.
ReplyDeleteYou can get this in single skin too. Excellent gear and the braemar sgl skin smock is excellent too. this has a hood for emergencies and one large front pocket. But they can add a small chest pocket and have lots of size variations. The smock which has plenty venting in the neck area keeps the weight right down as far as possible for ventile. Obviously this jacket is not tailored for cycling but that's how I like them for cycle touring camping mainly in Scotland.
I rang them today btw to ask if they would consider making a Ventile cycling cap. TBC?