Illegal Socks - seriously

[dbnm]

This is just silly

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/check-illegal-socks-reaction-uci-introduces-maximum-sock-height-2019-400273

[charliedid]

Pro bike racing is so weird.

[jmoore]

They really need a minimum sock height as well.

[saab2000]

The USCF had sock rules in the 1980s IIRC. Nothing new. I'm OK with it, especially a limit on tall socks, which are ugly.

[martl]

Proof that it never works to be relaxed on certain things and to trust people's common sense to do the right/decent thing. Thats why traffic laws are complicated, tax laws are super-complicated, and now we have a soxgate.
Most silly rules are a reaction on people doing silly things in the first place, and this one is no exception :D

[tctyres]

The real problem with tall socks is that you can put extra inhalers in there. :eek:

[benb]

Meh... the NFL has crazy specific rules about uniforms too.

MLB seems to have let things get a lot more flexible, at least in terms of the fit of the uniforms.

[John H.]

Isn't this rule to prevent the use of knee high compression socks and sleeves?

[Mark McM]

Isn't this rule to prevent the use of knee high compression socks and sleeves?

Yes, and it's also to ban the use of aerodynamic socks (yes, that's a thing). Since aerodynamic fairings (and other non-essential equipment whose only purpose is to improve aerodynamics) are illegal, tall aero socks are also illegal.

[Lewis Moon]

You absolutely know that Sky would put aero socks on Froome and claim it was for "circulatory issues" if they got pegged under the no areo add-ons rule.

[Spaghetti Legs]

I need long socks to hold my cigarettes.

[Jaybee]

You absolutely know that Sky would put aero socks on Froome and claim it was for "circulatory issues" if they got pegged under the no areo add-ons rule.

Did anything ever happen with their golf-ball dimple skinsuits?

[nobuseri]

Wow; talk about not having anything to do.

Generally, there's already talk about correct/accepted sock length; I am guessing it's for aesthetics - coolness/flow factor.

Hammer is coming down on what's legit and what's not. Let's get ready.

I just hope my Ten Speed Hero socks comply as I like them and I have many. :banana:

[Mark McM]

Did anything ever happen with their golf-ball dimple skinsuits?

Officially, they were legal, because the little "pimples" were woven into the suit (and not simply attached to the outside of the suit). But they decided to use a different skinsuit starting in 2018 to avoid the controversy.

The UCI has also banned "speed gel", which is a gel applied to the legs that contained little balls to improve aerodynamics.

[Dino Suegiù]

I see a great business opportunity here for highly motivated individuals who have some basic knitting and/or t-shirt printing skills:

When the city of Naples, Italy initiated a seat-belt law, the sale of t-shirts with "seat-belts" printed across the front famously skyrocketed.

So, why not UCI "mullet" high socks: all-UCI-legal on the bottom, all-flesh-tone up top.

[bicycletricycle]

do any riders wear long sleeve aero jerseys or aero tights for an advantage? Is that illegal?

[FlashUNC]

do any riders wear long sleeve aero jerseys or aero tights for an advantage? Is that illegal?

In TT's yes.

[bicycletricycle]

In TT's yes.

I wonder if the sock rule applies to TT's