Het begint met ééntje dat je toevallig van een kennis krijgt, in een kringloopwinkel op de kop tikt of nog op zolder liggen hebt.
That's how it all starts for me. After giving away or even throwing away many cycling jerseys from my childhood, one day I was invited by friends to participate in the vintage cycling race l’Intrepida in Anghiari in Tuscany in Italy. Fortunately I still had my cycling jersey Placora from the time that I was racing in the category Juniores (age 17 years) by the team Zeemeeuw of Ostend in Belgium. The team were Johan Museeuw started and and laid the foundation for his wonderful career
The ideal moment to try it again. Fortunately, I still had my racing bike from then, although in a bad condition, but good enough to complete the 80 km of the event, although with some difficulty.
Participating in the event and riding my 1st racing bike again had made me so enthusiastic that I was determined to register for a few more retro cycling races, including a few years later the now world-famous Eroica in Gaiole in Chianti.
Immediately the love for vintage jerseys and bicycles was born. As a result, I now have a reasonable collection of vintage cycling jerseys and bicycles at home that are growing steadily. The advantage of the jerseys is that they require little space which can't be said for the bikes.
A very interesting book is Koerstrui! van de Nederlander John van Ierland. Het toont zijn privé collectie van maar liefst 1.250 koerstruitjes. Bij ieder koerstruitje krijg je ook een uitgebreid verhaal of anekdote van de vroegere eigenaar waarvan heel veel ex wielrenners zijn.
