What comes to mind when you think of the Cote d'Azur? Yachts drifting offshore in turquoise water? Bronzed legs spinning up the roads beneath Mont Agel? A perfect location when you put it down on paper. One of the warmest parts of France in summer, it can still be cold during the winter, especially once you leave the coast. The corniche roads behind shimmering Nice are legendary. The Col d'Eze and the Cote de Peille finish the classic Paris-Nice race. And inland, the Col de Turini or the snaking tight hairpins of the Pas de l'Escous are a must for anyone cycling through the region.
This is where cycling clothing brand Cafe du Cycliste was born and lives.
Founded by two friends, Andre and Remi, they set out to offer superbly-tailored road cycling and city riding garments, born from a love of French cycling heritage. This season sees Cafe du Cycliste make its first proper foray into Condor's winter offering. The enhanced winter lines from the brand is something Remi Clermont is very proud of: "Each year we've widened the range. Adding more technical items without compromising on the Cafe du Cycliste spirit and design orientation (even if our design philosophy and colour palette isn't for everyone!)".
Condor has specially selected an 18-piece winter range from Cafe du Cycliste's new collection. Described as "autumn, outdoor, chic" by Remi when we asked him to sum up the range in three words, the outerwear includes offerings in merino and silk as well as fabrics treated with DWR to protect against water. Remi tells us: "One of the key new pieces this season is the men's Charlotte Rain Jacket, a light but protective softshell with fully taped seams."
Amongst the palette of blues and muted greys are two new jerseys that utilise naturally thermo-regulating fabrics in their composition. The Francoise, a silk blended bomber style long sleeve jersey, and the highly adaptable Claudette silk/merino mixed jersey.
So how best to show it off? The guys at Cafe du Cycliste left their cafe/clubhouse on the French Riviera and headed to Iceland — a place where you can't help but be confronted by nature, and where the changing of the seasons manifests itself in dramatic fashion. "We saw the light", jokes the co-founder, even if they did miss the Northern Lights show during the photo shoot.
