Collecting vintage cycling jerseys often starts with one that you happen to get from a friend, that you find in a second hand clothing shop or that you see on a flee market or you might even have one from your past in the attic.
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! by the Dutchman John of Ireland. It shows his private collection of no less than 1,250 race jerseys. With every race jersey you also get a small story or anecdote from the former owner, many of whom are former cyclists.
