What to Wear in the Race of Truth

A connected watch that really connects to your cycling!

Courtesy of Moskito

As regular readers will know, I am more than a wee-bit interested in cycling.  And on more than one occasion I have been, well, frustrated by the options available to me when it comes to watches.  Well, I suspect that is about to change!

I like my bike computer, and I like watches.  And I will confess that I have been curious about a few offerings from the connected/smart watch arena but had yet to find something that would do what I was looking for.  Essentially give me speed, distance, ride time, etc., available on my wrist.

Well, my wish is apparently Moskito's command!  They have launched a Kickstarter campaign that will hopefully bring this watch to market -

Moskito Kickstarter


I think that the video tells the story much better than I can, so here it is -

I am really excited to see this development.  And I suspect even Mr. Anquetil himself would have appreciated it!  Granted, he was known as Monsieur Chrono, but he of all people would have really enjoyed this.

Shamelessly borrowed from the world-wide infoweb

So if you are even a little bit interested in cycling, you may wish to check this out!  The Kickstarter project is underway now, and this is your opportunity to get in on this watch at the introductory price.

Enjoy your watches - and your cycling!

What Watch Would Monsieur Chrono Wear?

I love cycling.  And while I really love the spring classics taking place in Belgium, Holland, Italy and France, it is always the Tour de France that holds the largest audience.  And it has also produced some of the greatest personalities - such as perhaps my favorite rider - Jacques Anquetil.

Shamelessly lifted from the INFOWEB

In a time where riders are more like finely tuned machines with personalities to match, I long for a simpler time where where a racer actually had a personality and lived life.  And there was no greater bon vivant than Monsieur Chrono!  

Monsieur Chrono was a name bestowed upon him owing to his abilities in the time trial discipline or what many of us refer to as the race of truth.  You and your bike against the clock.

Courtesy of Lip

And I like to think that if he were still alive and pedaling today, this is the watch he'd chose - the Lip MACH 2000 Chrono 670082.  

Watch reference : 670082 

Stainless steel case 42 x 40 mm / silver dial 

Glass : mineral

Strap reference : orange genuine leather

Buckle : silver steel

Waterproof : 50 m

Movement : Ronda 5021

Wrapping up Seven Days with the 1954 Himalaya Automatic

So seven days have come and gone, and it is time for the Lip 1954 Himalaya Automatic to pack its bag for the return flight to Besançon.

Courtesy of Lip

I would have to start out by saying that this is the first French watch (to my knowledge) that I have ever worn for any extended period of time.

Monsieur Chrono

Today saw me actually moving fairly well up the nasty pitch from the floor near Hendricks Park up to the lookout with a wonderful view of the Channel Islands, and through the winding roads of Hope Ranch and back again.  Just shy of 20 miles and in even faster time than previous outings.  

After a hot bath and cold beer, I spent some quality time with a Christmas gift from Wendy's mother -

Courtesy of Velopress  

This is a wonderful history of Eddy Merckx through words and images.  And it was here that I learned that "Monsieur Chrono" was none other than 5 time Tour de France winner Jacques Anquetil.   

Courtesy of Cycling Art Blog

He gained this name for his singular ability in the "race of truth" - the time trial.  And that does seem fitting for my two week review of the Lemania chronograph.

I will be back with an update tomorrow, but with the recent passing of a dear friend, today seemed a good day for time spent outdoors, and some reflection.

Back to watches tomorrow - be well one and all.