a frank discussion about socks

Yes, socks.

Back when I was cycling competitively (so 20 years or so ago), one's socks were always worn short - ending just above the ankle.  This both looked good and led to more reasonable suntan "lines" on your legs.

Now though, it seems sock height (driven by the professional peloton who have discovered a tiny marginal performance gain in wearing longer socks) has dramatically increased.  Consequently, I'm unable to get hold of any cycling socks that now don't end several inches up my legs. 

This means that were I to get a cyclist's suntan (already ridiculous enough), the portion of my legs now getting bronzed is even less than before!

This is all ridiculous of course.  Us cyclists are a fussy breed. though, driven by aesthetics and the need to look good on our bikes.  And if the pro's wear their socks high, then so must we.

But cycling's governing body has now stepped into the sock row.  Fed up of seeing socks creep higher and higher up the legs of competitive riders, they have now introduced a rule (yes, a rule) to limit sock height.  And they have also invented a contraption to measure and enforce their ruling.  I saw it in use during this weeks' time trials at the World Championships and it did make me laugh out loud.

the French obsession with sex, sorry I meant socks

So, the UCI not content with weighing and measuring bikes, are now concerning themselves with the oh so lofty matter of how much sock is worn.

What next?  Handicapping lighter riders?  A maximum leg length?  A strict UCI approved haircut?  Where will it all end?