Cyclist
In the Drops: SunGod Williams sunnies, Columbia technical tops, HJ Socks and the Euros
It’s the best part of the week: Friday and In the Drops time. But before we get into some cracking kit, let’s recap the busy week we’ve had at Cyclist.
We’re obviously gearing up for the Tour de France and with all the talk of a potential Giro/Tour double from Tadej Pogačar, we took a look this week at those who came before him. This includes Fausto Coppi being the first to achieve the feat, Stephen Roche’s Triple Crown success in 1987 and Miguel Induráin’s famous double-double. With this year also including a final day time-trial for the first time since 1989, we also revisited Greg LeMond triumphing with the closest winning margin in Tour history.
If you’re watching the Euros, staff writer Ewan Wilson has decreed what would happen if the tournament was decided by cycling.
Beyond the racing, we also went behind-the-scenes at the Van Rysel factory. And there’s been big news with the release of the new Pinarello Dogma F and tech editor Sam Challis put together his thoughts on the bike so far.
The biggest story of the week comes from editor Pete Muir though, with his opinion piece: ‘Stop griping about the price of bikes’.
Right, let’s get into it.
SunGod x Williams Racing Classics³ Sunglasses

If you know me, you’ll know I love F1, and SunGod has released new sunglasses in collaboration with the Williams Racing Team. They come in Renegades or Classics³ designs and can feature the white Williams ‘W’ on the side. The first thing I noticed is just how light they are, weighing only 28 grams, and importantly they also have 100% UV protection.
Funnily enough, I’ve been looking for a good pair of black shades that have some support near the nose bridge as my previous pair (admittedly £2 from Primark, so you get what you pay for) kept sliding down when sweaty. The design on the Classics³ keeps them in place.
They also offer upgrades to lenses including 8KO Polarised with an anti-glare filter.
- Buy now from SunGod (£80)
Columbia Sportswear Tech T-Shirt and Hoodie

This technical tee from Columbia is designed for summer activities on hot days – like the ones we’ve (finally) been having recently – and is made with a cooling and sweat-wicking design. I’ve been testing this on walks (and I’m looking for gravel trails to head down to), and it’s an ideal lightweight top for exercising. Sometimes I find others can be too heavy and or tight around the underarms.

The Summit Valley Technical Hoodie is a similar concept for sunny days with Columbia saying it has ‘built-in UPF50 sun protection’. It’s comfortable to wear on days with a bit of wind when the sun is more deceptive. The thumb holes are useful as the hoodie goes further down the hands to offer full protection.
- Buy the Zero Rules Technical T-Shirt now from Columbia Sportswear (£35)
- Buy the Summit Valley Technical Hoodie now from Columbia Sportswear (£45.50 – £65)
HJ Socks

The HJ brand is the sock specialist endorsed by The Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, in case you didn’t know. HJ boasts a range of socks from compression to hiking and adventure trekking to anti-blister – all handy for those adventures where you don’t need to be at your most aero. The ones pictured are cotton-rich and incredibly soft but winter riding or bikepacking trips might call for thicker pairs like the boot socks or non-slip feet-warmers.
- Buy now from HJ (£6 onwards)
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What we’re into the week: The Euros
The food wars continue at the Euros
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 20, 2024pic.twitter.com/iMPfGI8PMx
Summer is here, the sky is blue and it’s coming home. Right? Whatever you think about England’s potential to win it all, you can’t deny there’s been some brilliant action just one week into the Euros. But let’s be real, very little of that action has featured England, who in truth have been pretty boring to watch in comparison.
I’m a big fan of Albania personally. Early goals, late goals, they can do it all. Just don’t talk to me about Scotland versus Germany.
See you soon.
The post In the Drops: SunGod Williams sunnies, Columbia technical tops, HJ Socks and the Euros appeared first on Cyclist.