Every sport is intricately tied to design, but few quite so closely as cycling. A notoriously cantankerous, opinionated bunch, cyclists obsess over the design of every detail of their ride and kit alike. A poorly placed zipper on a jersey will no doubt find its way into a forum. Frame geometries are endlessly scrutinized in obscure and mainstream cycling media alike. Minimalism is often awarded while gimmicks are quickly recognized and ousted.
It’s no surprise then that Stockholm-based POC is a welcome contender in the accessories and now, everyday road apparel categories. We recently escaped the salt-laden streets of NYC for some gear testing with the POC crew in sunny Solvang, CA. Located in Santa Barbara County wine country, this Danish (yes Danish) settlement is a favorite for tourists and professional cyclists alike. At 4,534 feet Figueroa Mountain is a veritable proving ground for oxygen intake and off-season climbing legs while a pass by the Neverland Ranch on the way down is a welcome visual reprieve from the physical suffering.