Retrogrouch Reads: Paul Smith's Cycling Scrapbook

"Cycling has always been the sport for me," writes noted fashion designer Paul Smith in the Prologue of his new book Paul Smith's Cycling Scrapbook -- an aptly named exhibition of all things cycling from a lifetime of collecting. Jammed with hundreds of photos, artwork, and stories, Smith's book describes his love and fascination with the sport's legends, the bikes and equipment, its ephemera, and even its "look" -- all of which have influenced and inspired one of the world's most successful and celebrated designers.

Many people probably already know the backstory on Smith, who raced with the cycling club scene in England's midlands in the early '60s with ambitions of being a professional racer until a bad crash put an end to that dream. During his lengthy recuperation, he discovered the world of art and design, which opened up a new ambition, effectively changing the direction of his life -- but cycling always remained a special part of it.

The large format volume (approximately 10 x 14 in. and over 250 pages) is divided into a number of chapters, such as The Heroes, The Look, Great Races, The Jerseys, My Bikes, and more.

Smith as a teen with the Beeston Road Club near Nottingham (left) and the wrecked Mercian that marked the end of his racing ambitions (right).

Under Heroes, one will find features about some of cycling's legends from the '50s through the '70s, including such greats as Coppi, Bartali, Anquetil, Poulidor, Merckx, and others. Photos, paintings, and magazine covers and clippings help tell their stories.

Smith has an extensive collection of racing jerseys and promotional items from the classic era from which he draws inspiration. He also has a number of jerseys from today's stars, as well. 

"Sometimes a visitor will come to my office for the first time and mistake it for a bike shed," Smith writes in the chapter on his bike collection. He has quite a few bikes, some of which were built specially for him, while others have been gifts from racing sponsors (Pinarello and Sky) or racers themselves (such as Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins). Some, like these Mercians, were special collaborations with the companies that built them, designed with Smith's particular sense of style and color.

Though not included in Smith's Scrapbook, I was lucky enough to see his original design boards for the Paul Smith/Mercian collaboration shown above. And what a fantastic surprise to see one of my own bikes pictured among his sketches and color swatches.

Paul Smith's Cycling Scrapbook, (published by Thames & Hudson) is a "must have" for any vintage cycling geek, but the text is written in a way that would appeal to anybody interested in a behind-the-scenes look at a famous designer's motivation and inspiration. The book lists for $50, but can be found for less through online retailers.