Kudos: Tenspeed Hero Noosa CX Merino Wool Socks (the ones with cows!)

Look, if you're wanting an actual review, you're in the wrong place. I mean, "five out of five cogs, keep feet warm, go well in shoes, great socks" could be said about most of the wool two-thirds of my sockdrawer.

No, this is more like Strava's "kudos" button, for when someone does something cool—whether it's a witty name, an epic ride in epic weather, sixteen top-ten finishes, great Instagrammery, or maybe just the first time they've ridden a half mile after being off the bike by doctor's orders.

This is something especially cool from someone I expect cool things.

"Yoghurt is basically like medical marajuana and there are dispensaries everywhere!" Uh, I guess both are legal and popular in DC or something?

Tenspeed Hero is pretty darn cool. I mean, there are lots of folks who will help you with your #sockdoping these days, but how many of the others are collaborating with Certified American Cyclocross Badass Meredith Miller to up your sock game? That's what I thought. None of 'em.

Heck, how many of those Other Folks can pass Elly Blue's Bikedel Test? You've seen the violators—men ride bikes, women are displayed with them; can't show women being active without a dude in the picture as well; assume andronormativity for "any gender can wear this" items; you know, that sort of disgusting thing. TSH? New designs often come out for women first, their "badass & active" to "ridiculous if a dude did it" pose ratio is pretty good (especially since 1. they put the dudes in some ridiculous poses too and 2. everybody looks slightly ridiculous in kit with rainbow sprinkles), and they sponsor and support a fair number of elite female 'cross racers. If I can rock my socks with a clean conscience, I can rock 'em even harder.

Look, it's a long story behind Cow Team Six. I'd say you had to be there, but I was there, and I'm still not quite sure what the story is.

Also awesome, also ridiculous, but in a more restrained way. Well, comparatively restrained.

And they rock pretty hard. Extra padding in the toes keeps things toasty inside your overvented road shoes (of course you forgot your shoe covers on your way out the door) and cushions hard landings during overcooked 'cross dismounts. Nice tall, ribbed cuffs keep schmutz out and the tops from sagging after a run through aforementioned schmutz. Wool keeps 'em from stinking after the third straight day (not that I'd actually know, Mom). Belgian stripes and cows...look, my Designated Asskickingcap has neon stripes and smiling kittens on it, it's a Thing—and Things Belgian and bovine just go with riding bikes in muddy fields, right? Of course right—but don't think too hard about that mud/moocow connection.

Now I'm kinda regretting not getting the companion flow-trail chausettes when I had the chance. Okay, I know, the Obnoxious Celeste springsocks do kinda match my Overkill Celeste springbike, more celeste makes you more awesomer, but...

So kudos, Tenspeed Hero. Kudos all around.