While the world watches the monuments, the true fans also follow the Semi-Classics. When we launched the Sourland Semi-Classic we wanted to create a unique logo, but it dawned on us that it would be more fun to steal something instead…
We often abbreviate our event names for ease of communication. Internally we call the Hell of Hunterdon “HoH”, the Fools Classic, “FC” and the Fleche Buffoon, “FB”. So the Sourland Semi-Classic is naturally “SSC”. Well versed cycling enthusiasts know that SSC has a specific meaning in the world of bicycle racing, “SPECIAL SERVICES des COURSES”. Coincidence? Maybe…
MAVIC is best known for their rims and wheels. They were the first company to introduce aluminum rims (in 1926), when most serious cyclists were using rims made from wood.
Special Services de Courses was created by MAVIC in 1973, to offer technical assistance to competitors at professional races. The idea was conceived following the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré in 1972, where Mavic’s President, Bruno Gormand loaned his personal car at the last minute to a team director whose vehicle had broken down during the stage race.
MAVIC’s goal was to provide fast, free and neutral technical assistance to any competitor whose team car wasn’t available to reach them quickly enough. MAVIC’s yellow cars and motorcycles quickly became mainstays of professional races throughout the world, piloted by experienced drivers and carrying some of the world’s best mechanics.
MAVIC did something else in 1973: they changed their logo to a yellow diamond within a red rectangle. Two years later, they offered the first anodized rims, which not only improved their durability, but allowed for aluminum rim colors other than silver. The famous Bleu SSC was introduced as their top of the line rim, available to professional racers only, followed by the Grey SSC hard anodized Paris-Roubaix model in 1974. The SSC rims became available to the public in 1977 and remained the best available rim for many years to come.
By 1979 MAVIC was selling a World Class Gruppo so bicycle manufacturers could offer race bikes with “TOUT MAVIC” (all Mavic) components. The name of the group? SSC, naturally! This group was used by Sean Kelly to win many spring classics, including Paris-Roubaix.
The coincidence between Kermesse Sport calling the event the Sourland Semi-Classic and MAVIC calling their top components & tech support division “SSC” was too much for us to ignore. So we enlisted the help of acclaimed illustrator and cycling enthusiast George Retseck to create an event logo inspired by MAVIC’s red and yellow foil rim labels.
The result is our nod to an innovative company, vintage bike enthusiasts, and true fans of the sport!