Custom Helmet Painting – Lance Armstrong
Custom Painted Helmet for Lance Armstrong
When the city of Sturgis, SD reached out with the opportunity to create custom-painted helmets for the 2014 Rally, I was thrilled to design one for none other than Lance Armstrong. Known worldwide for his cycling achievements, Lance was the honorary Grand Marshal for the Mayor’s Ride that year, making this helmet a centerpiece of the event. Collaborating with his close friend R. Scott Tedro, we brainstormed ideas for the artwork, blending elements that were meaningful to Lance with a nod to the event’s sponsors. This helmet painting project was an incredible experience, combining artistic creativity with the challenge of honoring a global icon.
The design for Lance’s helmet revolved around his signature yellow, a color synonymous with his legendary cycling career, and featured the logo of his bicycle shop, Mellow Johnny’s. To make the piece even more personal, we incorporated elements representing his home state of Texas, ensuring the design resonated with Lance on multiple levels. Custom helmet painting is all about creating something unique and personal, and this project embodied that philosophy perfectly. Alongside these elements, we added the logos of key Rally sponsors, blending them seamlessly into the artwork without compromising the clean, impactful design.
One of the standout features of this custom-painted helmet was the mural of Lance crossing the Tour de France finish line. This depiction, complete with his arms extended in triumph and his signature celebratory “seven-win fingers,” captured the spirit of his cycling legacy. Helmet painting is often about storytelling, and this mural served as a visual tribute to Lance’s incredible achievements, blending history and art into a single, striking piece. The end result was a helmet that not only looked stunning but also celebrated Lance’s journey and his connection to the Sturgis Rally.
The presentation of the helmet was a highlight of the Rally. As the City of Sturgis allowed me to personally hand it to Lance for the Mayor’s Ride, seeing his reaction was incredibly rewarding. He loved the finished piece, and it was amazing to see him wear it proudly during the event. Moments like these are what make custom helmet painting so fulfilling—knowing that the work resonates with the wearer and enhances their experience in a meaningful way.
The 2014 Sturgis Rally was about more than just the helmet, though. It was an unforgettable experience filled with great people and incredible memories. Spending time with Lance, as well as reconnecting with old friends like Jason and Kendi Britton, Tony Carbajal, and Eric and Ben Bostrom, added a personal touch to the event. The energy and camaraderie of the Rally are hard to put into words, but they made the experience all the more special.
Custom-painted helmets like Lance’s are more than just functional pieces; they are works of art that tell a story and create a connection. This helmet painting project, celebrating Lance Armstrong’s legacy and his role at the Rally, remains one of my most memorable and rewarding experiences as an artist.
