Rapha Feed (Blog)

Coffee at the Rapha Cycle Club

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:28:33 +0000

If you find yourself cruising around San Francisco make sure to add the Rapha Cycle Clubww.rapha.cc/san-francisco to your list of stops. Not only does it house some of the finest cycling clothing in existence, but it also features some of the best co...

Keep the Faith

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:05:31 +0000

A big race looms on the horizon. Until a couple of months ago, I managed to all but put off everything but the most basic of training, favoring learning how to ride a mountain bike over actually putting in hard miles on the road. Work was taking over...

Winter Playlist 2012

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:32:34 +0000

The Winter Playlist 2012: 25 tracks chosen and inspired by folks here at Rapha for your listening pleasure (or displeasure depending on taste). Once more we'd like to stress that Rapha do not endorse plugging your earphones in whilst out riding, or e...

The Underdog

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:26:53 +0000

Words — Andy Waterman Photos — Jeremy Dunn from 2011 Fidea Cyclocross in Leuven, BE If you had done a straw poll of the 61,000 spectators that swamped the dunes of Koksijde on Sunday, very few would have predicted that Rob Peeters would be th...

Neige-Bastogne-Neige

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:15:57 +0000

Liège-Bastogne-Liège, known also as La Doyenne, is the oldest one-day race still in existence. First run in 1892 by L'Express newspaper, the 270km Monument takes place in the rolling, forested Ardennes region of south-east Wallonia. The voluptuous ...

Belgian Beach Party

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:21:40 +0000

~WORDS & PHOTOS: Phil Deeker~ Although I’d been travelling for a few hours already, the day really began for me when I slid open the door of the train in Brussels. Belgian flags hung down from the luggage racks, on to a group of fans dressed...

The Cyclocross World Championships

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:49:15 +0000

The world championships kick off this weekend in Belgium, the one event that everyone looks forward to all year long. Sure, the mountain bike worlds is a big deal, as is the version that happens on the track. Even the road equivalent seems to get fan...

Festive 500 2011 - The Winners

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:29:22 +0000

The voting is over and we can now reveal our winners of the 2011 Festive 500. It was a remarkable event, with the cumulative kilometres of all riders reaching somewhere close to 1.5m. Not only did we see a lot of distance covered but the volume and q...

Rapha and London Women’s Race League

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:24:33 +0000

Rapha will be headline sponsors of the London Women’s Cycle Racing League (LWCR) in 2012. Established in 2010, the league is a series of grass-roots races in London and the South East catering for the growing number of women taking up competitive c...

Cyclocross Photography with Tom Robertson

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:53:43 +0000

With the world championships this weekend, we thought it the ideal opporunity to showcase the work of another great cyclocross photographer. Tom Robertsonww.tomrobertsonphoto.com/ helped out last year with a feature about US national cyclocross team ...

Racing The Winter

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:57:42 +0000

With due respect to my Australian colleagues, the cycling season doesn’t start, in my mind, until that race named after the newspaper that I cannot pronounce [Omloop Het Nieuwsblad]. In Northern Europe, the start of the pro calendar is marked by cr...

TDU: Stages 4 & 5

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:14:17 +0000

As per usual, espressos, handshakes and stamped passports were exchanged before we started the fourth ride of the week. For a second time we climbed the Gorge before travelling through the Barossa Valley, where some of us slowed down to sample a few ...

World Cup Zolder with Julie Krasniak

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:16:44 +0000

Rapha-FOCUS racer Julie Krasniak checks in with a short, personal recap of her recent Cyclocross World Cup race in Zolder, her first in Belgium. Julie spent the majority of her first season of cross in the US, competing in USGP events, Cross Crusade ...

All-Weather Commuting

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:19:55 +0000

This week I got that sinking feeling. It was Thursday morning. I woke up with a sore throat and as I gargled mouthwash in an attempt to burn out the infection - maybe I should have used a single malt - I stared out the window to see only rain-slicked...

TDU: Stage Three

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:13:43 +0000

After a few days in the hills everyone was looking forward to an easier day along the coast. Following coffee at Red Berry Espresso – and stamping more than 60 Rapha passports – we headed out of the city toward the beach at Glenelg. What a pic...

TDU: Stage Two

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:57:10 +0000

~Photos: Wade Wallace~ Plenty of familiar faces and some fresh ones for ride number two. One rider even joined us from Japan and plans to get his passport stamped on every stage this week. We began with a climb up Greenhill Road, one of Adelaide's...

TDU: Stage One

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:36:47 +0000

Yesterday saw a huge turn out for stage one of Rapha's Tour Down Underww.rapha.cc/tour-down-under-2012-passport Passport Rides. More than 60 riders of all ages, from across Australia and New Zealand, rolled out for a day's riding in temperatures fore...

Cyclocross Photography with Geoff Waugh

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:42:20 +0000

With almost 30 years experience photographing cyclocross Geoff Waughww.waughphotos.com/index.php was an obvious choice for the latest in the Rapha series on cyclocross photographers. We first met Geoff a few short years ago, on that holy soccer compl...

Friday the 13th

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:55:57 +0000

Cyclists are a superstitious breed; they do a lot of strange things a lot of the time. If you hang around enough start lines, bike shops or even just your fellow riding partners, inevitably you will catch a glimpse of their true quirky selves at some...

Winter Sample Sale 2012

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:44:24 +0000

The weekend beginning the 27th January sees Rapha's annual winter sample sale in London with big discounts on samples and discontinued/end-of-season stock. At the same location as last August, there will be some incredible deals so arrive as close to...

The Correct Attire

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:54:40 +0000

“There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” ~- Sir Ranulph Fiennes~ Judging what to garb oneself in for a ride takes practice. Nowhere is this more true than in the UK, where the weather forecast changes every minute...

National Champions

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:22:55 +0000

Expectations can make your bicycle very, very heavy. The expectations for cyclocross’s US National Championships in Madison, Wisconsin were that the weather would be a wintry mess, that Katie Compton and Zach McDonald would stand apart from the...

US Cyclocross Nationals Preview

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:07:18 +0000

Anything can happen when it comes to the National Championships. The form of the top racers in the US has gotten better as the weeks have progressed, which will make the battles for top ten spots in both the Women's and Men's Elite Races ones to watc...

Panache in 2011

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:52:18 +0000

Last year I wrote an open letter to the sport of cycling, bemoaning the lack of panache in an increasingly professional, mechanised and clinical sport. It acted as a call to arms to see more character and swashbuckling spirit in the pro ranks. bq....

Bikedress

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:59:26 +0000

If you live near Munich and have been craving to get your hands on some new Rapha kit post-Christmas, then we've got just the place for you. Our good friends Bikedress(bikedress)ww.bikedress.de/ have opened their second store in the up and coming Au ...

Keeping it Simple

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:15:37 +0000

~WORDS: Phil Deeker PHOTOS: Claire Deeker~ 2012 may not be forecast as the best of years ahead of us from some points of view, but my three year-old grandson wouldn’t agree. He is weeks away from flying along on two wheels with the stabilisers ...

Countdown to Festive 500 2011

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:30:39 +0000

Only a day left until the Festive 500 begins. This year it’s going to be bigger and crazier than ever. Let us know in the comments box or on Facebook how you’ll be attempting it. If you’re not sure exactly what the Festive 500 is, visit the lan...

Women's Festive Ride

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:12:57 +0000

~Photos by Gem Atkinson~ On Saturday, a group rode from Richmond Park to Windsor for a seasonal jaunt out of the city. Hosted by Rapha riders Collyn Ahart and Gem Atkinson, here’s an account from the front and the back. -- Gem from the back: A...

Ride to Redemption

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:52:47 +0000

This year, the Rapha Cycle Club San Franciscoww.rapha.cc/san-francisco has put together seven straight days of riding to help you complete the Festive 500ww.rapha.cc/festive-500. Starting this Friday, December 23rd — barreling straight through Chri...

Searching for a new ride?

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:46:03 +0000

Searching for a new ride? During the coming weeks, if you find yourself looking for new routes or places to ride make sure to stop by one of our Retail Parters.ww.rapha.cc/retail-partners Within a select few, including River City Bicyclesivercitybicy...

Team Rapha-FOCUS Inspired Gift Guide

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:55:22 +0000

This past weekend was the final weekend of USGP racing in Bend, Oregon. The race moved from the venue in Portland where it lived for the last few years to the former National Championship course in Bend, Oregon. As far as Team Rapha-FOCUS is concerne...

Nobeyama Cyclocross

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:02:19 +0000

~Photo © Keitsuji1983~ The Nobeyama Farmyard Tourist Ranch, at the base of Yatsugatake mountain range, hosted the second Nobeyama Cyclocross Race. Rapha Japan’sww.rapha.cc/rapha-yonretto Daisuke Yano and local resident of Nobeyama (where he has...

Rapha Dossards

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:33:22 +0000

This season Down Under, Rapha Australia is providing select events with bespoke race numbers. Being Rapha dossards they aren’t your average kind of race number, using a distinctive palette and printing riders names as well as the number. They aren'...

Got Mud?

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:22:42 +0000

~Portraits by Mark Phillips~ When two cyclists move in together, there’s the inevitable joining of the things, trying to figure out how to store 14 bikes and three bike boxes, the class warfare of leaving muddy bikes in the kitchen, and that old...

The Rapha Super Eight

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:00:54 +0000

Usually the festive season marks a slowing down of cycling activities and the extension of time spent in semi-horizontal positions on the couch. If you’re going to adopt this lethargic state it’s best accompanied by a good movie or two. 2011 has ...

CXLA Weekend

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:37:55 +0000

A last minute venue change and Los Angeles's downtown Historic Park became the site of Dorothy Wong's LACX race. The best way to describe Wong's effect on the racing scene would be to use what would become the weekend's announcer CoolAssMike's catch ...

Jingle Cross in Iowa City

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 17:26:08 +0000

Three days of racing started last weekend in Iowa City, Iowa with a race under the lights. The days of winter have become incredibly short and continue to grow shorter as we move into December. By the middle of the afternoon on the Friday after Thank...

Sleep No More

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:28:50 +0000

WORDS: Jack Thurston PHOTOS: Wig Worland Extract from Rouleur Annual 5ouleur.cc/annual-volume-5, on sale now By the third night, the roads are strewn with bodies. “It looks as though a serial killer has been on the loose, wantonly slaying cycl...

Taking the Turkey

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:03:20 +0000

Just a quick note to say the Turkeyww.rapha.cc/turkey-takeoff has now well and truly flown (well, for some only until Christmas). To those who managed to take all 9,000 calories off, congratulations. To those who didn't, good try. If you took part ma...

Wrench: The Rouleur Mechanics

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:44:15 +0000

~Photo: © Camille McMillan~ On Monday 5th December expert mechanic Rohan Dubash and Rouleur Editor Guy Andrews host the Rouleur Road Bike Maintenance Evening at Look Mum No Hands/content/uploads/Rmechone.jpg/content/uploads/Rmechtwo.jpg/...

Wooly Wonders

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:36:41 +0000

WORDS: Max Leonard IMAGES: @cyclecotedazur “Ping/content/uploads/mermax2.jpg/content/uploads/mermax4.jpg/content/uploads/mermax1.jpg! We don't stay long on top. Time enough for photos and to wish I'd put shoe covers on for the 26-kilometre d...

SSCXWC

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 07:46:29 +0000

Photo by Steven Nereo What does it take to be a world champion? A nod from the UCI helps in most cases and with the growing popularity of the sport of cyclocross it seems a safe bet that nod is surely on the way. If the bids were based on enthusi...

Etape entries now open

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:40:35 +0000

Registration is now open for the Etape du Tour 2012ww.letapedutour.com/. Brought to you in partnership with Tour organisers ASO, next year’s Etape has two routes to choose from and promises to be bigger and better than ever. Last July saw the in...

The Turkey Takeoff

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:42:59 +0000

Thanksgiving in the USA traditionally marks the end of the harvest season and a celebration of the safe passage of the Pilgrim Fathers to the New World. While those in the UK and Europe don’t necessarily honour the occasion (although Thanksgiving i...

Condor: Past Present Future

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:20:11 +0000

Past Present Future is a collection of essays and photo stories, celebrating Condor Cycles 65 year history. The book features anecdotes and interviews from riders, racers and staff, with a mix of portrait, studio and archive photography. And, of cour...

Euro Tripping

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:44:57 +0000

On any normal November day the fields and woodland on the Hotond in Belgium are deserted. Any of the little passing trade stops at the inn which butts up against the redundant stump of the whitewashed windmill here. This is the highest point in east ...

British Columbia Essentials

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:17:42 +0000

~WORDS: Ira Ryan PHOTOS: Jake Stangelakestangel.com ~ Ira Ryan lists out everything you could possibly need for five days of riding in British Columbia. See the film, words and more photography of the rides here »ww.rapha.cc/the-triple...

Cyclocross Photography with Brian Vernor

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:23:19 +0000

Brian Vernorrianvernormaking.blogspot.com/ has been busy this year. Aside from using his photography skills to shoot for Easton, Giro and Peloton Magazine, Brian went to South America with Jason Sager and the Jamis Mountain Bike team to shoot the Tra...

Julie, Nicole, Meredith and Katie…

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:07:11 +0000

Two weeks ago in Boulder, Colorado the Women's categories were just as hotly contested as the men, especially since they have to work a little harder for their prize money (the second day's cash for the ladies was boosted by the days wine sales, but ...

Cyclocross Photos: Week Four

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:32:48 +0000

Photo by Tyler Hardie Two winners to present this week. The first, shot by Tyler Hardie (above) was the winner of Week Twoww.rapha.cc/cyclocross-photos-week-two with his photo of Zach McDonald as shot through a rainy window in Fort Collins, Colora...

Aende

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:59:40 +0000

~All photos by Neutal WAww.flickr.com/photos/38591165@N03/sets/72157618629304780/ ~ You may have stumbled across these images before: treasures from Flickr taken in the workshop of Aende during the 1980s. Aende is one of the more obscure...

Wear Your Story: October

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:21:21 +0000

Last month we launched Wear Your Storyww.rapha.cc/wearyourstory, a project to share narratives on how our clothing directly links to every ride we do. October has seen plentiful postings on the Rapha Facebookttps://www.facebook.com/rapharacing wall. ...

The Ticket to Ride

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:17:03 +0100

The word etiquette in English derives from the French étiquette - a "list of ceremonial observances of a court" - which in turn descends from the 16th century noun estiquette, a licence or permit, a ticket. Whilst these French words are now obsolete...

Ride and Groom

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:07:30 +0100

~WORDS & IMAGES: Max Leonard~ It was one of those gentle autumn days, mists and mellow fruitfulness and all that, which seem like a gift: as if the season is cosying up to you, to apologise in advance for the wind and the rain to come. The sig...

Super Cross: Heart, Soul and Cowbells

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:54:32 +0100

~Photography by Wig Worlandww.wigworland.com/ ~ Ever considered running a cycling race? Got what it takes? Read this, think carefully, and then do it. Just be ready to put heart and soul into it… The Premise Start by moaning to ...

Time to Get Lost

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:15:31 +0100

~Photo: Ben Ingham~ WORDS: Cindy Lewellen bq. “Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.” — Henry David Thoreau I recently read in a research study that “even seasoned female riders feel uneasy going on long solo ...

Cyclocross Photos: Week Three

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:20:01 +0100

Whether it is the clothingww.rapha.cc/shop/cyclocross that you wear, your tire choice on the day, or even the kind and amount of embrocationww.rapha.cc/rapha-embrocation-1 that you slather on to protect from the elements, there is no denying that Cyc...

Super Cross 2011 Finale: Hope and Glory

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:54:31 +0100

~Photography by Wig Worlandww.wigworland.com/ ~ Just one point separated the top two teams in the final round of the Rapha Super Cross at Alexandra Palace but Hope Technology clung on for the overall victory from final round winners Scot...

Super Cross Finale

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:39:08 +0100

The final round of the Rapha Super Cross series takes place this Sunday at Alexandra Palaceww.rapha.cc/cyclocross-at-the-palace. Beginning at midday, there are children's races, a novice event, a mass start race of 140 screaming adults; and of course...

New Direction for Rapha Condor Sharp

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:47:05 +0100

~Photo: Gerard Brown~ Following a renewed deal between title sponsors Rapha, Condor and Sharp, the no.1 ranked British Continental team will build on its most successful season since its inception in 2006 with an exciting new direction in 2012. ...

Bay 13 Sun Tour Party in Pictures

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:02:20 +0100

~Photography by Wade Wallace~ While the rest of the world cycling calendar is coming to a close things are just beginning to heat up here in Australia. To me, the Sun Tour (or as the riders call it, the Fun Tour) always marks the beginning of the ...

Cyclocross Photos: Week Two

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:03:06 +0100

Week Two of the Rapha Facebookww.facebook.com/rapharacing Photo Competition took on the candy striped colors (which makes it curious that most of the photos were black and white) of the Rapha-FOCUSapha-focus.cx/ Cyclocross team. Jeremy Powers 10th an...

Wearing History

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:10:39 +0100

~Photo: Ben Ingham~ WORDS: Andy Hampsten Our final day's ride would tackle the Galibier 100 years after the Tour first scaled it. All of our guests were excited and a bit nervous to finally get on the famous slopes. Earlier in the week we rode ...

Super Cross: Hope Again in Huddersfield

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:40:28 +0100

~PHOTOS: Wig Worland~ A very close run and thrilling race in the second round of the Rapha Super Cross at Huddersfield, but Hope Technology, led by National Champion Paul Oldham, again pipped Scott UK to maximum points to keep the leader’s jerse...

Super Cross: Windermere results

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 07:31:59 +0100

~PHOTOS: Wig Worland~ Hope on top in Windermere Team captain and National Champion Paul Oldham led his Hope Technology team to the win in the opening round of the Rapha Super Crossww.rapha.cc/super-cross at a sun-soaked Windermere. The pictu...

More Rapha Cyclocross

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:50:18 +0100

Photos by Dave Chiu The world of Rapha Cyclocross has been, as they say over here blowing up." This is a good thing apparently and with a new "Cyclocross Collectionww.rapha.cc/shop/cyclocross and an amazingly talented group of riders via the Rapha...

Transference

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:47:55 +0100

~Photo: Gavin Campbell~ Race transfers are the ultimate means to an end. They can be ugly and unpleasant, and depending on where you are in the world, they can make or break your cycling spirit. Transfers are essential, in the mornings they drop y...

Cyclocross Photography with Dan Sharp

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:57:16 +0100

Take a look through the Cyclocross Collectionww.rapha.cc/shop/cyclocross photography, featured with the Lunch With JPowww.rapha.cc/lunch-with-jpow story, shot by Portland photographer Dan Sharpww.danielsharpphoto.com/. This is the third year that Dan...

Bay 13: Rapha at the Sun Tour

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:57:28 +0100

This Saturday October 15th Rapha Australia are holding one incredible party on Alp d'Arthurs (Arthurs Seat) to cheer on the riders of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour. If you’re in the Melbourne area (or even if you’re not) come along to enjoy the race ...

Super Cross Up North

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:32:26 +0100

The Rapha Super Cross Series 2011 kicks off this coming Saturday, 15th October. The cream of British cross racing talent will be competing at Windermere in the English Lake District, one of the more beautiful natural landscapes the UK has to offer an...

Cyclocross Photos: Week One

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:28:34 +0100

ww.facebook.com/rapharacing If anything is apparent from the Rapha Facebook photo competition it is that everyone has a different idea about what cyclocross means to them. And none of them are wrong. There were fun pictures with beer (and cupcakes...

Over the Weekend

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:31:56 +0100

For the remainder of the weekend we will be accepting entries for the Rapha Facebook Photo Competitionww.facebook.com/rapharacing with the general theme of - Cyclocross. Next week there will be a new theme - and with the USGP happening in Ft. Collins...

Cyclocross photography with Chris Milliman

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:31:58 +0100

photos by Chris Milliman It is all about Cyclocross photography over on the Rapha Facebook Pageww.facebook.com/rapharacing these days. With a new theme each week the competition should shape up nicely. To continue the conversation around Cyclocro...

Mount Cargill & The Otago Peninsula

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:10:59 +0100

Work commitments have recently deposited me on to the shores of the Southland city of Dunedin, in New Zealand. Situated far down the eastern coast (a mere 4,000km from the South Pole), the southern hemisphere weather has delivered conditions that emp...

Cyclocross Facebook Competition

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 02:01:37 +0100

We have a new Rapha Facebookww.facebook.com/rapharacing competition for you for the month of October and we want to see your Cyclocross Photography. Last year it was all about Team Rapha-FOCUSapha-focus.cx/, but this year we thought we would open it ...

Here’s to you, Ms Robinson

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:04:32 +0100

~PHOTOS: Wig Worland~ The Three Peaks, for those of you who are unaware, is a cyclocross race. But then again, it isn’t a cyclocross race. It certainly bears no relation to any UCI-approved course regulations you might peruse at your leisure sho...

Tonight: North Cal. Cyclocross

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:04:44 +0100

Everything is hung and the beer is on ice. This evening Brian Vernor's exhibit on North Cal. Cyclocross (and yes, he assures us that both the North" and the period after the Cal. are important facets) and the history behind racing on the West Coast o...

Autumn/Winter 2011: Official Launch

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:16:27 +0100

ookbook.rapha.cc/ The new Rapha Autumn/Winter 2011 range is now online. Not only can you view the latest new products and colourways at the usual place, there is also an exclusive online showcase at www.lookbook.rapha.ccookbook.rapha.cc/ featuring...

CrossClash

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:56:48 +0100

So long as I beat you, I win. Yesterday the CrossClash with CrossResults.comww.crossresults.com/raphafocusclash went live on the the CrossResults website. Keep track of your wins and losses record against your friends, which, CXResults has actuall...

Crossing over

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:44:38 +0100

~Photos by Frank van der Sman~ Crossing over: Some things I've learnt about cyclocross Your legs are no longer your own. They belong to your bike and subsequent bruising will happen accordingly. It was around my fifth attempt to unclip my right...

North Cal. Cyclocross

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:45:11 +0100

This Friday September 30th at 7pm the Rapha Cycle Club SFww.rapha.cc/san-francisco will open its doors to an art show dedicated to the spirit of North Cal. Cyclocross by following its roots through to its current spectacle. Brian Vernor plays host an...

Blue.Red.Black.Yellow.Green

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:31:01 +0100

It was the Olympic Games which originally conceived of the colour scheme in the 19th century, the five colours representing the continents of Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania, the white background symbolising peace. However, the UCI was...

Julie Krasniak joins Rapha-FOCUS

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 02:40:51 +0100

The Rapha-FOCUS Cyclocrossapha-focus.cx/ team added a new racer to their roster today. Not only will you begin to see Julie Krasniak throughout the Rapha Autumn/Winter collection but she is racing for the French national team at the World Championshi...

Autumn Pockets

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:09:33 +0100

~Words and photos: Michael Barry~ Ride: Three Peaks Pilgrims Ride. David and I have spoken about doing this ride for several years. After a few failed attempts we finally accomplished the goal: three long climbs--Mare de Deu del Mont, Rocacorba an...

ACT II

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:46:31 +0100

This race report comes to us from Tom Cody, a member of the Rapha Racing NW crew residing here in Portland, Oregon. Tom is a familiar face in the local racing circuit but was also a member of the famous LA Sheriff squad that took the US Crit and Road...

Tour of Britain Finale

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:29:17 +0100

Photography by Steve Davidsonww.flickr.com/photos/bigsteev/ The Tour of Britain concluded with two fantastic stages around the nation’s capital, both of which provided worthy British winners in what was generally agreed to be the best ever editi...

From Vegas to Seattle

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:29:18 +0100

A week and-a-half of cyclocross craziness wrapped up Sunday with the Rapha-FOCUS Gran Prix in Seattle, Washington. Zac Daab, the man whose Cascade Bicycle Studioascadebicyclestudio.com/ (recently named in Bicycling magazine's 100 Best Shops guide) i...

Copenhagen Film Night

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:31:03 +0100

With roads in central Copenhagen closed for tomorrow’s time trial, the first of Rapha’s four ‘world championship’ ridesworld-championship-2011-rides will depart from our Copenhagen retailer Soigneur tomorrow evening at 17.30. When the ride...

Critical Dirt Competition

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:28:03 +0100

Win an entry place for the renowned Critical Dirt event, taking place...

A Most Peculiar Cycle Race

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 19:10:24 +0100

~Photography by Wig Worland~ I’m a cyclist. I wear Lycra (and Sportwool and merinoww.rapha.cc/classic-jersey-09) and, oh yeah, I’m proud of it. Why then, have I just donned running shoes to climb repeatedly up the biggest grassy hill I can fin...

AW11 Sneak Peeks: Weather Proof

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:13:47 +0100

This season, Rapha’s cold weather protection sees some fine new colourways and exclusive technical fabrics. The details, tailoring and comfort of these products will make you want to ride, whatever the conditions. With the temperatures already d...

The Tour d'Angleterre

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:23:40 +0100

The 2011 Tour of Britain started in atrocious conditions last Sunday. The weather has improved and at the same time Rapha Condor Sharpww.rapha.cc/shop/rapha-condor-sharp have made a marked impression on the race: On Wednesday's Welsh excursion, Krist...

Cyclocross at the Palace

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:50:30 +0100

The Rapha Super Crossww.rapha.cc/super-cross series will take place next month with the crowning third and final round set in the grounds of London’s Alexandra Palace. Last week we took a trip to the site to see how the course will take shape. ...

#CXCLASH

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 22:05:15 +0100

This week will be the official start to the U.S. Cross racing action. Cross Vegasww.crossvegas.com/site/index.php has become the launch spot for the season each year and with the the continually growing list of Euro-Cross racers each year it does not...

Viva La Vuelta

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:21:12 +0100

Words: Christian Vande Velde Photos: Yazuka Wada Extract from the Rouleur photography annual volume 4ww.rapha.cc/rouleur-annual-2010/ La Vuelta Espana is the least known Grand Tour of the ‘big three’. It lacks spectators, TV rat...

Riding Solo

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:27:14 +0100

~PHOTO: Ben Ingham~ I’d been warned the racing season was a long one. While everyone is keen in March and April, July and August weigh heavy on the heart. Speed builds and disappears. Some great races make way for those where the peloton disappe...

50/50 Test Jeans

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:16:29 +0100

During the development stages of the recently released Rapha Jeansww.rapha.cc/rapha-jeans/, lead product designer, Graeme Raeburn, and messenger Seb Cherchi-Bersch tested a pair of what we termed 50/50 test jeans. One leg was constructed from a bench...

AW11 Sneak Peeks: the Finest Merino

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:53:13 +0100

What can we tell you about merino wool that you don’t already know? Well, apart from the unquestionable truth that this fabric is the natural choice for cyclists in the know, Rapha are soon to introduce even more fine-knit weaponry to their ever-gr...

Rapha Rides - Vancouver, B.C.

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:48:55 +0100

Please join Rapha for a Gentlemen's Ride on Thursday, September 8th. The ride will start at La Bicicletta Pro Shopabiciclettaproshop.com/ and end at the Cactus Club Cafe.ww.cactusclubcafe.com/location/broadway-ash/ We will go through Stanley Park to ...

Jersey Pocket Stuff: Week Four

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:53:00 +0100

The Jersey Stuff Competition on the Rapha Facebook Pageww.facebook.com/rapharacing is officially closed. But, that doesn't mean that you should pack up your toys (or tubes, tire levers, a pump, your phone, maybe a picture of your dog, a wallet and so...

The Ironic Curtain

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:12:11 +0100

I’ve always had a problem with ironic adulation. I personally wanted to look cool because I either looked like I didn’t give a shit, or because I just simply looked cool. In my opinion, ironic fashions try too hard and are a terribly fine line to...

Jersey Pocket Stuff with Chris Jones

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 22:14:09 +0100

There are just a few days to go with both the Rapha Facebook Jersey Pocket Stuff Competitionww.rapha.cc/jersey-pocket-stuff as well as the USA Pro Cycling Challengeww.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/ happening here in Colorado. How are these two things li...

Ring Cycle

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:26:55 +0100

This past weekend, Rapha undertook the challenge of riding the ‘Rad Am Ring’ 24 hour road race challenge, around the famous Nürburgring motor circuit. The format was simple, with an eight person relay type scenario, riders were to complete as ma...

Rapha Rising: The Winners

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:34:14 +0100

It’s taken us a while but below are the top five risers" who managed to complete our Rapha Rising challenge we set at the beginning of the Tour de France. The task was to climb the same amount of elevation, 21,125m, totalled in the six high mountai...

2011 Rapha NW Gentlemen's Race

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 21:23:58 +0100

Photos by Max Ralph The finish line is where the tale of the race is told. That may seem a bit obvious but it is a story that needs no explaining and barely the benefit of a keen eye. The day's trials and tribulations will unfold right there in fr...

Jersey Pocket Stuff: Week Three

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:52:57 +0100

The winner of the Jersey Pocket Stuff Week Three goes to Andy Shaw who put together this great photo of his Croix de Fer jersey. I am sure that the 4 salami sandwiches helped him get through his 75 mile ride in Scotland. There is one week left for th...

Resurrection

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:06:14 +0100

~Photos: Paolo Ciaberta Words: Rohan Dubash~ Photographer Paolo Ciaberta witnesses Aldo Gios re-building the legendary blue machine ridden to victory in the 1977 edition of Paris-Roubaix by Roger de Vlaeminck. Rohan Dubash casts his expert eye ov...

The PBP Kit List

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:11:44 +0100

~WORDS: James Fairbank & Phil Deeker PHOTOS: Wig Worland~ With their qualifying having long ridden off into the night, more than enough training miles accrued, final preparations for Paris-Brest-Parisww.rapha.cc/brevet-jersey/ 2011 now turn t...

To the Nürburgring

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:20:30 +0100

Due to last-minute withdrawals, Rapha suddenly has some spare team-places at this weekend's 24hr race extravaganza at the infamous Nürburgring in western Germany. Race starts Saturday midday, see www.radamring.deww.radamring.de/ for more details. If...

#RGR

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:22:44 +0100

Follow Rapha North Americawitter.com/!/raphanamerica on Twitter this weekend as we conduct the 2011 Rapha NW Gentlemen's Race. There will be a few changes to the format this year and one comes in the way of documentation. In previous years we handed ...

The Perfect Contents

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:38:17 +0100

A jersey and contents that many road racing fanatics would find hard not to admire. Courtesy of Tom Hardy, patron of the Dino Rideww.dinoride.org/, a collective honouring the steel age" of bicycle racing. If you have yet to enter our "Jersey Pocke...

Jersey Pocket Stuff: Week Two

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 06:49:23 +0100

Michael Cloidt took home the Rapha Essentials Caseww.rapha.cc/essentials-case/ this time around. Not only were his pockets well packed for his ride, but they were also well displayed on the Rapha Facebookww.facebook.com/rapharacing page. The choice b...

The Great Escape

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:09:50 +0100

As London descended into chaotic scenes this week, perpetrated by those lacking sense and reason or, presumably, the ability to get out on a road bike, I was reminded that (Armageddon pending) I hadn’t much time left to ride. With a few weeks of...

Music and the Road

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:30:21 +0100

I have been trying to expand my musical horizons lately; I have been listening to nothing but Tom Waits for two weeks. Funny thing is I always knew I would like Tom Waits, but it’s been one of those things that took me a long time to arrive at. The...

Rules are Rules

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:52:45 +0100

WORDS: Collyn Ahart Every so often a list of “rules” surfaces about how to ride a bicycle. Which height of socks to wear. What length of shorts. What colour isotonic beverage. What exact shape of mud-guard. What kind of coffee to drink and alm...

Jersey Pocket Stuff: Week One

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 20:36:26 +0100

The Jersey Pocket Stuff competition kicked off this past week on the Rapha Facebook Page.ww.facebook.com/rapharacing The thinking was that it would be an interesting way to see what people carry with them when they ride their bicycles. Take a look th...

Rapha Rising: Hall of Pain

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:50:40 +0100

Christian Tillmanntillmann.blogspot.com and Lisa Rodgersreensunngirl.blogspot.com The Tour is well and truly over and so, too is our Rapha Rising competition, challenging riders worldwide to accumulate 21,125 metres of climbing, equalling the sam...

Jersey Pocket Stuff

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 10:18:08 +0100

Rapha has a new Facebookww.facebook.com/rapharacing competition for you this month. We have been talking about doing this for a while now and it is an homage to one of our favorite blogs out there – Everyday Carryveryday-carry.com/. It took a remin...

The 2011 National Crit Champion

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:02:33 +0100

~Picture: Velouk.net~ Graham Briggs confirmed Rapha Condor Sharp’s domination of the UK criterium season by becoming the 2011 National Criterium Champion on Friday. After returning from his honeymoon (watching the Tour de France) Briggs took one...

The Rapha Continental rides Colorado

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 04:17:37 +0100

Starting next Tuesday August 2nd, we will be releasing the latest in our summer series with the Rapha Continental. The springtime was left to our exploration of the Tour of Californiaww.rapha.cc/rapha-continental route with Tim Johnson, which was all...

Le Tour 2011: The Director's Car

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:16:08 +0100

~Photo by Simon Mottram~ We asked Yann Le Moenner, General Director of ASO, about his impressions of this year's Tour: "I was particularly impressed by the incredible number of spectators at the beginning, but above all in the mountains. Admitt...

Le Tour 2011: The Roadside

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:37:02 +0100

~Photo - Rob Saunders~ The Tour de France is always a visual feast, but for the fan on the roadside it is the sounds rather than the sights that often make a lasting impression. This was particularly true on stage 19 of this year's Tour on Alpe d'...

Le Tour 2011: The Old-Style Race

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:07:29 +0100

~Scan courtesy of Numerius~ By Graeme Fife No Prologue, racing from the first gun…two of the favourites, Contador and Evans scrapping for the win on Stage 4, Contador evidently keen to show he was still in the fight despite losing time from t...

Le Tour 2011: The Finish Line

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:45:24 +0100

Sunday was one of those rare but wonderful moments where my professional sphere allowed me access to a very sacred experience for a cycling fan. I found myself at the finish line area on the Champs-Élysées editing photographs. The excitement was...

NUUN Ride

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:32:40 +0100

Two years ago the riders of the Rapha Continental started traveling with tubes of nuun and there hasn't been a cramping issue since. We don't really know how it worksww.nuun.com//?exn=whatisnuun, but are constantly thankful that it does. nuun has...

A Tale of Two Étapes

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:27:33 +0100

This year saw not one but two editions of the Étape du Tour: Acte I, which tackled the final mountain stage of the Tour and Acte II, a monstrous roller in the Massif Central. Rapha rode both and they proved to be worlds apart. by Kieran Ri...

In Seattle With Cascade Bicycle Studio

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 01:45:09 +0100

You would think that we are used to it by now. Turning over in the early morning light to find that the rain from the night before has continued on through the morning. Still, every time it happens there is still that same sinking feeling. This was n...

Went to Paris, bought some espadrilles [The BPB]

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:19:38 +0100

WORDS: Max Leonard PHOTOS: Andrew Edwards If you didn’t already know, some at Rapha towers are undertaking the PBP, the Paris-Brest-Parisww.rapha.cc/brevet-jersey, this year. We, on the other hand, decided to do the BPB. That’s right: the Bri...

Summer Sample Sale 2011

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:28:40 +0100

The weekend beginning the 29th July sees Rapha's annual summer sample sale in London with big discounts on samples and discontinued/end-of-season stock. There will be some incredible deals so arrive as close to opening time as you can. DATES &...

21st Avenue Shop Ride

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 04:13:54 +0100

It should not come as a surprise to anyone that anytime we organize a ride there are a plethora of Rapha jerseys that appear. This is always fun, as we are into our eighth year there are plenty of jerseys to go around. However, it is pleasantly surpr...

Rapha Rising: The point of no return

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:32:01 +0100

With nine days of the Rapha Rising challenge left to go, riders who have err, risen to this monumental task should be well into their tally of metres climbed. In fact, 13,000m would be perfectly on track at this stage in the game, but take heart from...

The Bells of New Hampshire

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 01:47:27 +0100

Sorry ladies, one hates to be the bearer of bad news, but it is official, one of our own Rapha Continental riders, Mr. Pierre Vanden Borreww.rapha.cc/pierre-vanden-borre is officially off the market. This past weekend saw Pierre marry his lovely lady...

Tour de Krásná Lípa

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:05:21 +0100

~Courtesy of Rouleurww.rapha.cc/rouleur-magazine magazine~ Words: Ian Cleverly Photos: Gerard Brown While the world’s cycling fans have spent the past week poring over galleries of gruesome post-crash photographs and watching endless re-runs o...

Alone on the mountain

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:23:39 +0100

Riding in the bunch people take refuge (or get dropped). Crosswinds and headwinds are avoided by sitting within the pack. There’s even time to gossip and laugh, eat an ice cream. Sometimes it gets too intimate; elbows, heads, carbon, alloys and tar...

RAPHA TV

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:14:40 +0100

It isn't just the riders in the world's biggest stage race flashing their frames, components and kits (and whatever else they may have to flash). This is, after all, the Tour de France so you give the best you've got no matter whether you're a ProTou...

Gentlemen's Ride and Films: Seattle

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 05:28:52 +0100

This Friday and Saturday July 15th and 16th, join us at Cascade Bicycle Studioascadebicyclestudio.com/ as we celebrate summer, Seattle and all things cycling. Friday night will be an old fashioned Ice Cream social and movie night with a screening of ...

Panache: Part three

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:28:18 +0100

Words: Guy Andrews, editor of Rouleur magazineww.rouleur.cc/ Where have all the heroes gone? I do wonder. In the over-calculated, controlled and predictable racing world, is there any room for panache? I’d like to suggest that it’s somethin...

Rapha Rising: Let's get high

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:14:57 +0100

Rapha Rising is now well under way and it looks like a large host of riders around the world are ascending to the challenge of amassing 21,125ww.rapha.cc/rapha-rising climbing metres before the end of the Tour. Remember, you still have the whole...

RAPHA-QUETTE

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:11:43 +0100

By SIMON MILLS • White socks only from May onwards. Black socks are for winter months. • Yes, vintage jerseys - 20 years old or more - can look rather chic but, let’s face it, you do not ride for the US Postal/Quickstep/Liquigas team and ...

King of the Mountains

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:28:49 +0100

It is surely appropriate that cyclingnews.com has garnered an 'exclusive' by having Robert Millar write for them during the current Tour de France. For only a few years ago the Scot had apparently become something of a hermit, happy to go about his d...

Panache: Part Two

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:29:23 +0100

At the start of the season I wrote an open letterww.rapha.cc/panache-an-open-letter to the sport of road racing. The letter called for more 'panache' from racers: more daring, flamboyant exploits, more spirit and more risk-taking to excite us. We ...

RAPHA RISING

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:46:56 +0100

And you thought the Festive 500ww.rapha.cc/the-rapha-festive-500 was hard. During the course of this year's Tour de France (beginning Saturday in case you've been under a rock) we challenge you to climb the same amount of elevation as the pros over t...

Full Gas

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:50:08 +0100

~Photo by Sam Bagnall~ Upon entering the centre of Manchester Velodrome, I was instantly overwhelmed at the size of this venue. A true pantheon of greats, the track marks the home training ground for Team GB, arguably the most accomplished and dri...

Beggar’s Choice

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:41:49 +0100

~WORDS: Jonathan Bacon~ “Just like Beggar’s Canyon back home Son” and sometimes I aim for short and sweet with a little bit of speed. I might attack a climb, or sprint for a town sign. What I’m always doing though is collecting ‘approxim...

Franz Bakery Criterium

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 01:07:09 +0100

There seems to be a growing collection of Crits in the Portland metro area gathering steam with each passing year. The Mississippi Ave Crit in June, along with the Downtown Crit later in August tend to be some of the most well attended bike races tha...

National Road Race Championships

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:02:00 +0100

~All images Andrew Shaw:~ eddlestonviashiplaw.comddlestonviashiplaw.blogspot.com/ Pictures from Sunday's National Road Race in Northumberland where Bradley Wiggins was victorious crossing the line 35 seconds ahead of team mate and defending champi...

New Luggage Range

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:12:19 +0100

shop/luggage The new Rapha luggage rangeshop/luggage is now available. This exciting new collection of technical riding packs and accessories, includes a makeover for the Rapha backpack, as well as a new Race Bag, Wash Bag, Tote Bag and two sizes ...

Something we all know already: Bicycles are good

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 01:21:01 +0100

With My Own Two Wheels, a feature-length documentary about the bicycle as a vehicle for change around the world, is setting off on a cross-country screening tour. Two Wheels weaves together the stories of five individuals across the globe into a sing...

The Crit: Or how I stopped worrying and learned to love the corner

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:02:06 +0100

~WORDS: Collyn Ahart~ Of course I’d overrun the corner. Zoolander couldn’t turn left. I clearly couldn’t turn right. This seemed an absurdity. My first 21 years were spent turning right, but in the short course of 7 years living on GMT, I’...

Rapha Gentlemen's Ride , Fränkische Schweiz

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:28:19 +0100

The next Rapha Gentlemen's Ride will take place on Sunday July 3rd in the Fränkische Schweiz in Germany. Rolling out at 11am from bikedress in Erlangen, it will soon become clear why this area is known as the 'Franconian Switzerland'. Climbs, cobble...

Otto Miller Revisited

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 03:27:31 +0100

Last Wednesday we decided to mix it up a bit. Instead of the scheduled Pumpkin Ridge Ride, which has done a great job of breaking us through the winter, we went with a tried and true method - Otto Miller. This was the main feature of our Wednesday ri...

Racing Through The Dark

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 10:36:01 +0100

~Words: Ian Cleverly Images: Timm Kölln~ ~Extract from Rouleur issue 24, coming soon.~ A series of missed calls and voicemails between David Millar and myself evolved into text messages. “Sorry for not answering”, I wrote, “but I was dern...

Tour Series Champions

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:37:53 +0100

~Image: Phil Jones~ Why are Rapha Condor Sharp so happy? No, it's not because they just received their new Pro Team Socksww.rapha.cc/pro-team-socks-1 or because they are being insulated from the crap London weather by scantily clad cheerleaders. T...

Chris King in San Francisco

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 07:55:54 +0100

This Sunday - June 19th Chris King, the man himself, will be on hand at the Rapha Cycle Club - San Franciscoww.rapha.cc/san-francisco from 11am - 1pm. Stop by to have a coffee and chat with Chris about his storied history within the cycling industry ...

Feed My Ride

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 02:03:04 +0100

While in London last month the opportunity arose to stop by the bicycle shop-cafe Look Mum No Hands.ww.lookmumnohands.com/ Any number of reasons could be used to visit their location —fantastic coffee, great food, a bicycle workshop and outdoor bik...

Petrichor

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:06:08 +0100

~WORDS: Max Leonard~ ‘Petrichor’ was coined by two Australian researchers writing in the journal Nature in 1964, deriving its meaning from the Greek words petra, ‘stone’, and ichor, the mythical fluid that flows through the veins of the go...

Sometimes You Fall

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:43:54 +0100

You're not wearing a helmet. Is that because you want everyone to see that fancy hat you've got on?" This is Rapha Continental Rider "Ryan Thomsonww.rapha.cc/ryan-thomson commenting from behind the windscreen of "Big Jän" the dark blue Sprinter van ...

Steeps of San Francisco

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 01:23:48 +0100

Words: Lee Jakobs I have lived in San Francisco for 20 years, still I am constantly reminded that you can't really know The City unless you do it on two wheels. The up and down, up and down, meandering throughout San Francisco's neighborhoods is a...

Lap Dance

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:11:19 +0100

The fifth Nocturne at Smithfield Market in Central London on Saturday 11 June was, once again, a phenomenal event. Unusually, an accompanying downpour of rain failed to materialise, meaning contests such as the Penny Farthing Race, Longest Skid Compe...

The Rapha Continental in Colorado

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 07:46:11 +0100

The Rapha Continentalww.rapha.cc/rapha-continental is back on the road and the State of Colorado is doing its best to set the stage for the upcoming USA Pro Cycling Challenge.ww.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/ From what we have seen so far this should no...

Vainqueur de l'Étape

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:49:24 +0100

JOAQUIM AGOSTINHO Stage 17, Les Menuires - Alpe d'Huez, 1979 The Portugese puncheur completed the Tour de France 12 times and was one of the most feared racers of his era. In 1979, riding for the French Flandria team, he won the first of two stages...

The Smithfield Nocturne: 11.06.11

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:04:23 +0100

The Smithfield Nocturne came to life in 2007 when Rapha teamed with Condor and Face Partnership to create an evening criterium around Smithfield Market in the City of London. Over 5000 spectators witnessed elite and amateur racing under Twilight in t...

Rapha Summer Cocktails

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:50:08 +0100

Enjoy responsibly....

My First Lanterne Rouge

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:12:22 +0100

The term lanterne rouge is a famous part of racing folklore. The rider who completes the race yet finishes in dead last on GC is awarded the title ‘lanterne rouge’ and in turn is lauded and celebrated for having the tenacity to hang on within the...

Coffee and Cognac all round

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:05:57 +0100

Friday 3rd June 2011 saw the Mobile Cycle Clubmobile-cycle-club 'up north' catering to an intrepid bunch of night cyclists looping through a route in the Pennines. It was an amazing night which everyone enjoyed. Before dawn the skyline began to gl...

The only way is Rapha Condor Sharp

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:13:07 +0100

Dean Downing showed the rest of The Halfords Tour Series that the only way in Essex on Thursday night was Rapha Condor Sharp, winning the sprint from a five man break to help the team to a fourth win from four rounds. Victory in Colchester was add...

Col du Galibier

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 04:33:15 +0100

Galibier — even the name has the sound of impending doom. Everything was new and fresh, the inches of pavement were spilling quickly under our tires while broad, sweeping vistas opened around every turn of the road. Day after day we ticked a few Co...

Northern Souls

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:09:35 +0100

~© Polly Baldwin~ ~WORDS: Ben Lieberson PHOTOS: Ben Lieberson & Polly Baldwin~ The Mobile Cycle club is on the road in the North of England this week. First stop last Saturday was Sheffield where Nonnas Restaurant played host to a Giro we...

Triple Stack for Men in Black

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 10:38:50 +0100

Rapha Condor Sharp made it three out of three on Tuesday night as the Halfords Tour Series reached sunny Peterborough. Graham "Pocket Rocket" Briggs took the victory after Ed Clancy made a powerful drive to finish the peloton off before Briggs dashed...

Lehigh Valley Rapha Gentlemen's Race

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 06:00:28 +0100

The third annual Rapha NE Gentlemen's Race took place on the 21st of May in the beautiful Lehigh Valley. Twenty teams approached the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania knowing that the day would likely be a memorable day of riding. On paper, t...

Au Feeling

Tue, 31 May 2011 11:17:37 +0100

~WORDS: Max Leonard~ Reading William Fotheringham’s excellent translation of Laurent Fignon’s autobiographyww.rouleur.cc/we-were-young-and-carefree, Nous étions jeunes et insouciants (or We Were Young and Carefree), it struck me that no other...

Mobile Cycle Club Goes North

Mon, 30 May 2011 18:12:36 +0100

The Mobile Cycle Club is now on tour throughout Europe. See more here »mobile-cycle-club At the end of May the Mobile Cycle Club will be back from Europe, and it’s coming to visit the North of England. From 28th May join us at the events lis...

Colle delle Finestre

Fri, 27 May 2011 13:18:13 +0100

~WORDS & PHOTOS: Phil Deeker~ The infamous Colle delle Finestre features as the penultimate and perhaps decisive climb in tomorrow’s Tappa 20 of the Giro d’Italia. Phil Deeker is researching the route ahead of the Gran Corsa d’Italia, an...

Continental- The Bicycle

Thu, 26 May 2011 22:21:41 +0100

Ira Ryan and Tony Pereira are unique people. Builders, thinkers, and craftsmen, they are ambassadors for the flourishing custom bicycle 'scene' of Portland, OR. In a city where there are rumored to be over 30 full time builders – and countless back...

Dopatissimi

Thu, 26 May 2011 15:58:08 +0100

~PHOTO: Guy Andrews~ Extract from Maglia Rosa by Herbie Sykes, available here »maglia-rosa Many would have us believe that everyone deserves a second chance, and of course in principal they are quite correct. However, in giving them...

Through the firing line

Thu, 26 May 2011 11:00:00 +0100

~WORDS: Collyn Ahartww.collynahart.com/ ~ In road racing, they say the finish line is everything. Every race is won or lost on the finish line, where a matter of inches throws a girl into the depths of depression, soul searching and swea...

Ethan Suplee Downsizes

Wed, 25 May 2011 23:41:59 +0100

You may know Ethan Suplee from his work on the big screen, starring in movies American History X, Remember the Titans, Blow, or even more recently the hit television show, My Name is Earl. Rapha rode with Ethan in November and when the Downsize Offer...

Halfords Tour Series Round1: Durham

Wed, 25 May 2011 13:17:47 +0100

~All images ©Velouk.netww.velouk.net/ ~ Congratulations to the Rapha Condor Sharp team who got off to a perfect start at the Halfords Tour series last night, winning everything on offer at the opening round of the televised series in Du...

You Win Again

Tue, 24 May 2011 13:04:28 +0100

~WORDS: Guy Andrews~ bq. “That Belgian, he doesn’t even leave you the crumbs, he’s a cannibal/content/uploads/2624-02.jpg/content/uploads/2624-03.jpg!":rouleur.cc/...

Watching Giro d'Italia with Weary Eyes

Mon, 23 May 2011 17:54:29 +0100

Everynight, at the Rapha Cycle Club Tokyo, Giro d'Italia coverage on J-Sports Broadcasting starts at 9:45PM. Most stages finish around 12:30 to 1:00AM. Well past the last train home. Still every night we have a few fans during the week, and on ...

Etape Competition

Mon, 23 May 2011 12:28:39 +0100

The competition is now closed-- To enter simply answer the following questions:

Q. Which rider won the 17th stage to Alpe D’Huez in the 1979 Tour?

Rapha Rides the Black Forest | Film

Wed, 18 May 2011 10:31:04 +0100

~Film by~ "e r t z u iww.ertzui.de/ The Freiburg Collectiveww.freiburgc...

Cycle Club Tokyo | In Pictures

Tue, 17 May 2011 16:00:34 +0100

ww.rapha.cc/tokyo-1 ww.rapha.cc/tokyo-1 ww.rapha.cc/tokyo-1 ww.rapha.cc/tokyo-1 ww.rapha.cc/tokyo-1 ~Photos © ichico~ » Flickrww.flickr.com/photos/14858597@N04/with/5721268119/ See more info on the Cycle Club Tokyoww.rapha.cc/tokyo-1...

ATOC Stage 1 Report- Lake Tahoe, California

Mon, 16 May 2011 06:30:43 +0100

There was no Stage 1. The organizers of the Amgen Tour of Californiaww.amgentourofcalifornia.com must be very tired of contingencies. Less than two weeks ago when another late spring mud slide onto PCH-1 forced Stage 5 from the picturesque coasta...

Gentlemen's Ride: Pennsylvania

Sun, 15 May 2011 23:06:18 +0100

Please join Bicyclingww.bicycling.com and Rapha for a Gentleman's Ride next Sunday May 22nd. The ride will start and end at the Valley Preferred Cycling Centerww.thevelodrome.com and venture through the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. The 46 ...

California Caboose

Sun, 15 May 2011 14:21:46 +0100

The first rider ever to be given the title ‘Lantern Rouge’ was Arsene Millocheau in the 1903 Tour de France. Named after the red lanterns hung at the end of freight trains so that conductors could see that the cars hadn’t become disconnected, t...

Paul's Cap

Fri, 13 May 2011 11:18:43 +0100

The bike was a pale blue ‘Paramount’ from a local cycle dealer near my home town of Nottingham, actually I think the frame was made by Mercian of Derby but with Paramount stickers. It was bought from a friend of my dad’s and, of course, was sec...

Wouter Weylandt: 27.09.1984 – 09.05.2011

Wed, 11 May 2011 11:10:38 +0100

Riders Never Die ~by Willy Verhegghe~ Riders never die, All they do is disappear from sight once they, with unparalleled style pass the final finish line and the speed of life leaves them behind with stiff muscles. Because they will always...

Continental Caricature

Tue, 10 May 2011 03:15:23 +0100

Pete Rubi Every time we would leave a hotel the last thing to do is give the room a once over. Check under the beds and in the closets to make sure that no one has left anything behind. The other thing that I look for are little drawings that Col...

Introducing: Pavé & Soigneur

Mon, 09 May 2011 11:31:07 +0100

Our latest European retail partners come in the form of Pavé in Barcelona, inspired by the cobbles of Northern Europe. And just this weekend a brand new store in Copenhagen called Soigneur welcomes Scandinavia's first department of performance roadw...

I left my bike in San Francisco.

Fri, 06 May 2011 19:37:03 +0100

A bit of an obvious start to a story about the opening of the Rapha Cycle Club in San Franciscoww.rapha.cc/san-francisco, but completely true. My Pereiraww.rapha.cc/tony-pereira Continental" bicycle is tucked away in the basement of the Cycle Club th...

Shooting with Dan Sharp

Fri, 06 May 2011 01:37:35 +0100

The Rapha Continental - Amgen Tour of California 2011ww.rapha.cc/amgen-tour-of-california-2011 films and photos are now live on the site. The video were done by a fantastic Portland based crew by the name of the DropTree Productions. This was the ver...

Rapha Rides the Black Forest: 07.05.11

Thu, 05 May 2011 18:54:51 +0100

Rapha is proud to partner the Freiburg Collective. To celebrate Europe's premier hand built bicycle show Rapha will lead a ride through the beautiful Black Forest. With Chris King, Independent Fabrication, Fixie Inc. and Tune there to name but a f...

Lanterne Rouge

Wed, 04 May 2011 19:42:45 +0100

photos by Dan Sharp There are a lot of projects that will culminate this month. The Rapha Continentalww.rapha.cc/rapha-continental films and photos that we shot over the course of a week will be published in the coming days. They will be an intim...

The Audax Diaries: The Dean

Wed, 04 May 2011 17:06:45 +0100

~WORDS: Anton Blackie PHOTOS: Wig Worland~ With the 200km Poor Student completed in January, the second instalment of the route to Paris-Brest bore down on us. Any 300km ride is likely to be a good challenge, but in March a 300km can be a lot wor...

The Southern Alps & Riviera

Tue, 03 May 2011 13:07:40 +0100

~WORDS & PHOTOS: Max Leonard~ “Don't tell anyone,” says John, as we stand halfway up the Col de Turini, 25km and a world away from Nice on the chi-chi Cote d'Azur. He is reluctant to publicise the gloriously empty mountain roads, for fear ...

On Customer Service

Tue, 03 May 2011 00:14:52 +0100

With last week's Winter Sale happening the phones around the office were ringing off the hook. The wedding of a certain Prince did nothing if not make matters worse for those of you hoping to get your gear soon. However, it is safe to say that States...

Mallorca Final Gent's Hill Climb

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:44:30 +0100

This season’s final Gentlemen’s Hill Climb took place yesterday here on Mallorca and what a fitting end it was. It had everything; a great turnout, perfect weather, supporters on the course, a flying ladies team, a Thor Hushovd lookalike and the ...

Rapha Rides the Black Forest

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:16:39 +0100

ww.freiburgcollective.com/?pageid=13 After all the excitement at NAHBS, Rapha is proud to partner the Freiburg Collective, the premier hand built and bicycle show in Europe. With Chris King, Independent Fabrication, Fixie Inc. and Tune there to na...

Giro d'Italia Dinner

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 02:37:18 +0100

Join us Sunday, May 15th at the Bluebird Restaurantww.bluebirdchicago.com/ in Chicago for a dinner to highlight the Giro d'Italia. Stage 9 of this years Giro traverses the roads from Messina to Etnaww.grassyknolltv.com/2011/giro-di-italia/profiles/pr...

Hell of the North 2 Film

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:34:52 +0100

Ridden, filmed and edited by Pete Drinkell...

What goes down must come up

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:29:47 +0100

The climb of Sa Calobra in Mallorca promised to be a day to remember. During my first taste of riding outside of the British Isles, the magnificent 10km climb was to prove the highlight of my short stay on the Balearic island. Having never ridden a m...

The Spaniard

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 21:28:23 +0100

Photos by Dan Sharp Following a fantastic post from the other day titled My Favorite Jerseyww.rapha.cc/my-favourite-jersey by Joe Hall we received top honors from National Geographic Adventure in their Gear of the Year Awardsdventure.nationalgeog...

Attack in black

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:16:11 +0100

Rapha "Condorww.condorcycles.com/ Sharp's impressive start to the season continues as they do b...

Pro'Jekt LA: Part Three

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 02:26:43 +0100

Tomorrow evening kicks off Part Three of the Pro'Jekt LA series that the Los Angeles based Lucie Foundationww.luciefoundation.org/blog/lucie/ puts on during the month of April. Come see some of the new Spring Summer Line (that was shot in and around ...

Handmade Ride Milan in pictures

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:31:33 +0100

On Friday 15th April 40 riders took a journey through Milan to celebrate the Wallpaper Handmade exhibition and the Rapha + Paul Smithww.rapha.cc/shop/paul-smith spring & summer collection. Photos © Giorgio Vianiniww.flickr.com/ph...

My Favourite Jersey

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 10:49:41 +0100

“Do you only own one jersey?” I get quite a lot of stick during the warmer months because I tend to wear the same short-sleeved jersey as much as I possibly can. Yes, I own alternative jerseys, and very fine jerseysww.rapha.cc/shop/jerseys-and...

Rapha California Film

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:24:07 +0100

Photographer & director: Ben Ingham Editor: Owynne Dawkins Sound: S...

Cycle Club SF

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:06:05 +0100

Starting May 5th the Rapha Cycle Club San Francisco will open its doors to the public. Shortly after the opening the Amgen Tour of Californiaww.amgentourofcalifornia.com/ will roll through town. On loan from the ATOC organizers are last years leaders...

Handmade Ride: Milan

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:39:13 +0100

ww.rapha.cc/shop/paul-smith To celebrate the Wallpaper Handmade exhibition and the Spring Summer collaboration between Rapha + Paul Smithww.rapha.cc/shop/paul-smith, 40 luminaries of the design community will be led through the streets of Milan to...

Heaven and Hell

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:55:01 +0100

~Photos: Kieran Riley~ WORDS: Matthew Berry On Sunday, I witnessed the junior race, marvelling at the grimy, bruised young riders skittering over the cobbles at speed. How much smoother their passage seemed compared to my own the day before, on...

A weekend in Hell

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:38:11 +0100

Photos from the Rapha Mobile Cycle Club's first voyage to northern France for the Paris-Roubaix Challengeww.rapha.cc/roubaix-recce-into-the-fight and the pro race on Sunday where Belgian Johan Van Summeren took a surprise victory on the pavé. ~Ph...

Hell of the North no. 2

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:16:04 +0100

~Photos: Kieran Young~ Hell, so to speak, on a bicycle in blissful sunshine is actually a lot of fun. Blazing (or just lollygagging) along terrain consisting of gravel, potholes and hard dirt on tracks more akin to horseshoes than 21mm slicks, a c...

Rapha Continental: Summer 11

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 21:04:50 +0100

Again and again California continues to impress. Switchbacks, glorious descents and enough variety in the scenery to impress even the most hardcore Europhiles among us. The first ride of the Rapha Continentalww.rapha.cc/rapha-continental Summer '11 s...

Legends of Roubaix: Franco Ballerini

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:42:09 +0100

~© Bettini photo~ Hailing from the Tuscan city of Florence, Franco Ballerini was one of Italy’s premier Classics specialists in the 1990s alongside Andrea Tafi and Michele Bartoli. His ability riding the cobbled and windswept roads of northern ...

Batteries not included

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:25:00 +0100

~Photo: Joe Hell~ Looking around for some words on Paris-Roubaix that hadn't already been written by the other riders, I looked back in my diary to the Friday we left. On the top of the page, there's a pencil list which says: · Painkillers ·...

On the road

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:13:19 +0100

Rapha's Mobile Cycle Club pulled into Perren St. on Wednesday to flash its shiny new teeth before hitting the road for the next six-months. First stop for the Cycle Club on ten wheels (it was formerly a livestock carrier) is Paris-Roubaix where the C...

Infatuation

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:40:19 +0100

~Photo: Joe Hall~ Paris-Roubaix is an easy race to fall in love with from the comfort of an armchair. The Queen of the Classics' appeal is visceral, with the cobbles demanding their pound of flesh and the mud-caked faces & haunted eyes belongi...

Rattled Bones

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:11:27 +0100

~Photo: Joe Hall~ To ride up god's scars is to hope he doesn't see, and flick you down. Or off the sutured earth holding in the dead. Communion rattling in your bike and bones. Slowed down and played backwards it's morse code: C R A S H A N...

the Hell of the East

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:59:50 +0100

Sunday 3rd April saw the 2011 Rouleur Hell of the East, a.k.a. the Dengie Marshes Tour. Rapha Condor Sharpww.rapha.cc/shop/rapha-condor-sharp turned out to dominate this unique, Classic-style race. Big Zak Dempster sprinted away to 1st place with Gra...

Throwing the dice again

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:38:52 +0100

In honour of Paris-Roubaix this coming weekend, Rapha will once again be s...

From hell with love

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:18:17 +0100

~Photos and introduction: Joe Hall~ Our five riders clipped in early on Sunday 13th March to meet with the parcours of Paris-Roubaix. Somewhere in between St. Quentin and Roubaix a respect for the cobblestones was discovered. These roads have been...

Hors Course: Paris Roubaix Challenge film

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 10:48:36 +0100

Five Rapha riders set out to ride the Paris-Roubaix parcours in early Marc...

My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:01:50 +0100

What started as a test question for our new San Francisco Cycle Club Manager became an interesting and somewhat telling all-company challenge. Who are your top five cyclists, living or dead, retired or currently racing? Before you take the cha...

Gentlemen's Hill Climb: 30.03.11

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:19:58 +0100

This morning saw the inaugural Gentlemen's Hill Climb here on Mallorca. Five teams gathered at the Rapha Cycle Club for this unsanctioned, no-holds-barred team time trial over a course climbing a little over 350m in 5km. There were no rol...

Ready To Go

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 01:25:52 +0100

The H-Van is officially off. We saw that grey little pony take to the streets once again as it heads towards a new home in the Cycle Club San Francisco. Until just now the van has been housed within the warehouse of another local bicycle business Por...

Hell of the North 2: Video

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 21:36:37 +0100

Joe Hall recons the Hell of the North route and the infamo...

Red Hook Crit No. 4

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 01:59:26 +0100

The other night New York City was gifted the opportunity to see an amazing spectacle. The Red Hook Criteriumww.redhookcrit.com/ sent 150 cyclists spinning around a foreboding crit course through the industrial wasteland of Red Hook on brakeless fixed...

Rolling Pitchers

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:43:39 +0100

River City Roller supported by Rapha, recently held Rolling Pitchers - part roller race, part barista challenge - in Brisbane, Australia. While Brisbane's finest baristas compared latte art, its cyclists raced head to head, over a simulated 500m. Com...

The Rolling English Road

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:18:56 +0000

~Cuckmere Haven 1939 © Estate of Eric Ravilious~ The Rolling English Road by G.K. Chesterton Before the Roman came to Rye or out to Severn strode, The rolling English drunkard made the rolling English road. A reeling road, a rolling road, t...

Chapeau Japan

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:19:10 +0000

~BettiniPhoto©2011~ WORDS: Guy Andrews Issue 23 is at the printers. Which is where I sit and type this, surrounded by thrilling titles to browse such as Offshore Support Journal and Transport Review. It’s going to be a long night. But not as...

Utrecht to Antwerp and back…

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 17:29:49 +0000

Anothersomething collective took a spin from Utrecht to Antwerp and back again. We happily provided them with some threads, Elian Cyclesww.eliancycles.com/ were there to provide wheels and it seems a few others got involved to create a memorable 250k...

Legends of Roubaix: Rik Van Looy

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 14:58:25 +0000

Known as Rik II, the Emperor of Herentals and the King of the Classics, Henri “Rik” Van Looy’s royal status came about because he was the first man to win all five major classics. This Belgian phenomenon of the post-war period is sometimes over...

Made In Oregon

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:18:20 +0000

Looking back through photos from the NAHBS two things were instantly apparent. One, was that we did not provide enough coverage of the event. Something that could have been because of the good times that were being had, possibly. The second was that ...

Herbie's Giro

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:16:30 +0000

ww.rouleur.cc It had seemed a good idea at the time. Actually it didn’t, not at all. It seemed an indescribably stupid thing to do, which I guess made it all the more appealing. I was to collect 140 books from the printers in Vicenza (that’...

Rapha Cooks: Lentil Soup

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 23:20:23 +0000

Recipe and Photos by Matt Card Despite more than two decades of riding and racing, I’ve yet to master eating well while riding, especially during the long enervating miles of winter training. Stretch me much beyond four hours and its pretty muc...

A Moment with Jeremy Powers

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 02:11:03 +0000

First off I want to say Welcome to the Rapha-FOCUS team JPows. I am just going to jump right in with a few questions for you. You really are, at least in the world of US Cyclocross someone that needs little to no introduction. But, for those of you o...

Rapha London Co. Ride: Essex

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:11:16 +0000

If you are not familiar to the county of Essex, with its rolling landscape, oak trees, Kestrels, boy racers in lowered Hondas and girls with too much fake-tan lotion, then you'd do far worse than to acquaint yourself on a ride north-east out of Londo...

Touring and Racing

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:17:09 +0000

Wildflowers are blooming in the Anza-Borrego Desert and an unseasonably angry storm is whipping my tent around with gusts of 40-45 miles per hour. In the morning, I’ll start a 7-day solo exploration of this Southern California Desert region. Down i...

Rapha Rides For Tohoku

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:13:24 +0000

ww.rapha.cc/rapha-rides-for-tohoku-1 Rapha is organizing a world wide charity ride in order to help the victims of the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan. For the last four years Rapha Japan, based in Nagano, has shared stories and rides wit...

Hell of the North 2: Sold Out

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:29:41 +0000

Entries for the second annual Hell of the Northww.rapha.cc/hell-of-the-north-2 ride are now closed. We apologise for any disappointment. If you didn't manage to sign up in time you can still come along to help us document itww.flickr.com/photos/rapha...

Day Three: Tim Johnson's Ride on Washington

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 01:48:05 +0000

Day Three: NYC - Philadelphia, PA (~90 Miles - and 5 of rain) The second day of the ride might have been our Queen Stage at least in terms of distance and elevation, but day three gave it a run for the money in terms of the weather. The morning st...

The Paris-Roubaix Challenge

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 11:37:43 +0000

Places for the 2011 Paris-Roubaix Challenge are now available. A new event in the sportive calendar, the route is 162km from Saint Quentin to the Roubaix Velodrome, taking in 18 cobbled sectors, the day before the pros race. • To book visit t...

Day Two: Tim Johnson's Ride on Washington

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:50:13 +0000

Day Two: Hartford, CT - NYC (148 Miles 8,000 feet of elevation) At the end of the first day we were greeted with this video that NECNww.necn.com/03/04/11/Cyclists-embark-on-5-day-trip-to-DC-for-/landingnewengland.html?blockID=433009&feedID=42...

NAHBS: Beer and Bicycles

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:31:28 +0000

WORDS & PHOTOS: Max Leonard Sunday, February 27th: a sunny afternoon, 25°C, and almost time to fly back to England after the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. It seemed a shame to waste the NAHBS-branded beer (this bottle was labelled Bla...

Faces of Hell: The Pain Continues

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:50:45 +0000

ww.facebook.com/rapharacing We're still taking entries for our Faces of Hell photo contest. In the build up to the 2011 Paris-Roubaix, the Hell of the North, we're asking you to represent the glory and suffering of the world's greatest one day ...

Day One: Tim Johnson's Ride on Washington

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 19:25:01 +0000

Day One: Boston, MA — Hartford, CT (115 Miles, 8,500 feet of elevation.) Preparing for the first day of Tim Johnson's Ride on Washingtonww.facebook.com/home.phpwww.rapha.cc/content/uploads/P1040071.jpgwww.rapha.cc/content/uploads/P1040060.jpg!...

Hell of the North 2: The Route

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:39:27 +0000

To sign-up to the ride visit the registration page »ww.rapha.cc/hell-of-the-north-2 START Pond Square, Highgate N6, 9am GMT END Black Horse Pub, Wood St EN5, 1pm GMT onwards Sectors: 20 – Rectory Farm (sharp right turn at farmhouse) ...

Red Hook 2011

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 20:48:06 +0000

Started back in 2008 as a completely unsanctioned, underground track-bike criterium, The RedHook Crit is now a bit more on the level. Rumor is that unlike past years when racers were delayed by City buses and a lurking NYPD presence added to the exci...

Another Something: UAU Ride

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:04:03 +0000

Rapha are pleased to partner a ride created by Another Somethingww.anothersomething.org/ spinning from Utrecht to Antwerp to Utrecht. Takes place on the weekend 12th13th March....

Panache: An Open Letter

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:22:58 +0000

Every year, Paris-Nice marks the true start of the season for me, when proper racing finally hits the roads of Europe and arm warmers are symbolically discarded over a week of racing to the sunny Med. No doubt there will be lots of great racing this ...

Follow the Badger

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:24:26 +0000

WORDS: Guy Andrews PHOTOS: Wig Worland You will never make me take back what I have already said about Paris-Roubaix. It's a big nonsensewww.rapha.cc/content/uploads/badgerf5.jpgwww.rapha.cc/content/uploads/badgerf3.jpgwww.rapha.cc/content/upload...

Tim Johnson's Ride on Washington

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:34:34 +0000

photos from 2010 US Cyclocross National Championships Look at that face. That is a face you can trust. Not only has Tim Johnson been at the front of the professional US Road and Cyclocross scenes, but he has also been actively engaging the bicycle...

Thank You Austin

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:14:13 +0000

The North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) ended last night. The bicycles, the riding, and the community of people that converged on Austin, TX made for three fantastic days. More to come....

South African Sunshine

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:47:12 +0000

Rapha Condor Sharpww.rapha.cc/shop/rapha-condor-sharp got the season started in solid fashion last week, with Kristian House taking the overall GC at the Tour of South Africa. Aided by Jonathan Tiernan-Locke, Ben Greenwood, Graham Briggs, Zak Dempste...

Tough of the Track

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 11:15:43 +0000

WORDS: Ian Cleverly PHOTOS: Geoff Waugh © Azizulhasni Awang, the diminutive Malaysian sprinter renowned for pulling wheelies as he crosses the finish line, is now a household name. Not for reasons of sporting excellence, which the showboater ful...

Reap What you sow

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:27:49 +0000

Greg Lemond famously said that for every week we take off the bike it takes three weeks to get back the form. During the warmer months it’s incredibly easy to rack up those romantic summer miles with natural ease and each day, when the sun’s rays...

Rapha + Paul Smith | Spring Summer 2011

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:51:37 +0000

See the collection » "www.rapha.cc/paul-smithww.rapha.cc/s...

Winter Break

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:21:29 +0000

I didn’t really intend to take an off-season, it just kind of happened. I was supposed to go to California. I was supposed to keep racing cyclocross until the end of January. When the trip was canceled, I stared at my training schedule and felt ...

Spring Forward

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:42:16 +0000

WORDS & PICTURES: Phil Deeker To attend to things in life that do not revolve around the magical machine is probably quite essential to my general physical health and to what’s left of my questionable sanity. Nevertheless, before I realise i...

Three Days in LA

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:50:31 +0000

Three perfect days in Los Angeles could go something like this. First, the sunshine would have to be out and dripping its glorious rays all over the town. Then, each event goes off without a hitch. Throw in a few pleasant surprises and more than enou...

NAHBS 2011

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:15:43 +0000

February 24 - 27, Austin, TX www.2011.handmadebicycleshow.comww.2011.handmadebicycleshow.com/ Every year Rapha attends the North American Handmade Bicycle Show to visit the fine folks who make the bikes we love to ride. Each time we have made new...

Rouleur Photography Annual 2010

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:35:51 +0000

ouleur.cc/three-photography-annuals Taz Darling - Crucifix, Giro d'Italia ~All images © Rouleur Limited~ In case you have yet to see our latest Rouleur Photography Annualww.rapha.cc/rouleur-annual-2010, here's a taster of what's inside - 320 pa...

The Road To NAHBS

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:43:13 +0000

A quick look around on a ride yesterday brought to mind the fast approaching North American Handmade Bicycle show. Fellow Rapha Continental Rider Cole Maness was astride his Sycipww.rapha.cc/sycip— who will be situated in the booth adjacent to ours...

Hell of the North 2 | 10.04.11

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:58:35 +0000

Celebrate Paris Roubaix 100km North London ride (20 gravé sectors) 10th APRIL 2011 Belgian style hospitality at the finish. Watch the pros… Live coverage of Paris Roubaix accompanied by beer and frites. A free social event....

Monte Carpegna

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:17:30 +0000

Footage of the 1973 Giro d'Italia from Jørgen Leth's wonderful documentary Stars and Waterc...

Gentlemen's Ride: Santa Monica

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:50:05 +0000

Saturday, February 19th in Santa Monica, California we will roll out from Bike Effectww.bikeeffect.com/home/, one of the most recent additions to our Retail Partnerww.rapha.cc/retail-partners family. The ride? The Gauntlet. Despite the ominous soundi...

Faces of Hell Competition

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:23:52 +0000

ww.facebook.com/rapharacing In the build up to the 2011 Paris-Roubaix, the Hell of the North, we're launching a photo competition to see who can represent the glory and suffering of the world's greatest one day race. How to enter To enter t...

Legends of Roubaix: Henri Pélissier

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:33:22 +0000

Henri Pélissier 1889 – 1935 The most renowned of the Pélissier brothers, Henri was not only one of the most successful interwar European racers, he was also one of the most rebellious members of the peloton the sport has seen. His main victori...

NAHBS Prep

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:52:05 +0000

The boxes are starting to stack up for the pending trip to the North American Handmade Bicycle Showww.2011.handmadebicycleshow.com/ later this month in Austin, Texas. Last year the theme was that of a convenience storeww.rapha.cc/a-continental-conven...

The Race Radio

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:42:51 +0000

© www.joolzedymond.comww.joolzedymond.com/joolzeD/FrontPage.html Described by Bradley Wiggins as “codswallop” but seen by some purists and riders, such as David Millar, as the only way to revive the drama of the sport, the UCI’s controversi...

Illegal Bidon Party

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 03:11:17 +0000

Up early and over the George Washington Bridge to the 9W. Turn right and turn the pedals. Then, at some point flip it and head back. The same ride again and again. This particular day last summer Mike Spriggs was the guide and the steed was a borrowe...

The Giro vs. The Tour

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:25:45 +0000

WORDS PHOTOS: Phil Deeker In 2010 I had the privilege of riding the full Tour de France route (managing the ‘Tour de Force’ event) and then driving the entire Giro d’Italia 2011 route (reconnaissance for the Gran Corsa d’Italiainy.cc/gra...

North American Handmade Bicycle Show

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 00:14:42 +0000

...

Rapha Spring Summer 2011 | Getting Ready

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:21:39 +0000

See details of the Rapha "Spring Summer rangeww.rapha.cc/spring-and-summer-2011-range...

Spring & Summer 2011 range

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:38:00 +0000

Rapha’s latest range has been created with a passion for performance, design and the sport of road racing. Offering competitive racing apparel, essential training kit, functional city roadwear and innovations in luggage and luxury accessories. Belo...

Flanders Field

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 11:14:39 +0000

Words: Ian Cleverly Photos: Marthein Smit Extract from Rouleur 22ww.rapha.cc/rouleur-magazine If there is such a thing as motor home envy among the cyclo-cross fraternity, then Ian Field is guilty as charged. Wandering the competitor’s parking...

Legends of Roubaix: Hippolyte Aucouturier

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:12:50 +0000

Hippolyte Aucouturier The wonderfully named Hippolyte Aucouturier was an imposing and outspoken rider whom Henri Desgrange referred to as “Le Terrible”. The self-styled villain of the Peloton in black and white stripes (in fact red and blue) ha...

Viel Glück!

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 23:34:42 +0000

Go Zach 5 am PST Saturday January 29th the action kicks off on ProCyclingLive.ww.procyclinglive.com/livestream/ It is here. The time is nigh. The preparations have all been made and now is the time to watch the racing come to life. While you are at i...

Always read the label

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:36:18 +0000

Unveiling of the new season’s team kit invariably attracts a disproportionate amount of comment. There is little else to discuss over the winter before racing starts in earnest, so the designers of what the pro peloton will be sporting this year un...

Das Pro Und the Rookie

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 03:28:51 +0000

Photos by Todd Prekaski If you have not been following along with the saga of CycloWhat?yclowhat.com/ Now would be a good time to jump in with both feet. A few short weeks ago CycloWhat founder/blogger Chandler Delinks put up a Kickstarter campaig...

Winter Playlist Vol. Two

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:27:08 +0000

Here’s the second edition of our Winter Playlistww.rapha.cc/winter-playlist, to help you ride through the colder months. We’re not endorsing the use of iPods whilst out riding, but do suggest you have a listen to what some of us at Rapha are curr...

Legends of Roubaix: Peter Post

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:06:44 +0000

Peter Post: Nov/12/1933 – Jan/14/2011 Over the next few months we’ll be celebrating Paris-Roubaixww.rapha.cc/paris-roubaix-challenge and the history, heroes and drama of this incredible race. We’ll also be honouring some of the illustrious m...

Sample Sale | 28-30.01.11

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 12:34:36 +0000

Date Friday 28th – Sunday 30th January Location Shop 25, Hanbury St. LONDON E1 6QL Times · Friday: 10am – 6pm · Saturday: 10am – 6pm · Sunday: 12pm – 5pm Next Friday Rapha will be visiting Spitalfields, London to hold ...

Rapha-FOCUS Cyclocross Photo Challenge

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:02:31 +0000

The votes are in. Everything has been tallied. Reputations have been sullied. Wait, no, not that last one. The bikes were the only thing to be sullied. Corsa Conceptsww.corsaconcepts.com/ founder Greg hudson was the clear winner with his worms-eye ph...

Truth be Told

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:04:25 +0000

© PongoPinkww.flickr.com/photos/32998649@N06/ I won a time trial. Nothing to shout about, you’re probably thinking, but it made me happy for a few weeks. Plus, to anyone who knows my (cough) fitness regime, it does sound highly unlikely. It ...

Today's Moment of Zen

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:05:29 +0000

Knowing what we know of James Nordww.jamesnord.com/ it is no surprise his dog also has great style....

Smiles for Miles

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:44:53 +0000

I often get 'busted' by riding partners for having a silly smile on my face. There seems to be a constant grin on my face and usually it's for no other reason than the happy feeling that comes with the freedom of being out on the bike. Sometimes I'd ...

The Festive 500: The winners

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 11:28:16 +0000

The wait is over. We can now reveal the winners of the Festive 500. It was very difficult deciding who would take the top spots, so if you have any problems with who we've awarded prizes to, forget it. It's all in the name of riding (and winning). To...

When Johnny met Bradley

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 10:04:59 +0000

By Johnny Green “In the city there’s a thousand things I want to say to you But whenever I approach you, you make me look a fool I wanna say, I wanna tell you About the young ideas But you turn them into fear” ~- Paul Weller~ The...

The Audax Diaries: The Poor Student

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:48:06 +0000

~January 10th, 2011~ I must have first become aware of Paris-Brest-Paris over ten years ago. My initial - ignorant and unconsidered - response would have been to dismiss it as “too far, too slow”. At the time I was preoccupied with going as ...

Sneak Peek

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:33:18 +0000

Tomorrow will see the launching of a new and exciting partnership with a few of the worlds best bicycle makers. Keep an eye on the homepageww.rapha.cc/ or Register Nowww.rapha.cc/register/ to receive the email newsletter that is scheduled to go out e...

Rapha Rendezvous 1.1

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:48:26 +0000

After collating much of your feedback, which we are very grateful for, we are pleased to announce that Rapha Rendezvous 1.1 for iPhone is now available from the iTunes store: itun.es/iFS6CPtun.es/iFS6CP New in version 1.1.0 Simplified the UI ...

Bikeman

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 11:04:16 +0000

To read the full story click hereww.rapha.cc/bikeman....

Monti Pallidi Video Clips

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 11:59:00 +0000

The latest film clips from Rapha Rides Monti Pallidi, shot last year in th...

The Best of the Best

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 06:14:41 +0000

Selection A One more time we would like to call upon your help in regards to the Rapha-FOCUS team. Over the course of this past season we asked for your help in getting us photos of our boys as they traversed the continent racing some of the best...

Unfulfilling Prophesy

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:33:19 +0000

The Rapha 500, despite the best of intentions, ended in spookily similar fashion to my alternative and likely programme, as opposed to the idealistic scenario mapped out hereww.rapha.cc/getting-the-miles-in. Every school report I ever had made the...

Further Festivity

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:25:01 +0000

There has been a flurry of fantastic entries to the Rapha Festive 500. We’ve had the pleasure of looking through great photography, video, writing, Garmin data (yawn) and even illustrations to compile our winners shortlist for the top three podium ...

Cross In Belgium

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 22:08:35 +0000

Zach is back in the States, his short campaign in Belgium considered a success as well a warm-up for the World Championship race in St. Wendel (or Sankt Wendel if you prefer). Tom Robertsonortfolio.tomrobertsonphoto.com/mi=1&pt=0&pi=1&s=0...

Postcard from Spring '10

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 10:51:47 +0000

Whilst tidying up post-Christmas desks we found this from our good friend Mr. David Millar. Roll on Spring....

The Festive 500 Finale

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:12:59 +0000

There's roughly 24 hours to go of the Rapha Festive 500. We've been overwhelmed with how many riders worldwide have risen to the challenge. As we trawl through all the photography, video, Garmin data and words, here's a selection of entries that have...

Nuke's In Europe

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:30:06 +0000

Our man Zach McDonald is over in Belgium. The action there should soon heat up, even as the temperatures continue to plummet (even by Belgian standards) in what is traditionally known as the Christmas Cross week. Zach will continue the racing with th...

The Festive 500 Countdown

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 10:11:08 +0000

The countdown to the Festive 500km has begun. With only one day to go before the big push, we have been overwhelmed with the response so far. Thanks to everyone who's getting involved and, whilst some weather forecasts are making it an even greater c...

Rapha Cooks: Holiday Snacks

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:06:42 +0000

by Matt Card While I’d like to say I’m on board with Rapha’s Festive 500 challengeww.rapha.cc/the-rapha-festive-500, I’ll be lucky to ride half of that—and much of it will be on rollers in the basement during pre-dawn hours. My next two...

Cyclocross Nationals is a wrap

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 01:26:47 +0000

The 2010 Cyclocross National Championship went off with a bang this past weekend. If you read my previewww.rapha.cc/cyclocross-nationals-preview-and-a-winner you would notice that someone was left off that list, Todd Wells, my bad, as that was just t...

Getting the miles in

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 14:51:50 +0000

Laying the foundations for the upcoming year by preparing the body with a block of long steady rides, marks the end of the social season and the beginning of the antisocial season. No more drinks with the boys; every dinner and party invitation c...

The Rapha Festive 500

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 11:30:26 +0000

Riding hard at Christmas is not a paradox. As you stuff your belly with food and soak yourself with booze, the roads may seem empty. But they aren’t. This year riders across the globe will be squeezing themselves like oversized elves into tights an...

Cyclocross Nationals Preview, and a Winner

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 01:01:06 +0000

This week's winner was Matthew Haughey's photo of Chris Jones blasting through the barriers at the USGP Stanley Portland Cup. Last weekend was a great one for the Rapha-FOCUS boys as it saw both Zach and Chris atop the podium. However, all of these r...

Great Ocean Road Classic

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:16:59 +0000

Read more about the Great Ocean Road Classic » "www.rapha.cc/gorcww.rapha...

1954

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:15:37 +0000

The 1954 Giro began amidst a great fuss. The war had a devastating effect on Italy’s roads, infrastructure and wider economy, leaving millions of Italians disoccupati, out of work. In Tuscany the Piaggio fighter plane factories had been totally des...

Rapha + Paul Smith Competition

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:43:14 +0000

Last month we launched a competition to win a Rapha + Paul Smith Rain Jacketww.rapha.cc/paul-smith-city-rain-jacket or runners-up prize of a Rapha + Paul Smith Knitted Winter Hatww.rapha.cc/paul-smith-knitted-hat. The question was; which cycling club...

Photo Winner #7 - To a vote

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 20:16:43 +0000

Selection A Another week, another contest. Due to technical difficulties on my part we were unable to get one up last week. Take a look through another amazing set of photos of our Rapha-FOCUSapha-focus.cx/ racers Chris Jones and Zach McDonald. T...

An Autumn Glide

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:12:04 +0000

A long ride to a hotel you love, where the food is excellent, and bikes are not only welcome but are valet parked, is my idea of the perfect way to finish the season. Cycling through countryside that has never looked so beautiful, and with the team c...

Something for the weekend

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:35:53 +0000

BRIAN ROBINSON, PIONEER - The official launch of Graeme Fife’s book Brian Robinson, Pioneer took place on Wednesday at Look Mum No Hands cycle café in London. Robinson, the first British racer to break into continental racing and win stages of the...

Monti Pallidi Downloads

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:53:11 +0000

Download imagesww.rapha.cc/downloads from Rapha Rides Monti Pallidi to your desktop. All photography © Ben Ingham. The Dolomites, in northern Italy, are known locally as the Monti Pallidi, the Pale Mountains. Against the spectacular backdrop o...

bikedress now with Rapha

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 23:12:06 +0000

No, Rapha hasn't yet gone mobile and no, this isn't a van with Tardis-like abilities, but rather the bikedress delivery van turned derny deluxe, which will no doubt feature in future rides…..you have been warnedwww.rapha.cc/content/uploads/bikedres...

Rouleur 21: Keirin Part Two

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:53:10 +0000

~All images © Taz Darling & Rouleur~ Words: Guy Andrews Photographs: Taz Darling “Riders are assembling and adjusting their bikes, replacing sprockets and chains. With all this tinkering going on, it has the appearance of an amateur tra...

Ramón Hoyos

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:10:52 +0000

~Lucho of~ Cycling Inquisitionyclinginquisition.blogspot.com/ ~writes about his encounter with Colombia's original cycling champion, Ramón Hoyos.~ As the car speeds through the lush undulating terrain that surrounds the city of Medellin, my heart...

Snow Motion

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:21:26 +0000

Northern Europe is currently being devoured by snowfall and icy winds as the winter settles in. Which calls for extra base layers, warm tights, overshoes and concerted bravery to keep the mileage going. Even if a numb two-hour spin is all you can mus...

Rouleur 21: Robinson & Rasmussen

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 15:00:56 +0000

~© Offside / L'Equipe~ You know how it is. The latest Rouleurouleur.cc/ arrives, so you tuck yourself away in a quiet corner of a warm room and get comfortable, all the better to digest and enjoy each and every article in its entirety. And as pic...

Pretty in Pink

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:49:02 +0000

This blog is dedicated to Clare Greenwood, 2nd April 1949 - 18th December 1995. As every self-respecting young boy knows, only girls wear pink. Boys wear blue, or black, or red. But never pink. Then as you grow up, the colour pink grows on you. Su...

In the news

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 01:14:02 +0000

Riding out the fall season there has been some good press in the way of Rapha in the magazine world. To start with there is a great interview with Rapha North America's General Manager Slate Olson in the first issue of the new cycling publication Pel...

Janz Berlin war eene Wolke

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:18:16 +0000

Villa Pasculliww.pasculli.de in Berlin was the setting for the launch of Rapha’s first retail co-operation on mainland Europe last Thursday night. Attended by more than 200 friends of both Rapha and Pasculli from the Berlin area– although spec...

Photo Winner #6

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:01:56 +0000

It should be noted that this is the second time Jessica Heenan (Head Honcho for Mywifeinc Cyclocross Incwicross.com/) has won the Rapha-FOCUSapha-focus.cx/ cross competition. This should go down in the record books to say that she is right there, rea...

Illuminations

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:41:22 +0000

Riding at night. The clocks have gone back in the Northern Hemisphere and the evening commute is made in the dark, after-work training rides under twilight. Lights at night appeal to the senses (emotional and visual). Perhaps a basic human instin...

So.Cal Shooting Range

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 18:38:51 +0000

A week in November. LAX to Sunset Boulevard. Santa Monica to Joshua Tree National Park. Rapha's SS11 photo shoot. ~These images © Slate Olson~...

The Peloton: L'ARRIVÉE

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 08:29:05 +0000

~© Timm Kölln~ The Peloton, Timm Kölln’s masterful new book capturing portraits of an entire generation of professional cyclists, launched in Berlin at Villa Pasculli last week. Roger Hammond, Charly Wegelius and Mathew Hayman gave us thei...

Photo Winner #6 - Another Vote

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:11:24 +0000

Selection A Racing in Fort Collins looked to be a cold affair. Maybe not so much as the Cyclocross scene in Minnesotaww.rapha.cc/cyclocross-in-minnesota, but still cold nonetheless. It looks as though Jones went with the embrocationww.rapha.cc/ra...

L'Étape du Tour 2011: A double act

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:33:14 +0000

For 2011 A.S.O. offer two routes to give even more riders the chance to enjoy the Tour de France experience. Rapha will also be on board to help you enjoy a memorable Étape journey. Stay alert for further info. On Monday 11th July a 109km rou...

Photo Winner #5

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:37:23 +0000

Photo by Josh Caffrey E" seems to be the lucky letter once again as Josh Caffrey takes the win and the "Rapha-FOCUS Capww.rapha.cc/raphafocus-cap/ this time around. His black and white photo from the previous weekends racing in LA's Griffith Park ...

Cyclocross in Minnesota

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:22:51 +0000

~© David Hastert~ ~WORDS: Derrick Lewis~ Cyclocrossww.rapha.cc/shop/cyclocross is hard enough, add to it regular Minnesota weather and it is plain ridiculous. That didn't stop our new cross team here in MPLS at the State Championship race this...

Set in Stone

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:50:04 +0000

Camille J. McMillan It has been my not inconsiderable pleasure this week to proof read the second edition of Le Metier, Michael Barry and Camille J. McMillan’s splendid book published earlier this year by Rouleur. The new, updated version – wi...

Ich bin ein Berliner

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 22:53:43 +0000

Rapha have been busy this week preparing for the first Rapha retail co-operation on mainland Europe. Scene for this Thursday’s opening is the spectacular Villa Pasculliww.pasculli.de/ in downtown Berlin where we’re proud to also host the launch o...

Photo Winner #5 - again to a vote

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 08:20:18 +0000

Selection A This past weekend the racing continued in Southern California with Dorthy Wong's SoCalCrossocalcross.org/ two days of great racing at Griffith Park in Los Angeles. The dry racing was fast and hot this time around and offered little in...

The Lure of the Small Chainring

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:29:30 +0000

Can it really be an end-of-season wind-down if there wasn’t really a season to speak of? Aside from a couple of cyclosportives during the summer, there was no regular racing. No club meets. No weekly time trials. There hasn’t been for years. T...

Herne Hill Velodrome

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 10:31:20 +0000

~Dennis Talbot and Reg Harris circa 1951~ Cycle tracks will abound in Utopia ~- H.G. Wells~ The Herne Hill Velodrome in Dulwich is currently the only working track in London and is the oldest cycling track in the country. Built in 1891, the tr...

Internet Week Bike Ride: 11.11.10

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:18:37 +0000

On Thursday November 11th Poke Londonwbikeride.tumblr.com/, in association with Rapha and Channel 4, will be hosting a ride to some of the best locations of Internet Week Europe around the city of London.   The highlight will be finishing the ri...

Feeling lucky?

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 22:06:26 +0000

In case you haven't heard, Portland, Oregon is a great city to be a cyclist. It's a constant point of discussion with other cycling cities in the U.S., but if you spend some time here, it is pretty easy to fall under Portland's charm as a rider. A bi...

Rouleur Annual 2010 | A First Look

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:05:32 +0000

~Olaf Unverzart went to the Giro to capture Ivan Basso parting a sea of humanity en route to victory~ The 2010 Rouleur photography annual is off to the printers this week and we have to say it is the best yet. Here’s a little taster of what is i...

Rapha & RSA Films at Sable & Argent

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 07:44:14 +0000

Rapha and Sydney stockist, Sable & Argentww.sableandargent.com.au//apparel/bicycle/27, recently held a screening of the three short filmsrsa-films made in collaboration with Ridley Scott Associates. Dozens brought intense interest with them for w...

Finding Fausto

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 12:53:09 +0000

A big thank you to everyone who supplied feedback, suggestions, and bug findings on the Rapha Rendezvous iPhone apptunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=398337803&mt=8 released last week. The rumours that Fausto might actually...

Photo Winner #4

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:30:27 +0000

And the win goes to Tyler Hardie from Pearl Veloearlvelo.com/PearlVelov2.0/Home.html this week. Great little collection from the racing in Colorado. Seems like dry conditions (a water bottle?) have been the status quo thus far. Next month the USGPww....

Rapha Randonnées: A Day in the Life

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:38:14 +0000

The Fiat 500, my downsized rental vehicle, sat in bay 054 at Toulouse airport grinning. With cargo of a bike box, backpack and hold-all of Rapha products I was doubtful. After several struggles to fit the box inside this tiny car via different angles...

Photo Winner #3

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 21:05:22 +0100

And the winner is — for the second week in a row — Greg Hudson. We were thinking that it might have been A, but in the end the mud won out. The worm's eye view in contrast with the blue skies (really it alternated between rain and sunshine for mo...

Nobeyama Cyclocross Race

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:49:11 +0100

Rapha presents the Nobeyama Cyclocross Race on Sunday 31 Oct. Located at an elevation of 1375m (4500 ft), Nobeyama is the highest village in Japan. It has the highest train station, kindergarden, schools, and of course bike shop, Yatsugatake Bicycle ...

The Peloton: Le Temps Perdu

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:06:28 +0100

Throughout the spring and summer, a print-out of a spreadsheet had a space on the wall of the Rouleur office between the prints and posters more obviously dedicated to possibly relevant things (at the office of a cycling magazine, I mean) like bikes ...

Photo Winner #3 - It is Up to You

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:27:06 +0100

Selection A Here are a few photos that I received from the weekend. We decided that it would be best if you decide. The people (may the cycling gods bless them) who sent over the photos were some of the ones from previous weeks. Others were profes...

Final Week - Cross Competition

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 23:46:50 +0100

This week marks the closing days for the Cross Competitioncross-competition. While at Interbike last month in Las Vegas we got to see the rollout of the special color scheme that FOCUS put together just for rider Chris Jones. Jones and McDonald raced...

Stay Classy, San Diego

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:09:23 +0100

WORDS & PHOTOS: Kansas Waughww.rapha.cc/kansas-waugh Wedding weekends are guaranteed fun. If you're not having a blast at one moment on the trip, you definitely will later. Sometimes you're lucky enough to be celebrating loved ones with lots o...

Rendezvous

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:57:22 +0100

We all know the problem. Organising a ride with friends. Or maybe not friends, more likely adversarial training partners, or perhaps someone you have never ridden with before. Arranging meeting for a ride can be a thankless task spread over a multitu...

Levi's GranFondo

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:55:41 +0100

Anyone out there a skateboarding fan? I know that we have more than a few customers that have come from the sport. Aging superstars in their own rights. We might even go so far as to consider the Rapha Continental somewhat of a tongue in cheek play o...

Reasons to be Cheerful

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 20:11:26 +0100

photo by jtred23ww.flickr.com/photos/jtred23/ Still mourning the last sun of summer? Bemoaning the passing of long, hot days, and five-hour rides stretching long into the evening? (The British reader may be struggling to recall any long, hot rides...

Photo Winner #2

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 22:51:07 +0100

Portland's own Greg Hudson (Corsa Conceptsww.corsaconcepts.com/journal/ creator) came away with the prize this week. We recognize that neither Chris nor Zach did any racing this past weekend but that does not mean that we were not out there. A little...

You don't know what you've got...

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 22:32:07 +0100

About forty-five minutes into my cyclocross race this past Sunday I looked down at my legs in pain and yearned for a feeling that I had just four short weeks ago. You see, a month ago when I stepped off my BMC in the middle of Ascoli Piceno on that l...

Slow Cycling

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 15:05:19 +0100

The idea came, as most of the best ideas do, during a pub conversation. Present were the editor, Rouleur photographer Ben Ingham and myself. Alcohol had been consumed, admittedly, so when we struck upon The Big Idea, it hit us as a stroke of genius, ...

On The Road with DC

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 21:34:29 +0100

Video pal Dave Christenson is out on the road again with Apolisww.apolisactivism.com/journal/travel-vietnam-expedition-day-twelve/ This time their wild and crazy adventures have taken them to Vietnam. Where it looks like in-between video takes Mr. Ch...

Photo Winner #1

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 22:34:00 +0100

Jessica Heenan from Madison, Wisconsin is the current winner of the Rapha-FOCUSapha-focus.cx/ team cap. She submitted her awesome photos late last night and since she just barely snuck under the time gap, we thought it best to go with her. Keep an ey...

Rapha @ Bicycle Film Festival: 17.10.10

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:39:59 +0100

The 10th annual Bicycle Film Festivalww.bicyclefilmfestival.com/london/ opens at the Barbican in London tomorrow night and Rapha are again sponsoring the celluloid showcase of bicycle sport and culture. Also, the Rapha and RSA Films productions will ...

Calling all (Amateur) Cross Photographers

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:29:23 +0100

photos by Max Ralph Seeing as how we cannot be at every race around the country we here at Rapha North America are asking for your help. With the Cyclocross season officially underway the Rapha-FOCUSapha-focus.cx/ gents have been out on the course...

Rouleur 20: Farewell to Perren St.

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:02:48 +0100

ouleur.cc/issue-20 We couldn’t let the twentieth edition of the magazine pass by without marking several milestones in Rouleur’s short but celebrated lifetime. Riders take a back seat for once as we celebrate the art of the bicycle, with le...

Rapha Cooks: Chorizo with Chickpeas

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 18:24:18 +0100

Photos and Recipe by Matt Card Better Living Through Cured Pork Running so late in the calendar—and dovetailing with another highly anticipated season here in Portland (which seems to start earlier and earlier each year), I had a hard time mu...

A Weekend of Racing

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 22:19:34 +0100

The racing was hot all over the United States this past weekend. While the "Rapha+FOCUSapha-focus....

White Socks

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:42:11 +0100

Charles Pelissier (pictured above), younger sibling of the rebellious Henri And Francis Pelissier, did not possess the natural racing ability of his older brothers. However, whilst Henri and Francis made their name with athletic prowess and outspoken...

The Ride Before The Ride

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 02:01:02 +0100

This summer the Rapha Continental has been attending a handful of organized rides and events and last weekend we rode the Oregon EchelonFondoww.echelongranfondo.org/portland/index.html. A ride that is close to home, Hood River, OR, and a ride that wo...

Hill Climb Sunday: 10.10.10

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 11:42:50 +0100

The hill climb is a distinctly British peculiarity, perhaps even more clandestine and bizarre than the traditional time trials that still thrive along A-roads of the UK. It’s a specialist event, a subgenre of an already niche corner of cycle racing...

Rapha Condor win Club Title

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 10:25:23 +0100

Rapha Condor's women took home the top club prize at the LWCRww.londonwomenscycleracing.com/ (London Women's Cycle Racing League). Finishing atop the league with 796 points, the girls received their medals at a prize giving at London's Look Mum No Ha...

On Skincare

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:47:15 +0100

Let us be honest for a minute here. Cyclists have a lot of routines. As a cyclist, it works well to figure out which ones work best for you and then start to add your own adjustments and refinements as you see fit. These could include the way that yo...

Yorkshire Torture

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:33:24 +0100

A surreal sight caught my attention on the final run-in of the Three Peaks 2010, the ridiculously hard cyclocross race for people who don’t mind carrying bikes up mountains in Yorkshire. I realise that any rider with serious intentions would hav...

Cycle Oregon: Golden Rollers

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:45:09 +0100

Photographs: Jake Stangel & Brian Vernor I'veww.rapha.cc/carey-sh been living in Oregon for 2+ years now, Hott Samww.rapha.cc/samuel-richardson grew up here, Hahnww.rapha.cc/hahn-rossman & Aaronww.rapha.cc/aaron-erbeck only live 2 hours aw...

Team Rapha-FOCUS On the Road

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 02:15:10 +0100

Pack the bikes, pack the kit, make the flight. Travel from one venue to the next. Unpack the bikes, unpack the kit. Dirty them both to what looks like beyond repair. Clean it all then pack it all away again. Travel to the next venue. Do it all over a...

Interbike 2010: Rapha-FOCUS Cross Team

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 21:40:53 +0100

The time spent at Interbike this year was a good one. The LAZERww.lazersport.com/ crew looked great all decked out in their Blue Short Sleeve Shirtsww.rapha.cc/short-sleeve-shirt. But Chris Jones and Zach McDonald were the stars of the show as they a...

Rapha Cent Cols: The Alps. Stages 6-10

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:15:58 +0100

~WORDS: Phil Deeker PHOTOS: Claire Deeker~ Stage 6: Everyone came in after this stage agreeing that it had been the most scenic yet. It had started with the tranquil Col de Vence before setting off along the backroads of the Maritime Alps that...

Hills and Trenches

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:23:23 +0100

My personal cyclocross debut is stored in the memory banks on a short list of awful experiences on a bicycle. Held on sodden, claggy, clay-rich farmland in Wiltshire, the parcours of tractor tyre ruts, cow hoof imprints and watered-down slurry, inter...

Interbike 2010: Cross Vegas

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 03:20:27 +0100

Photos by Dan Sharp The time has come. Each year the Start of the Cyclocross Season" is a hotly contested battle. One party, usually from the East Coast says that it happens with the kick off of the "Verge New England Seriesww.cycle-smart.com/eve...

Rapha Cent Cols: The Alps (Continued)

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:41:18 +0100

WORDS & PHOTOS: Phil Deekerww.rapha.cc/an-interview-with-phil-deeker Stage 2: Weather spoilt us deservedly after last year as all riders (bar 75 yr old Keith who packed this morning and went home) arrived tired but proud in Briancon after 5...

The Art of Britain's Bespoke Bicycle

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 22:59:28 +0100

Tuesday evening saw the opening of a new exhibit in our gallery. Entitled ‘Speed, Style & Comfort: The Art of Britain's Bespoke Bicycle”, the show features vintage bikes from the collection of Michael Lebron. With selections from P.T. Stall...

Rapha Randonnée Appennini Report, Days 3-5

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 22:20:10 +0100

I do my best to not make excuses as I go through my days. As I've shared with my global band of merry men on this trip, there is an American saying about excuses that I learned growing up, "excuses are like….., and everybody's got one." Still, I do...

Tour of Britain 2010 Part IV

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:39:09 +0100

photo by Cheryl Kingww.flickr.com/photos/ckingimages WORDS: Dan Craven ToB Stage 5 Waking heart rate: horrendous. I'm a cyclist, I can't count that fast anymore. Alarm wakes me from a deep slumber at seven. Roll over. Groan. Big sigh! ...

It's a Knockout!

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:25:27 +0100

Race 2007 World Cyclocross Championships Cast • Sven Nys – The favourite, yet again, having dominated all season. Yet something always seems to go awry come the championships. This time, surely… • Bart Wellens – Drop-kicking bad-boy ...

Tour of Britain 2010 Part III

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:25:12 +0100

photo by britishcycling.org.ukww.britishcycling.org.uk/ WORDS: Dan Craven ToB Stage 4 Waking heart rate 63 (old stopwatch method again, but yes, that is creeping up far too much for my liking). Lose one minute and it upsets me. Lose 26 a...

Rapha Cent Cols: The Alps

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:11:18 +0100

WORDS: Phil Deeker Stage one of the Rapha CCC Alpsww.rapha.cc/cent-cols-challenge ridden by all. Some fast riders at front, setting a fierce pace. Interesting to see if they are still this competitive in eight days time. Some stragglers at the bac...

Tour of Britain 2010 Part II

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:02:39 +0100

Dan Cravenwitter.com/Danfromnam drops us more words from inside the Tour of Britain as he continues to impress on the road. WORDS: Dan Craven PHOTOS: Cheryl Kingww.flickr.com/photos/ckingimages/ ToB Stage 3 Waking heart rate: 56 (using a G...

Rapha Roller Race: Melbourne

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 05:21:23 +0100

WORDS: Wade Wallace PHOTOS: Matt Myersww.visualdistortion.com.au~ Last Thursday evening Rapha and Northside Wheelersww.northsidewheelers.com/ introduced the new women's clothing range to Melbourne. We teamed up with Wattbike to add some excit...

Rapha Randonnée Appennini Report, Day Two

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 22:18:20 +0100

A short memory is something that benefits a cyclist. I am not suggesting that we want to forget about the great rides, time spent with friends, or the beautiful places that we experience on the bike. Only recognizing that by the time you finish a fiv...

Tour of Britain 2010 Part I

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:50:03 +0100

Dan Craven, Rapha Condor Sharp's Namibian powerhouse, writes from the 2010 Tour of Britain. WORDS: Dan Craven PHOTOS: Gavin Campbellww.flickr.com/photos/35916570@N04/ ToB Stage 1 Waking heart rate: 52 (nerves?) Rapha Condor Sharp’s (sp...

Rapha Randonnée Appennini, Report One

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 23:03:16 +0100

Ian Holt, the owner and today's ride leader from La Fugaafuga.cc/ swears that the first 'stage' that we completed tonight was the most difficult of the week. The longest day and with the steepest climb, the San Pelligrino, where there are two section...

Rapha Rides Monti Pallidi

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:00:01 +0100

...

Wheels of Fortune

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:21:44 +0100

Should you find yourself in Belgium next Spring with a few hours to spare, you are well advised to drop in at the Tour of Flanders Museum in Oudenaarde. And whilst deeply engrossed in the Ronde-related vintage bikes, jerseys and ephemera, your attent...

Photo Prints from the Cycle Club

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:17:47 +0100

Photographers Dan Sharpww.danielsharpphoto.com/ and Chris Millimanhrismilliman.com/ have lent their expertise to the Rapha Continental project for the past few years. Their respective styles of documentation have helped to shape and grow what we know...

Rapha Autumn/Winter 2010

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:56:06 +0100

Make sure you visit "Rapha.ccww.rapha.cc/ this Friday 10th September to ta...

Velodrome Style

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:58:01 +0100

New Season Products

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:15:17 +0100

Rapha's latest range brings new innovations, updated classics and reworked favourites. Each product has been created specifically for male and female road cyclists and developed with meticulous attention to detail. Using the finest components and sta...

Laurent Fignon

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:26:57 +0100

The Vuelta, 1983, and pre-race favourite Bernard Hinault is struggling with crippling knee pain, all the while maintaining a mask of normality to the opposition. Renault team director Cyrille Guimard calls on second year professional Laurent Fignon t...

Back in New England: D2R2

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:53:53 +0100

words by Tony Pereiraww.rapha.cc/tony-pereira-1 photos by Brian Vernorrianvernor.com/home.html I grew up riding my BMX bike on fire roads and trails in New England which quickly turned into mountain biking. Now, I don't know if you know this, bu...

Mr. Goodwrench at the NYC Cycle Club

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:15:21 +0100

Last Thursday night, the Rapha Cycle Club NYC hosted a unique event to highlight the unsung work of the New York City bicycle mechanic. More often than not, a mechanic's work is a mystery - we drop off our bikes, pick them up, and they are magically ...

Rapha CCC Recce: Pyrenees Part III

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:11:35 +0100

Phil Deeker concludes his reporting on the reconnaissance of the 2010 Rapha Cent Cols Challenge in the Pyrenees. I write this back in my Belgian hills, just a day after we cracked open a bottle of champagne in Rivesaltes. Already it now seems like...

Au Revoir

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:56:10 +0100

Rapha Cycle Club London's H-Van exits the building in Clerkenwell. Where next?… Stay tuned. Don't forget Cycle Club NYCww.rapha.cc/nyc is still open for business until the end of September....

Vuelta a España 1985

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:52:25 +0100

“Nobody would ride. They preferred to see me lose and a Spaniard win.” - Robert Millar A lead of over six minutes over a former trainee nurse by the name of Pedro Delgado on the penultimate day of the 1985 Vuelta evaporated for Robert Millar ...

Thursday Night at the NYC Cycle Club

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:41:40 +0100

...

Rapha CCC Recce: Pyrenees Part II

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:57:56 +0100

Phil Deeker has sent a follow up report on the reconnaissance of the 2010 Rapha Cent Cols Challenge in the Pyrenees. 5 out of 10 stages ridden and we have already climbed as much as most Pyrenean Raids do over 10 days. 24,500m Up. Yesterday offici...

Continental Partners: Continental Tires

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:55:23 +0100

What is the one thing that you do not want to worry about when you are des...

Deano Lights Up Blackpool

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:47:29 +0100

Master of the circuit race Dean Downing finally bagged himself a Nocturne Series victory on Saturday evening. After coming close on countless occasions in the twilight criteriums, the man from Yorkshire lit up the new circuit in Blackpool to take the...

Kissing with Helmets

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:52:07 +0100

Last Saturday our good friends Edie Perkins and Brett Cleaver (who worked at the NYC Cycle Clubww.rapha.cc/nyc and races for Rapha Racing NYCww.rapha.cc/rapha-racing-new-york-city) said their vows, exchanged rings and sealed it with a kiss. They then...

Rapha CCC Recce: The Pyrenees

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:42:07 +0100

ww.centcolschallenge.com/ Phil Deeker and six other riders, including Rapha's Ultan Coylewitter.com/RaphaCCC, are currently scouting the route for the Pyrenean version of the Rapha Cent Cols Challengeww.rapha.cc/cent-cols-challenge. Phil sent this...

Two Broad Arrows

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:20:34 +0100

ww.rapha.cc/ The second of our trio of films made in conjunction with RSA takes inspiration from Irish racing legend Sean Kelly. Two Broad Arrowsww.rapha.cc/, a coming of age story, was written and directed by Adrian Moat who discusses his film be...

BIKESNOB NYC KNOWS EPIC

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:56:27 +0100

There is a line in The Godfather, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer", and we have to admit that Michael Corleone may have been on our minds as the date approached for the BikeSnob NYC to give a presentation at the Rapha Cycle Club. W...

Newton Steps out on a High

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:54:13 +0100

Chris Newton has announced he is retiring from professional racing on both road and track and will be joining the coaching staff at the Great Britain Cycling Team. Chris has won medals at the last three Olympic Games and the last two Commonwealth Gam...

A SATURDAY IN HELL

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:03:19 +0100

I truly did not believe that the Northwest Gentlemen's Race course this year was as difficult as past editions when I set the day. With the heat, the wind and the sharp stones, it was reported to be the most difficult day on the bike many had experie...

A Throw of The Dice

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:18:44 +0100

Today is the first of three Friday films inspired by the stories of the 2010 Club Jerseysww.rapha.cc/club-jersey-2010/. 'A Throw of The Dice' from acclaimed RSA Films director Nick Livesey is the story of Johan Museeuw and Paris-Roubaix. As a...

Sprinting for Signs

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:47:26 +0100

This x-ray shows the broken collar bone of Mr. Derrick Lewis. Rapha's New York agent. Derrick explains below: The standard training route for all New Yorkers involves crossing the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey to head north on lightly u...

Hidden Strength

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:30:39 +0100

Beautiful Machines | A Century of Bikes

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:36:10 +0100

Rapha Cycle Club Londonww.rapha.cc/london is currently hosting an exhibition of 12 road machines from the last 110 years of cycle racing. From early 20th century fixed-wheel racers to the latest carbon technology, Beautiful Machines showcases the his...

Stage 17: Pau – Col du Tourmalet

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:46:05 +0100

~© Janet Pearch Photography~ A beastly final mountain stage today, culminating with the legendary Col du Tourmalet. The mountain has inspired many stories from the 74 (as of stage 16) occasions it has featured on the Tour route, none better than ...

Lying to Yourself

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:52:41 +0100

Photos by: Dan Sharpww.danielsharpphoto.com/ Thoughts by: Joe Staplesww.rapha.cc/joe-staples Below, is a 15 second segment of a 17 minute thought process I had as I rode with Jeremyww.rapha.cc/jeremy-dunn up Saltzman, a gravel climb just outside...

Book Tour de Lance

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:09:00 +0100

Since the start of the 2010 Tour de France on Saturday July 3rd, the Cycle Club NYCww.rapha.cc/cycle-club/ has been the place to watch all the race action play out. In fact, there have been reports that the Club is the only place in New York City sho...

100 Years of the Pyrenees

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:40:18 +0100

2010 marks the centenary of the Pyrenees mountains' inclusion in the Tour de France. It was on the 19th July 1910 that the first Tour stage scaled legendary climbs such as the Col d'Aubisque, Peyresourde and the Tourmalet. 'Giants of the road' - ride...

The 1910 Challenge Movie

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:32:54 +0100

ww.rapha.cc/1910-challenge-movie Rapha presents the full-length version of the 1910 Challenge movie. Click on the image to view the incredible journey taken by four Rapha riders on June 9th 2010. Also viewable in HD....

Mountain Sensations

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:26:37 +0100

So we head for the Pyrenees this weekend and a much-anticipated showdown between Contador and Schleck. Will they be listening to the buzzing in their ears coming from the team car, or using their initiative to crack their opponents? To quote maverick...

Rapha at Étape du Tour 2010

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:47:29 +0100

~© Janet Pearch Photography~ Good luck to every rider about to embark on what is surely one of the most epic Étape routes to date. Etapistes will be scaling the punishing gradients of the Marie Blanque, the Col du Soulor and the Giant of the Pyr...

Freedom

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:16:38 +0100

it is that I miss so much when I am stuck here, unable to ride my bike. Even as I currently am, reduced to short, elbow-aggravating sorties every other day. Most bike riders, I think, would suggest at these times that they miss the buzz of exerci...

Roger Rivière

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:44:03 +0100

Roger Rivière started his career in the velodrome. In 1955 he beat Jacques Anquetil in the national pursuit championship at the Parc des Princes. Two years later, after winning the world pursuit title, he turned pro for St. Raphaël, riding with the...

A Real Climber's Prize

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 04:53:41 +0100

I'm sure there is some organization that tracks these statistics, but if I had to take a guess I'd venture that 99 percent of grooms arrive at their wedding in a car. However, if you're Zack Vestal and you live in Boulder, CO where you happen to be a...

Gentlemen's Time Trial: The Film

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:09:52 +0100

Night of the Living Dude

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 08:50:21 +0100

Whilst being sponsored by two lead supporters (and the creators) of the Nocturne Series, a win at these events has eluded the Rapha Condor Sharp boys since its 2007 inception. This weekend changed all of that, with a phenomenal win by Kristian House ...

Stage 3: Wanze – Arenberg

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:54:51 +0100

ATMO (According To Mike's Opinion)

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:07:23 +0100

Unless you have been to the London or New York Cycle Club, you probably would not be aware that we are publishing opinion of the racing and riders each day throughout the Tour de France. James, in the LDN Club warmed up with the Giro and now both Cyc...

Stage 2: Belgian Pot-Boiler

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:54:00 +0100

Stage 2: Brussels – Spa Commercially-sponsored teams competed for the first time in 1962, with Jacques Anquetil expected to share leaders duties with German Rudi Altig for the St. Raphaël team, much to the Frenchman’s annoyance. Altig took th...

Mad Dogs and Mayhem

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 11:37:56 +0100

NYC Cycle Club Launch

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 20:08:56 +0100

On a beautiful July evening in New York a couple hundred friends, customers, and fans of cycling opened the Rapha Cycle Club at 352 Bowery. With a steady supply of Stella Artois, free cups of Stumptown being served by Third Rail Coffeeww.thirdrailcof...

AW10 Photo Shoot

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:17:59 +0100

~© Ben Ingham~ Staying at an altitude of 2200m. 5 riders. Extremely challenging climbs in hard man gearing (39 x 23). Weather is sufficiently bad (Below 5°C at times). Kit for men and women looking superb. More news soon....

Tour de France 2010

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:18:20 +0100

From the cobbles of Belgium to the loftiest peaks of the Pyrenees, this year’s Tour de France looks to be as gruelling and intriguing as ever. With expectations of Team Sky and Bradley Wiggins high, Armstrong approaching his final ever Tour, the Sc...

Postcards From the Rockies

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 01:29:10 +0100

Photos by Dan Sharp Each of Dan Sharp's photos look as though they could be postcards from Ride the Rockies. While the cruising through Colorado may be over for the moment, the love for this great state need not stop. With an extra day the Rapha C...

Gentlemen's Time Trial 2010

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:27:24 +0100

A fortnight ago the inaugural Rapha Gentlemen's Time Trial took place from London-Brighton-London. Based on the Rapha Gentlemen's Racesww.rapha.cc/gentlemens-race-new-paltz-ny established in the USA, this was a ride untypical of the more traditional ...

Tourmalet Exhibition

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:29:25 +0100

Rapha Cycle Club LDNww.rapha.cc/london is currently running an exhibition celebrating the centenary of the Col du Tourmalet. On 21st July 1910, Stage 10 of the Tour travelled over the Col du Tourmalet for the first time. It was Alphonse Steinès,...

The Broom Wagon Has Landed

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:15:57 +0100

Words and Photos by Mike Spriggs While it doesn't make for a good spy novel title, for us this is nearly as exciting. Over the past few weeks, we have tracked the progress of our Citroën H-Van - the centerpiece of the Rapha Cycle Clubww.rapha.cc/...

Harpoon B2B

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:30:24 +0100

Photos by Chris Milliman While a group of the Continental riders were tackling the high hills of the West during the the Ride the Rockies, another group of like minded individuals took to the East Coast for the Harpoon Brewery to Breweryww.harpoo...

Thank You Rockies

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:11:43 +0100

Photos by Dan Sharp Words by Joe Staples and Carey SH Where to start? We could talk about how we rode 55miles of gravel when none were on the route. We could talk about how the day was supposed to be 84 miles but turned out to be 104. In all ...

Altitude

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:45:33 +0100

Photos by Dan Sharp Thoughts on Altitude from Rapha Continental riders Joe Staples, James Selman, Steve Francisco and Ben Lieberson during their week-long assault on Colorado during Ride the Rockies. From Joe: Asthma is an easy thing to explai...

Riding With Wayne

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:29:09 +0100

Photos by Dan Sharp Words by Joe Staples Two days ago we, the Rapha Continental, did 95 miles, with 10,000ft ft climbing including a single 20 mile ascent that topped out at 10,800ft. It was the second day of Ride the Rockiesww.ridetherockies.com...

Passo de Larch

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:25:34 +0100

Never have I been so cold in my entire life." I remember thinking this as I headed back down to the base of Larch Mountain. Then, as I gripped the top-tube of my quaking bike with my legs I thought to myself. "Oh wait, this is exactly what this desce...

Rapha Cooks: Tuna

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:07:11 +0100

Words and Photos by Matt Card If you’re lucky summer has settled in where you live and the after-work hours are filled with evening rides and training races. With so much time in the saddle, it’s hard to want to spend more than the barest mini...

Team Issue Rain Jacket

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:05:25 +0100

ww.rapha.cc/team-issue-rain-jacket-1/ The rest of the United States can look away. This does not pertain to you. Enjoy your sunny summer riding. Sometimes people say that they do not want to visit here because it rains all the time in Portland....

The 1910 Ride: 9th June 2010

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:50:32 +0100

~Rolling out at dawn~ Celebrating 100 years of cyclists defying the laws of gravity and conquering the mountains, the 1910 Rideww.rapha.cc/the-1910-ride took place yesterday in the Pyrenees. Our four intrepid riders set off before day break from B...

The Rapha Continental Summer Season

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:26:20 +0100

These are the faces of the Rapha Continentalww.rapha.cc/rapha-continental. Each Tuesday from now through the end of the Summer you will see stories, photos, and musings from these characters. There have been some changes afoot over on the Continental...

Fireflies + Colnago

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:17:37 +0100

This Summer the Firefliesww.thefirefliestour.com/ celebrate their 10th anniversary and to mark the occasion a limited run of custom Colnago Master X-Lights and EPS frames have been constructed. Rapha Cycle Clubww.rapha.cc/cycle-club/ hosted the arriv...

The 1910 Ride

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:44:27 +0100

Rapha are celebrating the centenary of the Col du Tourmalet’s first inclusion in the Tour de France with a tribute challenge, the 1910 ride. Here Phil Deeker, one of the quartet riding the event, explains what lies ahead and how he's prepared for ...

Étape Recce 2010

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:07:27 +0100

Rapha's Étape du Tour reconnaissance took place last week. The Étape, the amateur cyclist's chance to fulfill (or shatter) their Tour de France fantasies, will in 2010 celebrate 100 years of the Col du Tourmalet's looming presence in the history of...

The Alice Awards

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:21:34 +0100

When the summer months hit here in Portland the bike events start to pick up with a fervor like nothing you have seen before. This weekend could be the official kick off event with the 15th Annual Alice Awardsww.bta4bikes.org/alice/ presented by the ...

Cycle Club through a lens

Sat, 29 May 2010 11:08:17 +0100

Or through a monocle to be precise. One of Rapha's favourite magazines, Monocleww.monocle.com/, now has a video report on the Rapha Cycle Clubww.rapha.cc/london on London's Clerkenwell Road. See it here »ww.monocle.com/sections/business/Web-Articl...

Rapha Gentleman's Race: East Coast

Thu, 27 May 2010 06:34:42 +0100

Photos by Jesse Burke During the height of the summer of 2008, the Rapha Continental did what turned out to be a hellishly beautiful ride in the hills surrounding Litchfield, Connecticut.ww.rapha.cc/litchfield Little did we know that these same hi...

Coffee Van

Wed, 26 May 2010 16:28:29 +0100

Last night marked the unveiling of the newly refurbished Rapha Voiture Balai, otherwise known as the Citroen H-Van. Working in partnership with Bean About Townww.beanabouttown.com/ the van is now equipped with a fully functioning espresso bar, servi...

The Dude wins stage 6 of the Tour of Japan

Sat, 22 May 2010 10:15:52 +0100

Kristian House, The Dude, has won stage 6 of the 2010 Tour of Japan. Taking advantage of Darren Lapthorne's tactical sacrifice at the front for much of the race, The Dude then dropped everyone for a solo win. Banzai/content/uploads/AN7E8368.jpg...

You can still call him "Mr. Snob"

Fri, 21 May 2010 21:13:17 +0100

In case you missed it, the BikeSnobNYCikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/ has come out of protective custody and declared that he is not a snob at all. He's Eben Weiss, a born and bred New Yorker who just happens to be blessed by living in a city that leaves hi...

Randonnée Appennini Uno

Fri, 21 May 2010 12:49:40 +0100

The first Randonnée Appennini took place between the 1st and 8th May and looks to have been an epic (yes, I used that word again) adventure. Whilst the weather was clearly challenging at times, the Italian landscape speaks for itself. Congratulation...

Giro d'Italia 1969

Thu, 20 May 2010 18:02:28 +0100

Vintage poster depicting the 1969 Giro. Not entirely sure where this originated from but the dotted lines around each rider/character suggest it was some kind of pull-out poster for children (or nostalgic road-racing fans). Felice Gimondi, riding for...

Tour of Japan in Pictures

Tue, 18 May 2010 15:38:42 +0100

~© Shuhei Takenouchi~ Plenty more photography of Rapha Condor Sharp at the Tour of Japan on the Rapha Flickr albumww.flickr.com/photos/raphacc/. On stage three of the race Zak Dempster finished 2nd and Darren 'Lappers' Lapthorne is still sitti...

Rapha Condor Summer Race Series

Tue, 18 May 2010 11:08:28 +0100

~Photos Laura Fletcher~ I turned up to the first of the summer’s Rapha Condor race meetings as the Rapha H van was unfurling. It had somehow made it to the race without breaking down, probably due to some creative engine-cooling methods develope...

BESPOKE. May 12, 2010. New York City.

Tue, 18 May 2010 02:32:20 +0100

We are fortunate here in Portland, OR to have a thriving community of some really interesting and capable manipulators of steel, shape and speed. But, I imagine that if we were to do a clean extract of the Portland builders scene and drop it on the e...

Rapha Condor Sharp: Tour of Japan

Mon, 17 May 2010 12:07:53 +0100

~Photography © Shuhei Takenouchi~ The boys in black are currently racing at the 14th edition of the Tour of Japan. Hot off the heels of an extended visit to the USA and some well-earned domestic successes at the Lincoln GP and Shay Elliott Memori...

Fausto Coppi and Plenty of Coffee

Fri, 14 May 2010 12:12:38 +0100

The Giro d'Italia, Fausto Coppi and coffee. That is the week we've had here in London. Last night we launched a month-long exhibition celebrating Il Campionissimo, the greatest cyclist of the post-war era. Downstairs at the Rapha Cycle Clubww....

Within Rouleur Seventeen

Fri, 14 May 2010 02:44:30 +0100

photos by Dan Sharp The most recent issue of Rouleurouleur.cc/ contains two different views from inside the European pro peloton. The first, from Rapha Condor Sharp's own Tom Southamww.raphacondor.cc/riders-and-staff/tom-southam tells the tale of ...

Shay Elliott

Wed, 12 May 2010 13:05:50 +0100

The Shay Elliott Memorial Road Race is run every year in Ireland in honour of Shay Elliott, the first Irishman to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France. Rapha Condor Sharp took all three podium places at the 2010 edition of the prestigious rac...

Rapha Continental: Summer Season

Tue, 11 May 2010 21:52:50 +0100

Each new year for the Rapha Continental has been a little bit different. When the Continental started it was simply a bunch of friends doing rides out of their collective hometown of Portland, Oregon. The project evolved and grew a bit to incorporate...

Rapha Condor Sharp ride the Tour of Japan

Tue, 11 May 2010 09:47:47 +0100

Rapha Condor Sharp will debut in The Land of the Rising Sun to test their legs at the 14th Tour of Japan. The race will start in Sakai, Osaka, just a few blocks from the Shimano headquarters and where team sponsor, Sharp, have just opened their large...

Newton Wins Lincoln GP in Style

Mon, 10 May 2010 11:31:17 +0100

~© Cheryl King~ Chris Newton danced away on the final climb of the Lincoln Grand Prix to win the prestigious event for the second time in his career. A race that is always hotly contested by riders from home and abroad, the Lincoln GP is arguably...

Rapha Sounds: The Giro

Fri, 07 May 2010 12:25:20 +0100

The Old Lady

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:37:58 +0100

No, that's not a derogatory term for Bernard Hinault, although he did win La Doyenne twice. The 'Old Lady', Liège-Bastogne-Liège, is the oldest Classic in cycle racing and, presumably, when you've completed all 260km of this tough Monument, you pro...

The Duke in New York City

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:05:12 +0100

Photo by Dan Sharp This fresh faced young man is known as Dean 'the Duke' Windsor.ww.raphacondor.cc/riders-and-staff/dean-windsor The Australian moved over to Rapha Condor Sharp from the Drapac-Porsche racing team this year after winning the Most ...

Time for Touring

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:33:25 +0100

© Jobst Brandt After a week where volcanic ash prevented thousands of people from flying to locations in and out of Europe, it's time to rethink the art of travel. Supposing we didn't have the convenience of commercial flight and instead depended...

Rapha Condor Sharp to Ride Quabbin Race

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:52:05 +0100

The Rapha Condor Sharpww.raphacondor.cc/home team is at it again, with no hope for getting out of the United States anytime soon they have shifted their focus from When do we leave?" to "What do we do now that we are stuck here?" The best answer to t...

Rapha Yonretto: Izu No Kuni

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:40:52 +0100

View the featureww.rapha.cc/izu-no-kuni.

HOTN: Best Dressed Flahute

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:21:56 +0100

Eddy explains to Roger how he maintains his sideburns all season-long. The Hell of the Northww.rapha.cc/hell-of-the-north-1 ride on the 11th April will offer riders the chance to sport their best Belgian style. Whether that be a turn-of-the-centur...

Women's Range Launch

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:49:03 +0000

At midday it still looked like the sun might poke through the clouds, but by early afternoon the BBC had a severe weather warning over London and the rain began to fall in biblical proportions. This wasn’t ideal for the early Spring spin around Reg...

Rapha Rides: The Garden of England

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:25:36 +0000

Graeme Raeburn, a man of Kent (or is that a Kentish man?), and Ultan Coyle, a man of Ulster (Dundalk actually), led us on the sixth instalment of the all-company ride through south London into Kent, the Garden of England. Coffee connoisseurs ...

Mini-Mart

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 03:03:59 +0000

The good and bad thing about digital imagery is that it is easy to forget about, but at the same time just as easy to pull back out and put to use. The ease of taking digital photos and then storing them away can be a little scary at times. But, then...

Otto Miller - March

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:34:20 +0000

Each month when we do the Otto Miller ride more and more people show up. We started this ride on a whim for the purpose of getting to ride with others, for the excuse to get out and ride our bicycles more. They hear about it through friends, they are...

A Prize from Hell

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:26:54 +0000

Juan Antonio Flecha, who finished 18th in the first Monument of the season on Saturday, Milan-San Remo, has kindly sent us a signed jersey. This will be the prize for the rider with the most punctures on Sunday the 11th April. And if you don't know a...

Riding With Cindy

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:26:18 +0000

The Women's Rangeww.rapha.cc/products/womens is set to launch in the next week or so. The catalog imagery was all shot through the Sicilian hills surrounding Siracusa, Italy. Luckily for us in North America, one of the women who helped make the shoot...

Way to go Deano

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:16:16 +0000

Dean Downing threw it at the line to get the win at the Tour of Taiwan. He's currently sitting second overall....

Hell of the North Sectors Pt.1

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:48:38 +0000

gravé noun /grɑːveɪ/US/græːveɪ/ • (an area of) farm track/road/footpath/bridleway etc. which consists of potholes, loose paving, stones, rubble and mud. The first five sectors of our Hell of the Northww.rapha.cc/hell-of-the-north-1 ri...

49x15:20x.75@11pm:03/20/10

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:55:18 +0000

Three years ago David Trimble had a birthday and rather than just cakes and ice cream, he and some friends raced the quiet cobbled streets in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood. Last year, even under the watchful and I'm sure curious eye of the NYPD, t...

El Diablo

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:42:59 +0000

Nicknamed El Diablo (when racing in S. America) for his devilish attacking style, Claudio Chiappucci was one of the most charismatic stars of the peloton in the 1990s. Firing onto the scene in the 1990 Tour de France, Chiappucci led an early break on...

Ronde van Oost Lancashire

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:17:00 +0000

Apparently, it is not just young lads on butcher's bikes delivering bread that ride the cobbles in the north of England. We had an email from the organiser of this event last week, throwing down the gauntlet onto the pavé of Lancashireeamherecomethe...

Conversations with Moots

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:07:12 +0000

Spent a little time interviewing Jon Cariveau from Moots Cycles yesterday morning. Keep an eye on the Builders" section of the Continental site as we head into the spring months. There are going to be some great additions to the family. Jon and I...

Rapha Cycle Club

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:58:26 +0000

...

Rouleur at the Classics

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:32:39 +0000

Rouleur consistently draws our attention to the most dramatic and brutal road riding in the world. If the term classicism could be applied to cycling journalism then Rouleur has pioneered the artform. Not that the magazine has anything to do with Anc...

Rules for Hell

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:18:39 +0000

Image © Ben Ingham BIKE GUIDELINES 1. Drop bars 2. Tyre width no wider than 32mm 3. Mudguards acceptable 4. Singlespeed/fixed gear acceptable but not advisedww.rapha.cc/hell-of-the-north-1 5. Tandems are a bad idea KIT CHECKLIST 1. Overs...

Travels with Daisuke

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:07:48 +0000

The first Yonrettoww.rapha.cc/mizugaki ride is now live on the site. It is great to see what happens in another part of the world. How cyclists go about their routines in another part of the world. Seeing the Rapha Continental evolve to encapsulate a...

NAHBS 2010 - Sunday Morning Ride

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:30:35 +0000

photos by Ira Ryan An early morning ride on a Sunday is a great way to start the day, or end the weekend depending on how you look at it. This past weekend, with the help of Joel and Donna from Carytown Bicycle Companyarytownbicyclecompany.com/, w...

Rapha Cooks: Pasta Orechiette

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:19:21 +0000

The third installment of recipes from Matt Card comes in the form of pastas. As Cyclists we are all familiar with this staple carb replacement, most likely eaten after but also before the start of a big ride or race. Matt outlines a few ways to enhan...

NAHBS 2010 - Richmond, Virginia

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:12:19 +0000

The tough thing about coming back from the NAHBS show is picking the things to start talking about. One could wander through the alley ways of that show for hours and not see everything. In fact there was a whole isle that I think was completely miss...

Timm Kölln & Villa Pasculli

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:54:44 +0000

Timm Kölln’s The Peloton, a collection of portraits of the pros shot seconds after the finish line, captures the extreme physicality of the professional race experience. There’s Mark Cavendish looking suitably grimy in his former T-Mobile jersey...

A Continental Convenience

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 04:25:40 +0000

Sunday is the last day of the National Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) in Richmond, Virginia and it is a bit sad to see it come to an end. The US office has been planning, working and looking forward to this date for much of the winter, and to know tha...

More From Hell…

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:29:49 +0000

Myself, Simon Mottram and Guy Andrews made another venture into Hertfordshire on Wednesday to recce more of the Hell of the Northww.rapha.cc/hell-of-the-north-1 route. We assumed it couldn't get any soggier than last week but the delightful English w...

Monsieur Paris-Roubaix

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:27:19 +0000

Winning the Hell of the North an unprecedented four times (1972, ’74, ’75, ’77), the Belgian is regarded by many as the best classics rider in the history of the sport. De Vlaeminck’s cyclocross skills and experience riding his native Flandri...

What's New BQ?

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:55:18 +0000

Rapha has the fortune of partneringww.rapha.cc/retail-partners with a handful of the better cycling retailers around the world. Housed in a newly built, state-of-the-art office in Little Rock, Competitive Cyclist continues to be at the forefront as a...

Riding, Racing and Otto Miller Wednesday

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:55:31 +0000

We have been putting on Gentlemen's Races for quite some time now. On the East Coastww.rapha.cc/gentlemens-race-new-paltz-ny we will head into year two, while the West will see the third running of the race this September. Slate jokes that he is just...

Hell of the North: 11.04.10

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:56:48 +0000

Yesterday a couple of us from Rapha rode out of north London to recce the route for our Hell of the North ride, which takes place on Sunday 11th April 2010. The night before saw some torrential rain in London so we were a little concerned about condi...

Rapha in Richmond

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:07:52 +0000

Friday, February 26 — Sunday, February 28 Rapha is returning as exhibitors to the North American Handmade Bicycle Show happening in Richmond, Virginia, between February 26th – 28th. New spring/summer products will be on display, and we will ha...

The Road to NAHBS

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:14:46 +0000

These boxes of goods are being packed, and re-packed apparently, for a little event that we get excited about each year. That's right, it is time for the North American Handmade Bicycle Show, this year taking place in Richmond, Virginia. We will ...

Velo Club d'Ardbeg

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:22:07 +0000

At art-college I played in a rock band. At gigs the guitarist, prior to bolting amps and drums together, regularly indulged in a glass of Jack Daniel's. It was the rock 'n' roll thing to do. It's not too much of a stretch to make the connection betwe...

VILLIN CYCLEWORKS

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:24:13 +0000

The North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) takes place this month in Richmond VA and Rapha will be there amongst America’s finest frame builders. Of the exhibitors, Florida’s Villin Cycleworks will be present for the third year running. ...

SS10 Range: Sneak Peek No. 7

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:34:36 +0000

This sneak peek brings you another addition to the family. If you spend enough time in the saddle while wearing pants, whether it be riding to work or just riding through your city these undershorts will pleasantly surprise. Intended to be worn t...

Rapha Women

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:11:22 +0000

The Rapha SS10 collection will be officially revealed this Friday. Amongst the latest pieces in the range is a new and exciting capsule of products. The three new female-specific additions to the range are core road riding pieces based on classic ...

SS10 Range: Sneak Peek No. 6

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:19:35 +0000

The growing family of the Rapha Caps range is increased by three. The caps are a lighter weight than the previous version, and the perfect offering for your spring riding regimen. The Cycling Cap can be worn under the helmet, the brim acting doub...

SS10 Range: Sneak Peek no. 5

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:48:19 +0000

This Sneak Peek takes a glance at two products that should go hand-in-hand this summer. Both are reworked editions of pieces that all sportive riders and high mountain randonnéurs shouldn’t leave home without. The first is essential for those c...

Why Ride a Randonnée?

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:40:21 +0000

Every season, the keen road rider can choose from numerous exciting riding holidays. Training camps, cycling tours, the Etape and Gran Fondos, all offer the chance to ride on smooth european tarmac, in great scenery. So why choose a Rapha Randonnéer...

SS10 Range: Sneak Peek no. 4

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:47:48 +0000

No. 3 takes a peak at the return of a now established Rapha favourite. For 2010 this product has been beautifully revised, maintaining its distinguished flashes of colour but in a slightly different guise. In terms of technical features this ...

ss10 Range: Sneak Peek No. 3.5

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:43:29 +0000

There was a time when the Hour record was arguably the most important Cycling Record in the world. In the late 70's and early 80's Mexico City provided all the right conditions necessary to making this possible. The altitude combined with the quality...

SS10 Range: Sneak Peek NO. 3

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:51:15 +0000

Our take on a classic piece, the Merino Polo reinvents the notion of city riding, and with it adds a beautiful embellishment. Sneek Peek No. 3 also does the trick by utilizing the same fabric as our most popular item - the Merino Baselayer.ww.rapha.c...

SS10 Range: Sneak Peek no. 2

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:44:14 +0000

Reworked for 2010, no. 2 is a product inspired by three distinctive icons of cycling. The stories and personalities of these icons have also informed the bold use of colour, paying tribute to races, teams and places. The history and character...

SS10 Range: Sneak Peek no. 1

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:16:16 +0000

Spring is fast approaching. Maybe it does not seem like it from a weather standpoint and certainly not from a riding standpoint (thank god for fenders) but if you find yourself involved with aspects of the fashion or clothing industry - and I would l...

Fat Tuesday

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:29:37 +0000

James Selmanww.rapha.cc/james-selman, long-time friend and Rapha Continentalww.rapha.cc/rapha-continental rider told me some years back something to the effect of "You don't get out of the saddle until April." To him winter and early spring are for b...

A Visit with Monocle Magazine

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:40:16 +0000

Last week while touring the East Coast, Slate Olson and I stopped in to visit one of our favorite publications. Monocleww.monocle.com/ magazine is one of those publications that I look forward to picking up each month. Every issue does a wonderful jo...

Hell of the North

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:42:06 +0000

More details coming soon…...

RCS Team Launch photos

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:34:23 +0000

Transit Elite Sweater - Day of the Maoist

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:49:08 +0000

We continue to follow Dave, Cole and crew as they compile photos and writing with the guys over at Apolis Activism.ww.apolisactivism.com/?event=source This time their adventure gets a little tense, but ultimately turns into another great day on the b...

U.S. Cyclocross National Championships

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:08:55 +0000

A few weeks ago we here at the Rapha North America put on a little Cross rideww.rapha.cc/pro-visit-with-tim-johnson with Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld racer Tim Johnson. It was a short Friday morning ride around Forest Park which would be his warmup for...

Big in Japan

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:49:52 +0000

You can view more pictures hereww.flickr.com/photos/daisukeyano/sets/72157622880314989/ from last weekend's Cycle Mode International show in Tokyo where our man in Japan, Daisuke Yano, put together an excellent exhibit featuring Independent Fabricati...

I am a visitor here myself

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:04:18 +0000

I don't speak a word of Japanese, it turns out that it didn't really matter. This past weekend at the Tokyo Cycle Mode Exhibition confirmed what I suspected – riders are riders and we can all talk cycling", even if we don't fully understand one ano...

Rouleur Print Sale

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:46:54 +0000

The launch of the 2009 edition of the Rouleur Photography Annual 2009ww.rapha.cc/rouleur-annual-2009/ took place last Thursday at the space beneath the Paul Smith offices in central London. It was a great evening, involving lots of wine and beer and ...

Hemingway at the Velodrome

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:49:14 +0000

Ernest Hemingway, American author and journalist, lived and worked in Paris during the 1920s. In A Moveable Feast, the book in which he writes of his time in the French capital, Hemingway describes trips to Parisian velodromes at the zenith of track...

Transit Elite Sweater

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:46:28 +0000

This time we are teaming up with the kind folks over at Apolis Activismww.apolisactivism.com/?event=storeHome to produce the Transit Elite Sweater..bp.blogspot.com/mfMRTBDpgkM/SpdojRRongI/AAAAAAAAH9E/2hHYKSouCl4/s1600-h/rapha2SP10.jpg But to do so we...

Cycle L’Etape du Tour for Autism

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:53:39 +0000

The National Autistic Society (NAS) is one of only three charities with places in L’Etape du Tour 2010. Previous Etape participants have chosen to raise funds for the NAS, but this will be the first year the NAS enters a cycling team. As part o...

Pro Visit with Tim Johnson

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:28:07 +0000

Photos by Jeff Curtes Red Bull Cyclocross Racer and former U.S. National Cyclocross Champion Tim Johnson stopped by the office this morning to go for a little cross ride with us. Somehow we finagled him into a Red Classic Softshell that we had emb...

Lance's New Jacket

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:35:09 +0000

Lance Armstrong is on tour again. At the moment it happens to be on a book tour and not a bike tour. But when he stepped out on ABC's top morning show Regis and Kelly to talk about "Comeback 2.0: Up Close and Personal":www.amazon.com/Comeback-2-0-Up-...

London Courier for a Day

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:43:41 +0000

Charlie Pearch is a Rapha Condor Club member and rider. Last Friday, as we sent Rapha Condor's Dean Downing and Matt Cronshaw out on to the mean streets of London to courier Fast Fridayoad.cc/content/news/11379-rapha-condor-pros-turn-london-couriers-...

Rapha Continental: Lost River Barn

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:54:00 +0000

When I look back at the most recent Rapha Continentalww.rapha.cc/lost-river-barn ride in West Virginia I think a lot of things. One of them is that it was incredibly hard. The terrain and never-ending dirt climbs were just a small part of it. The rol...

Ronde van Cannings

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:29:04 +0000

Ah, Belgium, the land of pave, sideways cloudbursts, terrible crosswinds, Trappist beer and excellent frites. There's plenty of other brilliant stuff besides, including the Ghent Six-Day and the cyclocross World Cup. Jon Cannings, Rouleur'sww.rou...

Rapha Cooks: Rice and Beans

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:17:09 +0000

Our newest monthly installment comes in the form of a recipe. We all know that food is an integral part of the cycling lifestyle so we thought, why not enhance that with a little help from our friends. Matt Card could definitely be called a man about...

Mellow Johnny's Classic

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:44:01 +0000

This past September I saw Ted Lambert looking a little flustered on the Interbike tradeshow floor. Ted is one of the main gents at Mellow Johnny'sellowjohnnys.com/ and in the year of knowing Ted and the chaos of events and enjoyment with opening and ...

Rapha Christmas Shopping

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:41:12 +0000

Rapha Late Night Shopping at Condor On Tuesday 8th December Condor Cycles in London will be staying open late for Rapha Christmas shopping. As well as being able to enjoy wine and mince pies, Rapha customers will be able to take advantage of a 10 ...

Rapha Talk: Off the Record

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:22:53 +0000

A young Dean Downing riding at the track Last night 30 of Rapha's top customers were treated to an intimate question and answer session with Rapha Condor pros, Dean Downing and Chris Newton plus team manager, John Herety. Cycling commentator David...

Fast Friday with Rapha Condor

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:00:56 +0000

This Friday Rapha Condor riders Matt Cronshaw and Dean Downing will be pacing across the capital delivering Rapha orders to Fast Fridayww.rapha.cc/fast-fridays customers. If you are in the catchment area between 2pm Thursday and 2pm Friday, place an ...

Rapha Continental: Cold Knob

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:15:35 +0000

It is kind of fun for me to look back through these photos as they go up each week.ww.rapha.cc/cold-knob Taking me back, if even just for a minute or two to that crazy trip that we did this summer. I also realized as I went back through my Embroc...

Col d'Aubisque

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:58:21 +0000

This Pyrenean hors catégorie, often clouded in mist, rises to 1709m. The second most visited climb in the history of the Tour de France, Octave Lapize famously declared the Tour organisers 'assasins' on his arrival at the summit in 1910. Read abo...

From Boston with Love

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:43:38 +0000

Almost two weeks ago I left my post here in Portland to check back in with our East Coast Brethren. Pretty successful trip I have to say, and it looks, at least from a cycling standpoint that they are holding themselves down pretty well. The other be...

Otto Miller - Round One

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:31:00 +0000

We did our first Otto Miller ride yesterday, something that we are going to be doing as a monthly adventure. If you are in the area on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, come ride with us. The highlight of the ride (some people say highlight, some peop...

Rapha Condor Squad 2010

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:21:27 +0000

Rapha Condor announce the names for their new 2010 squad. Britain’s No. 1 ranked team retain the services of National Road Race Champion Kristian House, Elite Circuit Race Series winner Dean Downing, Olympic bronze medalist Chris Newton, Darren ...

Rapha Continental: Six Gap & Brasstown

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:49:13 +0000

Take a look through the photos from the 6 Gap Rideww.rapha.cc/six-gap-and-brass-town that just went up. I remember this ride well as it was the first one in a succession of many. Gander at the ride profile and cue sheet of the day.ww.rapha.cc/six-gap...

Tomorrow, We Ride

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:44:49 +0000

bq. The voluptuous pleasure that cycling can give you is delicate, intimate and ephemeral. It arrives, it takes hold of you, sweeps you up and then leaves you again. It is for you alone. It is a combination of speed and ease, force and grace. It is p...

A Customer Writes

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:25:33 +0000

Rain, wind, puddles, slippery metal drain covers, dirty spray, angry drivers, standstill traffic, pedestrians scurrying along pavements head into the wind. Perfection, the elements pushed the yellow jacketed, rugby short brigade onto the tube this mo...

Ahh…Summertime

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:42:04 +0000

It's just mid-November, and as a native Oregonian who lives for the muddy, wet, cold days that are so perfect for cyclocross racing, I feel almost ashamed about what I'm going to say next. But, I just saw a new film from the Rapha Continentalww.rapha...

Rapha Friday Matinée

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:45:54 +0000

We've decided to 'keep it reel' this week and offer you a selection of film clips from the web. Some intriguing, some nostalgic and some ridiculous. Enjoy the show. There is some great cycling-related footage on British Pathéww.britishpathe.com/r...

Quick, Make a Wishlist!

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:55:42 +0000

We have currently received 960 Rapha Wishlistsww.rapha.cc/account/wishlist.php since launching the function on the site last week. The 1000th person to create a Wishlist will receive the most expensive item on their list, absolutely free. Make your l...

And if you love Europe, you can love North America

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:31:48 +0000

The Washing Machine Post's Brian Palmer discusses cycling on the other side of the Atlantic: Slate Olson has waxed lyrical over the European heritage that is ours, and ours alone. The years ...

A Wishlist

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:20:13 +0000

Now is the time of the year that everyone comes out with their gift picks for the holidays. Everyone has one, a Buyers Guide, Gift Buying Guide or Wishlist. This is what you can pass along to your significant other, your mother or possibly Granny? ...

If you love cycling, you love Europe

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:48:03 +0000

Even if you don't understand it. It's interesting because I know there's a global audience likely reading this, and for many it might be so obvious that it seems hardly worth writing about. Still, growing up on the west coast of the U.S., the mon...

Rapha Rides to Grantchester

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:25:25 +0000

bq. “There’s some corner of a foreign field that is forever England” - Rupert Brooke On Wednesday a group of 17 from Rapha London downed tools and rode out of the city into the lanes of Hertfordshire, through rolling Essex countryside and ...

Leipers Fork

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:00:20 +0000

It is officially fall when you reach for your Classic Softshell Jacketww.rapha.cc/classic-softshell-jacket/ before the morning commute. But that does not mean that the summer is just a memory long forgotten. Every Tuesday from now until forever we...

Rapha x Andrew Todd

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:04:55 +0000

© Todd Andrew Todd collaborated with Rapha in designing the recently released Gentleman’s Capsww.rapha.cc/gentlemans-cap/ and also the latest paisley pattern for the Silk Scarfww.rapha.cc/silk-scarf-1/. I talked to him about these idiosyncratic...

Caps For Sale

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:41:36 +0000

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina Once there was a peddler who sold caps. But he was not like an ordinary peddler carrying his wares on his back He carried them on top of his head. First he had on his own checked cap, then a b...

World-Wide-Web Tours

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:28:09 +0000

© Kevin Cyr www.kevincyr.net Here is a selection of Rapha related web posts from the last few weeks and some general interest from the digital universe. 1. I can’t take my new Rainjacketww.rapha.cc/rain-jacket/ off at the moment. Not only do...

You don't Need a Weatherman to Know Which Way the Wind Blows

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:16:48 +0000

©Daisuke Yano Rapha Condor’s Tom Southam gives us his view of racing Down Under Two things spring to mind when I think of racing in Australia, neither of which fit in to the vision some people may have of it. One is being freezing cold, not ...

Bicycling Magazine

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:43:56 +0000

The new issue of Bicycling Magazine showed up the other day. Not only is our pal Ira Ryan'sraryancycles.com/bikes-home.html bike on the cover (check out his new website) but the issue is chock full of Rapha as well. The top of the magazine also inclu...

Put a Lid On It

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:40:39 +0000

Rapha's renowned photo stories have depicted cyclists traversing through various landscapes around the globe. These cyclists range from pro racers to randonneurs to serious amateur riders. We shoot them riding as they would ride a bike in such enviro...

Classic Softshell Madness

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:33:26 +0000

The Cross Bundle is out. Just in time too. On our weekly ride Friday morning I looked over at my friend Jeff. He looked comfy in his new Cross 3/4 Bib Shorts.ww.rapha.cc/-bib-shorts-1/ My bare legs were hating me for making a bet. A bet that will see...

Newton in Motion

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:49:35 +0000

© chrismaher.co.uk You'd have to ask Rapha Condor's Chris Newton himself if he bears any relation to Sir Isaac Newtonn.wikipedia.org/wiki/IsaacNewton, the man who described the three laws of motion and the theory of gravity. Regardless, Chris Ne...

Adventures with Ira Ryan.

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:42:06 +0100

I have no idea how Ira Ryanraryancycles.com/ finds the time to build bicycles, but somehow he does, and they are always beautiful. Slate's new West Hills" bike arrived today and confirmed everything in that line of thinking. Check out the red drop sh...

Fixed: Global Fixed-Gear Bike Culture

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:17:38 +0100

This book on the worldwide phenomenon of fixed-gear riding isn’t just a fanfare for ‘fixie’ hipsters in the major cities of the western world. Certainly, the book details the growth of the now ubiquitous track bike and prevailing fashion. But ...

Sun Tour Roundup

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:57:53 +0100

Australia’s longest established road race took place last week and Rapha Condor were there to compete in what for many of the team will be their final race of the season. For an excellent stage-by-stage report of this visit the Cycling Tips Blogww....

L'Eroica Bike Auction

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:18:08 +0100

We are currently holding an auctionww.rapha.cc/leroica-bike-auction of four vintage road bikes. Sourced by London bicycle boutique Tour de Villeourdevillelondon.blogspot.com/ these gorgeous machines were recently used by a group from Rapha to partici...

The Bomber Jacket

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:03:25 +0100

The Bomber Jacketww.rapha.cc/bomber-jacket, an update to the popular Fixed Jacket comes with a few special features. Re-enforced Cordura shoulders (prevent wear from bags) and a low cut collar to make your casual ride all the more pleasant. While the...

In The News

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:50:37 +0100

Quote of the Week: bq. If you're ready for an indulgence that won't disappoint, treat yourself to some Rapha" I feel like I might be a just a little behind on all of this, but it is nice to see some mention from people around the interweb ...

Favourite Shirts Exhibition: Tokyo

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:35:36 +0100

To mark this October’s Japan Cupww.japancup.gr.jp/, Japan's annual race featuring top Pro Tour riders, the Paul Smithww.paulsmith.co.jp/ shop in Shibuya, Tokyo is hosting an exclusive exhibition of classic cycling jerseys. Hosted in conjunction wi...

Exclusive: Rapha to launch riding holidays  

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:17:17 +0100

Today sees the launch of the 2010 Etape du Tour route. The historic stage from Pau to the Tourmalet is bound to get the blood racing. But, if you're starting to plan your riding targets for next year, you might prefer to take on an even greater ridin...

Rapha at the Races

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:03:44 +0100

I was more than thrilled to see Dan Sharp out racing his bike this past weekend. After a slight mishap during the Wednesday night training race at Alpenrose Dairy we were unsure if he would find a rig in time for Sundays action. Turns out Dan...

Frank Vandenbroucke: 1974 - 2009

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:14:36 +0100

The Belgian racer Frank Vandenbroucke died yesterday in Senegal at the age of 34. The Mouscron-born rider was considered the great hope of Belgian cycling in the 1990s. Turning professional in 1993, Vandenbroucke won 54 races during his career includ...

Bec CC Hill Climb 2009

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:47:14 +0100

Wei-Ho Ng digs deep The 54th Bec Cycling Club Hill Climbww.londoncyclesport.com/News/AllNews/BecCCHillClimb3407.html took place on Sunday 11th October. Held on White Lane or ‘Titsey Hill’ near Westerham in Kent, the event is a 700yard dash up ...

Rapha Condor Race Down Under

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:07:10 +0100

Rapha Condor have flown south for the final race of the season. Taking place in western Victoria, the Jayco Herald Sun Tourww.heraldsuntour.com.au/ is Australia's oldest road race. The team are racing against some top riders including Bradley Wiggins...

Gentlemen's Race Northwest

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:33:34 +0100

There has been a fantastic amount of coverage on the Gentlemen's Raceww.rapha.cc/gentlemens-race-northwest in the Northwest this week. Blogsww.rapha.cc/rapha-gentlemens-race-september-12-2009 and news-sites everywhere have been celebrating the 137 mi...

Oregon Manifest: Top of the Hill

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:05:12 +0100

There were two checkpoints en route to the finish of the Oregon Manifest Constructors Challenge presented by Rapha. The purveying idea was that the race would be something to the effect of everyone riding to a party. The racers had to carry their par...

Rapha Rides L'Eroica

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:14:04 +0100

Last weekend Rapha sent a party over to Tuscany for the vintage-style sportive L’Eroicaww.eroica.it/indexen.php. Ridden partly along the ‘strade bianche’ or white gravel roads of the Chianti, Valdarbia and Valdorci regions of Italy, this ‘fre...

Oregon Manifest: Constructors Challenge Race

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:58:13 +0100

Back to the regularly scheduled Oregon Manifest coverage. Steve Francisco was the easiest target for the early coverage because I know him so well. CEO, maybe, but family man first. We rode hundreds and hundreds of miles together this summer so it is...

The Merino Base Layer

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:16:04 +0100

Depending on which end of the Planet you reside, presently you will be gearing up for either winter or summer conditions. Excitement or despair… Whatever the weather, most riders will know the value of wearing a base layer. The Rapha Merino Base La...

Oregon Manifest: Steve Francisco Style

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:24:57 +0100

Steve Francisco was geared up for his bid at the first ever Oregon Manifest Constuctor's Challenge Race (presented by Rapha.) The Parlee custom trailer that he is towing uses a Chris King headset for the pivot point on the trailer hitch. Interesting ...

Oregon Manifest: Day One

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:00:04 +0100

The Oregon Manifest is here. By 6pm tonight it should be in full swing. However, a couple of the bikes have stopped by the Rapha office offering a sneak peak into what looks to be a pretty amazing show. It is great to see some of the innovations that...

New Paint Job

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:00:19 +0100

Rapha Portland will be bringing you updates and news on the month-long Oregon Manifestww.oregonmanifest.com/ over the coming weeks and so we decided now is a good time as any to celebrate the beautiful machine. Jeremy Dunn will focus in on some mouth...

Yellow

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:09:07 +0100

"10/2, the day it all changed." - Lance Armstrong It's tough to be a cyclist and not somehow have Lance Armstrong come into topic somewhere along the way. When you talk with people who don't ride, most of them (especially if they are Americans...

Interbike 2009

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:47:39 +0100

We here at Rapha North America packed up the Van and headed to Las Vegas, Nevada last week for the annual Bicycle Industry Tradeshow known as Interbike. Each year the bike industry descends upon this desert wasteland to get together and talk about th...

Cent Cols Challenge: Final Col List

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:29:40 +0100

The final list of cols ridden by Team Rapha et al for this year's inaugural Cent Cols Challenge. Sent over by the organiser, Philip Deeker. A grand total of 106 was clocked up. Now that is Epic....

Cent Cols Challenge: Stage 10 (Fin)

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:21:33 +0100

Montmelian to Annecy Details Distance 112k 2700m ascent Ave speed - 14.2mph (including the Lake Annecy champagne-addled cycle-path) Weather A cold start to the day, but we could tell it was going to be another perfect afternoon. The tempera...

Oregon Manifest

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:17:37 +0100

The Oregon Manifestww.oregonmanifest.com/ kicks of this weekend. With over a month worth of events this ambitious program could be the biggest bike show/party, well, ever. One of the premiere events this weekend will be the Constructor's Challeng...

Inside The Team Car

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:08:00 +0100

Some interesting footage from in and around the Rapha Condorww.raphacondor.cc/home team car filmed by RC Club member Kevin Franklin at this year's Tour of Britain. Look out for a smoking cameo from Rouleur photographer, Camille Macmillanww.rouleur.cc...

Cent Cols Challenge: Stage 9

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:16:44 +0100

Vassieux-en-Vacors to Montmelian Details 208k 4700m Weather Starting on the plateau town of Vassieux at 1250m meant it was pretty chilly at daybreak, and we left the quiet village in drifting morning fog. We climbed up out of the mist into ...

Over the Rainbow

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:21:35 +0100

Congratulations to Cadel Evans who was crowned World Professional Road Race Championews.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/othersports/cycling/8277775.stm yesterday. A major top spot has seemed to elude Evans until now. He defied his critics with this performance, ...

Cent Cols Challenge: à la vôtre

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:21:16 +0100

The view from the top of the 106th Col, the Cret de Chatillon (Hotel Semnoz). Everyone back home safe and sound. Cent Cols Challenge complete: - 106 Cols - 40,600m of climbing - 2071km covered Team Rapha 2nd overall team. G. Raeburn...

Ten x Ten Challenge: Day 10. It’s a Wrap

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:50:46 +0100

Enigma Machine

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:02:29 +0100

In-form man of the season, Graeme S-Works Destroyer Raeburn, has today begun the Cent Cols Challengeww.centcolschallenge.com/ as part of a plucky Rapha team of four that also includes Portland's Ira Ryan, RoadCyclingUK'sww.roadcyclinguk.com/ David Ar...

Rapha Gentlemen's Race: September 12, 2009

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:33:57 +0100

23 teams started, and 22 teams officially finished the third running of the Rapha Gentlemen's Race this past Saturday in Oregon. Utilizing a proprietary seeding system where those expected to be fastest set-off last, the 6-person teams left the coast...

Ten x Ten Challenge: Day 1. The Fig Col Challenge

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:07:27 +0100

Yuji Yamada

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:43:18 +0100

Yuji Yamada, friend of Daisuke Yano (Rapha's Japanese agent), has created some paintings inspired by Rapha images - very smart indeed. Yuji has a number of other paintings depicting the pro peloton as well as other sports from around the globe. Click...

Jordan Hufnagel

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:21:59 +0100

Level Magazineevelmag.com posted up a pretty cool piece on Portland bicycle builder Jordan Hufnagelww.hufnagelcycles.com a while ago, but I only just realised that it included a video as well. Click hereevelmag.com/video/hufnagel/ for the video a...

Chain Links

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:50:40 +0100

Two links from Rapha today which are very much worth reading: 1. The first is a blog article by Rapha Condor’s Simon Richardson. To read Simon’s opinions on the etiquette of riding in a group click hereww.raphacondor.cc/blogs/cycling-etiquette...

The Art of Peter Rubijono

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:07:28 +0100

He goes by many names. Hans-Poot, Rubi, and even, when he worked on a fishing boat in Alaska, Billy Crystal." Then there are the various and sundry mispronunciations, but either way you slice it, Peter Rubijono is a character in the truest sense of ...

Missoula, MT

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 06:39:16 +0100

Benjamin Ferencz is the creative behind Freeman Transportww.freemantransport.com/, Tom Robertsonww.tomrobertsonphoto.com/index.phpa=0&at=0&mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=0&p=2 is a photographer, and Selden Daume is the manager and baker...

Souplesse Style

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 15:00:42 +0100

Typography by Samuel Huddleston Every rider has their own personal style of pushing the pedal strokes. Cadence, legs, upper body movement, saddle height and natural stance all contribute to the way we ride. The dancing jerks of Pantani, the rumbli...

Weekly Tool Roll.

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 23:32:33 +0100

Weekly Tool Roll of Blogs. We here over at Rapha North America thought that we should put together a few sites that we look at on a regular basis. It is my hope that we can make this a feature in the coming weeks. Cycling Related: Cervelo Te...

Lightweight for Summer

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:37:58 +0100

Is summer starting to come to a close? Let us certainly hope not. But, that being said the departure of summer means the onset of fall...and we all know what that means, so there should be no complaints yeah? Now, on to the Dog Days of Summer, I'l...

A/W 09 Range: Sneak Peek No.1

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:54:19 +0100

Exhibit A Sticking our neck out for the cyclist who isn’t afraid to show some flair, an adornment for the refined cyclist whose supplesse is as elegant as his attire. New pattern design for 2009 but already a popular product unique to Rapha. ...

Breaking Away with Mellow Johnny's

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:27:54 +0100

photo from

The Look of La Vie Claire

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:14:03 +0100
Inspired by the compositions of De Stijl artist Piet Mondriaan, the panels of blue, red, yellow and grey, broken up by black grid lines make for one of the most distinctive team kits ever seen in the peloton. The original jersey was designed by Itali...

Breaking Away w/ Mellow Johnny's

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:47:30 +0100

Onekama, MI

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100
I don't like crashing. I do not like it in any sense. I especially don't like it when it is my fault. One way to look at it is that the more time you spend on the bicycle, the greater your chances are for taking a little sit-down in the middle...

Haymarket, VA

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100
Graeme Raeburn, designer for Rapha is on loan from London to experience heat, humidity and riding in America. Unfortunately for Graeme we are all oddly excited to share some convenient sources of replenishment to beat the heat....

Deep Creek, MD

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100
130 miles, 16,500’ of climbing, 9 hours on the saddle, that’s what makes this diabolical. Not fun per se, but certainly it’s own flavor of “epic”. Our host Kyle the “Savage Man” is a local legend of the 3-sports (triathlon), and eve...

State College, PA

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100
Known as a great college town, the team was looking forward to a night out before the ride at State College. Arriving early enough to shake the travel from their legs, a few of the guys went out for a quick spin. Jeremy and Steve spent more time appl...

Mathias, WV - Film

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 +0100
“The moonshine is from my banjo teacher who is actually a taxidermist. But he won’t sell it to me. It has to be a gift, he will give to me if I ask for it.” – Audrey (girlfriend of ride host, Jay Moglia)