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Continental NA: Behind the Scenes

Door Jeremy Dunn • 20th July 2012 11:13am • Gepost in Rapha Continental

Photos & words by J. Dunn

In the United States we typically associate the month of June with what we like to call Summer. So, no matter how much warning we received from Alex Stieda before our first Rapha Continental North America rides in Alberta, Canada, we weren't expecting the weather to be so bad. But, a look at the stories coming from the Rapha Continental in both the United Kingdom and Australia shows us a running theme. Crap weather makes for interesting viewing.

With Dan Sharp shooting photos and the crew from Droptree Productions filming this weather was easy. They offer more than enough support with a curious blend of verbal encouragement, trail-mix and flat out raw humour. With Sharp fresh off a trip to Italy — where he allegedly wrestled that Esta Thé cap from the grips of the tifosi all the while shooting round after round of that famous Italian race called the Giro d'Italia.

You may also recognize another face there in there by the way of Timothy Coghlan whom we quietly stole from his post in the Portland office as the head of Customer Service and put him straight to the front as Mr. Logistics. He is a fan of Aeropress Coffee, which Dan makes very well, so that kept him at his ready. Edmonton's Da Campo Caffé was a brief and beautiful respite from what looked to be an otherwise coffee-less land. We made do.

The riders were in from all over the US — Steve Francisco from a Wisconsin vacation, Rich Bravo leaving the swelter of New York City, Greg Johnson back from Texas and Hahn Rossman who had been with us from Seattle. We had a well rounded squad and were anxious to meet our host Alex Stieda - a name that, if you have yet to hear in conjunction with the Tour de France, you will certainly know soon.

View the new Rapha Continental North America film »

Opmerkingen

charles moreau

20th July 2012 05:40pm

sorry, but just ride, create some nice images on film and photography. please stop to explain yourself over and over again.

Jeremy Dunn

20th July 2012 05:50pm

ba ha! Thanks Charles. Apologies, but I just get excited about these people and places.

charles moreau

20th July 2012 06:47pm

people and places are nice!
your films are nice, no doubt,
but explaining your "suffering" in every film is getting repetitive

Derek Harnish

21st July 2012 04:07am

Great coverage Jeremy, and another great Continental film. You are evocatively presenting cycling and inspiring others. If you find it repetitive, then don't watch. View all the other cycling shorts being made this well. Oh that's right, there aren't any. Riding with Alex Stieda seems worthy of some excitement.

charles moreau

21st July 2012 01:12pm

If you don't like other people's opinions, don't read :-)

Ian Winfield

21st July 2012 09:04pm

If you don't like other people's film's, don't watch :-(

joseph melnyk

22nd July 2012 01:22am

i liked the film. it was cool to have a brief respite from the usual flow of continental films, with the storytelling and old video section included. but then still have some beautiful riding footage as well.

more importantly: where does one acquire the pro team bibs with the chartreuse lettering seen in this film?

Bruce Rychlik

22nd July 2012 02:53pm

Good catch Joseph. I noticed the shorts but also two caps, a club jersey and different version of gloves I had not seen before.

In terms of the Continental Rides - they are suffer fests - cliche perhaps - like epic - but true - inclement whether would make them even more so. Try one if you have not - you love it and see why - try Fitchburg - ONLY words can describe perfectly what one will endure - Jeremy captured the ride well in his prose - but in the end not words, videos or images do the ride justice.

As the company has always maintained - "The Rapha Continental is not touring…is about riding hard. It’s about riding far and riding fast…is about being tested: by distance; by duration…Is about those moments familiar to every tired rider…when you feel your sanity fading…". That's appealing to me but not easy.

joseph melnyk

22nd July 2012 04:35pm

i liked the film. it was cool to have a brief respite from the usual flow of continental films, with the storytelling and old video section included. but then still have some beautiful riding footage as well.

more importantly: where does one acquire the pro team bibs with the chartreuse lettering seen in this film?

Matthew Randall

22nd July 2012 07:11pm

Great film, really liked the story from Alex and the old footage. Keep them coming.

Talking of 7-Eleven related stuff and perhaps slighty off topic, can I ask if Rouleur will perhaps do a piece on Hampsten Cycles?
I know you interviewed Andy many issues ago but would be great to get an article on their bikes and how they started out etc? Just a thought.

Jeremy Dunn

23rd July 2012 07:42am

Thanks for the comments everyone. It's great to see some dialogue about the films and content.

Joseph - those bibs that you saw were made especially for the Rapha Racing NYC team this year. (I wondered if anyone would pick that up.)

Bruce - you're right about Fitchburg that ride sneaks up on you!

Matthew - We have little to no idea the publication schedule for Rouleur. That is a closely guarded secret that they're not telling. But, if you keep a close eye here you might see some more Hampsten soon…

Matthew Randall

26th July 2012 09:47pm

Cheers Jeremy, as Bill & Ted would say that would be 'most excellent.

Lynton Head-Wilson

27th July 2012 07:32am

Poor Charels.sounds like he needs to go for a ride!

Ripping flick guys! What a treat to have the audience of a yellow jesrsey winner!

I could listen to Alex's stories all day no doubt.

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