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Crash Test Jersey

By Joe Hall • 21st December 2009 11:40am • Posted in Misc

A while back, Mr. Thomas Ennis, a customer from New York, sent us a letter regarding a jersey he had purchased, it read:

Hi There –

Hope all is well.

Three weeks ago, while wearing my favourite country jersey, I went down in what I was told was a rather spectacular crash. Sitting somewhat dazed on the ground, I was quickly attended to by other cyclists and the driver of a car who had witnessed my mishap and immediately called for medical attention. I realized pretty quickly that I had not broken my collar bone or anything serious, so I declined their offers of help, re-mounted my bike, and pedaled another five miles to a hospital where I knew I could get my road rash cleaned up.

By now you are probably asking why I’m telling you this. You should know that even though I was a pretty ugly sight from the road rash, the primary concern from the cyclists who saw me was (and this is a direct quote), “Wow…I can’t believe you ruined that shirt! That’s a Rapha jersey, right? Wow… that SUCKS!” The story does not end here. The doctor who attended to me entered into a huge debate with his nurse about whether or not the jersey could be saved! Seems he was a cyclist as well.

No, this not my feeble attempt to get yet another freebie from my good friends at Rapha. As a matter of fact, I have already replaced it. Should, however, you wish to have my ripped up one for the Rapha archives, (think of me as your own personal crash test dummy) I’d be happy to send it to you.
Yes, I washed it.

Tom

We've framed the jersey and letter to remind us that you can't put a price on style on the bike, not even if you crash.

Comments

PAUL WITTE

21st December 2009 02:37pm

You ve got that right Rapha . Your company makes looking good easy . Buy it and wear it with other Rapha and there is no question who the best dressed rider will be in the group .

Steve Seamark

21st December 2009 05:57pm

Great story. My wife just got back from five days work in Manhattan, and her first comment on return was… 'man, those NYC cycle couriers are insane, how they don't crash every day is a miracle!' Trust you're not one of them.

RIP Rapha German country jersey.

robert alan brice

21st December 2009 09:06pm

In the summer I came off my bike at 25mph and slid across the road some way. My fixed shorts suffered a little roughening of the material on my right hip, and my bonk bag gained a couple of small holes that I've sewn up. I grazed my elbows and bumped my head, fortunately well protected by my helmet. I was very impressed by the shorts and then bought another pair as the 'road test' showed how excellent the fixed shorts are. I've been recommending the bonk bag for its resilience as well its other qualities…

Alistair Taylor

22nd December 2009 02:33am

I can attest to the sturdiness of Rapha gear having run into the back of a car in a lightweight softshell. A pedestrian stepped onto the road in front of a car I was drafting and unfortunately the car stopped quicker than I did. I took the impact in the middle of my chest and in the process ripped off the car's rear window wiper but my jacket was undamaged - a complete miracle in my opinion.

daniel alpin

22nd December 2009 10:36am

disaster

Jonathan Woodroof

23rd December 2009 01:18am

copy that on the softshell. Totally wiped out on some rainy railroad tracks and landed full force on my left shoulder. Not a mark.

Nicholas Lockley

24th December 2009 11:15am

Second only to the pain, wearing Rapha is my major disincentive to crashing. I just can't afford the replacement costs!

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