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My Favourite Jersey

By Joe Hall • 16th April 2011 10:49am • Posted in Products

“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 jerseys they are too, but this one takes pride over all the others.

I’ve owned my favourite jersey for nearly five years and, whilst I’ve waited patiently for the Rapha product team to reinstate this particular one into the range, I don’t mind if it doesn’t happen. It’s still going strong and the only signs of its age (and heavy usage) is a slight cracking in the flocked lettering. Besides, I’m a fan of the more “lived-in” aesthetic. Like a favourite pair of jeans or shoes, it gets better with age and my jersey shows no sign of nearing retirement.

Me and this jersey have ridden in some spectacular places and whilst yes, I love the colour and the associations with the classic type on the front, “BRIVE-AGEN” (the Tour stage where, in 1951, Hugo Koblet rode off from a bunch containing Coppi, Bobet etc. and stayed away for 135km for the win), something about putting the jersey on gives me an extra kick. Of course, I’m no Hugo Koblet, but just a tiny fragment of my mind may feel I have the panache and verve of the Pedaller of Charm when I wear this jersey, and we all know that psychology plays a large part in any ride. Feeling good in your garments is half the battle, and if you can comb your hair whilst overtaking someone on a climb, chapeaux.

Undoubtedly it’s a classic design and I like the colour, yet I’ve ridden several major cols in this jersey and I always seem to have a good day on the bike when I put it on. There’s certainly more than an element of sportsman’s superstition there but I can’t help it, the writing is on the wall (or just below the chest). So here’s to you, my beloved Club Jersey, may we spend many more happy hours on the road together.

See the current collection of Rapha jerseys » www.rapha.cc/shop/jerseys

Comments

Matthew Randall

16th April 2011 05:04pm

Good article, sun was out today as was my 'Rapha Hampsten 88' jersey (favourite) My legs felt better for it ;)

Stefan Rohner

16th April 2011 05:23pm

Joe, thats a nice jersey, would be even nicer if it would not hang down like a wet sack. do you have a survival lit in the bags? ;) have a nice weekend.

Rob Saunders

16th April 2011 09:22pm

Great minds Joey….

Paolo Pivetta

17th April 2011 05:50am

…. i need a kleenex!

Brian Palmer

17th April 2011 05:00pm

i have a pink 'mortirolo' jersey from the same era. coolest jersey ever (and the lettering hasn't cracked:-)

b

Joe Hall

18th April 2011 10:10am

@Matthew - I wish I had bagged a Hampsten jersey, loved the design of that.

@Stefan - My jersey doesn't drag down like a "sack"… you need to stop taking jacket potatoes with you on rides… : )

@Rob - Nice one.

@Paolo - what for?

@Brian - Mine hasn't either… I just wrote that for effect…

Gem Atkinson

18th April 2011 12:46pm

Joe - can I insist the next instalment of the ladies jersey collection comes with this 'Jacket Potato' pocket of which you speak? spud-iliscious

john bailey

18th April 2011 01:11pm

Yes - i wished Rapha would do more jerseys with 'tasteful' typography as part of the design - it seems like the last couple of s/s seasons (2010/11) surplus fabric has been used from the 2009 collection and reworked…arguably more eco i guess.

Martin James

18th April 2011 01:39pm

I still have my 'favourite' jersey's but alas can no longer wear them not because of spoil or fade but because it's too darn large now, 5 yeears ago I was an XXL in the finest jerseys available, now I am an L happy but dissapointed I can't really wear them again without looking like a sack of potatoes.

Jim Piercy

18th April 2011 03:37pm

That was a great season of jerseys - my better half got your favourite but I got the Mortirolo one which is MY favourite. Saved for special rides and sunny days, surely time for a 'repress' Rapha?

Matthew Randall

18th April 2011 04:14pm

Was there a Croix de Fer jersey that year along with Mortirolo?

Stefan Rohner

18th April 2011 08:35pm

Joe, your jersey is not different than mine, and mine a newer models, supposed to be less flex material ;) second pictures looks like your caring potatoes around. regards from the rapha chiringuito mallorca.

Robb Rempel

18th April 2011 09:20pm

Ditto for my croix de fer jersey. But I wish it had a full zip.

Tim Bishop

18th April 2011 09:38pm

Any chance of reprising the Hampsten jersey? If not, my new Spanish Country jersey will have to stay at number one.

Matthew Randall

19th April 2011 08:56am

Methinks there could be a market for a limited run of retro-Rapha jerseys…..

Joe Hall

19th April 2011 10:56am

@Gem - spud-specific pocket layouts are in the pipeline, so to speak.

@John B - we don't want to kill all our jerseys with overdesign… as is the case with much of cycling apparel in recent years…

@Martin - surely this is a nice problem to have… there's always ebay!! Nice potato simile!

@Jim - Glad you have one of these Rapha classics. I'm hoping for a 'repress' too.

@Matthew - yes, there was a red Croix de Fer jersey also… and yes, maybe we should start a retro-Rapha fan club…

@Stefan - very drôle. Have fun in Mallorca.

@Tim - let's hope so!

Michael Moné

23rd April 2011 06:42pm

Agree with the comments re: Hampsten jersey. Missed out on when it was originally released. Dearly wish I had one now. Sincerely hope the good people at Rapha re-release it someday.

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