#oneoftheseplease: week four

City Riding

Freshening up your city riding is a great way to make commuting for you and yours a bit more pleasant, comfortable and stylish. The often overlooked city bike is a daily ride for many cyclists and surprisingly one of the spots that people tend to neglect the most. Here are a few ideas for those in your life that ride their bicycles to and fro every day.

Tune-Ups

We can pretty much guarantee that no cyclist would be disappointed with a tune-up at their favourite bike shop, possibly with fresh bar tape, for their daily ride. It's a luxury, yet there is little that can account for the feeling of new cables and even a cleaning of the frame itself. As a high school coach of mine used to say, "If you look good, you feel good, if you feel good you play good, and if you play good, you win". He was talking about basketball, but the sentiment is applicable anywhere, especially when on your bicycle pedaling through the city.

Other Options:

There are now mechanic classes, such as Gracie's Wrench here in Portland that offer introductory to high level mechanics classes.

Learn how to do some of the basics yourself. The Bike Owner's Handbook by Peter Drinkell is a good start and a neat size for the back of a jersey or as a stocking filler.

Lighting/ Locking

There are many ways to go with lighting and each have their own merits. The Knog lights tend to be on the more affordable side as a blinking hazard to let other cyclists and motorists know that you are out there. They also happen to be USB rechargeable which makes them great for daily use to and from the office/ studio. If you can remember to plug them in. Knog also make an interesting rubber coated U-lock that comes in a variety of colors including this celeste-ish green seen here.

Exposure Lights come in at a higher price range but offer some of the brightest outputs available on consumer lights. These are the lights you want when you are riding trails at night or commuting out of the city and away from the usual light pollution that exists in those areas.

Hi-Vis Gilet

This little beauty has taken off like a rocket for the Autumn/ Winter Season. It turns out that people not only like to be seen when they ride their bicycles to and fro, they also like to look good doing it. The nice thing about this one is that there are men's and women's versions available. The gilet works because it can be worn as part of a riding kit on the road or over the top of a jacket through town.

Portland Design Works Full Metal Fenders

There really is only one way to go in the rainy Portland winter and that is full fenders. Our very own Portland Design Works have been testing these for a few seasons now, with Ira Ryan himself testing them on the hills and dales of the Pacific Northwest. As an added bonus PDW makes a light, the FenderBot that attaches neatly to the fender.

Rapha Seat Pack

Whether you want to face the facts, or not, at some point you will get a flat tire while riding through the city. If your commute is less than two blocks, disregard the rest of what is written here. If it is more, than two blocks learn how to repair your own flat tires. The seat pack is a handy way of avoiding the extra weight in your bag or backpack. An extra tube, a CO2 inflator and a mini-tool can handle most problems, and a patch kit never hurt anyone either.

Tony Pereira Custom Bicycle

Now this is the tip top, the cream of the crop. If you're looking to step-up your city riding game, this is where you do it. Generator front light? Check. Custom painted front rack? Got that too. Comes in a variety of shapes and colors from our very own Rapha Continental rider Tony Pereira from Pereira Cycles

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WINNERS

For the most interesting, unique and highly desirable gift requests:

Kui Kanthatham (@kui360) would like a pair of these beautiful wooden fenders from Fast Boy Cycles.

.@rapharacing, these wood fenders from Fast Boy Cycles are so sexy. Prefect 4 winter #bikecommute. #oneoftheseplease bit.ly/QO2pva

— Kui Kanthatham (@kui360) December 7, 2012

Barry McWilliams (@barrymcw) would like a Deering Eagle II 5-string Banjo.

@rapharacing What's better than good music @ the end of a ride? That's why I want #oneoftheseplease deeringbanjos.com/eagle-ii-216

— barry mcwilliams (@barrymcw) December 7, 2012

Paul Ostryzniuk (@_DesignCycle) would like a Formlabs Form 1 3D Printer. We would also like #oneoftheseplease.

@rapharacing First thing I'd make would probably be custom valve caps… formlabs.com – I'd definitely like #oneoftheseplease.

— Paul Ostryzniuk (@_DesignCycle) December 10, 2012

James Greig (@jameogreig) would like a Swiss Caran d’Ache Steel Pencil Sharpener.

The importance of a sharp pencil, my #oneoftheseplease bit.ly/VuRTpN love them. (cc. @rapharacing)

— James Greig (@jameogreig) December 10, 2012

Gary Smith (@garysmithphoto) would like a stunning HG One Hand Coffee Grinder.

@rapharacing if the ride isn't epically heroic enough swap one beautifully machined crank for another hg-one.com #oneoftheseplease

— Gary (@garysmithphoto) December 7, 2012

These gentlemen will each pick themselves up a Rapha Belt from our City Riding collection, as well as a miniature Rapha H-Van model. Congratulations to all.

For gifts made by Rapha, creatively requested:

MaLora Ann (@MaLora_Ann) would like a Rapha Hi-Vis Gilet for her husband. It was nice to see #oneoftheseplease intended for a loved one, so we'd like to help her out there.

#Oneoftheseplease for my husband, who commutes all winter! @rapharacing Hi-vis cycling gilet for training | Rapha - rapha.cc/hivis-gilet

— MaLora Ann (@MaLora_Ann) December 8, 2012

Jack Dawkins (@jdawkins001) seems to really fancy a Team Rapha–FOCUS Umbrella, so one is heading his way.

@rapharacing #oneoftheseplease Look how sexy those umbrella's are. twitter.com/jdawkins001/st…

— Jack Dawkins (@jdawkins001) December 6, 2012

Dustin McMillan's (@Stealingaway) Rapha Cycle Club mug looks well-loved. We hope he doesn't mind receiving one of our new Rapha Mugs to add to his collection.

While thinking about it this morning, #oneoftheseplease , It's bad. Not sure how long she has left @rapharacing twitter.com/Stealingaway/s…

— Dustin McMillan (@Stealingaway) December 6, 2012

Honourable mentions:

Gustav Aagesen (@tormel) would like a pair of our Grand Tour Shoes. Ours however, are not edible.

Allan O Castro (@aldepal) would like a new Sandqvist Blue Gudmund Tote bag and a General Knot & Co Fine Italian Indigo Twill & 1950s Block Check Necktie. Very nice.

Dan Mather (@danielmather) would like a new Exposure Flare rear light. We liked his exploded disassembly.

Exposure Flare — #oneoftheseplease @rapharacing for mine broke replacing the battery the other day. instagr.am/p/S-WhQFjhVQ/

— Dan Mather (@danielmather) December 8, 2012

Tom Adams (@tompdams) would like someone to take his exams. Good luck Tom.

#oneoftheseplease @rapharacing This is a shout out really to anyone. I need a brainy exam taker ASAP!! #help #yikes twitter.com/tompdams/statu…

— Tom Adams (@tompdams) December 9, 2012

Dustin Adderley (@d_adderley) would like a replacement for his dog-chewed Garmin Edge 500.

#oneoftheseplease @rapharacing chewed by the #dachshund puppies. Still works but can only see distance! #nogoodinacrit twitter.com/d_adderley/sta…

— Dustin (@d_adderley) December 6, 2012

We'll be sending each of these guys a pair of Rapha City Riding Socks for their worthy contributions.

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How to enter #oneoftheseplease

If you're not familiar with the concept of #oneoftheseplease, visit our blog for more information which includes details on how to enter our competition.

We'll also be announcing our Grand Prize bundle shortly, so stay tuned.