#oneoftheseplease: week six

The holidays are over. You can pat yourself on the back for making it through yet another episode. Now you can go out and get what you really wanted for yourself. Return all the scarves and socks and get some new tyres and brake pads. The winter riding season does wonders on your bicycles as well as your psyche. One trick to help you through the cold months is to envision what new steed you will be acquiring by the time the sun has melted away the ice. Here are a few options for you to ponder by way of some favorites that we have run into this past year.

Pereira Cycles (Steel Road)

You can't tell from this black-and-white photo but the paint scheme on this one is "Kawasaki Green". There are a few Pereiras in this particular family and we have already seen one on the Rapha Survey — True Blue. They ride true and straight. Clint Culpepper himself has taken this one to the line numerous times and their understated logos and graphics make them the perfect partner for any kit choice. Leave room for fenders on this steel beauty for the perfect all-round bicycle.

Alchemy Bicycles (Carbon Road)

With a recent move from Austin, Texas to Denver, Colorado, Alchemy Bicycles have started to come into their own. They have been the darlings of the North American Handmade Bicycle Show for a few years running. Their attention to detail in the paint department easily sets them apart from others. However, their accolades rest in the carbon bike arena. This one has matte black logos on an all-black frame. A beauty.

Mondrian inspired LOOK (Carbon Road)

Maybe carbon is your thing but you're looking for something that has a bit more of that…what's the phrase? Je ne sais quoi. Possibly one of these Mondrian-inspired LOOK frames could be up your alley. Appropriately, we ran into this one when the Rapha Continental rode with Greg LeMond in September. The Lightweight wheels make a nice addition.

Team Rapha-FOCUS Mares Cyclocross Bike (Carbon CX)

The new Mares CX 1.0 can be purchased at your local FOCUS dealer. You might not have the legs of either Jeremy Powers or Gabby Day but you can still ride the same bike. When you are in the midst of your cyclocross season it may be important to keep the feelings of the cross frame beneath you. So, swap out the 'cross wheels for road ones and carry on your merry way. The team-inspired paint job is something to behold.

But maybe the performance side of things is not your cup of tea?

Beloved Everyday Speedster (City Steel)

There is not a better city bike out there. With flat pedals you can accommodate any footwear that you choose. The grey and pink stylings of this particular bike would complement any outfit, at the same time helping you blend into the urban landscape. Conceived here in Portland, Oregon and built in nearby Eugene, this bike is a melding of performance and utilitarian styles. A sleek, slick ride through the city.

A Bicycle Built for Two (Steel Tandem)

It is important to not forget that the point of most of this is fun. So, take some shorter trips around the neighborhood with a tandem or your favorite city cruiser. Not only are they great to help shake out your most recent attempts at the Festive 500, but if you can get a fast enough 'stoker' on the back you don't have to do any work.

If none of these strike your fancy you can always resort to the muscle car with extra bling on the rims.

The Grand Prize Announcement

We're very pleased to announce the Grand Prize winner of #oneoftheseplease, where we asked you to post and tag (via Instagram or Twitter) the most interesting, unique and highly desirable #oneoftheseplease gift suggestions that you really want to receive. We were looking for something special and creative — with the winner offered the chance to win all of the following:

• 1 x pair of Grand Tour Shoes
• 1 x pair of Oakley Rapha-FOCUS Limited Edition Frogskins
• 1 x Leather Wash Bag
• 1 x Soap
• 1 x Winter Embrocation
• 1 x Summer Embrocation
• 1 x Skincare Travel Set
• 1 x Great Road Climbs of the Northern Alps book
• 1 x Great Road Climbs of the Southern Alps book
• 1 x Great Road Climbs of the Pyrenees book
• 1 x Race Notes book
• 1 x Espresso Cup Set
• 1 x Cappuccino Cup Set
• 1 x Rapha Coffee Mug
• 1 x H-Van
• 1 x Hi-Vis Gilet
• 1 x Seat Pack
• 1 x Belt
• 1 x pair of City Riding Socks
• 1 x Merino Base Layer
• 1 x Merino Wash
• 1 x Merino Drawcord Hat
• 1 x Winter Collar

We had a hard time picking one clear winner. So, we decided to pick one, but decided that we're going to offer a caveat because he did such a good and thorough job of letting us know his intended use for the products:

For Matt DeMartino (@m_demartino), simply put, you win.

We cannot send you over to see one of the European Classics, but we can offer you this Grand Prize package of just about everything we have offered throughout the course of #oneoftheseplease. However, we are making one small change to the list. Instead of the Race Notes book as listed, we have swapped that out for the Rider's Diary, like you were looking for.

Now, here's the catch:

We wish to see what you have done with all these lovely prizes in a fashion that only you can determine. We have seen your list making and your photo collages and your drawings as well:

Of course you are in no way legally obligated, but we challenge you Matt to show us, and the readers of the Rapha Blog, how you have used all your fabulous prizes. Congratulations.

And here's hoping that all of you received what you wanted over the holidays. Maybe even your loved ones, friends or family members saw that you were playing along with #oneoftheseplease and scooped up what you were looking for before we could step in to answer the call.

Thanks to everyone who participated. Here are a few runners up and a nod to some of the ones that we liked in the last round:

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

@itsjakob would like a Mr. T Teapot and picks himself up a pair of our finest Merino Arm Warmers and Merino Knee Warmers. Well done.

For a gift made by Rapha, creatively requested:

Dylan Davies (@shredordead) looks like he could do with a new pair of gloves so we thought — given the conditions he rides in — he'll be quite happy with a pair of our Winter Gloves.

Honourable mentions including our Grand Prize runner up:

Seemingly inspired by one of our favourite Rapha films D'Acciaio (Of Steel), Jenny Wilson (@freebirdvelo) would like her own custom Pegoretti.

And last, but not at all least, Cort Percer (@cortpercer) would like an 'Type-H' Bakfiets cargo bike, in a style which appears to be in homage to our famous Rapha Citroen H-Van.

Jenny and Cort will both receive a Merino Hat each for their contributions.

Congratulations to all, and we hope you enjoyed getting involved. Until the holidays reach us again, here's #oneoftheseplease signing off.