By Heidi Swift • 11th June 2013 • Posted in Women
In 2008 I rode 70 miles with a group of very fast men. I did not consider myself much of a cyclist and I had never ridden that far before. We climbed a long hill called Timber Road. By the time we hit mile 60 the wheels had come off my proverbial wagon. A team of three was sent back to rescue me and I sat in that generous paceline watching my heartrate max out while we pedaled 14mph into a block headwind. I arrived at the finish red-faced and drooling, with a large glob of chocolate Gu smeared across my face.
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By Jeremy Dunn • 24th May 2013 • Posted in Women
The Rapha Women's Prestige has quickly and easily become one of the most popular and exciting events that we do each year. To see all the teams gathered outside the SF Cycle Club in the bright early morning sunshine that is only available this time of year in California is a thing to behold. In only its second year the race has nearly doubled in size with no signs of slowing — and even some requests to hold one in other parts of the country. The beauty of the race, aside from a stunning cruise or two over the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge was the enthusiasm to tackle the tough race, which was made harder after last years route was deemed too easy. Well, it turns out that it was definitely more difficult this time around, and if it wasn't enough to knock your socks off, it was at least enough to make your arm warmers sag. Official results can be found here.
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By Gem Atkinson • 17th May 2013 • Posted in Women
Last Sunday saw a Rapha Women's 100 training ride in the UK's hilly Peak District, a tough 65km in preparation for the forthcoming ride in July. Nonnas Italian restaurant in Chesterfield acted as a suitably Giro-inspired rider HQ, welcoming the ladies who enjoyed traditional Italian coffees and pastries before rolling out with a Jaguar support car, containing both soigneur and mechanic.
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By Jeremy Dunn • 9th May 2013 • Posted in Women
Photos by - Jason Perry
In the days leading up to a big ride such as the Rapha Women's Prestige you try to make sure that everything has been accounted for: the bicycle has been properly tuned; new tires have been installed (maybe a little wider than normal to take into account those notorious gravel sections); the derailleurs have been fine tuned; and the bike is nice and clean. Then there is your body: requisite training time in the saddle logged; stretching program followed; and the diet has been focused. It all culminates now, the starting time that sends you and your team into the wilds together. To stay together, to finish together, everything has to be just right.
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By Guest Author • 30th April 2013 • Posted in Women
Words by Tori Bortman | Photos by Daniel Sharp
Guest author Tori Bortman AKA Gracie's Wrench gives us the ultimate guide on fixing 'you know whats'. Read it, but don't talk about it…
Above all things dreaded by most cyclists is the annoyance, the waste-of-precious-riding-time and, in some cases, end to your ride, that can be caused by punctures. For the average rider, it’s a ten to fifteen minute detour that causes momentum to cease and frustration to build. For those who don’t know how to repair a flat tire it’s a complete game changer, leaving them subject to the skills of the riders around them— if there is another rider. Otherwise, these folks may be wary of venturing out too far with the looming threat of being stranded.
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By Jack Flanagan • 19th April 2013 • Posted in Women
Join us in Chesterfield on 12th May for the first training ride in the UK in preparation for this summer’s Women’s 100 – Rapha's challenge to women around the world to cycle 100km on 7th July.
- Distance: 60km
- Speed: Group 1 approx. 26km/hr; group 2 approx. 20km/hr
Starting and finishing at Nonna’s Italian Restaurant at the edge of the Peak District National Park in Chesterfield, there will be two groups of different speeds. The route is approximately 60km in length through spectacular but testing scenery, and promises to be an excellent opportunity to test yourself over an intermediate distance with a few challenging climbs. The Rapha H-Van will appear en route as a feed stop and post-ride feasting will commence at Nonna’s at 3pm.
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By Ben Brown • 19th September 2012 • Posted in Women
Rapha’s collection of apparel and accessories for women has been expanded for Autumn Winter 2012 and now includes new products for high-tempo training and city riding. The products feature in our most recent photoshoot, which took place in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy. Shot by Ben Ingham, Rapha riders Gem Atkinson and Collyn Ahart were game enough to tackle the ‘hills’ in the area, in some cases repeatedly and occasionally to the point of tears (sorry Collyn). In the coming weeks, we’ll also have a film of their ascent of the mighty Mont Zoncolan. In the meantime, here’s a short from Mr Ingham to keep you going, a film that also features in Rapha’s new lookbook.
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