The Rapha Roadmap: Part One

The fact that bike races unfold on public roads and not in enclosed arenas is one of the sport’s greatest appeals but can also make it difficult to watch. The Roadmap asks how do we make cycling easier to follow.

How do we make pro cycling more engaging? New race formats, a change to the way teams are run and funded? The latest instalment of the Rapha Roadmap considers the options.

The sequencing of races in the cycling calendar is as unmoving as the mountains tackled by the racers, or is it? The Roadmap sees things differently…

To fix a problem, you first have to understand it. The first instalment of the Rapha Roadmap takes a look at cycling’s unique appeal and sets the scene for its future.

After the first half of cycling’s Holy Week was coloured EF pink by Alberto Bettiol at Flanders, we speak to his roommate and the team’s main man for this weekend’s Paris-Roubaix to see if he can repeat the feat.

If you had a famous cycling father, you’d be forgiven for giving the bike a wide berth – especially when you share a name. But Miguel Indurain has found his own road. After gaining a degree in business, he chose to ride for the love of adventure.

Kelton Wright lives in Topanga with a dog called Cooper and a cat called Finn. Working as Director of Movement and Sport at Headspace, Wright is a published author and keen cyclist, leading rides from Rapha Santa Monica.

Tommy Thornton is from Chicago, where his love of riding took root. In the last year, he took a break from a long career in business tech and moved to Los Angeles, looking for a change of pace and a new way of life.

Ivy Valdman lives in North London but calls California home. The Social Media and Brand Strategist is a mother of two, and riding a bike is one way to connect to simpler times.

Simon Mottram gives us his highlights of what’s been happening in the RCC community and the latest club updates.

Our original and most refined cycle clothing collection, Classic is made with carefully selected materials for those who refuse to choose between performance and style.

The addition of Tejay van Garderen to EF Education First Pro Cycling’s stable of stage racers made waves over the winter. A proven winner at WorldTour level, the American has been on the cusp of greatness without quite achieving it. But, as he assures us in the second of EF Gone Racing’s rider interviews, his best years are still ahead of him.

The first layer of your cycling wardrobe is the foundation for comfort on the bike.

From the elusive pen of Rigo Zimmerman, Rapha Mondial presents ‘The Bookmaker’, the first in a series of stories printed in the magazine, and now to be released online.

Built from the ground up, over two years from sketch to shoe box, our new Explore and Classic cycling shoes mark a step change for Rapha. We spoke to the designers and wear testers to get the lowdown.

L’Étape du Tour is a unique proposition among cycling events. Does any other sport give its fans the chance to challenge themselves, in the same conditions, on the very same field as its finest competitors?

Three new chamois pads designed specifically for women, each three years in the making, all with a single goal: to make our women’s cycling shorts the most comfortable in the world.

Enjoying your ride shouldn’t come down to a game of chance. Plan ahead, check the forecast and make sure you’re ready to cycle through the best and the worst of the weather with versatile clothing that allows you to be flexible.

The key to comfortable riding is a pair of quality bib shorts, but not a pair designed for somebody else. All of our women’s bib shorts are designed for women, tested by women, and include a women’s specific chamois pad.

Every ride starts with a good pair of bib shorts. Whatever kind of riding you do, from mud-spattered cross races to weekend club rides, our bib shorts are a cut above the competition.

To solve a problem, you first have to understand it. The complete overhaul of our range of women’s chamois pads was driven by a predominantly female team to create cycling shorts made for women, by women. For the final word on a project all about comfort, we spoke to four of our female wear testers.

The Rapha Prestige challenges small amateur teams to take on an unsupported and unmarshalled adventure across stunning terrain, riding and finishing as a team.

Back for 2019 with a new and exclusive collection of adventure apparel from Rapha, Grinduro brings you four unique events. A mix of gravel racing and mountain bike enduro, somewhere between a gran fondo and a music festival, they’re the most anticipated riding weekends on the calendar.

Rapha’s tribute to the Queen of the Classics returns for its tenth edition.

Made for pushing the limits of endurance, the Explore collection incorporates technical innovations that push the boundaries of design. The Cargo Bib Shorts and Technical T-Shirt form a unique combination that is quickly becoming a uniform for the most adventurous riders.

14th of September 2019

Kasia Niewiadoma is an out of this world bike racer. A heart-on-her-sleeve attacker with jet heels, the CANYON//SRAM star will line up at this Saturday’s Strade Bianche determined to win. Having placed second for three consecutive years, the Polish 24-year-old says that she now knows what she was doing wrong before, and hopes to take that step up. We spoke to her about success, suffering, and it all being ignored by the organisers.

In the first of EF Gone Racing’s written pieces, we introduce 22-year-old Dani Martínez, the newly crowned Colombian time trial king.

A range of new cycling jackets to get you home and dry when riding in the city.

Marco Pantani is a rider like no other, one of just a handful of cyclists whose exploits are etched into cycling history.

Enjoying your ride shouldn’t come down to a game of chance. Plan ahead, check the forecast and make sure you’re ready to cycle through the best and the worst of the weather with versatile clothing that allows you to be flexible.

A look ahead to an array of new cycling products coming in 2019.

Stability, sustainability, equality. None of these things will be achieved in women’s racing without long-term commitment. We are proud to take the lead with one of the best women’s cycling teams in the world.

Last summer, Rapha took three riders on a ten day road trip to explore the best of the state's cycling, from the iconic Independence Pass to hidden gems on the far side of the Rockies.

Rapha founder and CEO Simon Mottram pens an open letter to mark the new year.

In the bus. At home. In the team cars and on top of mountains. EF Gone Racing is a new series taking you on the road with EF Education First Pro Cycling. Exclusive access, larger than life characters, and a Rapha film crew to capture it all. #GoneRacing

Ride through the heart of England in one of the most demanding and rewarding events of the year, raising money for Ambitious about Autism on the way.

A pioneering group of EF Education First Pro Cycling riders are to intersperse performances in the WorldTour with global adventure, visiting the most exciting events and races in modern cycling.

Rapha Custom x Richard Sachs Cyclocross Team

A bike is, first and foremost, a means to travel. To help you make the most of yours, the RCC has clubbed together with global bike shipping service, SHERPR, to provide a door-to-door service that takes the hassle out of travelling with your bike.

In a vintage year for road racing, Rapha founder and CEO Simon Mottram picks his top moments of panache.

As Sky calls time on professional cycling, Jeremy Whittle reflects on the state of a sport suddenly left without its dominant force – and the long descent that looms after Britain’s climb to the top of WorldTour.

Whether you plan to ride with clubmates or alone, to take on the #Festive500 is to join a global community of riders. Your inspiration for this year’s challenge could come from anywhere, as our diverse selection of the best previous entries to the #Festive500 Awards show.

A tribute to the legendary cycling commentator and former pro Paul Sherwen, who passed away last weekend.

Nine years after the first #Festive500 challenge, we revisit the story of how its creator, former Rapha designer Graeme Raeburn, had to ride 1,000km to realise 500km was enough.

150,000 square miles, 28,000 people, four riders, one road – an extraordinary adventure to the edge of the world.

A forgotten race between iconic Italian cities. Two editions, twelve years apart, both won by the same rider: Milano-Roma. Rapha celebrates the best bike race you've never heard of with this luxurious special collection.

Developed with the most adventurous riders over thousands of miles in the saddle, our first down jacket was designed to be incredibly warm, packable and lightweight.

The Explore Winter Tights take the radical pocket design from our popular Cargo Bib Shorts and add large reflective panels on the lower leg and a warm fleece-backed fabric to keep you warm, well-stocked and visible on winter adventures.

The new Explore collection

As the temperature falls and the light fades, it’s harder to get out and ride. Led by our legendary merino jerseys and padded tights, the Classic collection takes on the challenges of autumn and winter riding.

As the temperature falls and the light fades, it’s harder to get out and ride. Led by our legendary merino jerseys and the redesigned Winter Tights, the Classic collection takes on the challenges of autumn and winter riding.

Luggage for life on the move and a pairing for the 21st century

Cycling with character.

In his latest contribution to Mondial, WorldTour directeur sportif and former Rapha-Condor pro Tom Southam takes us through Britain’s storied cycling history to remind us all just how spectacular the recent run of British Grand Tour victories has been.

As the first of the autumn gales struck the UK, the Rapha Cycling Club escaped to Snowdonia for a weekend of superb riding on some of Wales’ finest roads.

Seasons change and so do we. Tired legs are refreshed, worn out kit is replaced, new colours bring a new lease of life. Make a change with these fresh colours, mixing firm favourites and new flavours across our range of unparalleled cycling clothing.

Don’t let the falling temperatures keep you indoors. Our Core collection includes winter essentials for every cyclist’s wardrobe, offering value that doesn’t compromise on comfort and performance.

Those who commute by bike know its virtues. They also know what they need from a jacket. Waterproof, breathable and visible, the Commuter Jacket is made for the rigours of riding to work.

After British riders complete an unprecedented triple crown of Grand Tour wins, can Simon Yates go one further by adding the rainbow stripes? Rapha Mondial asked Jeremy Whittle to assess the season so far, and look ahead to Austria next week.

Some say cyclocross is the most fun you can have on two wheels. Mud-splattered, sand-blasted… there’s always a gleaming set of pearly whites amidst the grime. We spoke to five riders to help you get across road cycling’s fun little sibling.

As the Vuelta a España splutters to its conclusion, this week’s Rapha Mondial sees Herbie Sykes trace the path towards a three-week stage race for the instant gratification generation.

From the fin-de-siècle velodromes of North America to the glamour and chaos of the first women’s Tour de France, Queens of Pain offers a sweeping panorama of female racing history.

Fully customisable clothing. A sleep system for cross-country adventures. A jacket designed specifically for the commute. Iconic products, reimagined. Look up the road with these new season highlights from Rapha.

In the latest Mondial long read, we hear the story of James Mark Hayden, the fastest man across Europe.

Since May 2016, an anonymous writer has been penning a series of diary entries about long-distance riding for Rapha. In this piece we reveal his name.

The Rapha Cycling Club London chapter continued its dedication to fostering a strong grassroots racing community with the fourth edition of its road race on Sunday, 12th August.

Cycling historian and author Herbie Sykes is at his forthright and expansive best in this new long read from Mondial magazine. Are you sitting comfortably?

The best bike rides are those shared with other people. With this in mind, the Women’s 100 brings cyclists around the world together to share the road and create enduring memories of their century ride.

In Episode 11, Rapha Race Radio makes it to Paris for the party, but not before going surfing with Tour de France stage winner Juan Antonio Flecha and meeting some proud Welsh fans at the final time trial.

Whether it be to ride a certain distance, climb that tricky hill or achieve a certain race result, goal setting is a powerful motivational tool for many cyclists. Here’s how to set your goal and, more importantly, achieve it.

The boys make their own ‘Publicity Caravan’, go inside the team car with Team EF sports director Tom Southam, and play a game of boules with Juan Antonio Flecha.

The fear of getting lost is a common obstacle to riding further away from home or even riding at all but with a little pre-ride planning, there’s nothing to worry to about. Here’s our guide to adventuring, with a little ‘a’.

The most important contact point between rider and machine is that between our behinds and our saddles. To help you sit comfortably, follow our tips for taking care of ‘down there’.

From treadmills to tennis courts, the pitch to the pool, exercise of any kind presents a challenge and prompts an endorphin rush but adventure? That’s reserved for the cyclists.

Just as hill climbs are rewarded with descents, so the calories you burn must be replenished. Here’s our guide to keeping your energy up during your ride and rewarding yourself afterwards.

While we don’t recommend trying to solve a Rubik's cube while you’re riding, heading out for a spin can be a great way to solve other problems. Take a problem out on the bike and it’s bound to come back smaller.

How long does it take to get to know someone? A week, a month, a year? Head out for a bike ride with someone and it’ll probably take less time than you think.

Roadside dispatches from the best bike races in the world

Outskirts: Route 66 is Rapha’s feature length film following the epic adventure four riders across the United States. The soundtrack to the film, composed by Builder’s Tea, was created a long way from the great American highway, writes Stuart Downie.

As you ride more frequently and further afield, a few additional pieces of kit will prove to be very useful. We asked a trio of Rapha designers what they’d recommend.

A clean bike will last longer and maybe even go a little bit faster. Giving yours a wash every now and then is well worth it. Here’s our routine for keeping your bike pristine.

For the uninitiated, cycling clothing can throw up more questions than answers. In this Manual, we recommend what to wear and explain why it’s alright to wear something tight.

From the cobbles of Roubaix to sprints through the Pyrenees, the 2018 Tour was designed to include the most varied route to date. But innovation at the Grand Tours is never without its history, writes Graeme Fife

It’s hard to hold a conversation with headphones in at the gym or shouting across a tennis court but cycling is different. Welcome to the sociable sport.

Cycling’s meditative qualities are much vaunted but these claims are more than just hearsay. Here’s the science behind clearing your mind on the bike.

From the makers of Thereabouts and filmed in partnership with Rapha, Outskirts is a new film series chronicling incredible journeys along the world’s most famous roads.

Whether you have been riding for decades or you are just clipping in, the journey to becoming a cyclist always includes the same rites of passage.

Enjoy a clearer view of the road ahead. Whether you’ll be swooping down alpine descents or spinning into town for a quick coffee in the morning sun, find your next pair of Rapha sunglasses below.

The latest publication from Rapha Editions plots the history not only of the world’s most famous race but also the country that hosts it. Editor Guy Andrews and renowned writer Paul Fournel discuss the inspiration behind their new book.

A ten day adventure on the West Coast.

Painting the roads of the climbs has long been a part of cycling culture, but do professional racers notice the messages of encouragement written by fans? Mondial spoke to former and current riders David Millar, Lachlan Morton and Ian Boswell to find out.

We ride events such as the Etape not just to pedal in the tracks of our heroes but to answer the call of the mountains. In this piece from the Mondial Archives, Julian Hoffman explores why mountains occupy such a special place in the human imagination.

Roadside dispatches from the best bike races in the world

CANYON//SRAM at the OVO Energy Women’s Tour

In a long read from the Mondial Archives, Richard Grant delves into the restless spirit of Americana and the answers that the road can offer up to travellers.

In this long read from the Mondial archives, author Jon Day looks at how the bicycle has helped us find the answer to social, cultural and political questions for more than a century.

We believe cycling transforms lives and should be the most popular sport in the world.

Los Angeles is unlike anywhere in the world. A patchwork of city and mountain, it was the location of our latest shoot and a place where riding is the answer to life's daily challenges.