Rapha: Sella
Motivational.
Motivational.
Don’t miss the full-length edition of this movie – about Sean Kelly – screening on rapha.cc this Friday, 20 August. I missed the Yohan Museeuw one last Friday, but on 27th there’s a 3rd screening, about Dario Pegoretti.
I just love the way Rapha keep getting cooler.
I bumped into Richard Mitchelson (aka rich_mitch) on Twitter following one of my sportive write-ups. We both rode the Puncheur, and compared notes on the freezing conditions on the day. Anyway, a pleasant but unremarkable cyber-encounter.
Then this morning, as I was flicking through a copy of Rouleur, wearing my cleats and a cycling cap whilst sipping a Rapha-blend macchiato and half-watching the Giro (of which experiences, more later), I recognised Richard’s name in print. RM is an animator/illustrator, who has not only designed a bunch of Tour-legend t-shirts, currently available via the rouelur.cc shop, but also a comic strip of the famous Lemond-Fignon showdown in the 1989 Tour de France, for the latest issue of Rouleur.
Wonder what he’d charge for a one-off ‘Al’ t-shirt?
One of mine from Japan.
Millsy and I had a good ride out from Denham today. The weather was overcast, and a bit chilly even in 3/4 fleece-lined bibs and Rapha long sleeve.
We did 67 miles – longer than the distance on Google maps owing to an early map SNAFU on my part – in 4hrs 15. I felt OK, but as the hours wore on I was treated to an extended viewing of Millsy’s ass as he showed some solid form on the flat. I still had the edge over Whiteleaf Hill though.
My recent birthday brought with it a couple of choice new items for my cycling wardrobe. The first was a Rapha long sleeve jersey.
Basically, everything you’ve heard is true: exquisite detailing, great fit, good looks. Every serious cyclist would love to own some of this kit. I haven’t worn it yet because I refuse to subject it to winter grime (so maybe in June, then). I mean, you have to like this:
A Pantani homage in the back pocket. Unreal.
Photographer Ben Ingham shot these images of the Rapha team on a late-season training camp in the Swiss Alps. Loving the moody black and white, wishing I was there.
You can buy the prints from the Rapha site. Also check out Rapha CC’s Flickr photostream.