The Radavist

Over the years, some of these guys have become good friends of mine and I’ve enjoyed watching their lives change in the time that the Rapha Continental has been around. Since its inception, the Continental not only influenced the lives of the members, but undoubtably cycling as a whole.

Watching this video from the 2013 Pacific Northwest Rapha Continental ride, all I can think about is doing something similar with a group of close friends. The PNW really is gorgeous.

See more incredible photos at the Rapha Flickr and read Jeremy Dunn’s thoughts on the ride at Rapha.

Rapha‘s Strava challenges are always a lot of fun. Ever look to see what the competitors are riding? Personally, I always enjoy clicking on the leader’s stats and seeing where they rode and what kind of elevation they can hit on their home turf. For the Rapha Rising 2013, people came out of the woodwork:

“30,841 riders worldwide took to the hills and mountain roads as part of the eight-day Rapha Rising Challenge. The challenge, in conjunction with Strava, was to climb the combined height of the Alpe d’Huez, Peyresourde, Ventoux and Col de Sarenne. A total of 7, 235m was the target but, of course, many went above and beyond that figure.”

Cycling truly is, not just another sport.

I am very stoked on the Women’s 100 event that Rapha organized. Here’s the break-down on this successful event:

“Sunday 7th July was a big day in road cycling: the Tour was in the Pyrenees where Team Sky’s Christopher Froome was defending the yellow jersey for the first time. Simultaneously, thousands of women cyclists were riding their own ‘big loop’, participating in something called the Women’s 100. Rapha’s idea was to encourage as many female riders as possible to go out and bag 100 kilometres on the same day as the Etape du Tour, where a merry band of women cyclists, some new to the sport and some experienced, would ride the 130km from Annecy to Mt. Semnoz.

It was a roaring success and a great day for riders worldwide. We’d like to congratulate all the people involved, particularly those who had never achieved that distance before and the people who organized the rides, chapeau. And our message now is a simple one: keep on riding.

Additional photos can be found in the Stories section of rapha.cc 

Reports from rides across North America can be found on the Rapha blog here.”

Check out a few more infographics below.

With the 4th almost here, what other inspiration do you need to get riding than the newest from Milliman and Rapha? Slow motion gravel explosions!

The world is a big stage for cycling and the Rapha Continental asks: “where would you ride?”

I wish I could be everywhere at once, especially with all these great events approaching in the coming weeks. The Rapha Continental undeniably changed cycling in the USA. As part of their First Thursday Rapha Exhibition series, Rapha will be presenting select pieces from the Continental, as well as a group ride on Friday:

First Thursday Rapha Exhibition – Exploring The Road Less Traveled
The exhibition will feature photographs, films, journals, the riders themselves and their individually handmade steel bicycles.
Thursday June 6th
6-9 PM
Nossa Familia Coffee
1319 NW Johnson Street
Portland, OR 97209

Lunch Ride With The Rapha Continental
On Friday June 7th, Rapha North America will host a group ride with the riders of The Rapha Continental at 12:30 PM. The ride will depart from and finish at the Rapha North America offices at 1915 NW Kearney Street in Northwest Portland. The ride will be approximately 35 miles and will include Skyline Road, Rock Creek Road and Old Germantown Road. All levels welcome, the ride will take place rain or shine.

See more information below!

Photos by Brian Vernor

The 2013 Rapha Women’s Prestige looked to be a brutal course and with coverage like this, few will argue. Check out the full write-up by Julie Krasniak here and more photos by Brian Vernor here.

Now get off the internet and get outside.

This weekend kicks off the 2013 Amgen Tour of California and to get everyone in spirits for the event, I’m having a photo show at the Rapha Cycle Club SF. The show is being hung tomorrow (Saturday, May 11th) and will be up all week. Then, come Sunday, May 19th, we’re throwing an all-day “opening party” event.

So if you’re in SF next weekend, come down Sunday and say hi.

I’ll be covering the 2013 ATOC again this year, but a little differently, so stay tuned!

It’s almost the weekend and while most of you don’t have to worry about snow for the next few months, there are plenty of people who do. Brrrrrr… Here’s the latest from the Rapha Continental:

“The UK Continental’s first journey of 2013 took our riders to Wales to investigate the route of the Bryan Chapman Memorial, a 600km audax and uniquely British type of endurance ride. The event is named after the late Bryan Chapman, an intrepid long-distance cyclist who often rode across Wales and back just to visit his mechanic.”

Seriously. Wow. What a fucking rad story.

I am so, so pumped on this jacket that Rapha has been working on with Raeburn. It’s made in England from old parachute canopies and sporting a bright orange and OD green colorway. I’m sold! Check out more at Rapha.

Also, check out an interview with Christopher Raeburn and shots of the jacket at Selectism!

Yes, these roads are as beautiful as they look here. Except, I heard one of the teams died at the hands of a hungry pack of drop bears? Check out more at Rapha.

While at NAHBS, Julie Krasniak interviewed Richard Sachs and Rapha just posted it up. Check it out at Rapha!

If you love your Rapha Classic Jersey but wish it had more color, these Trade Team Jerseys might be for you. Check out the full stock at Rapha and don’t forget to pick up the matching cap.

“Following up on the 5 Decades T-Shirt collection from last year…

1962 was the year that marked the return of trade teams to the Tour de France, to replace the previous national line ups. This trio of special edition Rapha jerseys celebrate the three teams and riders who topped the podium that year. The 49th edition of the Tour saw newcomer Raymond Poulidor of Mercier take the third step whilst Belgian Jozef Planckaert of Flandria narrowly lost out to Jacques Anquetil of the iconic St. Raphaël team.”

Looking great. Also, hey Ben!

Here’s the latest from e r t z u i ° Film.

_{“FILM Shot & Directed by Kristian Ansand & Martin Gilluck | Music by A Dancing Beggar | Produced by ERTZUI FILM ertzui.de}  

The Rapha Continental was established in the United States in 2007 with the aim of rediscovering the lost spirit of cycling. To help realise that ambition, the Rapha Continental joined forces with the finest independent framebuilders in America. In recognition of the Continental’s continued expansion in 2013, Rapha is now proud to be working with some of the finest independent framebuilders around the world.

The result is a growing collection of custom bikes that reflect the craft and heritage of global framebuilding, bikes that are versatile enough to handle the wide range of terrain that the Continental riders encounter. Meticulously designed and entirely handbuilt, they combine technology and innovation with individuality and flair, creating elegant, understated bikes that handle beautifully and perform brilliantly.”

As the Rapha Continental continues to grow, Rapha will be working with some of the best bespoke framebuilders in each Continental territory. In 2013, these will include:
Amaro Bikes, Crema Cycles, Crisp Titanium, Edelbikes, Festka, St Joris Cycles, Vandeyk Contemporary Cycles, Vogel Fahrradrahmenbau and Tiziano Zullo.

See more at Rapha