I personally think the Rapha thing represents something very good for cycling, just like I think Rivendell represents something very good for cycling. The thing they have in common, for me, is encouragement and advocacy of an attitude towards cycling that expands the variety of things that are cool about cycling. There are numerous other companies that also expand the envelope of what cycling is. Ten years ago, virtually all hard core roadies, or their associated wannabes were all about team kits. Rapha has helped expand that, especially with the Continental, to include wool, and stylish basic colors (and black shorts!) back into the realm of high end roadie gear. Maybe that look or vibe was cool all along, but no company that I know of has lately presented that look as the height of fashion and style. And there's still plenty of room for those who want to wear synthetic team kits. Rivendell also goes against the conventional wisdom about what a bicycle is and what a bicyclist dresses like. Lots of cyclists think of Rivendell as an exclusivist pompous boutique because you can buy a Surly for cheaper that is 'just as good'. And here are Rive users implying (or stating outright) that Rapha wearers are some other kind of stuck up fashionistas, while it's us that are the normal everyman. I personally think it's a waste of tie for cyclist in general to categorize themselves in to cliques and then figure out ways to emphasize our differences. It seems to me that, at least in my lifetime, cycling has never had a broader set of participants than it does today, and I think that is extremely exciting. There's plenty of room for all of us.
The Rapha upcoming Rapha project that I think is really cool is that four riders are going to attempt to cover the 326km course of the Col de la Tourmalet stage of the 1910 Tour de France. Whether or not you think the pursuit of 'epicness' is misplaced machismo, I respect the fact that much of their ethos is rooted in the history of cycling and celebrating the possibilities of human achievement. On Jun 5, 11:34 pm, Philip Williamson <[email protected]> wrote: > Well...Where to start? Oh never mind. It's all about hats, now. > > I've been pimping my bike with new brakes (CR720s) and I sanded and > shellacked my pedal platforms again. (http://tinyurl.com/ > SkateDeckPedals) Not really riding, except to get places. And, I've > been eating food with friends, which is like a balm to my soul. > > In summation: Rivendell is making food with friends and eating it on > your porch. Rapha is buying food with friends in a really cool > restaurant. > > Philip > 97128 > > On Jun 4, 1:05 pm, "S.Cutshall" <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > Sorry, I've been out riding my bike... > > > what did I miss in this ongoing conversation? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
