Published February 3rd, 2010 in Product Reviews, Road Cycling Kit
The sharp stuff got me again tonight. I stopped once to pump some air into the tire, but managed to get the horse back to the barn without having to fix it in the rain. There's nothing so black and mucky as aluminum rims in the slop. Some of that inky black stuff splashed up [...]

Continue reading about Rapha Rain Jacket Update

UPDATE: This morning Jorgen rightly called me on declaring the Overshoes watertight before wearing them in the rain. Tonight I put them to the test under the tap. I think Kurt got it right earlier today in the comments. Though some neoprene can be waterproof, open cell neoprene typically allows a little water to permeate [...]

Continue reading about Time for the Rapha Overshoes – Warm and Stylish

The Pacific Coast Highway was shrouded in mist for most of the 100 miles we rode in yesterday's Best Buddies Challenge. Tim, Marcella and I flew the Rapha flag start to finish, with those two opting for arm warmers and gilets while I went with a black Stowaway Jacket. Other than a brief spell on [...]

Continue reading about A Weekend with Rapha’s Merino Jersey

I'll preface this short post by saying I'm a solid guy. By solid I mean I've decided over many years that I prefer and think I look better in solid colors. Patterns are usually not my thing, but I'll make an exception for Houndstooth when it comes from my pal Don Powell at Panache Cyclewear. [...]

Continue reading about Rocking Houndstooth Socks from Panache

Cooler temperatures wait just up the road, but as we enjoy the temperate end of another brilliant summer, thoughts turn to layers and a little more variety from the cycling wardrobe. I miss wearing my Rapha Jackets, particularly the brilliant red Lightweight Softshell I fell in love with last year. The Stowaways, misty blue, orange [...]

Continue reading about Changing Seasons Brings Rapha Windfall – Get Ready

Rain or shine the original has been backing me up for 18 months. I'm so used to wearing it that there's usually a moment on a weekend ride where I imagine something is missing. The minimal, low-profile design doesn't allow for any extra ballast. You pack the essentials and that's it. For my commute that [...]

Continue reading about Back to Back – How the New Fixed Backpack Measures Up

Fausto Coppi's storied life ended before I celebrated my first birthday. He appears in period photographs with the dark, chiseled looks of a film star. In many of those images he's wearing a collared wool jersey with buttoned-down chest pockets emblematic of a more fashionable age. Rapha's 2009 Campionissimo Jersey, beautifully crafted in the [...]

Continue reading about Campionissimo & Swift – Rapha Tributes to Legendary Fliers

In the beginning there was Rapha black; classic, timeless, refined, tailored, graphic, urban, edgy, luxurious, flattering BLACK. If they did nothing else I'm sure I'd still be happy, but each season Rapha brings a refined sense of color to the road for discerning riders. 2009 Rapha Stowaway Gallery 2009 Stowaway Jacket – Misty Blue Impressions In 2008 [...]

Continue reading about The First Signs of Rapha Spring

DMT Dragon Gallery Saturday, my pal Brendan and I rolled out for our first ride together since his major overhaul at the Stanford Medical Service Course. Fifteen pounds lighter and looking sharp in his Rapha winter jersey Brendan was clearly tickled to be pedaling his Soulcraft in earnest again. We followed a familiar loop from Los [...]

Continue reading about Enter the Dragons – New Kicks from Italy’s DMT

Last week, between the showers, the puddles and the gritty streets two great memories bridged whatever gap separates us and rode along side for a while. They were unexpected but welcome company. The first of them appeared as a curtain of rain drew back to reveal the first sunshine of the week. Looking ahead to navigate [...]

Continue reading about Spinning Thoughts – Memories While Pedaling in Italian Finery

The mile markers tick over on yet another calendar year. Time to reflect on the kit and gear that got me through 2008 in comfort, safety and style. Here's the best of it. November's 30 Days of Rapha series left no doubt as to my loyalties. The Perren Street Trust extended their lead with a [...]

Continue reading about Best Cycling Kit of the Year – 2008

For the second straight year I pointed my bike skyward and began the year with the 4200' climb to the Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton. The valley was completely socked in with dense fog when I started at first light. I was interested to see whether the smooth new asphalt of Highway 130 see Going [...]

Continue reading about Rising Above it All to Start Another Year