Have Rapha finally disappeared up their own @rse?

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  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    Many cycle clubs are run by volunteers yet many members expect 'club' treatment, similar to that of a gym membership.

    I've not read the details yet but if you want to ride in a club, get the perks and not deal with the voluntary expectations that come with nearly all cycle clubs, perfect.

    Seems a good idea so far (will read in full later).
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    meanredspider wrote:
    As I've said before, it might pay me to join for some of the benefits - though the Amsterdam store, which will only be 10 minutes away, doesn't open until March.

    That'll do well.

    When I cycled on the continent a few years ago Dutch were the easiest to spot. They were always the ones on the ridiculously expensive bikes.

    Probably different now - that'll be the Brits ;).
    _
  • robbo2011
    robbo2011 Posts: 1,017
    I hope Rapha don't open a store in Switzerland, you hardly see anyone in Rapha over here. Not much market for it.

    Although a store in Zurich would appeal to the ex-pat UK banker crowd I guess.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    When I cycled on the continent a few years ago Dutch were the easiest to spot. They were always the ones on the ridiculously expensive bikes.

    Probably different now - that'll be the Brits ;).

    The Brits are easy to spot these days - the only ones not riding in pro team kit!
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    robbo2011 wrote:
    I hope Rapha don't open a store in Switzerland, you hardly see anyone in Rapha over here. Not much market for it.

    Although a store in Zurich would appeal to the ex-pat UK banker crowd I guess.

    That's cause it's Assos's home turf!

    Both kits are lovely.
    My London Road
  • pottssteve
    pottssteve Posts: 4,069
    You don't see a lot of Rapha over here but funnily enough I spotted some while out on a ride yesterday. There was a youngish couple riding high-end folding bikes (local versions of Brompton) down by the Tolo Harbour. They had matching Rapha rain jackets on - they looked OK, but I didn't like the big Rapha logo on the back.

    I sauntered past them in my 5 year old Showers Pass soft-shell, riding no hands and with little effort, just to put them in their tiny-wheeled places. :D
    Head Hands Heart Lungs Legs
  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,108
    robbo2011 wrote:
    meanredspider wrote:
    awavey wrote:
    well if its like my nearest local cycling club theyll bump you off the ride for not following the dress code rules :roll: ie if you are a member you have to buy their kit and wear it on all club rides, even if its just a lazy sunday morning cafe run. strangely not appealing as a reason to join.

    That's an interesting point. I've never been a member of a cycling club but I've always thought how stupid it is that they dress up in club kit for a training ride - I've never quite got the point. Other sports clubs I've been a member of have never insisted on this for training.

    Easpecially as a lot of club kit will be of lower quality than the kit you already have in the wardrobe and would much rather be wearing

    As already mentioned - no club I've ever known insists members wear club kit on rides - OK so awavey has one near him but let's not pretend this is anything other than a rare exception. Most club rides I see have a mix of people wearing some club kit and some people not - pretty much what you'd expect.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,495
    DeVlaeminck wrote:
    As already mentioned - no club I've ever known insists members wear club kit on rides - OK so awavey has one near him but let's not pretend this is anything other than a rare exception. Most club rides I see have a mix of people wearing some club kit and some people not - pretty much what you'd expect.
    My local club doesn't insist on it.
    But they do ask that you do, applaud you if you do, and generally make it known that you should promote the club at all times. I am certain that some members only own club kit.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,719
    PBlakeney wrote:
    DeVlaeminck wrote:
    As already mentioned - no club I've ever known insists members wear club kit on rides - OK so awavey has one near him but let's not pretend this is anything other than a rare exception. Most club rides I see have a mix of people wearing some club kit and some people not - pretty much what you'd expect.
    My local club doesn't insist on it.
    But they do ask that you do, applaud you if you do, and generally make it known that you should promote the club at all times. I am certain that some members only own club kit.

    Every Cycling club in London stated in the "Club Rules" That it was expected to wear club kit - I doubt they'd throw you out over it, but given that UK cycling clubs are populated by the sort of people that write "Club Rules" then I can't believe they wouldnt give you an ear ache...

    Much like MSR, if I lived in London still and the club in A'dam was open then I'd be tempted by it. The Rapha Club was near where I worked and had I been a bit happier in London I could have used them for an evening club ride. But the biggest thing for me is that I could now hire a good bike, no questions asked, when I come back to London and want to ride with my friends over there.

    At the moment i have to find a bike shop and give a very tenuous, morally questionable, excuse about wanting to test ride a bike that in reality I'm never going to ride, from a shop I'd never buy a bike from...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,108
    Every club?! Well all I can say is up here I've never known a club insist on it or even imply it's preferred. Based on club members from different clubs I've ridden with or club groups out riding round here or elsewhere it's certainly not the norm.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,495
    I would imagine that this is fairly standard:-

    "5. Code of Conduct
    5.1 When taking part in a Club related activity, whether this activity involves cycling or not, all members must remember that their conduct reflects directly on the Club, and consequently it must be of the highest order.
    5.2 When cycling on the road, all members must adhere strictly to the ‘rules of the road’ and must not put themselves or fellow cyclists, whether Club members or not, in danger. Safety in our sport is of the utmost importance, and each member must not only look out for themselves, but also for fellow cyclists.
    5.3 Each member is an ambassador for the Club, and should promote the benefits of being part of the Club whenever they can.
    5.4 Wearing the Club top whenever they are participating in a Club activity is encouraged and is compulsory when competing in an event. Club clothing can be purchased through the Clothing Secretary.
    5.5 Although it is not yet a legal requirement, wearing an approved safety helmet when cycling is strongly advised. The risk of serious head injury is greatly increased if a helmet is not being worn and this is likely to be taken into account in the event of an insurance claim.
    5.6 Each member is responsible for maintaining their bicycle in a good and safe condition, and particularly during the winter months or when the weather demands it, fitting mudguards as a courtesy to other Club members.
    5.7 Any member who persistently flouts the above code of conduct may face disciplinary action under para 10."

    Also note the helmet and mudguard debate.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • arran77
    arran77 Posts: 9,260
    PBlakeney wrote:
    5.7 Any member who persistently flouts the above code of conduct may face disciplinary action under para 10."

    Disciplinary action :shock: What are they going to do, restrict your access to the poncy 'free' coffee :lol:
    "Arran, you are like the Tony Benn of smut. You have never diluted your depravity and always stand by your beliefs. You have my respect sir and your wife my pity" :lol:

    seanoconn
  • Omar Little
    Omar Little Posts: 2,010
    I think there is a BC rule about wearing club kit in races, so its not just clubs individual rule. If not wearing club kit then there are guidelines about what kit can be worn. In practice its a bit more relaxed than the rules state, certainly at regional level.

    While i wear it racing ill often not wear club kit on club rides, in the summer im in the minority doing this but in the winter club kit is less common, at least on the top layer of clothing. I dont know any of the local clubs who insist on wearing club kit on training rides.
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    arran77 wrote:
    PBlakeney wrote:
    5.7 Any member who persistently flouts the above code of conduct may face disciplinary action under para 10."

    Disciplinary action :shock: What are they going to do, restrict your access to the poncy 'free' coffee :lol:

    That's your Joe average club rules, not Raphas, being a bit quick to hate on anything Rapha there :wink:
  • arran77
    arran77 Posts: 9,260
    iPete wrote:
    arran77 wrote:
    PBlakeney wrote:
    5.7 Any member who persistently flouts the above code of conduct may face disciplinary action under para 10."

    Disciplinary action :shock: What are they going to do, restrict your access to the poncy 'free' coffee :lol:

    That's your Joe average club rules, not Raphas, being a bit quick to hate on anything Rapha there :wink:

    I still blame Rapha, they're the new Wiggle :wink:
    "Arran, you are like the Tony Benn of smut. You have never diluted your depravity and always stand by your beliefs. You have my respect sir and your wife my pity" :lol:

    seanoconn
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,495
    arran77 wrote:
    PBlakeney wrote:
    5.7 Any member who persistently flouts the above code of conduct may face disciplinary action under para 10."

    Disciplinary action :shock: What are they going to do, restrict your access to the poncy 'free' coffee :lol:
    Basic cycling club rules, nothing to do with Rapha.
    Basically, they are going to shun you and make you feel like an outcast. Which ultimately suited me just fine and I left.
    Cycling is the new golf and both sets of clubs are far too cliquey for my liking.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    No such thing as 'basic cycling club rules' - they will all be different. Some of them might indeed have rules like that, but it doesn't follow that they all do...
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,719
    all of the 4 clubs in SW London did...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    ddraver wrote:
    all of the 4 clubs in SW London did...

    ah well - if four clubs in SW London had those rules, then every other club in the UK must be the same then...
  • on-yer-bike
    on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
    My club doesn't insist on club kit on their rides or TTs. It has to be worn at open TTs and racing. Most of the members love the kit so usually wear it on rides anyway. Most of the club kit I see from other clubs I wouldn't be seen dead in. I suspect the Rapha kit will look good and if you become a member you can sell or the Rapha gear you already own as you wont be needing it anymore.
    Pegoretti
    Colnago
    Cervelo
    Campagnolo
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,495
    Imposter wrote:
    No such thing as 'basic cycling club rules' - they will all be different. Some of them might indeed have rules like that, but it doesn't follow that they all do...
    Check yours out. They may not be spoken, but chances are that they are written in a similar manner.
    It doesn't follow that all do, but I will wager most formal, organised clubs do have rules like that.

    In these days of social media, fluid social clubs are becoming more common and those will not have rules such as above.
    I like this. :P
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    PBlakeney wrote:
    Imposter wrote:
    No such thing as 'basic cycling club rules' - they will all be different. Some of them might indeed have rules like that, but it doesn't follow that they all do...
    Check yours out. They may not be spoken, but chances are that they are written in a similar manner.
    It doesn't follow that all do, but I will wager most formal, organised clubs do have rules like that.

    In these days of social media, fluid social clubs are becoming more common and those will not have rules such as above.
    I like this. :P

    I have checked mine out - we review and amend ours from time to time. We have no such rules governing the wearing of club kit.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,719
    PBlakeney wrote:
    I like this. :P

    me too - Should have added that I didnt join any of them, My idea of cycling as something fun to do seems to clash with the majority of people there...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,108
    Whether many clubs have something like that somewhere in the constitution I don't know - ours doesn't I am not familiar with the constitution of others - what I do know is I've been cycling in a club for 13 years or so and having been out with plenty of riders from local clubs and seen groups of club riders in the UK and abroad it is not normal for them all to be togged up in club kit. I wear some item of club kit about 50% of the time (while cycling!) because I own it and quite like it - some wear it more some you only see wearing at races - nobody gives a toss one way or the other.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,719
    so....after 2 pages of bickering do we know if you have to wear Rapha on the Rapha CC ride yet?
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Seems like the only people who have a strong opinion about the wearing of club kit are those not in clubs.. ;)
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    I've seen quite a few groups of riders in club kit (pretty much exclusively) in my time both in the south of the UK and in NL (New Year's Day was the last) but I'm glad to hear that this isn't widespread. I'm sure that there have been threads on BR before with people lamenting the insistence of their club that you wear club kit on training rides but they are clearly the exceptions. Of course, it totally makes sense to wear it in competition - after all it is generally a team sport.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    Imposter wrote:
    Seems like the only people who have a strong opinion about the wearing of club kit are those not in clubs.. ;)

    Which explains why we aren't in clubs...
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    arran77 wrote:
    iPete wrote:
    arran77 wrote:
    PBlakeney wrote:
    5.7 Any member who persistently flouts the above code of conduct may face disciplinary action under para 10."

    Disciplinary action :shock: What are they going to do, restrict your access to the poncy 'free' coffee :lol:

    That's your Joe average club rules, not Raphas, being a bit quick to hate on anything Rapha there :wink:

    I still blame Rapha, they're the new Wiggle :wink:

    But Wiggle have the cheek to charge £500 for special membership and then charge you again for every group ride! :lol:
    ddraver wrote:
    all of the 4 clubs in SW London did...

    Yes and these are also very large clubs where having a few ground rules stops people treating them like 'clubs' where membership buys a service. This is where the Rapha club is great because you are paying for a service. I believe some of these clubs are also having to cap membership, que more boring comparisons with golf.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    meanredspider wrote:
    Imposter wrote:
    Seems like the only people who have a strong opinion about the wearing of club kit are those not in clubs.. ;)

    Which explains why we aren't in clubs...

    So you're agreeing that your misconception about club kit is the reason why you're not in a club..?? That's very honest...

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