Here are a few lessons learned while in New York City.
The Rapha store is an excellent place to begin a ride. It’s a killer bike shop with no bikes for sale. Once in the door there are ample places to rack a bike. Behold beautiful espressos, fresh croissants, bike racing projected on a whole wall, seats, tables, a WC, and evidently some nice kit for sale too. They are welcoming to riders who just want to hang out for a coffee and watch a race. Did I mention it has two Belgian-style beers on tap? It is a beautiful place.
Saturday dawned sunny and warm. The Rapha Club-Velominati Saturday ride was on. Riders assembled, the place filled with carbon wheeled beauties, Rapha clad youth and us. The V-kit stood out in contrast to the understated Rapha colors. I outfitted Frank with the oldest and heaviest bicycle there. It was a thirty year old steel bike with heavy but aero aluminum wheels. The best part was it was geared for Roubaix when we were riding Flanders; it had a 44 tooth inner ring and a mostly inaccessible 23 tooth inner cog on the back. I was hoping it might slow him down but it didn’t, nothing does.
The ride was awesome. Some of us represented the kit better than others, let us leave it at that. Our Rapha Club leader, Rob, did a beautiful job getting thirty-plus riders out of Manhattan and eventually back, safely. He is a stud.
The book signing was heart warming; people buying The Rules and us writing something obnoxious in it, for them. Riders were coming into the store and whipping out their copies for us to sign. The New Jersey boys drove two hours to join us on the ride and buy a pile of books. It is simply amazing to me: this Velominati community which has grown across the world, all people who love to ride the bike. To meet some of them at a Keepers Tour, or Cogal or in the Rapha store, it makes this whole endeavor worthwhile.
The San Francisco Event is happening this weekend and I encourage all nearby to venture into the city for the riding and signing.
Mr T was bold enough to shoot photos while riding. Grazie for sharing.
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Wow! Sounds like a great event. I had no idea such pretty roads existed close to NYC. Great pictures too - looks like spring is a bit ahead of the midwest. Haven't bared the arms or full legs yet this year here in WI.
Now I just have to buy the book . . .
This was such a fun day; the ride was amazing and expertly led by Rapha ambassador Rob. I also got to meet the guide for next week's ride in SFO - Eric. Both super nice guys and excellently Rule Compliant.
My mind was blown by how good the riding outside NYC was - rolling hills in the woods...incredible! Can't wait for the SFO ride which will include climbing and descending. Apparently there will even be a gravel climb up Mount Tam.
All in all, it just continues to amaze how cool people are and how much fun it is to connect with the community and finish the feedback loop.
Sorry to have missed it. Congratulations on the new edition! Do a book signing in D.C. too, and we'll do the D.C. Velo weekend ride!
Bellissimo...
...and the photos too!
Bwa ha ha! Can't wait!
@frank
Lucky!! Have fun!
@wiscot
Seattle is in full bloom as well; the trees have actually lost their blossoms and moved into leaves. I have tan lines. I even got a wee bit of sunburn.
Here are some of my photos from the ride; hopefully someone took some pictures of the actual signing as well that they can post.
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@frank
I remember being on Whidbey Island 7-8 years ago in March and was shocked at how much spring there was compared to WI. We were still in deepest winter, you guys were in full spring. Here, it's only been in the last week that the trees have begun to show some green buds. I didn't hear the wee frogs until mid April.
This week we're supposed to get in the upper 70s with rain so that'll help things along I'm sure. Still not putting the winter gear away yet . . .
Sunburn? It's still windburn around here!
Was that some kind of car-free parkway you were on? I know the Rapha guys are great, but to clear away all traffic is very impressive.