Read, Dog-Ear pages, Re-Read.....

I bought this book a few years back, devoured it, put it in a drawer and went on with the day to day. Cleaning out some stuff recently I ran across it and dropped it onto the bedside table. I was between books and decided to read it again, this time probably a little slower than before. I remember it being a good book, but not this good. I came across page after page, quote after quote that spoke to me. After a bit the book started to take on a new shape with folded corners of pages causing a weird literary tumor of sorts in the upper right corner.

The Rider by Tim Krabbe is an intensely intimate look at a half day race from one rider's perspective. Kilometer by Kilometer, inch by inch the race is described in detail. The highs and lows, the suffering and pleasure is all laid bare for the reader.

Many have tried to make a case that the race is a great metaphor for the rider's life...it isn't. Make no mistake, the race is EVERYTHING to the rider. The race IS life to him, a life he believes he will either live or die by. The angels and demons he battles here are all on two wheels. Many of the riders begin to seem wraithlike as if death would be a welcome escape from the hell they seem to push through.

The Rider is an amazing piece of literature, an amazing read for any cyclist or fan of cycling, and beautiful portrait of the riders whose passion overcomes pain.

Rapha Cycle Club NYC

I had the chance to catch the final time trial of the TdF this year at the Rapha Cycle Club in New York....nothing here but hate. The kind of hate that is really intense love and respect, where you rant in crazy posts because EVERYTHING these guys do is amazing and continues to constantly make my jaw drop. The kind of hate you reserve for people that tease you with something this cool, only to tell you it will all go away in three months time. The Rapha Cycle Club is like a beautiful mistress that you know will only break your heart when she leaves, but you will enjoy it to the fullest in the meantime.


The entire space is open and inviting with plenty of seating to watch the Tour on the flat screens and grab a cappuccino from the espresso bar (Thank you Third Rail Coffee and Stumptown Coffee Roasters!!)


The back half of the space is more of a gallery, with plenty of stunning photography that captures the passion of cycling and this amazing centerpiece, the Voiture Balai, one of, I believe three, that Rapha owns.


A shot of the broom attached to the back






Vintage jerseys and memorabilia were on display all over the club. So much great stuff to look at.


What may be one of the biggest cowbells I have ever seen.


An amazing quote that sums up a true passion for cycling and why we do it.

Rapha's design aesthetic is top notch and they did not stumble one bit where the Cycle Club is concerned. Hopefully they will continue with these pop-ups in other parts of the country (Portland anyone?!?) Chapeau Rapha! well done...again...jerks.