Here at Rose we love history and culture because they tell a story that adds richness to the enjoyment of our lives in our Washington, DC community. Since the high end fashionable sportswear brand launched in London in 2004, any search into cycling history will lead to Rapha (Rapha Performance Roadware).
Rapha uses video and print media to tell the story of cycling including many of the sport's great athletes, both past and living legends, and humanizing them and their race performances. Profiling Alex Stieda from the first great North American cycling team 7-Eleven cycling--the same team which helped to launch cycling in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and ultimately turned into US Postal Service / Discovery Channel which brought greater scrutiny to the sport--was a masterful work that painted a picture of what life was like in the early days for cycling in the United States. Alex himself even tries out his old equipment as part of the story, bringing it full circle as he tests his old leather cycling helmet, "It fits perfectly!" It is one of many films from Rapha--too many to name.
We are big fans of the Rapha's ability to embody the history of cycling and to push it forward by adopting new ideas for the sport, for athletes, ranging from producing fashionable high end functional fabrics to bespoke goods to history-inspired espresso machines. Rapha's range as a brand is incredible and its marketing does not just marinate in the rich history of cycling but pushes it forward and makes it relevent today.
The Rapha social lunch time ride ended up with three times as many people as originally planned. The ride went off without a hitch!
We recently noticed a dramatic increase in the quantity of cyclists in the DC area donning Rapha kit. A Rapha lunch time ride last fall, which was ostensibly a market test for the Washington, DC cycling community, overflowed with triple the anticipated attendees. So we were not suprised when we heard that Rapha planned to open a Washington, DC popup store.
Then we heard it was going to be in Georgetown, which is practically impenetrable by bike or car. We have to comment that the location is so disconnected from the DC community as to be quite remarkable. In the words of Los Angeles based designer and Rapha artist Geoff McFetridge, it is like locating a bike shop next to the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles. It just doesn't make any sense.
While we were bummed about the location, we were nevertheless interested and put it on our list of stops in between other trips in case we ended up venturing near the Georgetown neighborhood. Sure enough, a chore brought us to the area and, armed with an interest for cycling drama and a pair of walking shoes, we ambled over to the Rapha DC popup store to check it out.
Gear sales are incredibly popular at Rapha and one was in full swing as Black Friday shopping approached.
Rapha designs its stores to be both retail locations and coffeeshops that cyclists might visit at the beginnings and ends of rides--a cycling clubhouse. Although it was merely a popup, this newest location did not disappoint. It was located directly on M Street NW and sandwiched by paper and writing stores. Whilst the location made no sense at all, the store layout and products were well thought out in the tradition of the Rapha brand. On cue, we followed in a group of about six cyclists who were finishing up a ride. They deposited their bikes in the back and crowded around the small clubhouse table, enjoying espressos.
Cyclists enjoy espressos in the Rapha club house, discussing the past ride and planning the next one.
Past a couple racks of apparel and adjacent to the clubhouse table hangout was board detailing local rides from the shop along with a custom Rocket espresso machine. There was a variety of rides posted when we dropped by.
Group rides are advertised on a chalk board above a custom Rocket espresso machine.
The store staff was encouraging with the espresso pours. The coffee itself was a special blend provided by Intellegentsia Coffee, a large roaster in Chicago, IL. We were soon socializing with everyone else and realized that we had attended an espresso class (at Rose Physical Therapy we take our coffee very seriously) with the head barista, Blake, who walked us through a few pulls.
Casually checking out the beautiful apparel with the aroma of espresso wafting through the air and with a din of discussion about upcoming cycling rides and races. Intellegentisa is one of our favorite coffee roasters.
Walking around the store, there as a excellent variety of apparel from Rapha cycling, but not everything the brand has to offer. When we dropped in it happened to be a Black Friday sale.
Rapha favors an industrial design that can handle the abuse of large parties of cyclists, bikes, and allow for in-store receptions and art shows.
Rapha cycling warranties some products for life, and have incentives programs for riders to improve their athletic conditioning.
We should note that the store has lockerrooms in the back for cyclists (not photographed).
We find the Rapha travel wallets to be an elegant solution for organizing our cycling "stuff"--nothing makes changing a flat feel more opulent than withdrawing one's tools from a crafted leather pouch that has been meticulously designed.
Just as we were about to rush off, we ran into prominent cycling blogger / vlogger Chris from Cycleboredom. It was clear that a local celebrity was entering the building because everyone perked up when he came in. We're huge fans of his and love the work he does to profile local races like DCCX. In fact, his interest in profiling cyclocross in the Washington, DC area is second to none.
Cycleboredom.com does as much for the Washington, DC cycling community than anyone, blogging and vlogging in a stylishly extravagant way that makes cycling so much more accessible and fun. We also note that he promotes being a cycling parent by involving your kis in bike commuting and cycling for fitness.
All in all it was a great visit and a worthy addition to the growing cycling community here in the Nation's Capital.
We would love to see a permanent store, but maybe in a better location such as the Capitol Riverfront which is rapidly becoming a hub for city cycling due to its convenience to Hains Point and Anacostia Park and with momentum building for the 11th Street Bridge Park. We even go so far as to recommend considering Half Street SE as a possible location. The Southeast waterfront is the fastest growing neighborhood in the District due to its ease of access, closeness to the Navy Yard, close to Capitol Hill DC, its being central to everything, and being extremely navigable even during Nationals baseball games and events, and accessible when the rest of the city is shut down such as during Inauguration. Just our two cents, but we're always happy to add to the incredible cycling community we are so lucky to enjoy here in the District!
Looking out onto the traffic and crowded sidewalks of tourists on M Street NW in Georgetown from the Rapha club house storefront.