Rapha GP
6/07/2018

Rapha at the #BristolGP

When you have two amazing brands close to one another they’re either going to hit it off, or hate each other. 

Well, we can say it now: We  Rapha. Rob Jarvis, from the Rapha Archive Store tells us a bit more about the iconic bike brand, the 2018 race and how you can get your hands on some cut price Rapha goodies.

Tell us a bit about the Rapha Archive Store (for those who haven’t been…)

Here at the Archive Store we welcome a wide range of customers, from long time fans of the brand to new cyclists just starting out in the sport.

Riders come to see us for our extensive and evolving range of men’s and women’s Archive products all with great price reductions, as well as current season products from our Classic, Brevet and Pro-Team ranges.

What they also discover is that the Archive Store is located on the edge of The Mendips, just a 34km ride from the likes of Bristol and Bath. It’s the perfect start point to access some of the best roads, iconic climbs and stunning scenery that the South West has to offer.

We’re all riders here, so it’s one of the main reasons we chose it!

Why did Rapha want to become involved with the Bristol GP?

We decided to get involved with the Bristol GP as we love it. It celebrates competitive cycling with the race, and then is followed by an accessible event open to everyone.

For us, that’s perfect.

Rapha is more than a business now, you’re doing rides too. Can you tell us about that?

Absolutely. As a business, our aim is to is to make road cycling the world’s most popular sport.

At the Archive Store, as well as Clubhouses across the world from London to Los Angeles, Copenhagen to Taipei, we organise and lead regular weekend social rides that take in a wide variety of routes across the south west.

We have recently started Breakfast Rides from both Bristol and Bath that take local riders on a short sharp loop before they start their working day, as well as giving them the chance to meet new riders.

We also host cycling themed events, often with other organisations or individuals, such as Beginners/Intermediate Group Riding Skills Sessions, or an evening ride out to our new Satellite Cafe in Clevedon for a talk by Audax Club Bristol on Audax, Ultra Distance Cycling and the Bike Packing Phenomenon.

We are acutely aware that we cannot exist in a vacuum and are therefore keen to work with other businesses and individuals across the South West who share our passion, often displaying their products and services within the store or sharing them via social media.

We want to encourage anyone who loves two wheels to cycle, whether they wear Rapha or not.

Kilver Court is famous for its lifesize Babycham sculpture. What else can riders expect if they make the journey?

We encourage people to ride over to the store, where they can utilise our bike storage on-site, or visit the cafe to re-fuel with coffee and amazing home-made cakes.

We know it’s difficult to carry a bag of kit up Cheddar Gorge or any big climb, so any purchases you make on these visits can be posted back to your home address free of charge.

If you come in and see us don’t be shy. We love to share stories of their challenges and achievements as well as pics of them with their bikes. If you’re new to the area, or want to find like-minded people to ride with, we have an active Rapha Cycling Club with members throughout the South West organising regular rides and events.

You love cycling, that’s clear. What’s the best part about your job?

The most rewarding thing for me is that, through our shared love of riding, we get to meet lots of new people or catch up with existing acquaintances, both in store and out on the road, and provide any support we can to help them achieve their cycling goals. Oh and of course the fantastic ride to work from Bristol!

Rapha will have a stand in the race village where you will get a chance to meet the team and check out some of the incredible clothing available at the Archive Store. 

Check out the Rapha Archive Store Facebook page to stay up to date with all their current events and news.