davidtaylforth, that quote you posted was very good. But there are a few things to be said in response.
Henrie Westlake is 42 and has been road cycling all his adult life, but would never contemplate wearing Rapha’s clothing. His choice is not down to the cost, nor the quality. “It has become the uniform of a certain sector of ‘new’ cyclists,” he contends, “and by that I refer to the stereotypical cliché of ‘all the gear, no idea’.
This is true, but then again, it has always been true. I remember riding in a provincial cycling championship back in Canada in my teenage years, and showing up to ride in a simple pair of black lycra shorts and a cotton nike shirt. I didn’t even really know that proper kit was available. But there were kids at the race fully kitted out in 7-11 Team gear, and they didn’t do any better than me in the race.
“I’ve frequently heard cyclists say that you rarely see a good amateur cyclist in Rapha.”
I don’t think this is entirely fair. I hate the fact that here in the UK, people tend to get categorised by what they wear/ride/drive and a whole host of other things. The man may have a point, but I figure, if your concentrating on getting better, yourself, then how do you have time to notice what others are wearing?
Live and let live (x1000000000). The fadders will weed themselves out.
In his opinion, “the best way to look good on a bike is to drop everyone on a climb.”
And this I agree with 100%. The thing is, as I said above, if we all actually lived by this, then we wouldn’t be at all bothered if others wore Rapha or anything else!