Rapha Chris King Espresso Tamper

As far uber-desirebale super unnecessary accessories go, there are few that match the unexplainable pulling power of the Rapha Chris King Espresso Tamper.

Superbly finished, this professional grade espresso tamper is a 446 gram hunk of finely machined stainless steel and aluminium, the top is finished in the iconic style of a Chris King headset.

Rapha Gentlemen's Race Film

Earlier this year Team Velo Liberte was fortunate enough to participate in the inaugural Australian Rapha Gentlemen's Race. You can read all about our team's experience here.

Now the folk at Rapha have released a cool little film of the event and it's good to see a couple of little Team VL cameos littered here and there.

Keen observers would've noted Team Velo Liberte finished dead last. Unfortunately several mechanical issues and a reasonably serious injury put paid to any plans we had for the race.

It was such a great day and I only hope we can one day have another crack to redeem ourselves.

~VL

Rapha Gentlemen's Race - Melbourne 2012

Over the weekend the Wolf Goat Pack had the privilege of taking part in the Rapha Gentlemen's Race - Melbourne 2012.

Goat Pack Regional President Todd was invited by his good friends at Rapha Australia to captain-up and submit a team to take part in the race. Against better judgement, Todd assembled a crack (crap?) team made up of the best (only) riders the Goat Pack had to offer.

Sartorial Elegance - Rapha Trousers

Having a total love affair with a pair of Rapha Trousers picked up in the recent sales.

Could be the best $72 ever spent on a pair of pants.

~VL

Rapha Festive 500

In an all too familiar occurrence of cycling related peer pressure and against better judgement; in the week leading up to Christmas I got sucked into taking part in the Rapha Festive 500 challenge.

I'm sure that you are well aware of the Rapha Festive 500 challenge, but in case you have been living under a rock; Rapha sets a challenge to pedal off the indulgences of the festive season by riding 500 kilometres between the 23rd and 31st of December.

McShiney and I ranking up the kilometres

For your efforts you receive the adulation of your peers (or maybe the relief of not being ridiculed by them), the satisfaction of knowing you completed something you set out to do and most importunely the badge from Rapha (above) in recognition of your accomplishment.

Rapha Chamois Cream

A bit of a touchy subject (look away now girls); but in the last couple of weeks I had been experiencing a considerable amount of discomfort in the downstairs area as I tried to break in a new pair of knicks.

I've been riding for a number of years and thankfully to date had not previously experienced any rubbing, chaffing or pain from any of my knicks. I'm not sure if I this is because I am (was) super tough or just pretty good at choosing riding gear. Either way; it seemed my luck had run out as I spent more and more time riding the pain train.

Rapha Espresso Machine

Hey, you know what I love… a good coffee. You know what else I am quite fond of… Rapha. Do I need it all in one… not so sure about that?

I came across this earlier today, it seems Rapha has teamed up with Rocket Espresso Milano to produce a limited edition Rapha Giotta espresso machine.