WHY I WOULDN'T JOIN RAPHA! 

"I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member." - Groucho Marx ...

Thank God for Decathlon.

I don't know why, but I'm not a big fan of riding in groups or with other cyclists in general. Solo riding is the best because I can go at my own pace, enjoy the scenery, and think without disruptions.

Very Glad for you Katie! That's awesome. As long as you feel comfortable... I have been a solo "lone wolf rider" since I started road biking, I have probably been out with 5-people in all of the years of biking. I noticed that riding with others was enjoyable but, when people showed up late, and another wanted shorter rides, turned around to head home in the middle of a planned ride, etc etc. Was nerve racking. Specially when wanting to set goals. Never have a problem now, I prepare the night before, you know the ritual in getting everything you need ready, dress accordingly to weather, snacks, bike inspection etc... don't have to wait for anyone, and just except the adventures of a long ride, great therapy, great scenery, full on enjoyment. NOW, if I had a girlfriend who liked the same type of riding it would be tops!! Gosh, that guy friend of yours should have just stayed with you and enjoyed endless adventure rides, both of you together! I personally would said no to the Rapha group. PINK!! Really!!lol Remember if you're not happy in the near future, just go off and do your thing girl with your small group. Lovely channel, thx.:-) :-)

Not into clubs or group rides as I am an antisocial git.

Nice one! Glad you joined in the end. I remember talking to you about this exact thing on my first ride with the RCC (which was mega!). I'm loving it and everyone makes me feel very welcome.Hope to see you on a ride soon

Great video Katie. For years I cycled alone, then in 2016 I was introduced to my local club ride by my neighbour. Best thing ever. Added a totally new dimension to my cycling. I learned how to group ride, discovered lots of new gear, new routes, improved my fitness, bought some smart club kit and made a bunch of good friends. Thoroughly recommend joining a club. And I still go out for solo rides.

Good evening Katie, i was wondering what camera you use whether its GoPro or what and what mounts you use? Any information greatly appreciated and looking forward to hearing back from you!

I had the same thoughts. Then I moved to LA and met some wonderful people through RCC. The best club I've been a part of. Totally unpretentious.

I ride in their kits cause I find them look good. A lot of brands make you look like a mobile billboard. Love their minimal designs and aesthetic. Compare to similar brands I do find their core products pretty affordable.

An open mind sometimes reveals that there can be more to things than one assumes. I’m not a member, but I think they do a lot of good stuff. Kudos to you Katie!

Interesting reading the comments here to find I’m not alone in being a solo rider. I am a shift worker though so it would be hard to fit in with group rides. The only thing you miss out on is group riding practice so you are at a disadvantage in races or sportifs. Anyway you should ride with whoever you want katie. If they weren’t nice you would soon convert them.

If people did a little homework on Rapha, they'd be surprised. Rapha just wants people riding, and if they're riding together as a group or just friends, that's what it's all about. I almost thought the same thing at first glance of the brand and culture. I've bought products from them, and I absolutely love the idea behind Rapha and why it got started. Glad you changed your mind, Katie.

I love their kits! I don’t make a lot of money, but I save up a little from every paycheck and by the end of each year I’m able to buy what I want from them. I’m still wearing jerseys/jackets/bibs I bought 5 and 6 years ago from them, so their stuff does last!

I completely understand your point of view. Alot of clubs seem to have that reputation of being a bit uppity, but alot of times it's just a few of their Club members. Not saying that there aren't any clubs that act better than you, because you don't wear a matching kit, don't have a $2k aero wheelset, race, or whatever. Clubs ultimately should be about comradery and getting more people on the bike.

I felt pretty much the same when I first looked at Rapha. Kits to pricey. Felt kinda like the cool kids that wouldnt be welcoming. I joined just for the bike rental. But since then Ive done rides with them that I wouldnt have tried solo, and really came around to the group. Plus thanks to sales and discounts now I have a decent few pieces of Rapha kit. Sometimes it seems like the hating on Rapha becomes a more pretentious group then the actual group!

So is there a tattoo involved, how about a secret handshake?

Audax for me although at my speed (slow and steady) I usually end up in a peloton of one.

If you’ve ever heard Simon Mottram being interviewed you’ll understand that there is nothing pretentious about Rapha as a brand (Same experience in the stores - nothing but nice people interested in cycling wanted to talk to about cycling). If there is, it’s projected onto them by others. If you don’t want to join the club, don’t, but choose either way for the right reasons. For the record I am not and never have been a RCC member.

Wondered what happened all those months ago. I don’t need tv, I just watch interesting Bloggs while I work lol.

Another ace video! Keeping it real ❤️❤️

Very interesting to me Kate I have been out with Saturday morning group found them really nice and a great ride. I don’t have as much time at the moment so been with them recently. I know of one club you ent out with how many did you try?

I find it interesting - I used to agree with the "this isn't what riding is supposed to be about". But the more I ride, the more I realise we all do it for very different reasons. Who am I to decide what riding is about for anyone but myself, if you know what I mean. If you aren't horrible and like bikes, then it's all good isn't it! Personally I don't like riding with clubs at all. Unless it's very close mates, I worry about my riding more than having fun and that's not right. But that's just me

Not into clubs. Where I live in rural Oz there are hundreds of kms of dirt roads & almost nil traffic. So good to go out early & alone with the wildlife. For me, riding with a group would kill the 'getting away from it all" feeling. Although a few close encounters with brown snakes have left me thinking that solo isn't always a good idea.

Though I'm not a fan buying overpriced products for the sake of a brand (in cycling or the rest of my life) I have to admit that rapha does put on some quality events.

Serious comment. Are you encouraged to wear rapha kit ?

I dare you Katie.......go out with 'em wearing your Aldi kit 😂

im glad you ve found a group that fits your requirements , hopefully the group is big enough to make sure your always able to find cyclist with the same enthusiasm and ability has you ,because turning up for a specific cycle to have it changed because 1 cyclist has to get home early,dont feel well, taking easy because big sportive due or recovering is enough to make you dream of the freedom of not being a club member and just meeting up with like minded cyclist who want to make their legs ache

Is it acceptable for me to attend an RCC ride wearing a brand other than Rapha?

I would be open to trying RaphaCC, but you hit the nail on the head with the fact that they’re not all over the country. As far as I know, there’s Manchester and 2 in London. I live near Frodsham, so not that far at all really, but it would still take me an hour to get there and an hour back via trains etc! Glad to hear it’s not as pretentious as it sounds at times though!

I am a group of one. Works really well at committee meetings . Great job Ms Kookaburra.

Can you wear high viz, have a massive saddlebag, a bottle dynamo and toe clips?

Hi Katie, I Need Help with motivation!!!!!!! What do you think l should do? you're CRACKING you are!!

So happy u have found a team hopefully helps u get faster Katie 🚴

I've bought a few Rapha products. The original softshell jacket was the best. Got the new winter jacket but the pockets are far too deep. Means they are too high up the back. I had to get a size larger just so the back was longer and the pocket openings were a bit further down. Most of their products have flaws.

What ever works, just ride and be happy 🤘

Glad to hear it! I joined this year so I have a club while doing an upcoming cycling vacation in Melbourne. Just having local groups and routes is worth it for me.

I recently went in the Rapha cafe in Mallorca and felt dead intimidated - pretty sure that was my own hang ups though cos everyone was lovely! I'm thinking of joining the Barnes sisters ride in December but I'm going to check the pace first.

One thing where they are particularly useful is if you travel a lot and can’t bring your bicycle (for example, airline pilot). Their rental rates are relatively low, and I figured if I rent through Rapha the savings would make up for the membership fee in about eight to ten rides. There are a number of serious riders where I work that do this.

Rapha and cycling maven (mark Ferguson ) were the first cycling videos that introduced me to this sport in a dark time in my life. I did like the concept of Rapha of not dressing and looking on a bike like a billboard on wheels. Then I saw the price and can't afford their cloth. Nevertheless props to them for promoting other style of riding that is not "I'm better faster than you". Although I saw another vloggler here in you tube visiting Los Angeles rapha chapter and in the ride they drop him. He didn't care a continue recording lol. Keep winking Kate, you are a total cutie!😍😆

As a mountain biker i really like Rapha stuff even when i don't wear it or need that type of gear. Their design is fantastic. However, and i could be totally of the mark here, I think a lot of roadies take themselves far too seriously - when i'm not on the trails, I ride my mtb on the road just to get my fitness ticking and whenever i meet a roadie, i always nod but i never get a nod back lol.

Hmmmm i wonder what will happen to your vid content.

Nice, honest and personal assessment of you experience. Haters are gonna hate. Yeah, there’s a RCC in my town (Boulder Colorado), and I see them on some of my regular routes. Not a member here, but have attended some interesting evening talks at their “club house”. Looks like they’re having fun, enjoying cycling and each other in a supportive way. It’s easy to it to be a target with such a loyal following, but it’s not worth the breath in casting stones. Save it for the climb and let people work at the speed, pace and place that’s good for them.

Thanks for your Honesty KK! Keeping the northern cycling 🚵‍♀️ movement going

do you use a power meter?

I started riding when I joined Rapha Melbourne and they were so encouraging and understanding of beginner riders (although they are bloody fast)!

Rapha's vision is to make road cycling the most popular sport in the world. Understanding this as well as the time and thought they put into their products it is something that more should get behind. I was never anti-rapha, but when I first found out about Rapha I was on board. What most people dont know is that the kit is far superior to others kit and is not much more expensive if not equal to other premium kit brands. The club also includes cycling insurance with your membership which is a bonus.

Really debating on joining. Looking for some good quality group rides.

Is there any benefit joining Rapha CC if you don't live anywhere near their clubhouses?

Hi Katie. I’m in a London cycling club and it’s only £10 a year membership and get 10% off bike products. And yes Rapha is expensive but the quality of the clothing is great. Hope you settle in with your new club and enjoy happy cycling miles xx

It must have been not long after Rapha started when I encountered a group of people in Meiruis when on one of my usual cycle camping trips around France. I was getting my groceries when I noticed a Condor (what else?) propped against a wall. I tried to have a conversation but I guess stood there with my steel bike, mudguards and panniers I didn’t look much like a guy who a couple of decades earlier had been a 1st Cat and won road races and time trials. I did discover they were on a photo shoot for Rapha so I guess they weren’t club cyclists. My other memory regarding Rapha was again in France on a camping tour when i was watching the Criterium du Dauphine on a summit finish. I was camped in a campsite about half way up the mountain near Grenoble and to get there had a pretty unpleasant ride along a main road before a 6 or 7 mile steepish climb. There was a guy completely clad in Rapha on a flash road bike and I went to talk to him. I was going on to watch the stage finish the next day at Alpe D’Huez and talked about a route to get there. He didn’t seem to understand why I would want to ride along a forest track following the contours of the mountain before descending on a minor col made famous by Charlie Gaul in an epic Tour stage which won him the race. He recommended the road I had used and hated followed by the main road from Grenoble to Bourg D’Oisans. I knew I’d inevitably have to use part of that road but as far as I was concerned the less the better. Rightly or wrongly those experiences have influenced my feelings about the brand and I don’t think it represents the person and type of cyclist I am.

What pace do they do? I joined just for the club kit😂😂 and want to try the rides I do like 30 miles at about 17-18 mph as a usual ride

I love group and solo rides. Miss being part of a club but training to get fit before I join again locally.

bonking on a bike ride? How do you avoid falling off?

How much is it? Just curious as they don't exist where I live..

I like RAPHA's mission statement about making cycling "accessible to everyone, of all abilities ". That's a good thing. Unfortunately, it does not also read "of all equipment levels". I find cycling, here in Canada at least, is populated by a lot of snobs. The elitist mentality seems to be helping to kill cycling as a general utilitarian mode of transport and exercise- you can't possibly ride if you don't have an outrageously expensive bike and accessories. A lot of these groups always seem to look like a MEC catalogue coming at me! Yes, I do have fairly expensive bikes but I have also biked around Europe on a cheap 5 speed woman's bike and rickety old 1 speeds when I lived in Sweden for 8 years and commuted by bike. For me the height of cycling technology still is a CCM Targa 10 speed.

I got no issues with Rapha, but in my neck of the woods, rapha has nothing but out of shape dentists that ride their 14k steeds to the coffee shop down the street and back. But hey, do what you want.

I'm new to Rapha. As soon as I discovered them, I fell in love with the brand. Joined RCC and bought their club gear. From wanting a cycling jersey I bought much more! I have to say people can't complain about prices - you always pay what you get. It's better to pay premium but know that that thing will last years not months!

Rapha just killed one of two clubhouses in Australia, the second is likely to go too. Fairly shitty way to repay their Australian Members who pay those fees to wear RCC on their back.

Is there an assos club? Or.What about a friends of cheap kit club i.e. the Aliexpress cheapuns cc Surprised Katie that in winter the guys had do much black on and no rear lights, from what I could see.

i LOVE pink...but then it must be my italian ancestry :-)

Do you have to wear Rapha kit?😕

did a local sportive last year and we were on a bad pot-holded road, a Rapha group came thundering past towards a blind bend totally ignoring all the shouts to slow down due to some massive holes on the road just on the bend, they ignored the slow down signs which were all over the place, and surprise surprise five of them came down in a right mess in the middle of the road, sad to admit much to the amusement of all,

I used to be a 100% Rapha until I discovered Pedal Mafia a small Australia brand, amazing quality and really great price bracket! U should Defo check them out!! Not so same, same like Rapha can be.

Was that an advertisement for Rapha Katie??? Each to their own👍🏻

Been riding for over 20 years. Never rode with a club and have no intention to. And I'm from Manchester. My road bike doesn't see much use.

There isn‘t a Rapha Club here in Switzerland. I’m not that into clubs anyway. However I wear their kit for no other reason than comfort and quality. It’s no more expensive here than any other good quality brand. I also really like Maap kit which is around the same price. I do get the pretentious thing though. I once went into the London Store near Regent Street and it was not a good experience. However elsewhere in Europe, I found it to be completely different with helpful staff and other cyclists that are just into bikes, whatever you wear or ride.

Still tried the dodgy wink at the end!

Cool kit ,Uk brand just got the Winter Jersey very nice well made , Its no moor expensive than the big italian brand and swiss kit ,, clubs are great you can make new buddies `but i like riding solo and love the adventure and you always get chatting to some one in a cafe ,,Great review Katie

Solist for life, a lot of clubs have egos that only care about being better than their 'mates', ride faster or have nicer gear.

Please don't complain and enjoy the ride and company

This, of all your videos, is the one you should have done in black and white with some slow motion clips. :) Kidding aside, I do like Rapha kit.

Why would you?

Maybe I have gotten some bad luck with people wearing Rapha but this is my experience: I recently started riding.. I’ll say probably around a year and a half and when I started I bought not brand clothes… just something basic to ride and every time I saw someone with rapha clothing they kind of looked at me weird….like I was beneath them…. Kind of looking me down….Couple of times I stopped at the lights and make conversation to them and they were always acting like jerks…. Why I don’t know but I’m guessing it was based on my appearance, a month ago I bought my first kit from rapha and that make a lot of difference, because now when another guy with rapha sees me coming and we have to stop at the same time they always make conversation and I think hats really bad reputation, if you’re letting a brand define the kind of person you are oh boy….. rapha is an amazing brand, I have never feel more comfortable riding my bike than I feel wearing rapha but that doesn’t makes me better than other people wearing other brands. I hope they change the way they see the sport but then again, me believing in that is like saying tooth fairies are real.

Wot? You missed out on those pretty pink overshoes? For me, I can wear all and only the best kit, always. I just go and buy it. I always do that, and I ride mostly, on my own. You can too. Thanks for the vid Katie, I enjoy your vids, not quite sure why yet ha ha! Thank you.

I miss old times , after everything was ruined , but I start to get all shits together now

I used to be a member of the manchester RCC. not a fan of your click bait title but agree with your sentiment. Yes there probably are lots of fancy dan riders but the people who actually go on the rides and get involved are all really nice, normal people. Yes, maybe a bit of vanity but I think we all have that vanity in us, just some of us keep it supressed haha. The only reason i've left the club now is because most of the members are in it for the longer, cafe type rides and i'm doing more race based, not very social riding so not worth the money anymore. Yeah the membership fee is a lot, and it really sucks that they made co-ordinators redundant, but if you get involved in the socials, and all the stuff they put on, you get your money back straight away. ps Les is a wonderful human being!

Were/do rapha sponsor/reward you?

I only go on Rapha rides with my cheapest road bike. It’s caused other guys to bring their budget builds. At least here in Chicago the guys aren’t TOO bad. We have the occasional douche.

You can get good kit at half the price. I used to buy assos when it was the desired kit but realised it's just as trashed after a crash!

Starting watching with a little trepidation as a member and Ride Leader of the club!

I am just fine, in our little country club. Rides on: mon, thu, sat. 12 pounds for a sommer season. (6 month) indoor on body bikes 90 pounds for 6 month. an hour: mon, thu, sat.

I ride solo, Im not part of the Rapha CC but I do wear a few bits and bobs of Rapha which I picked up second hand from Rapha Club members here in Berlin. Nice friendly chaps and so on with very expensive bikes and the latest tec. Lol I ride Single Speed, they are fascinated with my custom rides when I go and pick up items from ebay Kleinanzeigen. Blessings from a Brit in Berlin. ❤️

What’s raffa stand for ?? Cycling clubs are brilliant to find out new routes ,friends cafe’s been in a club for 2 half years still not got their club jersey and cheap to join yearly so bargain plus just can be safer to ride in a group if your not very confident Just all about riding ya bike

The problem with club rides is you usually get some know it all leading the ride and bossing everybody around. These elitist clubs also tend to be rather cliche and frown upon cyclists who don’t measure up to their kit standard.

Makes sense you enjoying it as it costs a lot . If most who were in it were not happy they wouldn't stay with the club .

I just didn't realise Rapha could be worn outside of Hackney. Corrected.

You already understand what I’m about to say because you said it. But it does bears repeating. In Life, you make out of anything what you will. You get out of something what you put in. Clubs are unique for a myriad reasons. They have their ethos, vision and mission. It’s members also help enhance, shape and evolve that ethos. I’m glad they exist. Like Harley Davidson. It’s a culture. It’s also a huge family. I dig them. We all get to suffer together and feel good afterwards. Peace.

It does seem unfair that I would have to join paying over $100 AU to have access to some discounts. I'm based in my nation's capital, New Zealand and there are no clubs here.

I've never ridden with someone else, even one person. It doesn't much bother me, though, as I'm a triathlete and the experience of riding in a group isn't of any real benefit. Plus, I can always ride at my own pace, as hard or as easy as my training plan dictates. Riding with other people seems to involve a lot of training compromises, which may be worthwhile if you're racing and have to manage in a peloton, but otherwise, I can't imagine paying money for the "privilege" to ride with other people.

Rapha....? Come and join the FCC Katie, it’s free and I organise group rides all over the country and you never know you might win a ‘rider of the week’ cap 🧢😀😉😂👌🏻🚴🏻‍♀️🚴🏻

I love my Pink Rapha layer shirt I bought in Melbournet XD

Just found out how much a years membership is...... need to found out what you get for it as as you say it isn’t cheap not to say it’s expensive either.

I wear Rapha. But tracksuit bottoms, some form of lacoste trainers and no garmin.

This insular, jealous club thing is hard to understand. Clubs end up trying to control their members.

I've riden a few times with rapha Manchester (I'm in ramsbottom so it's a bit of a pain to get to). Like you say theyre a really inclusive group and great bunch of people. Glad you enjoyed it anyway.

not sure why Rapha has this reputation. All you need is chat with any one of the reps online and see how nice and helpful they are! Sure there kits are expensive but not any more then anything other higher end kit, really! I haven't joined only because I don't travel abroad and the closest club is 14hours away! But I have ridden with the rcc zwift and love it!! wish we had club in North Carolina

Honestly I can't afford the clothes and I don't like the style.

You will never get me as you want 🚲✌🏻

It's hard to find a club that rides like a club, surging up climbs with egotists attempting a Strava PR time is no good for the rest of the group and can lead to a slower ride due to the recovery required after the effort.