With the Tour de France in full flow this month, Rapha is welcoming cycling fans during the peak of the cycling season. The Rapha London Clubhouse is running daily race screenings, sweepstakes, a special menu and tribute rides.
The Clubhouse has also unveiled its second exhibition in the new space – a series of graphic posters that pay tribute to the 13 decades of the Tour, featuring work from a number of high profile designers and design studios, including Paul Smith, Studio Lowrie, Choque Le Goff and Colophon.
The designers were tasked with representing one decade of the race in their own unique style, drawing on the rich history and stories hidden within the dates.
Exhibition 13 – July 9th
Rapha notes that… ‘Since 1903, the Tour has raced almost uninterrupted through the decades; and what was first conceived as a ploy to boost the circulation of a newspaper has become a French institution.
‘Every July, the Tour is a constantly moving feast of sound, colour, effort and emotion that brings France to a standstill. And like its protagonists in the peloton, the race never stands still. From scrupulously following the outline of l’Hexagone in its early years, the Tour has moved to wandering routes which seek out mountain massifs and cobblestone streets. And where once the action was reported in the following day’s newspaper, it is now captured by countless cameras and beamed live around the world.
‘Within the race itself, there have been decades of dominance and others left open to opportunists. Through superhuman feats of endurance, some riders have drawn universal acclaim while others have crossed hidden lines and brought only shame.
‘What is clear from even a cursory glance at the history books is that every era has been distinguishable from all others. With thirteen contributions from thirteen studios, this exhibition explores the thirteen decades of Tour history. A limited run of 20 prints per design will be available, priced at £75 each.’
Watching the race
Every day the Clubhouse is offering live screenings, a special Tour menu, and a sweepstake to win Rapha prizes.
On the weekends Rapha’s Racing from the Roadside series incorporates rides, talks from special guests, increased seating and offers on food and drink. On the final weekend, the Rapha H Van will be popping up at Granary Square, King’s Cross, to serve coffee to fans watching the final stages al fresco on the big screen.
Events program
- July 10-11 – Racing from the Roadside
- July 17-18 – Racing from the Roadside
- July 12-18 – Compass Challenge
All rides and events are free, but as Covid-19 restrictions remain in place until July 19th. All rides and events are ticketed to manage numbers and keep everyone safe.
Address: Rapha London, 85 Brewer Street, London W1F 9ZN
