Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

I am working today, and just popped out for lunch at Spitalfields.

Whilst enjoying an excellent Chicken, Lamb and Paneer Naan-Wrap, my eye was drawn to a small group of people - male and female - sitting outside the Rapha Cafe clad entirely in, well, Rapha.

At first, I thought it must have been a film shoot. Maybe Jeremy Beadle trying to wind up the shop manager, but then I came to realise that this was some kind of fan club grouping, who had come out on a rainy Saturday, dressed as ridiculously as can be conceived, to hang out outside a coffee shop bearing the same name as was plastered all over their clothing.

Now, I have to admit to owning the odd Rapha garment myself, and during the week, I am not averse to popping in to the Rapha Cafe to take advantage of their excellent any-coffee-and-any-pastry for £4.00 offer.

But I have never before witnessed a significant group of people dressed solely in the product, sitting outside the cafe, desperately trying to look cool.

It was / is a terrible look.

an excellent Chicken, Lamb and Paneer Naan-Wrap

That stall is great

Never walked down anfield road then or any football venue !! Scalfs tied round your wrist ?

Anfield Road, never, Warwick Road, often, but then I was a child, and knew no better.

You know there is a Rapha cycling club right? Team kit is, you guessed it, Rapha

Yep, I did know that.

Even when you factor that in, it's still a dreadful look.

Chicken, Lamb and Paneer Naan-Wrap

Does this combo work? Sounds mad! Is it from the stall opp next to the crypt?

It was sublime. The stall is in the indoor market near where the Tiger Shop is.

I had had a Katsu from one of the stalls, but was still hungry. They were advertising Lamb Wraps, Chicken Wraps and Paneer Wraps. I asked the guy making them which was the best and he just said 'have them all together'.

You just can't argue with that kind of logic.

The only problem was, I devoured it with such vigour, that a fair amount of the contents exited downward as I attacked it from above. It now looks like I have vomitted down my front. But fuck it, top lunch.

It now looks like I have vomitted down my front. But fuck it, top lunch.

You see, Rapha would have invested money in researching technical fabrics that would have caused all that mess to slide off without leaving a trace.

#haveyouconsideredraphawearing

As it happens, I was wearing an Italian Cycling Federation rain jacket.

Obviously, it was designed with the inherent dangers of eating Calzone while on the hoof in mind, as I was able to wipe off the remains of my lunch with a combination of ease and elan.

#yesIhaveconsideredraphawearingandthoughtbetterofit

What brand of cycling clobber should they have all been wearing, so as to not look so terrible?

In your opinion.

Vulpine. Obviously.

Foffa

Vulpine

Torm

It's never about the brand, surely?

Specialized Cuntster CC ™

Wasn’t your comment about the brand?

Not really the brand as such, just the singularity of a group of adults clad head to toe in a particular brand, outside a shop / cafe set up as a shrine to said brand.

It just looks odd.

Reminded me, for all the world of when my big sister and her mates were Bay City Roller fans.

It's got some holes, this argument. But, I get your point.

It's not really an argument, it's a Saturday, it's raining, I'm at work, most people are pissed off, what else would we be doing?

100% anything is a bit much usually, I find. Guess they were happy enough though?

They certainly looked it, and why not?

ah, you said they were desperately trying to be cool. I wondered if they were enjoying themselves or just there to be there.