Rule #1 — Those caught racing will be disqualified

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Rule #1 – Those caught racing will be disqualified

28. 9. 2018 | author: Tomáš Hliva, asphaltcyclinglab.cc foto: Pepa Dvořáček

Stories

The Rapha Prestige series was not created to cater to people in tight-fitting jerseys, concerned about who has the most kilometers on the board, who has the better bike, or who comes in first. It is a great event for those who simply want to share their passion for cycling with others.

Série podniků Rapha Prestige nevznikla proto, aby se lidé v přiléhavých trikotech předháněli, kdo má na Stravě najeto víc kilometrů, lepší kolo nebo snad kdo dojede do cíle první. Je skvělou akcí pro ty, kteří svou vášeň pro cyklistiku chtějí jednoduše sdílet s ostatními.

The Rapha Prestige series was not created to cater to people in tight-fitting jerseys, concerned about who has the most kilometers on the board, who has the better bike, or who comes in first. It is a great event for those who simply want to share their passion for cycling with others.

Luckily, Rapha cycling does not only target those who think of the world as a place of endless consumption. They are not only for those who want to boost their social status on Instagram by posting pictures with their perfect outfits with their first road bike being precisely the one currently used by someone from the pro tour team.

Rapha considers the cycling enthusiasts who don't necessarily think of cycling as just an inventory of cadence. It is not only for those who count the number of cardiac muscle contractions and expended wattage but also for those who seek out new experiences while enjoying the wind blowing through their hair. It is for those who love exploring new places, architecture, good food, coffee, design, and, last but not least, getting to know new friends both in the peloton or among people they randomly encounter throughout their journies.

This is one thing I really like about Rapha (I actually liked them, even more, when they ran a printed quarterly called Mondial). Their signature style was also apparent in one of the RAPHA PRESTIGE events called BOHEMIA, which took place in Czech-Saxon Switzerland in an area around the Czech/German border. The starting point of the event was situated in Schmilka, a popular tourist village on the right bank of Labe curiously squeezed between rocks full of climbers.

Luckily, Rapha cycling does not only target those who think of the world as a place of endless consumption. They are not only for those who want to boost their social status on Instagram by posting pictures with their perfect outfits with their first road bike being precisely the one currently used by someone from the pro tour team.

Rapha considers the cycling enthusiasts who don't necessarily think of cycling as just an inventory of cadence. It is not only for those who count the number of cardiac muscle contractions and expended wattage but also for those who seek out new experiences while enjoying the wind blowing through their hair. It is for those who love exploring new places, architecture, good food, coffee, design, and, last but not least, getting to know new friends both in the peloton or among people they randomly encounter throughout their journies.

This is one thing I really like about Rapha (I actually liked them, even more, when they ran a printed quarterly called Mondial). Their signature style was also apparent in one of the RAPHA PRESTIGE events called BOHEMIA, which took place in Czech-Saxon Switzerland in an area around the Czech/German border. The starting point of the event was situated in Schmilka, a popular tourist village on the right bank of Labe curiously squeezed between rocks full of climbers.

Výrobce cyklistického oblečení Rapha naštěstí svým marketingem necílí pouze na ty, kdo uvažují o světě jako místu nekonečné spotřeby, prostřednictvím vyladěného outfitu tuní svůj společenský status na instagramu a jejich první silniční kolo je přesně to, na kterém právě jezdí někdo z pro tour týmu.

Rapha myslí na fanoušky cyklistiky, kteří samotnou jízdu na kole nevnímají jen jako soupis kadence – počtu stažení srdečního svalu – a vynaložených wattů, ale vyhledávají celou řadu dalších zážitků s větrem ve vlasech. Baví je objevovat nová místa – architekturu – dobré jídlo – kávu – design – a v neposlední řadě poznávat ty, se kterými jedou v pelotonu a které potkávají na cestách.

Za to mám Raphu rád (měl jsem ji ještě radši, dokud vydávala tištěný čtvrtletník Mondial). Její rukopis byl zřejmý i na jednom z podniků RAPHA PRESTIGE nazvaný BOHEMIA, který se odehrál na česko-německém pomezí v oblasti Saského a Českého Švýcarska. Výchozím bodem byla turisticky oblíbená obec Schmilka, pozoruhodně a sympaticky vmáčknutá mezi skaliska plná horolezců na pravém břehu Labe.

Výrobce cyklistického oblečení Rapha naštěstí svým marketingem necílí pouze na ty, kdo uvažují o světě jako místu nekonečné spotřeby, prostřednictvím vyladěného outfitu tuní svůj společenský status na instagramu a jejich první silniční kolo je přesně to, na kterém právě jezdí někdo z pro tour týmu.

Rapha myslí na fanoušky cyklistiky, kteří samotnou jízdu na kole nevnímají jen jako soupis kadence – počtu stažení srdečního svalu – a vynaložených wattů, ale vyhledávají celou řadu dalších zážitků s větrem ve vlasech. Baví je objevovat nová místa – architekturu – dobré jídlo – kávu – design – a v neposlední řadě poznávat ty, se kterými jedou v pelotonu a které potkávají na cestách.

Za to mám Raphu rád (měl jsem ji ještě radši, dokud vydávala tištěný čtvrtletník Mondial). Její rukopis byl zřejmý i na jednom z podniků RAPHA PRESTIGE nazvaný BOHEMIA, který se odehrál na česko-německém pomezí v oblasti Saského a Českého Švýcarska. Výchozím bodem byla turisticky oblíbená obec Schmilka, pozoruhodně a sympaticky vmáčknutá mezi skaliska plná horolezců na pravém břehu Labe.

Luckily, Rapha cycling does not only target those who think of the world as a place of endless consumption. They are not only for those who want to boost their social status on Instagram by posting pictures with their perfect outfits with their first road bike being precisely the one currently used by someone from the pro tour team.

Rapha considers the cycling enthusiasts who don't necessarily think of cycling as just an inventory of cadence. It is not only for those who count the number of cardiac muscle contractions and expended wattage but also for those who seek out new experiences while enjoying the wind blowing through their hair. It is for those who love exploring new places, architecture, good food, coffee, design, and, last but not least, getting to know new friends both in the peloton or among people they randomly encounter throughout their journies.

This is one thing I really like about Rapha (I actually liked them, even more, when they ran a printed quarterly called Mondial). Their signature style was also apparent in one of the RAPHA PRESTIGE events called BOHEMIA, which took place in Czech-Saxon Switzerland in an area around the Czech/German border. The starting point of the event was situated in Schmilka, a popular tourist village on the right bank of Labe curiously squeezed between rocks full of climbers.

Our four-member ASPHALT / REPETE cycling crew stood at the start of the 180 km circuit with 37 other teams, including the 8bar team and the steel frame manufacturer, Standert. The route featured an interesting mix of road and gravel sections. They weren't particularly challenging, though many roadies didn't appreciate the gravel stretches. Most of them joined the ride after 100 km, in the second half of the “competition”. The first section included a climb that promised: “if you keep going, there is food waiting for you at the top.” The climb let to a futuristic, architectural gem. A landmark of the region at the top of Ještěd mountain, the iconic television tower, hotel, and restaurant was built right on the top of the mountain (1012 m above sea level) in the early 1970s by Karel Hubáček. If you ever find yourself near this gem, do not hesitate to get a room. For the price of a new tire, you could spend a night in a rocket flying through the clouds, giving you an experience you will not easily find anywhere else.

Naše čtyřčlenné cyklistické družstvo ASPHALT / REPETE se na start 180 km okruhu postavilo s dalšími třiceti sedmi týmy, mezi kterými nechyběli 8bar či výrobce ocelových rámů Standert.

Specifikem trasy byl především mix silničních a gravel úseků. Nebyly nijak zvlášť náročné, i když spoustě silničářů-specialistů asi úplně nechutnaly. Většina z nich totiž přišla po až v druhé půlce „závodu“ 100 km. Předcházel jim výšlap kategorie „šlapej, nahoře tě čeká jídlo“ na futuristický klenot – architektonickou ikonu a dominantu celého regionu – technicistní televizní věž a hotel s restaurací postavený na samém vrcholku Ještědu (1012 m n. m.) na začátku sedmdesátých let Karlem Hubáčkem. Ocitnete-li se někdy poblíž tohoto skvostu, neváhejte se tu ubytovat. Noc v raketě svištící vysoko mezi oblaky za cenu jedné galusky jinde ve světě nejspíš nestrávíte.

Naše čtyřčlenné cyklistické družstvo ASPHALT / REPETE se na start 180 km okruhu postavilo s dalšími třiceti sedmi týmy, mezi kterými nechyběli 8bar či výrobce ocelových rámů Standert.

Specifikem trasy byl především mix silničních a gravel úseků. Nebyly nijak zvlášť náročné, i když spoustě silničářů-specialistů asi úplně nechutnaly. Většina z nich totiž přišla po až v druhé půlce „závodu“ 100 km. Předcházel jim výšlap kategorie „šlapej, nahoře tě čeká jídlo“ na futuristický klenot – architektonickou ikonu a dominantu celého regionu – technicistní televizní věž a hotel s restaurací postavený na samém vrcholku Ještědu (1012 m n. m.) na začátku sedmdesátých let Karlem Hubáčkem. Ocitnete-li se někdy poblíž tohoto skvostu, neváhejte se tu ubytovat. Noc v raketě svištící vysoko mezi oblaky za cenu jedné galusky jinde ve světě nejspíš nestrávíte.

Our four-member ASPHALT / REPETE cycling crew stood at the start of the 180 km circuit with 37 other teams, including the 8bar team and the steel frame manufacturer, Standert. The route featured an interesting mix of road and gravel sections. They weren't particularly challenging, though many roadies didn't appreciate the gravel stretches. Most of them joined the ride after 100 km, in the second half of the “competition”. The first section included a climb that promised: “if you keep going, there is food waiting for you at the top.” The climb let to a futuristic, architectural gem. A landmark of the region at the top of Ještěd mountain, the iconic television tower, hotel, and restaurant was built right on the top of the mountain (1012 m above sea level) in the early 1970s by Karel Hubáček. If you ever find yourself near this gem, do not hesitate to get a room. For the price of a new tire, you could spend a night in a rocket flying through the clouds, giving you an experience you will not easily find anywhere else.

“You won't spend the night in a rocket whirling high among clouds for the cost of one tube anywhere else.”

All of the gravel segments were chosen so that cyclists' experiences and riding skills could be on display, unfortunately with the exception of the first one. The organizer's recommendation was clear: ride a gravel bike with optimum tire width. However, that first stretch went over a huge, sharp rock and it didn't really matter how cautious or experienced you were. All riders could do was to hope to avoid disaster. Our team was not so lucky as one of our riders had to drop out when he couldn't fix a destroyed tire. After all the preparations, getting to the event, and looking forward to a fun ride together, it was a cruel end for our friend around the eighteenth kilometer. If I had been the organizer, I would have left out the first segment, or at least wouldn't have had it at the beginning of the trail.

There were many more surprises for the riders, though. One came from a vintage motorbike race whose circuit crossed our competition route at one point leaving some participants, myself included, wondering if we had been slipped some psychedelics. I remember lugging my bike over my shoulder through road traps (I couldn't click my muddy cleats in the pedals afterward) in a nearly impenetrable forest somewhere on the German side of the border, trying to get in touch with the rest of my team. All the while being deafened by the incredible noise from the motorbike race. Have you ever heard the sound of a vintage racing motorcycle? Oh well. We all know the proverbs about how life begins when we start stepping out of our comfort zone.

I would like to extend a big thanks to Rapha for this experience. Special thank yous for the near-perfect organization, the royal entertainment after the finish and at the top of Ještěd (including an incredible mobile Rapha-Van-Espresso), some tasty treats from Czech sports nutrition manufacturer Chimpanzee, the stylish bottle cages and slick designed event-themed caps.

The entire event, from start to finish, was amazing.

The participants then enjoyed a tasting of the different kinds of beers each team brought from their respective regions and the festive atmosphere demonstrated the spirit that I have been missing in today’s speed and profit-oriented society. Eventually, the organizers presented the awards to the team that had the most defects during the difficult journey through the remarkable landscape of Czech Switzerland.

All of the gravel segments were chosen so that cyclists' experiences and riding skills could be on display, unfortunately with the exception of the first one. The organizer's recommendation was clear: ride a gravel bike with optimum tire width. However, that first stretch went over a huge, sharp rock and it didn't really matter how cautious or experienced you were. All riders could do was to hope to avoid disaster. Our team was not so lucky as one of our riders had to drop out when he couldn't fix a destroyed tire. After all the preparations, getting to the event, and looking forward to a fun ride together, it was a cruel end for our friend around the eighteenth kilometer. If I had been the organizer, I would have left out the first segment, or at least wouldn't have had it at the beginning of the trail.

There were many more surprises for the riders, though. One came from a vintage motorbike race whose circuit crossed our competition route at one point leaving some participants, myself included, wondering if we had been slipped some psychedelics. I remember lugging my bike over my shoulder through road traps (I couldn't click my muddy cleats in the pedals afterward) in a nearly impenetrable forest somewhere on the German side of the border, trying to get in touch with the rest of my team. All the while being deafened by the incredible noise from the motorbike race. Have you ever heard the sound of a vintage racing motorcycle? Oh well. We all know the proverbs about how life begins when we start stepping out of our comfort zone.

I would like to extend a big thanks to Rapha for this experience. Special thank yous for the near-perfect organization, the royal entertainment after the finish and at the top of Ještěd (including an incredible mobile Rapha-Van-Espresso), some tasty treats from Czech sports nutrition manufacturer Chimpanzee, the stylish bottle cages and slick designed event-themed caps.

The entire event, from start to finish, was amazing.

The participants then enjoyed a tasting of the different kinds of beers each team brought from their respective regions and the festive atmosphere demonstrated the spirit that I have been missing in today’s speed and profit-oriented society. Eventually, the organizers presented the awards to the team that had the most defects during the difficult journey through the remarkable landscape of Czech Switzerland.

Všechny gravel segmenty byly vybrány tak, aby se na nich mohly projevit cyklistovy zkušenosti a jezdecké dovednosti – bohužel s výjimkou hned toho prvního. Doporučení stran pořadatele znělo jasně – gravel bike s optimální šířkou plášťů. Jenže tento úsek vedl po velkém ostrém kamení a bylo úplně jedno, jakou stopu jezdec vybere či jak obezřetně a zkušeně si při jízdě počíná. Tady jste zkrátka jen trnuli, kdy přijde defekt. Pro náš tým to znamenalo konec jednoho z jezdců, který rozervanou galusku už opravit nedokázal. Po všech těch přípravách, přesunu na akci, a těšení na společný ride to byl na osmnáctém kilometru pro našeho kamaráda opravdu krutý konec. Být pořadatelem, podobný segment bych klidně vynechal, případně ho alespoň nezařazoval na začátek tratě.

Na jezdce toho čekalo ale mnohem víc. Třeba závod vintage motocyklů, jehož okruh protnul v jedné části trasu závodu, takže si někteří účastníci včetně mě museli na chvíli připadat jako po požití halucinogenu. Vzpomínám si, jak vleču na rameni kolo v silničních tretrách (zabahněné kufry jsem pak už do pedálů nenacvaknul) v téměř neprostupném lesním terénu kdesi na německé straně a v nepředstavitelném hluku ze závodního okruhu se snažím telefonicky spojit se zbytkem ztraceného týmu. Už jste někdy zažili, jaký zvuk vydává starý závodní motocykl? Ale co… všichni přece známe rčení o tom, kdy začíná život a kdy končí zóna komfortu.

Velký dík Raphě za takové zážitky. Za perfektní organizaci, královské pohoštění po dojezdu i na vrcholu Ještědu (včetně skvělého pojízdného Rapha-Van-Espressa), chutné traťovky českého výrobce sportovní výživy Chimpanzee, designovou musettku a čapku s motivy akce.

A samotný dojezd do cílové Schmilky? Slastný.

Jednotlivé týmy si daly navzájem ochutnat piva, která ze svých krajů dovezly ostatním a slavnostní (čti patřičně odlehčený) nástup všech týmů se nesl přesně v duchu, který mi v dnešní společnosti orientované na rychlost a zisk tak trochu chybí – nakonec se vyhlásil tým, který během náročného okruhu pozoruhodnou krajinou Českého Švýcarska nasbíral nejvíc defektů.

Všechny gravel segmenty byly vybrány tak, aby se na nich mohly projevit cyklistovy zkušenosti a jezdecké dovednosti – bohužel s výjimkou hned toho prvního. Doporučení stran pořadatele znělo jasně – gravel bike s optimální šířkou plášťů. Jenže tento úsek vedl po velkém ostrém kamení a bylo úplně jedno, jakou stopu jezdec vybere či jak obezřetně a zkušeně si při jízdě počíná. Tady jste zkrátka jen trnuli, kdy přijde defekt. Pro náš tým to znamenalo konec jednoho z jezdců, který rozervanou galusku už opravit nedokázal. Po všech těch přípravách, přesunu na akci, a těšení na společný ride to byl na osmnáctém kilometru pro našeho kamaráda opravdu krutý konec. Být pořadatelem, podobný segment bych klidně vynechal, případně ho alespoň nezařazoval na začátek tratě.

Na jezdce toho čekalo ale mnohem víc. Třeba závod vintage motocyklů, jehož okruh protnul v jedné části trasu závodu, takže si někteří účastníci včetně mě museli na chvíli připadat jako po požití halucinogenu. Vzpomínám si, jak vleču na rameni kolo v silničních tretrách (zabahněné kufry jsem pak už do pedálů nenacvaknul) v téměř neprostupném lesním terénu kdesi na německé straně a v nepředstavitelném hluku ze závodního okruhu se snažím telefonicky spojit se zbytkem ztraceného týmu. Už jste někdy zažili, jaký zvuk vydává starý závodní motocykl? Ale co… všichni přece známe rčení o tom, kdy začíná život a kdy končí zóna komfortu.

Velký dík Raphě za takové zážitky. Za perfektní organizaci, královské pohoštění po dojezdu i na vrcholu Ještědu (včetně skvělého pojízdného Rapha-Van-Espressa), chutné traťovky českého výrobce sportovní výživy Chimpanzee, designovou musettku a čapku s motivy akce.

A samotný dojezd do cílové Schmilky? Slastný.

Jednotlivé týmy si daly navzájem ochutnat piva, která ze svých krajů dovezly ostatním a slavnostní (čti patřičně odlehčený) nástup všech týmů se nesl přesně v duchu, který mi v dnešní společnosti orientované na rychlost a zisk tak trochu chybí – nakonec se vyhlásil tým, který během náročného okruhu pozoruhodnou krajinou Českého Švýcarska nasbíral nejvíc defektů.

All of the gravel segments were chosen so that cyclists' experiences and riding skills could be on display, unfortunately with the exception of the first one. The organizer's recommendation was clear: ride a gravel bike with optimum tire width. However, that first stretch went over a huge, sharp rock and it didn't really matter how cautious or experienced you were. All riders could do was to hope to avoid disaster. Our team was not so lucky as one of our riders had to drop out when he couldn't fix a destroyed tire. After all the preparations, getting to the event, and looking forward to a fun ride together, it was a cruel end for our friend around the eighteenth kilometer. If I had been the organizer, I would have left out the first segment, or at least wouldn't have had it at the beginning of the trail.

There were many more surprises for the riders, though. One came from a vintage motorbike race whose circuit crossed our competition route at one point leaving some participants, myself included, wondering if we had been slipped some psychedelics. I remember lugging my bike over my shoulder through road traps (I couldn't click my muddy cleats in the pedals afterward) in a nearly impenetrable forest somewhere on the German side of the border, trying to get in touch with the rest of my team. All the while being deafened by the incredible noise from the motorbike race. Have you ever heard the sound of a vintage racing motorcycle? Oh well. We all know the proverbs about how life begins when we start stepping out of our comfort zone.

I would like to extend a big thanks to Rapha for this experience. Special thank yous for the near-perfect organization, the royal entertainment after the finish and at the top of Ještěd (including an incredible mobile Rapha-Van-Espresso), some tasty treats from Czech sports nutrition manufacturer Chimpanzee, the stylish bottle cages and slick designed event-themed caps.

The entire event, from start to finish, was amazing.

The participants then enjoyed a tasting of the different kinds of beers each team brought from their respective regions and the festive atmosphere demonstrated the spirit that I have been missing in today’s speed and profit-oriented society. Eventually, the organizers presented the awards to the team that had the most defects during the difficult journey through the remarkable landscape of Czech Switzerland.

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