Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

Employed by Rapha??? Must have missed that!  I just thought they advertised…

Re the Garmin 200, I thought it didn’t have a HRM too?

I’m hoping for the SBS 2011 Tour Highlights in my Santa Sack as I seem to be able to watch Cadel’s defence up the Galibier at least once a week, with the Alpe D’Huez stage being just as interesting. It would be nice to get the full DVD onto my computer….

I forgot to mention, the little cycling figurines in the headline image can be bought from Fyxomatosis: http://www.fyxomatosis.com/index.php/st0re/category/view/8

They make great tree ornaments!

Yes, you’re right – no HR strap with the Edge 200 nor does it support ANT+

Good call Peter. I got the 2011 TdF highlights from  SBS and it’s awesome. http://cyclingcentralshop.com.au/2011-Tour-de-France-Complete-Highlights-p-2201.html

Correct. The 200 doesn’t have the HRM.

Good list. I am considering buying some last minute Xmas gifts for myself and AQTO T-shirts are top of the list.

Good list. I am considering buying some last minute Xmas gifts for myself and AQTO T-shirts are top of the list.

 Question: Is there a Blu-Ray version out there or is the Tour maybe not shot by the host broadcaster in full HD?

 Question: Is there a Blu-Ray version out there or is the Tour maybe not shot by the host broadcaster in full HD?

I rode past a guy with festive bar tape this morning.

I wish some people would get over the fact that Wade has some involvement with Rapha. So what. I can’t see any conflict of interest or anything…  It’s not like he is hiding anything or is trying to dupe anyone. Seems like a good fit to me.. a high-end cycling products company with a high-end, informative website.

i’ve already bought myself too much cycling stuff. there are so many bargains out there right now in online bike shop world that i just couldn’t resist. it’s disgraceful and i won’t even mention all the stuff i spoiled myself with.

rode past a guy with tinsel wrapped around his helmet

I got Mountain High last week, it is just fantastic. Beautiful photos and a great read.

Cheers Col. I didn’t interpret @ChromaticDramatic:disqus  comment as a negative one, but I appreciate your support. Unfortunately this website doesn’t pay the rent and going back working to an office wasn’t a desired option. 

Working with Rapha has been fantastic. The people in the company are inspiring to work with and some of the things I get to do are amazing. For example, we were filming a movie in Tasmania over the weekend (this is why I’ve been fairly absent this week). I’d love to give you more of an inside view of it because it’s unlike I’ve ever experienced. I can barely consider it to be work.

That said, I’m very aware of any perceived conflicts of interest when Rapha and CyclingTips overlap. Since I covered the Sun Tour in 2009 with the Rapha team there’s been a strong relationship between us and that hasn’t changed. More than anything I want this to remain independent but also need to acknowledge that advertisers are the ones who pay the bills. Without them I’d go bankrupt pretty quickly. 

I wasn’t having a go at him being employed by Rapha.  I already knew there was a ‘relationship’, just didn’t realise it was of the the employment kind.

I now understand why CT’s boss is so understanding!

A reader just sent me a link to this book from ABS:

http://shop.abc.net.au/products/the-bicycle

“Maybe for people who want something for the kids (although it has BEAUTIFUL illustrations and I’d recomend as a coffee table book as well)? I’ll be playing an interview with Colin Thompson on Saturday. 12% of royalties go to Save the Children. ”

Why on earth would one buy a “Rapha” coffee machine?

it’s made from titanium

Following your resent blog on handmade wheels I bought myself a little Christmas present of some Ambrosio rims…. and they’re being built up as we speak! A gift I’ll enjoy for years to come no doubt

My Christmas list
1/
Picking up my new bike in France (well that is the end of Jan, but…)
2/
Finding a Surgeon to operate on my broken Clavicle before I leave, except after trying 8 and seeing 2 it looks like I am doing the trip one handed and waiting until Feb

Read the Rider, and now reading Robbie’s book (One Way Road).  For anyone that wants a true insight into life in the Peleton I cannot recommend his book highly enough.

He talks of offering money for wins during races (a common occurrence), how he got his stage wins (not by buying them), tactics used both by him and against him, and generally will give a bit of insight into the riders/managers he has had the pleasure and displeasure to ride with/for.

Very interesting and eye opening.

What Would Jens Do tshirt. ;p

Which blog do you resent?

Shut up legs Tee… please Mr Cyclingtips

Just what the internet needs, more people looking for typo’s on blogs

Ct certainly didn’t hide the fact! :-) http://www.flickr.com/photos/43990277@N04/6253165032/in/set-72157627788152183/

Pointing out typos is annoying. But when a typo actually makes a coherent, yet incorrect sentence and almost a pun then it is fine to point out. I found this amusing.

You forgot the most important link…….. to a online flower / perfume shop to make sure you dont get sidetracked and order all of the above for yourself :) 

That would be the most important and will guarantee to get you another 3 months of non complaints :) 

ohhhh was that my out-loud voice :)

Try this place, it will get you out of all sorts of trouble, remember, it’s always easier to ask forgiveness than permission.
http://peonymelbourne.com.au/ 

I’m over Christmas already!

Every year I buy myself presents to give to my family, to give back to me, cause I’m sick of being disappointed with crap ‘surprises’ (like they’ll think of buying Rapha for me).

Every year I end up with their ‘surprises’ + all the cycling stuff I’ve bought myself.

I can’t win!

Why on earth would one buy anything “Rapha” as it is totaly overprized?

If you have to work for some one it may as well be Rapha. I wish I could have such a cool job. HaOf your luck. Merry Christmas.

Or a christmas gift of a cheap China wheelset…then again you get what you pay for xD But perfect for the Mamil that wants a deep wheelset for half the price ;)
I think its the perfect season for a Garmin 500 invasion though ;)

I love Rapha Wade, already layed out for tomorrow’s ride.  Assume that is what bought you to Sydney and the Coluzzi ride a few weeks back then?

I love Rapha Wade, already layed out for tomorrow’s ride.  Assume that is what bought you to Sydney and the Coluzzi ride a few weeks back then?

Hey CT, followed you in your rapha gear along Beach Rd this morning. Thanks for the tow to work! Overtook you at cafe racer on my red steel Dolan with the fenders. Ride Safe!

Oh… we’re back to the see-through niks again? Thought we covered that last week.

If you have to ask that question… you won’t understand the answer. :)

Wade… the best products are the ones that seem to [subtly] sell themselves…. often through the efforts of the passionate and hard working people behind them. For me, both Rapha and CT fall into that category. Sure, Rapha are good at selling the cycling dream… and in your own way, so are you. But if we don’t believe in it… you’re not forcing any of us to buy into it. Keep doing what you are doing mate. You give so much… and karma is telling you that you deserve something for yourself.

I recently came across some embroidered cycling cufflinks by hannmaid, a Melbourne designer, that I thought you might like. They make an easy present and come in a range of colours, including some nice summer ones. The link to her shop is http://www.hannmaid.com/shop.html

I recently came across some embroidered cycling cufflinks by hannmaid, a Melbourne designer, that I thought you might like. They make an easy present and come in a range of colours, including some nice summer ones. The link to her shop is http://www.hannmaid.com/shop.html

So it looks like your association Rapha has taken over this thread. So while I, rather we, are on the topic. The Paris-Roubaix Challenge jersey has to be one of the coolest jerseys I have ever seen. Been trying, unsuccessfully, to get my hands on one since, XXL :)

I think i can safely say that Christmas for me will come next year when the Garmin Vector arrives. Like that Rapha coffee machine though!

Thanks for the kind words Hardo. A very good way at looking at it!

It’s not actually a Rapha coffee machine – it’s a Rocket coffee machine with Rapha branding!

We bought one of these machines a couple of months ago – just the Rocket, not the Rapha branded model – after much research.  It is about the best domestic coffee machine you can buy.

Not sure what exact model it is – but the pricing looks very very good!

“Employed by Rapha??? Must have missed that!  I just thought they advertised…”
Rapha make stuff??? Must have missed that! I thought they just advertised…

Only kidding :-)

Overprized? Funny, if you meant it, and even funnier if you didn’t.

My wife thinks I ‘overprize’ some of my Rapha kit, and I agree that I way ‘overprize’ a Cippolini RB1000.

My ideal Christmas Present would probably be a book full of leave passes, redeemable any time..

Bought my wife a road bike for Christmas. It’s an investment for the future…….

and we didn’t see the invite for a Rapha Ride while you were here?

Rapha, that’s one cycling label that I will never be able to afford…all good to give but the brand a good wrap because the designs and quality are great, but its generally out of most peoples reach…I guess they are achieving their marketing strategy of appealing to a small minority of cyclist’s…?

C’mon CT help us poor, starving, badly kitted cyclists out…..where’s the 50% off Rapha discount code?….my CC is waiting.

Has anybody mentioned Rapha yet?

Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha
Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha
Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha
Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha
Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha
Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha
Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha Rapha

Remember to buy Rapha

Um…that wasn’t me posting under a pseudonym.

its a good coffee machine. “about the best”? very highly debatable.

Its like saying that English marketed, made in China is better than Swiss marketed made in Romania coz the English guys make cool movies.

This was a rhetorical question but thanks for all the responses!

This was a rhetorical question but thanks for all the responses!

If you can afford it..

I got the Rocket machine after doing the exact same research… The model co-branded with Rapha is Evolutione Giotto. I was thinking of getting a nice coffee machine to practice my mad skillz at home… I saw the Rapha one, liked the look, I thought “f*ck it why not!?!”

I spoke with my coffee repair man – yes, I have a coffee machine repair man, don’t you?  – he said it was a very reliable unit and exceptionally well made. He has never said the same thing about any of the commercial units we use in our business…

Now… that jogs my memory… I had to speak to someone about a Rapha/Chris King Tamper…. ;-)

Well what I did was got myself heaps of stuff during the recent Rapha sales… got home and found my fiancee got to the mail box before me and wrapped them and put them under the tree! That bitch! Hahaha! Then complains that she only has one present (a f*ckin expensive wallet)  and I have about 10!

Check out the bundles… and keep an eye out around the net for special codes and free postage… It can be well within the average cyclists reach… I have 5 year old jerseys that are like new from Rapha… cant say the same for quality of other bigger more highly prized brands.

I hear ya brother, like what are you going to do with a wallet on the bike anyhow? :)

‘Anything I missed?’

Anything specifically for female cyclists.

“Or better yet, you can buy any of these for your partner in the hope that she’ll re-gift them straight back to you!”

Ahem, some of us girls are actually the riders in the family!

I got CO2 cartridges from my work colleague. How cool is that!  And she knows nothing about cycling – just asked at the bike shop.  Lucky me!