Northeast Portland resident Slate Olson is general manager of North American operations for UK-based Rapha Performance Roadwear, a company with over $20 million in sales last year.
(Photos © J. Maus/BikePortland)

It's been four years since UK-based cycling apparel company Rapha chose Portland as its North American headquarters. Since then, the company has grown by leaps and bounds, and now they're making an even bigger commitment to Portland. (more...)

Powers (L) and McDonald post-race.
(Photo courtesy Rapha/CXMagazine.com)

Apparel company Rapha, whose North American headquarters are in North Portland, had a big weekend at the 2012 Cyclocross National Championships. The races, held in Madison, Wisconsin, featured the nation's top cyclocross talent together to vie for bragging rights in what has become one of the fastest-growing bike disciplines since mountain biking took off in the 1990s. (more...)

Rapha is now in the bike business.

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Tony Pereira and his new suit. (Photos © J. Maus)

Bikes and fashion have enjoyed a renewed romance in America in the last few years. From the Cycle Chic movement to the proliferation of bike fashion shows, there is a growing awareness of -- and market for -- clothes that are stylish and comfortable to bike in. Today I spent some time on yet another bike fashion front, custom-tailored (a.k.a. bespoke) cycling suits. (more...)

Rapha Performance Roadwear, whose North American headquarters are in North Portland, has partnered with Focus Bicycles USA to field a professional cyclocross team for the 2010-2011 season. The Rapha-Focus Team will consist of young up-and-coming racers Chris Jones (Auburn, California) and Zach McDonald (Seattle, Washington). (more...)

Opening day at Rapha's New York
City Cycle Club.
(Photos: Rapha)

Rapha, the premium 'performance roadwear' brand from the U.K. whose North American headquarters have been in Portland since 2008, has set up a temporary retail space in New York City they describe as a combination of gallery, shop, and café. Serving as a 'pop-up store' -- a trend popular among fashion retailers -- Rapha's 'Cycle Club' will be open for only three months.

The Bowery location (325 Bowery) officially opened on Saturday. Rapha communications staffer Jeremy Dunn says in addition to selling their entire line of cycling apparel, the 'Cycle Club' will also serve as a destination for bike lovers and an event space. "We are hoping that the space can evolve the idea of a shop into more of a club atmosphere," says Dunn. (more...)

The suit is a collaboration between Rapha and famous London tailor Timothy Everest.
(Photo: Rapha)

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Castelli's high tech,
Insolito Radiation Jacket.

Three Portland-based bike apparel companies woke up to good news this morning -- some prominent publicity in USA Today.

Their resident bike reporter Sal Ruibal featured clothing suitable for cold winter commuting. Among the brands listed are Portland companies Showers Pass, Rapha, and Castelli. (more...)