Rapha is staging a grand night of roller racing on Saturday 17th November 2007
at the Classic Car Club in Old Street, London.
The evening will feature a four-way clash between teams of bicycle couriers,
cycle journalists, media folk and a ‘dark horse’ Dutch team made
up of as yet unnamed riders.
The 500 metre sprints will be staged in a boxing ring,
pitching rider against rider for added intensity and drama. The night also includes
a ‘Have-a-Go’ Race: the chance for anyone to test their skills on
the rollers with the best times going through to a final on the main stage.
This Rapha Roller Race follows the success of the Rapha Culture Clash staged
at the Shoreditch Town Hall in February 2007. There, 300 people witnessed Cycling
Weekly’s team of journalists bag the team and individual competition,
with Simon Richardson crowned as the King of Cadence. While the male cycle messenger
team finished last, the girl messengers won in convincing fashion over the Fireflies
media team. The ‘Have-a-go’ was won by Simon Jackson, with Mark
Denton second.
There will be prizes of Rapha products and other merchandise, DJs and a paying
bar. The roller race on 17th November forms part of a Rapha Winter Series of
Roller Racing with two more events scheduled for January and March. “This
will be a fantastic night of roller racing entertainment,” said Simon
Mottram, Rapha’s Managing Director. “With February’s champions
and teams preparing to defend titles in November, the audience can expect an
atmosphere at fever pitch and sprint duels to remember”.
‘Roller race’, noun: A form of entertainment, popular in the 1950s.
Races were held at night in grand ballrooms and theatres. The racing interspersed
with live big band music and dancing. Two or four racers on bicycles fixed to
rollers would ride against each other for 500 metres, their progress shown on
a large clock.
Tickets
The event takes place at the Classic Car Club, 250 Old Street, London EC1 from
7pm until 1am. Entry is £10 on the door with £2.50 going to Leuka;
a leukemia research charity.
Numbers limited to 500. Tickets can also be bought from the Rapha
web site for £8.
Website - www.rapha.cc
Venue
Classic Car Club, 250 Old Street, London EC1
Emma Proctor
