Rapha is well known for its cycling heritage and with any travels, gearing up for the winter is essential. The English brand’s leather Town Gloves are handcrafted in England and are cut from the finest goatskin leather. They’re built to last and are fitted with marksman-grade palm padding for max grip.

More info and images after the jump. 

This weekend marked the opening of Rapha‘s first retail venture on US soil. We turned you guys to the cycling playground pre-launch, but now that we’ve gotten a chance to scope out the finished product, here’s a look on the inside. The space is pretty open, with plenty to do. They’ve got a cafe, run by Third Rail Coffee, books for purchase, as well historical items from the archives which included helmets and cycling caps. The gear is pretty tremendous as well, and ranged from strict gear for your daily stroll to more casual clothing like button-downs and khakis.

More images after the jump.

The broom wagon, the centerpiece of Rapha’s Cycle Club space, has finally made its way over from the UK to its new Bowery home here in New York. With a Stumptown Coffee-fuled cafe, a 36′ long community table where to enjoy as much live bicycle racing as the folks can show, we truly believe the Cycle Club will be the spot for the New Yorker with a passion for riding. This spot isn’t going to be just a retail shop. The true Rapha experience will be on display as enthusiasts will have a place to meet and further their passion for riding. We’re personally expecting the NYC location to duplicate its success from the current Cycle Club running in London.

The doors officially open this Saturday, July 3rd, with live daily showings of the Tour de France and will be open daily from 8am to 8pm until September. Rapha Cycle Club is located at 352 Bowery Street.

The cycling cap goes luxe courtesy of Rapha. The limited edition Maharam Cap celebrates BESPOKE: The Handbuilt Bicycle exhibition and with only 75 pieces available, this one’s definitely special. The brushed Camel shell is fitted black silk lining screened inside with Bespoke and Maharam logos.

More info and images after the jump. (via Selectism) 

Come this spring, the growing family of Rapha Caps will increase by three, additions that are lighter weight than previous versions. The cycling clothing company also notes that the Cycling Cap can be worn under the helmet, the brim acting doubly as a sun visor and deterrent from the elements. However, the cap also looks good without the helmet and can be worn about town.

More looks at the prints after the jump.

Designed in collaboration with Andrew Todd, the Gentleman’s Cap from Rapha is an essential for the passionate cycler. Heck, it’s an essential for any man. Available in three exclusive designs, each cap style boasts its own unique signature features. The Feather cap is made from grey Melton wool and finished with a black grosgrain ribbon stripe down the centre. The Waxed cap, meanwhile, is water resistant, comes with its own enamel pin and is finished with mesh eyelets. The polka dot cap is rendered in a pattern familiar to fans and riders alike and is finished with a satin ribbon. All the caps have fully bound seams and are lined with anti-bacterial tape to wick sweat and keep your head dry.

Rapha actually did a Q&A with Mr. Todd which you can read here. The hats are currently available at Rapha for $60.

More images after the jump. 

By now, you’ve surely noticed our love for bicycles. This video we came across over at Rapha gets our juices flowing even more while leaving us yearning for more. The roadwear maker’s Gentlemen’s Race is a yearly expedition that varies in length and, at times, in location. This year’s East Coast race was phenomenal (or so we’ve heard), with plenty of climbs and an endless barrage of challenges.

The Catskills course of 122-miles with three major climbs, and a constant barrage of rollers was chosen because of the challenge it presented to our Rapha Continental NE riders last year. The ‘Gunks’, the seemingly endless climb up Mohonk around mile 90, and the world’s largest garden gnome were something at least a few of us had seen before. Put together in a different way and with some added mileage, the idea of the 6-person team race happening on the quiet roads around New Paltz fit perfectly.

Well, don’t take our word for it, or their’s, for that matter. Hit the jump and check out the video.