On a fine summer's day in 1992, a 72 year old gentleman was cycling on a beautiful country lane near his home in Cheshire, England, when he suffered a stroke and died. Almost 20 years later, a caricature of him sticks to my butt. No, I didn't tattoo Reginald Harris' face on my cheeks. I am wearing Rapha's 3/4 cycling specific shorts.
I am not entirely sure why Rapha decided to immortalize Reg Harris (of all British bike racers in history) on their shorts, but you will find a brief resume of Harris' life stitched to the rear of the left pocket, and entitled "The Maestro" and showing Harris wearing a tailcoat and grinning next to a grand piano. Perhaps it is a fetish they have about guys dying while on their bicycles; the name Rapha is itself derived from the team for which Tommy Simpson rode, another famous British racer who died on his bike. Perhaps its a paean to all the brave souls who gave up their ghosts doing what they love best. Perhaps its just a morbid sense of humour. Whatever it is, I could certainly do a lot worse than have a champion like Harris close to my nether regions when I am suffering on my bicycle, wondering what the hell I am doing trying to cycle 220km in one day from one pointless point to another.
And so on to Rapha's 3/4 shorts, the subject of this post. At first glance, this piece of clothing looks rather boring. It is virtually a uniform dark-blue all the way, and costs a ("how much?!") 135 British pounds a pair. Some have described this as a "plus-fours", but my measuring tape tells me the hems are closer to 6 inches from my knees, so its probably more accurate to call the shorts "plus-sixes". Its not pleated at the front (thank God), and has a small obscure "Rapha" stitched discreetly above the front left pocket. So why is it so darn expensive?
Well, the details that make it special are all there, but all hidden. For a start, the cut of the shorts is well-nigh perfect. Neither cyclists nor fashionistas will find it wanting in the style department. You could almost ignore its cycling origins and intentions, and wear these shorts purely as a fashion statement. Of course, it is when you ride in them that you truly begin to appreciate the finer details worked into this garment. Firstly, a rubberised strip is stitched to the waist of the shorts, giving tucked-in shirts some traction and preventing the shorts from bunching up when the rider is hunched over the bike. A seamless gusset takes the place where you might find a chamois on regular cycling shorts, which allows a cyclist more freedom of movement on the bike. You will also find gussets at the hem of the shorts where Rapha has provided buttoned straps in a tweed detail. The tweed theme is carried on at the waist of the shorts where two reinforced oversized belt-loops are provided for one to hang a small U-lock. The 4 pockets (2 front and 2 back) are thoughtfully angled to help cyclists reach easily into them while on the fly, and there's also a hidden pocket to keep cash safe.
It's when you flip the shorts inside out that a sudden splash of colour greets you unexpectedly. Pink trim line the inside seams and it's here you will find the aforementioned Maestro Harris grinning out at you. The material of the shorts feels assuringly tough, and in general, for a garment so well-designed and thought-out, you dont get the impression that its too precious for long, punishing rides, which is as it should be given the fact that Rapha never intended these shorts to be put on display, but well used and enjoyed.
How one would use these shorts is perhaps a matter of some debate. Rapha says they are for town-riding or city commuting. Clearly, one would not use them for racing or even fast sportives, but apart from those, I would not hesitate to pull these on for any other ride. In fact, my first experience of them was on an overseas tour. Trying my best to look the part of a Tweed-Runner, I put on my best Argyle socks and leather cycling shoes, and the Rapha shorts definitely helped to complete the illusion. Then, under a harsh tropical sun, I made my way variously through dusty backroads, dirty city roads, experienced many mounts and dismounts, and travelled at all speeds ranging from a tortoise-like crawl to almost VO2 max levels for sustained periods.
At the end of the day, I am glad to report that the Rapha shorts held up magnificently. They repelled dirt and grime like a well-trained martial artist, and wicked away sweat from my skin so at no point during the ride did they feel clammy, sticky or otherwise uncomfortable, despite the thickness of the textile. And despite said thickness, I soaked and scrubbed the shorts and left them to dry overnight. By the next morning, they were completely dry, looking fresh and ready for another day's punishment. The only negative I can think of is that they are unpadded, but with a well-worn leather saddle that is less of an issue. One could always wear padded underwear. But the best endorsement of these shorts came from quite a few positive comments from members of the opposite sex (read: female), not all of whom were riders.
So who should buy these shorts? The Lycra group should obviously stay away. The Light-me-up-like-a-christmas-tree crowd should also look elsewhere. Getting in a pair of these if everyone else in your group ride is in spandex can make you an easy target, so be forewarned. However, style is wearing something you like, and wearing it confidently. If you are ready to get a pair of Rapha's 3/4 shorts, you will know. And nothing else will suffice.
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