Rapha Comes to Austin with Pop-Up Clubhouse on 6th Street
The cycling brand’s new location will feature high-performance apparel and host weekly cycling programs
Lifestyle cycling brand Rapha recently opened a pop-up Clubhouse in downtown Austin to create a community-centric retail space that celebrates the city’s cycling culture.
The pop-up, which opened on Feb. 11, showcases the brand’s latest cycling gear and apparel collections. The Austin location also offers bike rentals for Ralph Cycling Club members.
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“Austin has long had a cycling community we’ve admired. A thriving race community, ample adventuring and post-ride swimming holes all wrap together to give Austin’s cycling a unique character and feel,” says Brandon Camarada, North American Marketing Director for Rapha. “After admiring from afar, we are thrilled to join the Austin community of enthusiastic cyclists with our pop-up Clubhouse this year.”
Rapha was founded in London in 2004 to create high-performance clothing and accessories. The leading cycling brand previously collaborated with Austin-founded brand Outdoor Voices on a special collection.
The company also organizes rides and gatherings at their 21 Clubhouses around the world. Events for the Austin pop-up include meet and greets with professional athletes and weekend riding adventures. They conduct weekly ride programs as well, led by Rapha Cycling Club ride leaders.
The Hills of Austin Morning Edition ride, for example, is held every Wednesday. The route is a pre-work 25 mile loop that riders can expect to be hilly. This option will be offered at 7:30 a.m. through March 9, and starting March 16, the ride will pivot to an Evening Edition, held at 5:30 p.m., due to daylight savings.
The Urban Spin ride guides cyclists through the city on Friday mornings and wraps up at the Austin Rapha Clubhouse for coffee and snacks at 11 a.m. Experienced riders can join Rapha’s Sunday Go Further rides for a 40-mile loop at a steady pace, held every Sunday morning through Aug. 7. To download the routes for these rides or learn more, click here.
“We look forward to supporting local cycling initiatives, riding with the community and showcasing our best products for riding in the Texas sun,” says Camarada.
Rapha Austin carries the brand’s full range of kit collections, from Pro Team to Explore to MTB. Its in-house team can provide advice for riders of all skill levels and disciplines.
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The Pop-Up Clubhouse, located at 1122 W. 6th St., will be open through Aug. 7. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Face masks are mandatory for staff members and customers.