Cycle Smithy at Rapha Chicago
On Wednesday the 19th of October the new Rapha Chicago location held a Greg Lemond autobiography signing event. Previously Mark had lent them some Chicago cycling history in the form of a chrome Schwinn Paramount, an orange RRB Cycle, along with some blueprints of Arnold Schwinn’s home and other pieces of Schwinn advertising memorabilia. The RRB cycle has a nice spot on the wall right as you walk in appropriately placed above a rack of hanging carbon Canyon bikes. The contrast in bicycle eras shown just as bright as the hi-vis Rapha jerseys on black walls. The crowd was packed in around Greg as he was answering questions towards the back of the boutique but as he moved to a nearby couch to begin signing books the chrome Paramount bounced the track lighting around the room. It is placed on a glass display table in the center of the room on top of the blueprints and advertising pieces. The tradition, culture, and history definitely stand aside in a place void with new age minimalism. The line for Mr. Lemond stretched the length of the store for over four hours and Greg, showing his champ stripes, talked with every person that wanted to say hello. All in all it was a fun evening, open bar dude, and hopefully some of the new school at Rapha Chicago appreciated a little of Mark’s collection of Chicago cycling history. Stop by Rapha once they open to the public at 1514 N Milwaukee Ave and check in on the real steel.
