Events: Rapha’s Black Friday Ride

(2020) Getting outside, shunning the shopping tradition, on Black Friday has gained traction. The past six years the outdoor store REI suggested people ‘Opt outside,’ even popularizing the hashtag while closing their stores for the day after American Thanksgiving. This year Rapha has entered the unofficial holiday with the Black Friday Ride. And it’s more than just rolling out the front door for bragging rights.

Thursday starts a long line of holidays, particularly in America. Thanksgiving, the feast day, is celebrated on the last Thursday of November. It is followed by Black Friday - on any normal year - only to be backed up by Small Business Saturday. Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday make us wonder why Sunday hasn’t been snatched up by a catchy slogan. Black Friday is notorious for its ‘holiday’ shoppers who report snagging cheap televisions for themselves when partaking in exit polls. We have never understood the stampede, so Friday has been for the miles.

This year Rapha has publicized the day, only this approach comes with leverage. An event available to join on Strava, Rapha’s Black Friday Ride strives for one million kilometers of cycling. If the number is achieved, Rapha will donate 1,000 bikes to those who need it most. The cycling apparel company has paired with World Bicycle Relief for the event. It costs nothing to join. Indoor miles count. There is no reason to skip this event. Rapha has even closed their shops for the day to allow employees a crack at adding some kilometers to the million.

Per their website, Rapha Clubhouses will be closed Black Friday, joining many businesses to encourage people to opt outside instead of shopping.

In what can best (or least awful) be described as a scrubbed year, 2020 is still waiting for its feel-good cycling moment. This may be it. As Covid cases climb around the world - and particularly in America - riding alone has been difficult to continue. Most in our country will be off that day, giving ample time to complete a ride at any distance. As we have seen in other Strava events there will be the overachievers who log double centuries or the like, causing the working class to wonder what they do for a living. No matter how little or how much we ride, each mile adds to the greater good. And wouldn’t it be great to witness 1,000 people getting bikes when they did not have previous access?

Plans were already in effect to seek out potential Festive 500 outdoor miles, and Rapha’s Black Friday Ride sealed the decision to get on the bike. If anything, the motivation that we are personally responsible for the one million kilometers might convince us to dawdle a little longer in the damp leaves and chilly temperatures. We are riding because we are thankful to have a bike and accessways to quieter municipalities. For those who are pressed, the trainer miles count making it as accessible as possible. 

As Covid rampages areas, we will remain socially distant for the Rapha Black Friday Ride. Riding isolated means greater chances of criss-crossing paths with recently virtual riding buddies. Give a wave. We know why you are out there, too. Hopefully if you see us we are headed out farther, greatly adding to the mileage of Rapha’s Black Friday Ride and World Bicycle Relief’s fundraising goal.