Rapha Calling - A Global Women's Road Cycling Initiative

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Jun 04, 2015, 04:37 ET

PORTLAND, Ore., June 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A May 2015 recreational survey recently revealed that U.S. girls and boys ride bicycles at the same rate up until age nine but beginning at age ten, a significant drop in participation occurs for the girls and deepens as they grow into adulthood. Rapha exists to make road cycling the most popular sport in the world and, to achieve this, female participation in the sport is critical. The launch of Rapha Calling is specifically intended to encourage women to discover the passion, freedom and joy of the sport of road cycling.

The Calling is Rapha's salute to women who rise and ride, alone or together. It's our commitment to inspire and support women to clip in for longer days, steeper climbs, and roads less traveled. The Calling is finding that little slice of magic in an otherwise rough ride, rough place, rough day. The Calling is not wanting to be anywhere but here, on this bike, in this moment. If you feel this, you are not alone. This is Rapha Calling. Join us.

"Cycling has many different meanings to so many women," says Hillary Benjamin, Head of Rapha North America. "It's racing and training to some while for others it's the social connectivity of a casual weekend ride with friends. In between fast and slow are endless motivations for riding and Rapha Calling is Rapha's salute to women who rise and ride, alone or together. Road cycling is a beautiful, fulfilling sport for women and our ambition is to welcome them to road riding as a lifetime activity."

Rapha Calling is delivered through inspiring content on the Rapha blog and across our social media platforms. It is the global collection of the riding exploits of women around the world; our virtual scrapbook of the longer days, steeper climbs, and roads less traveled. In a recent film, Rapha shows pieces from the Rapha Women's Collection while also providing an inspiring look at one woman's actions and ethos to ride early each morning.

The Rapha Women's 100 is a physical event tethered to Rapha Calling. On July 26, 2015, thousands of women around the world will join together through rides held in more than 40 countries. On this day, Rapha encourages women to ride 100 kilometers. Rapha's 2014 event saw 8,200 women participate in the challenge with 43% riding 100 kilometers or more for the very first time. Rapha intends to double the number of riders for 2015 and, at present, have just under 5,000 riders signed up for the challenge.

"It is not my fair weather alternative to spin class or working out in a gym," says Abby Watson, Rapha U.S. Finance Manager. "It's not just exercise; I ride because I love it. I ride with strong and beautiful women who never cease to amaze and motivate me. We are cyclists, and we love what we do."

For more information, please visit:

Rapha Calling: http://pages.rapha.cc/rapha-calling

Rapha Women's 100: http://pages.rapha.cc/womens100

People For Bikes survey: http://www.peopleforbikes.org/blog/entry/new-research-on-womens-bicycling-participation-reveals-insightsand-some-sur

About Rapha
Rapha (www.rapha.cc) creates the finest cycling clothing and accessories in the world. Designed without compromise for the most discerning rider, Rapha products blend style with optimum performance. A passion for road racing means Rapha is more than a product company. It is an online emporium of performance roadwear, accessories, publications and events, all celebrating the glory and suffering of road riding.

Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/0-Rapha-FINAL-1080-HD.mp4

SOURCE Rapha