Rapha MBIII

[Lancaster]

I agree with your sentiment but it's not an association I would make, there again, I really don't like Rolex. That said, most non-watch people probably think that Rolex make the worlds best watches so your comment does have merit.

I suppose that you could use sporting analogies for both brands. Hope is like meeting cycling legends such as Sir Chris Hoy or Sir Jason Kenny. Really nice men, very down to earth and absolute legends. Rolex is like meeting your favourite current footballer. You'll probably never get close to them, if you do they won't give you the time of day and overall you'll be left very disappointed.

Another big difference between Hope and Rolex is that you can actually buy Hope kit.
If I was talking to a watch loving cyclist I'd have to pick another analogy.
I must admit the one or two former premiership footballers I've bumped into didn't leave positive thoughts.
On the other hand the former great and current great boxers I've met have been charming and good company.The same with athletes and I'm sure you're right about Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny

[Lancaster]

"Rapha on the other hand are simply a cycle clothing company trying to be the British equivalent of Assos but without much in the way of British manufacturing"

There are a lot of companies like this in the UK.
Some of them used to manufacture in this country, others never have, have very little history but still fly the union flag on their clothing.
Jack Wills springs to mind, a company that boasts of being fabulously British despite their manufacturing all being in China.

[theancientmariner]

On the other hand the former great and current great boxers I've met have been charming and good company.

I couldn't agree with that more. Years ago I sat down at a bar and started chatting to a gentleman who was very polite and we spent five or ten minutes talking about nothing much at all, as you do at a bar. He was called away by what I assumed were his friends but later told his management team and it was in fact Nigel Benn.

[theancientmariner]

There are a lot of companies like this in the UK.

Very true and such a shame. As Bremont and other companies have proved, we have a very good history of manufacturing things in this country but unfortunately with many companies now, profit comes before passion. I don't condemn that as long as the consumer isn't being mislead but in many cases they are.

[Lancaster]

I couldn't agree with that more. Years ago I sat down at a bar and started chatting to a gentleman who was very polite and we spent five or ten minutes talking about nothing much at all, as you do at a bar. He was called away by what I assumed were his friends but later told his management team and it was in fact Nigel Benn.

I watched the Benn-Eubank return fight at Old Trafford where the draw decision flattered Eubank, most people thought the dark destroyer has won.
Before the fight we went in de Trafford Arms for a quick drink and Ken Buchanan came in.
He'd been my hero at school and I always tried to box like he did.
The media perception of him as a cold bitter man turned out to be a load of sh1te and when I told him that I'd boxed as an amateur he opened up even more and we had a real good laugh.
I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say Benn is our most exciting fighter ever and will never be forgotten in this country.
Commentator Reg Gutteridge was a big fan and a fellow fusilier.
My number one boxing hero is Randy Turpin the first black British world champion.
His elder brother Dick was the first black British champion and when he died around 30 years ago Nigel Nenn sent him a wreath in Dick's regimental colour which I though was a nice touch and very classy.
A note with the wreath thanked Turpin for breaking down the colour bar in this country.