I am so pleased to be able to announce that GOREWEAR have come on board to support me !

Im absolutley thrilled that I will be protected from the elements, whatever it can throw at me.

GOREWEAR is the Cycling Apparel arm of GORE  (W L GORE & ASSOCIATES)  who invented and manufacture the world famous and incredible GORE-TEX fabric that is not just used in Cycling, but Running, Sailing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Hiking, Mountaineering to name but a few.

For GOREWEAR to help me out has blown my mind, but its actually ironic in a way as my first ever Cycling Jacket that I purchased almost 12 years ago was a GORE CYCLE WEAR jacket and its not just still going strong, but its my favorite Jacket.

Another irony is last year I purchased a GOREWEAR SHAKEDRY 1985 Jacket and it was just incredible, light, waterproof and windproof.  I actually got it specifically for the ATLAS MOUNTAIN RACE where the elements can throw anything at you even though most people think of Morocco as just Sun !

I took this Jacket to Gran Canaria on a Cycling trip in November and stupidly left it on the back of my chair at breakfast ….. never to be seen again. !!  Absolutely GUTTED.

This support all came about though, not because Im doing the AMR or because I had a jacket stolen, but rather because Ive got an EPIC planned Ride for later in the year !

I spoke with a few people at W L GORE (including the CEO) and at GOREWEAR and pitched my ‘stupid’ idea … I didnt realise that this epic I was planning would strike such a chord.

After a couple of Teams Meetings with some wonderful people it soon became clear that GOREWEAR were as enthusiasit about my plan as I was, and they didnt just want to ‘supply a bit of kit’, they wanted to ensure that I had the best protection at whatever Mother Nature would, could and will throw at me.

It was a no-brainer to expedite the arrangement so I could use this fantastic technical kit on the Atlas Mountain Race and I’m so proud to be representing them, as well as joining up with another GOREWEAR supported Rider Jamie Ramsay who is also contesting the AMR – he’s just like me but talented ! 🙂

Ive said this many times before, sponsorship, support, partnerships, whatever you call them do not necessarily come because of results or ability, its not always who you know, its also not about having a million followers and demanding a fee !

Sometimes you get companies with real people at the various helms, people who are realistic and passionate – not just about what they do and their products, but passionate and interested and supportive of their ambassadors.

I did a bit of reading up about W L GORE and the company’s ethos and business practice and they talk a lot about the WaterLine Management Concept … look it up … but it basically allows the day today operation to be run by real people, intelligent people who are able and enabled to act upon their ideas or opportunities.

To me it is obvious from speaking to my contacts at GOREWEAR that this is a great place to work. Its fun, its vibrant and its exciting.

Im not even a tooth on the smallest cog, but when a company like this takes you on board, knowing your actual limitations, but takes you on because of your desire and enthusiasm, it just makes you feel so proud to represent them and advocate their products.

But you all know me, I will only give my truthful views and opinions and I think that honesty is another reason why they have decided to help me out.

GOREWEAR SAID:

“At GOREWEAR, we are thrilled to support Rapid Rich on his very inspiring and unique adventures!

We are impressed by his entrepreneurial spirit, courage, persistence, and energy.

We are delighted to provide him with gear that will keep him protected from the many elements he will face.

We wish him the best of luck on those adventures of a lifetime!” 

Im thrilled that GOREWEAR have joined the amazing list of my other supporters mainly Tailfin, WTB Tyres and Components, Truesapien and BlueStrawberryElephant.

Two words are not enough …. but THANK YOU.

GOREWEAR INSTAGRAM PAGE – HERE

PS.   I will share my new adventure with you on my return from Morocco !! … just for now . Mum’s the Word.

Rapid