Rapha’s new Swift jersey has been inspired by the phenomenon of 30,000 swifts congregating in the skies above US biking mecca Portland, Oregon; local framebuilder Ira Ryan incorporates images of the swallow, a close relative of the swift, into his frame designs.
Each summer, the swifts dominate the skies of Portland and flock upwards into the sky before descending in sweeping arcs. You can see what this spectacle of nature looks like from this YouTube video clip.
Rapha have been inspired to create the Swift jersey, which features black flocked silhouettes of swifts in flight on a black background, creating a stylishly unique jersey.
The jersey is made using Sportwool and features all the niceties we’ve come to expect from Rapha, with a slim cut enhanced by side panels, a dropped tail and three pockets. There’s ribbed neck and sleeve cuffs and a metal zipper to add a touch of authentic tradition.
