Wallpaper* and Rapha + Paul Smith Handmade Ride

Bikeride Jp — Designer Faye Toogood in the courtyard of the Brioni HQ, where the bike ride began

(Image credit: Manolo Di Pino)

Salone del Mobile regulars know the best way to get around the city in the spring sunshine is on two wheels with a breeze in your hair, so we decided to join them with our own 40-bike ride-out starting from our Handmade exhibition at Brioni HQ. Being Wallpaper*, we weren’t content with just any steel steed between our legs, so we borrowed a pile of minimal, eye-catching Gazzetta steel track frames from cult Italian bike maker Cinelli and sent them out to be customised by some of our friends.

Architect John Pawson, designers Max Lamb, Michael Marriott and Nina Tolstrup, and Wallpaper* art director Meirion Pritchard gave the frames their own twist. And, of course, we needed togs from the best, so we commissioned a special cycling kit from Rapha + Paul Smith.

On the morning of Friday 15th April, our troop of cyclists took to the streets. The designers, the Wallpaper* team, Rapha CEO Simon Mottram and selected guests were put through their paces by pro cyclist David Millar. As well as Cinelli bikes, guests came aboard their own bespoke bicycles; five rides kindly lent by Rossignoli, thanks to Matia Bonato and Crane.tv’s Constantin Bjerke; and a further six lent by Taurus Biciclette (including a new beech wood prototype), courtesy of Dimitri Orlandi. After taking in the city’s landmarks, we arrived in time for lunch and prosecco at Paul Smith’s showroom on Viale Umbria.

Wallpaper* and Rapha + Paul Smith Handmade Ride — Cinelli design co-ordinator Alessandra Cusatelli and architect John Pawson with Cinelli president Antonio Colombo

Michael Marriott's custom designed Cinelli frame

Handmade Ride — Nina Tolstrop climbs aboard her own custom-designed Cinelli ride

Wallpaper* features director Nick Compton sports the specially commissioned cycling kit from Rapha + Paul Smith

Simon Mills admires another guest&rsquo;s wheels — Wallpaper* contributor Simon Mills admires another guest’s wheels

CEO Simon Mottram &amp; Tony Chambers — Rapha CEO Simon Mottram and Wallpaper* editor-in-chief Tony Chambers

Wallpaper* editor-at-large JJ Martin leaves the Brioni HQ

The team gets ready for action outside the Brioni on via Gesù

Taurus Biciclette collaborator Dimitri Orlandi

Mario Prandina arrives at the Paul Smith showroom on Viale Umbria

Former Zanotta vice president Duilio Gregorini

Nina Tolstrup shows off her custom designed Cinelli bicycle and matching outfit

people at Handmade Ride — Antonio Colombo, John Pawson and Nina Tolstrop catch up after the

The ride culminated with lunch and prosecco at the Paul Smith showroom

Suitably refreshed, Nina Tolstrop, Simon Mills and Nick Compton make their own way back through the city

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Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.