Rapha Exclusivity or Rapha Tat?

I normally sign up for the Strava Monthly challenges - they are there and it costs nothing

I normally manage the "Grand Fondo" distance challenge (just over 60 miles) and get just over 50% of the monthly distance challenge. The monthly climbing ones are more in my grasp and I probably get 3/4 of them through the year. Having been on holiday to the French Alps and Pyrenees for the past 3 years the climbing challenges have been done and dusted in just over a week.

This year (2017) as well at the normal Strava challenges in July there were additional challenges - the "Eurosport Peaks Challenge (ride)" and the "Rapha Rising" challenge. Given that the Strava Climbing challenge for July was 26,247ft and the Rapha challenge was only 15,092ft (4600m) the latter was a lot easier. I signed up as normal for them and sure enough duly climbed a lot more than required - 54,954ft to be precise - and thought no more about it.

Here is the evidence (Courtesy of veloviewer):

A few weeks ago a small black (and expensive looking) package dropped through the letter box, and when I opened it was a tangible Strava Achievement:

Gone now are the virtual achievements that I was used to, here is something from the Internet that I ca actually touch and feel. I really don't know what to do with it. I think I will put it somewhere safe so in a few years time my sons can get it out and it will have some tangible value. People will reminisce and say - "my I remember when a company could create value by creating an image and this overcharging customers for the same stuff you could get elsewhere!"

Just to prove the pretentiousness these are the words embossed inside:

Lets be honest - I went on holiday somewhere intersting to ride my bike up some "iconic" mountains - its not become part of what I am.

Fair play to Rapha for putting thier money where their mouth is  - but you can see why the clothes cost what they do when you have for factor in making woven bagdes and sending them to members of the public.

I also do have to admit that despite the comments above I have an item of Rapha clothing - but in my defence I was given this. Its a convoluted tale but a supplier to the company I work for is Austrian and a friend of Bernie Eisel. Some discussion later and this arrived:

 

Personally signed as you can just about see below:

Its a medium and whilst I am normally a medium this is what I guess is called a racing fit - I have to breathe in to do it up but once in and on the bike its OK. It does look great and it is comfortable. Given that it is unique to me I have worn it only a few times - not sure of the value of Bernie vs. say Chris Froome but its pretty valuable to me. Thanks Bernie.