This doodle-covered ride tells a story worth hearing
WHY IS THIS A SUPERBIKE?
-Rachael’s Furtado is covered in hand-drawn graphics that have real meaning for its owner, relating to the adventures she’s been on
-Decked out in purple-anodised Hope parts – including several custom pieces – this bike is bling beyond belief
-Underneath the one-of finish lies a lightweight (11.1kg/24.5lb), capable trail-shredding machine optimised for women riders
There’s more to this bike than meets the eye. From a distance it’s a Juliana Furtado with some purple graffiti. Look deeper though, and there are stories depicted on the bike, of journeys taken and adventures had, all preserved in permanent ink on the beautiful carbon frame.
Similar can be said for its owner, RachaelWalker. To the casual observer she’s the Brand Manager at Hope Technology – a confident lass who keeps the boys in check in the factory and can absolutely shred on a bike. Talk to her though, and it’s clear she’s been on a pretty epic journey of self discovery. Once a high-flying London lawyer, she quit her job, re-evaluated her life and began work in the Hope dispatch department, tipping the scales back from work towards life.
Brainstorming
Rachael’s role puts her in the enviable position of being able to customise her bike with all manner of bling components. Add a choice of colours and the option of personalised laser etching, and this was always going to be a superbike.
The avid racer told us she’d been looking to create something special, and the inspiration came to her after racing the Andes Pacifico enduro in 2015.“The idea for the doodle bike came about through an excitable post-race pisco [a Chilean brandy ~ Ed] fuelled brainstorm session withmy friend, Sam Needham,” she said.“We wanted to tell a story and got a bit carried away!”
On their return to the UK, Rachael decided on the lemon-yellow Furtado as her ride for the year, having heard that the Santa Cruz 5010, the bike this women’s-specific model was based on,was fast gaining a reputation for being a super-fun trail bike. Then Sam, who’s not only a talented photographer but also an imaginative illustrator, got to work.
Through phrases and pictures, the intricate doodles tell stories of mini adventures while out riding, covering everything from race experiences to weather conditions. Rachael says her favourite parts are the quote “To the hills…”, because it rings true every time she jumps on a bike, and the doodles that remind her of the Andes Pacifico, after the good times she had there, both on and off the bike.
I shall wear purple
Build wise, Rachael has used Hope components wherever possible. Unlike the company’s exclusive ‘team green’parts, most of these purple products are available to buy – though she does have a few special anodised bits that won’t be seen on any other bike. While the Tech 3 brake levers normally have black blades, Rachael’s are purple. Likewise, the 40t-REx expander cog on the cassette isn’t normally available in this colour because it can’t be hard anodised. This does mean her sprocket will wear quicker, but at least it’ll look good in the process!
Rachael has done her best to keep the weight of the bike down without sacrificing performance, and it tips the scales at just 11.1kg (24.5lb). Hope’s lightest 24-spoke Tech XC wheels help shave some grams and – for Rachael, a light rider who isn’t in the habit of smashing or dinging rims – have proven sturdy enough to take on the rocky trails of the Lake District and even a round of the EnduroWorld Series.
A purple stickered, Kashima coated Fox 32 Float FIT4 fork and Float shock provide 120mm (4.7in) of front and 125mm (4.9in) of rear travel. Hope provide the spiderless crankset, with 170mm arms and a 32t direct-mount Retainer Ring, and the threaded 30mm bottom bracket, all in – you’ve guessed it – purple. Shifting is taken care of by 10-speed SRAMX0. Up front,
Rachael holds onto Hope SL lock-on grips attached to a prototype Hope aluminium bar held in a 50mm HopeAM stem. Rachael loves her unique bike – and thankfully her friendship with Sam is still strong after letting him loose with the Sharpie on her pride and joy!
THAT’S A WRAP
After the graphics were completed the guys at invisiFRAME covered the frame in clear 3M vinyl that was cut to wrap perfectly around every inch of the chassis, sealing the graphics and protecting them and the bike.
HELLO YELLOW
Rachael loved the looks of the carbon Furtado and the matt yellow frame made the perfect backdrop for Sam Needham’s doodles.
ONE LESS COG
Yes, you heard right, this little bike is still 10-speed, though Rachael has added a Hope 40t-REx expander sprocket to give her an 11-40t range
PURPLE POWER
Rachael’s CrankBrothers Mallet 3 pedals were stripped of their original paint and anodised in-house in the Hope factory to get the perfect shade of purple
PERSONAL TOUCHES
The master cylinder lids on the Hope Tech 3 brake levers are laser etched with Rachael’s name. There are also mountains engraved on the headset top cap and skulls and lightning bolts on the hubs, and yes, those components are all purple too!
FOXY LADY
Rachael’s light weight and smooth riding style mean she can run a Fox 32 fork rather than the brand’s burlier 34. As well as custom decals, hers has purple anodised adjuster knobs. The matching Fox Float rear shock has its own set of purple stickers, naturally
PRICE: 4200$ (frame and shock)
