WOW! the tarptent and antigravity gear links are exceptional, nun, thank you so much.
i agree that the rapha clothing is exorbitantly, in fact, PROHIBITIVELY expensive. i found their site a year or so ago and thought, "beautiful. also, yeahright." but merino is the best, and something i "discovered" only recently, on the AIDS life/cycle. i got a portland cyclewear wool jersey on the suggestion of a friend and found it to be the most exceptional piece of bike clothing i'd ever purchased. it's cool in the warm, it's warm in the cool, and in some magical sheep trick -- it doesn't start to stink till 3 or 4 wears, with proper airing. i was completely floored.
by way of a thank-you for all of your links, i direct you to swiftwick socks -- available in merino or olefin, built with arch support and ankle compression, a padded footbed, and ... wait for it ... UNBRANDED AT THE ANKLE.
http://www.swiftwick.com/08/
again, thank you.