Classic & Vintage - L'eroica 2012

Hello everyone,

My name is Óscar, I am 25 years of age and I live in México. I am going to participate in this years L'eroica for the first time and I am very excited about this. This being said, I have two questions that for some reason, the organizers at L'eroica have not been able to answer me in several e-mails that I have sent in different languages: Italian, French and English. I understand all the rules to perfection, however my main question is:

Are tubular wheels obligatory?
I ask because I am leaving next week on a three month trip to France (To study) and i am taking my bike with me, therefore I would like to know what kind of wheels I should take. Here in México no one uses tubulars because of the horrible roads that we have. In case that they are mandatory, I have a week left to get a pair of tubulars to take with me. If they are not mandatory and clinchers are fine, then I would be more than happy to take my set of Campagnolo Record Strada wheelset with me.

What are the days and hours of the event?
From what I have been able to read: October 5th, 6th and 7th?
So that makes Friday the 5th of October a gathering.
Saturday 6th of October is the day when you can go to the shops in the streets to buy things and see the bicycles in exhibition.
Sunday 7th of October is the day of the event?

Most probably I'm wrong with the dates, but I have done everything I can, sending e-mails and posting on the facebook l'eroica page without any response...

I am going to do the 205 km course on my 1960's Allegro, anyone else from the forum is going to participate?

Thanks in andvance,

Saludos !!!

Óscar.

268318

1. Tubulars are optional. Clinchers are OK.

2. I am fairly certain you ride on Sunday. The 205 route can leave as early as 6am. You MUST have a front and tail light if you leave that early (in the dark) - Italian law.

3. Not this year, hoping for 2016.

4. Good luck and post pictures.

That sounds like much fun... best of luck!

Sounds like fun, but, gravel roads?

Sounds like fun, but, gravel roads?

Its more heroic.


https://vimeo.com/20622427#

I find it odd that if you are registered for the event that you do not know the exact dates.

best of luck-
if you are in europe for 3 weeks take advantage of ebay.de,.fr,.it
order all the stuff you want and have it delivered to your address where you are staying and fill the suitcase.

Lab: Thanks a lot, I must admit I was a bit worried about the issue with tubulars xD

Kactus: Thanks !!!

Michael Angelo: That's right, strade bianche :D there's no fun without gravel roads...

CV-6: If they had it published on the website and if they did answer my multiple e-mails, it would be easier to know the exact order of the days of the event. I know the event takes place during the first weekend of October, I just didn't know in which order the events took place: 205 km ride on saturday and the shops on sunday? the other way around?.

Puchfinnland: Absolutely, actually I want to pay a visit to the guys at "Velociao" during my stay in Berlin, I will most probably walk out of there with a bike xD

plan ahead!

buy a bike for the ride and dont bring one over!!!

what is the airfare for the bike R/T??

I was registered, but suddenly I had to leave for indonesia. Just my luck :) I still try to figure out if I can resell my ticket to someone else...

I dont think that will be a problem- but get the word out on forums on the other side of the pond asap!
I myself think it would be fun but...but....but.
pm me:innocent:

Wow - I would love to do this. Best of luck to the OP.

plan ahead!

buy a bike for the ride and dont bring one over!!!

what is the airfare for the bike R/T??

Sounds really tempting to pick up a vintage bike in Europe for the event and then bring it back. As we know so well, buying a C&V bike can be a total crapshoot when it comes to its condition (unless you buy top notch.) For a brevet of 205 km and mostly off-road, I think the OP will be better off going with a rig he knows and trusts. I'm sure that by now he's already taken into account excess baggage with sports equipment and all that.

Óscar: I wouldn't sweat the details (wheels, tires, etc.) You're going to the land where bicycle parts abound, plus they'll be cheaper than getting them here in Mexico. Plan on arriving Thurs night to join the three days of celebrations. Have fun!!

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback !!!

Puchfinnland: The airfare for the bike is $100 USD with Lufthansa, I don't know about the other airlines. It didn't sound to bad to be honest, since I am not only taking it to do the eroica. I am going to climb the Alpe d'Huez and Mont Ventoux as well and will use my bike to move from town to town. I am going to stay in Nice for three months studying, so I am going to do Nice-Monaco-Nice, Nice-Cannes-Nice, Nice-Marseille-Nice, etc. on the weekends, so I rather take a bike that I know like the palm of my hand, instead of buying one to do all of this.

I am actually planning to buy a bike from the guys at Velociao when I go to Berlin in November, so buying a bike is in my schedule as well.

Italuminium: To bad you are not gonna be able to participate, best of luck in Indonesia !!!

Force: Thanks !!!

Chris Pringle: You are right, but still sometime I am surprised with the things that we can find here in México, at least here in Tijuana you can manage to find som stuff every now and then. I will try to have as much fun as I can, saludos !!!

Have a great time - I have been planning to do the 2013 for a couple of years so have been collecting info. The riding event has traditionally been run on the first Sunday of October and starts have occurred from 5.30am.
I do not believe tubulars are mandatory.
The two practical bits of advice I have received:
1. Be prepared (ie gearing or shoes you can walk in) for steep gradients - up to 23%
2. The biggest challenge apart from gradient is traction and stability on the gravel - apparently bigger tyres handle the ride far better - 28C or bigger - think Paris Roubaix tyres
Have a fantastic time

rasco, have a great time on your adventure, and do keep us here posted of it all with pics and commentary!

L'Eroica will be one of my endeavors in the coming years.

been there and cycled that run many times.
I got a finnish friend going to cannes for over a month that is heavy into c and v bikes.

Cannes -st tropez is a beutiful ride
cannes-monaco is just packed with traffic.

www.speedcycles.ch
has some really sweet rides for sale-check him out
-Stephan is going to L-eroica also so maybe he could deliver.

My son is abroad and will probably be at the event. De donde eres?

Oscar,

don't you worry, you will have a great time. I think all your questions have been answered. Be patient with the organisers, it is more or less an overgrown familiy part-time job for them and they do a magnificent job.

Ride is on sunday. The rest of the weekend *is* the event. Gaiole is small and l'Eroica is big.

I'll be there, too. If you see a german guy with a blue Learco Guerra-jersey on an orange Cinelli Mod.B, that will be me :D