Elev12k

Back from L'Eroica. It was an absolutely great experience. I opted for the 135km. Good thing is leaves a challenge open for next time: the 205 Even though it is 'only' 135, it is still a quite tough ride. I would say a substantial part of the course is more or less like mountainbiking, but than on a vintage roadbike: short steep climbs and than down again. Combined with the roadsurfaces with dust, loose gravel, holes, mild bumbs etcetera it requires a decent level of skills - especially if you maintain a certain pace. In my experience 42x28t gearing was sufficient for everything and with the trusty and well inflated 26mm Specialized anti-puncture skinwall tires I didn't face a single flat.

During the ride there were several food stops with products from the region. Old bikes, authenticity, good food - it is all centered around the good life.

Classic bike parts fleamarket on the Saturday:



Quirky Czechoslovakian Favorit:



I've seen several.

L'Eroica dog:



I purchased two pair Nuovo Record repro hoods on the fleamarket. 15 euro pp - very sympathic price! I like the idea of comming by car next time, acquire an Italian city bike and bring it to Holland.

View on Gaiole in Chianti:



The town was very crowded with vintage bike enthusiast during the weekend. I can imagine an event like L'Eroica gives a great boost to the local economy.

Our bikes:


Koga-Miyata GentsRacer, Mercian 753, Vittorio Strada

No. 3900:



At the start on the Sunday:



I started quite late, when it was getting light. When we approached Gaiole by car it was still dark and the roads were crowded with many 'fire flies'. It were riders with lights who had just left, but also riders who already covered quite a distance and arrived on a short road section. It looked very idyllic.

Here I am climbing one of the short steep gravel hills that emerge after the second food stop:



Wearing the modernish jersey cost me a bottle wine and fine cheese at the finish. Wine and cheese was for people wearing wool jersey and that even included the modernish Brooks ones. Some Dutch participants were very upset. They thought they were wearing proper vintage jerseys, what they were, but it was no wool. Missing out on the oppertunity of something 'gratis' is a big thing if you're Dutch.

People who did the 205km arrived on a special podium where they recieved applauding and pictures were taken. The real heroes. By far most people opted for the other distances.

The L'Eroica organisation did a great job. It is an absolutely magnificent experience and everything is well organised.

poprad

Nice pics and report Elev, thanks for taking time to post! I had no idea the free wine and fuitcake thing were based on the clothing worn, I now feel even luckier to have made the effort to obtain "proper" kit.

Yeah, seeing that special lane for the 205k folks really stuck with me. Next year for sure!

rootboy 

Great stuff. Love these reports you guys. And 15 Euros for Campy hoods!? Such a deal. You're a better man than I am, Elev12K, if you rode the whole distance in those kind of shorts! Not to mention those shoes.

Wonderful pics, thanks.

non-fixie 

I really want to go next year, if only to see all those bikes! I'm a bit of a closet Favorit fan, and this might have ended up in the back of my car if the price were reasonable:

orangeology

thanks for sharing! looks lotta fun.
parts flea market sounds... sigh... drooling.

poprad

"I really want to go next year, if only to see all those bikes! I'm a bit of a closet Favorit fan, and this might have ended up in the back of my car if the price were reasonable."

Keep your wierd bike fetishes to yourself Maarten! You definitely would have loved the market on Saturday, ridiculous stuff for sale at very non-e-bay prices. You should come next year, it'd be a blast. I saw plenty of dudes bigger than you out there!

Italuminium

thumbs up!

repechage

Good images. Actually, I would not go that for that long a ride without proper cycling shorts and especially toe clips and straps!

pullup

Looks like a fun ride and great inspiring pictures, but I also would not go fot 135 kms without clips.

RubeRad

That's nice -- I hate it when panhandlers get aggressive!

Bianchigirll 

Great pics and great story! I would love to do this or something like it here in the states sometime.

I agree this is a pretty cool setup and Favorit would look Fabulous next to my RIGI

non-fixie 

I'm sure you meant that very encouragingly ...

buldogge

Hey Mel... Did you use old school "cleats" or plain 'ol flat soles and pedals??? Either way, I'm impressed.

I'm not sure I would enjoy that ride without "proper" gear. I have no problem with the wool jersey...but...I would prefer bibs and clipless, for sure!

More pics on Flickr???

Elev12k

Thanks for the kind words all

Actually I always wear shorts and a flat-sole sneakers like Fred Perry Allstars or the shoes shown in the pics. Apart from that it fits me fine, I appreciate the convenience.

Friends took pics too. As soon as I have more pics I will share them with you.

Andycapp

Oi! Got to be the first Fred Perry reference I'v seen here. Did you know, due to Bradley Wiggens being all into the mod thing, they've now got a line of classic style jerseys and cycling shoes?