TimmyT 

Is this the non conformist answer? I get a broken link ... a non-conformist of sorts.

EDIT: So, I have to be a conformist ... to l'Eroica l'rhm or l'Eroica California?

pastorbobnlnh 

Great idea! Questions:

What is the exact date?

Is the 122 miles all in one day or split between two days?

Do C&V MTBs qualify?

Here's a Northern New England option. Out and back on the Northern Rail Trail. At just over 60 miles long, it would be very close to 122. It is 99.9% gravel. I bet the Eroica CA organizers can't claim this much gravel. It is only paved where it crosses paved cross roads and those are few and far in-between. A plus is that it passes very close to a NH winery. Maybe a lunch stop?

Since it is a rail trail maybe we should insist that only vintage Sturmey Archer, Sachs, etc IGH or single speed bikes can be ridden. @BluesDaddy are you in?

rhm

Try again?

photogravity

I like this one. For me, I'm planning to have this frameset built up by then.


L. H. Brookes - 5 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

nlerner

Is this a race? Will the winners get trophies?

nlerner

Bob, the date is April 12, I believe, quite close to my birthday! I usually ride at least the number of miles to match my age on my birthday, and no, I won't be 122 this year, but perhaps I can save up those miles for future years.

One question about the rail trail with all due respect: Is it 60 miles of monotony or does the scenery change? Maybe I should try to find it with this new Google thing people have been talking about.

lotekmod

Rudi,

This is a great idea and you can count me in for the full 122 miles. The most I've ever ridden in one day is 100 miles so it will be a challenge, but if we stay in NJ I'm sure I'll be fine. Now I just need to build a suitable bike. Strange that I don't actually have anything that qualifies. The closest are two 1970ish 3 speeds and a 1987 Merckx frame, but that is built with 1990 Dura Ace 7400 with brifters. Definitely a no go and I'm not un-building that bike. Just need to dig up a 54-55cm frame for 27in wheels, I think I have everything else.

James

rhm

Bob, all good questions, and they're mostly up to you to answer if you're planning your own ride!

My plan is to come up with a route and test ride any parts of it that I haven't ridden already, and ride it on that Saturday, holding Sunday as a rain date. Anyone who's serious about joining me, please send a private message so I can keep you in the loop and you can give me your input.

It's all about having fun while riding old bikes. It's not about making up a bunch of rules.
@lotekmod, I'll probably be riding a three speed!

seedsbelize 

I'm in if I don't have to wear tweed, or anything approaching it. We'll be in the early phases of the hot season by then.

photogravity

Such a softie!

rccardr 

So tempting...NJ is not that far from VA, maybe I could catch a ride with Dallas. Have that 70's Frejus stashed away...hmmm m

lotekmod

That's cool, then I at least have my Flandria as a possibility, though 122 miles on that tank will be the ride of the year for sure

photogravity

I would love to have you and SJX426 ride along with me to rhm's place. I can accommodate 5 people and carry at least that many bicycles in the back of the van without even having to take wheels off of them. Let's make this happen!

bwilli88 

Apr 12 will be the middle of hot season in Cambodia, hovering right around 110º, 122 miles will be tough.

EroicaCA

Have a great ride. We will miss you guys.

rhm

Maybe commemorative tee shirts.

hairnet

I would love to fly from California to Pennsylvania and ride in the dirt with my older than me bike.

Citoyen du Monde

James,

I can lend you a full Campagnolo Record equipped Marastoni from 1966 that I could lend you.

Antieverything

April 12th? I'm in but in my home state. Probably take my 70 Paramount as that's the oldest road worthy bike I have.

SJX426 

@photogravity - Great looking frame set! The 760 doesn't have a fork I would want to use. I am actually looking at a CF replacement and building it with Superbe Pro parts.

My hesitation is with the distance too. I know many of you are dedicated hard core riders. I am a wanabe in that regard. I think I put over 1200 commuting miles in last year and I do feel I am getting stronger but 122 miles maybe too far for me. We do have until then to get into some kind of shape.

My thinking is that if it is an out and back ride, those of us who may not be up to the rhm ironman distance could identify a earlier turn point. What say you? @nlerner, @lotekmod, others?

lotekmod

That's a very generous offer and would be a sweet ride, I'll have to really think about it. Funny, in another post recently i stated i could ride just about any bike all day because I'm not super picky about fit, but now I'm getting nervous. 100k no problem, but 200k on an unfamiliar bike... I might use this as an excuse to build something soon so I have time to get used to it.

I'd like to leave that as an option for now. As much as I want to do the full 200k the truth is even though I ride fairly often I don't ride the distances I used to. I did do the full NJ MS 150 this past fall and barely felt anything so this ride is conceivable, but I'd have to see how many miles I get in before April.

Road Fan

Actually this is exactly what I'm dealing with this year. I'm planning to ride the Detroit Randonneurs' 200K West Brevet at the end of April. The course is in the subs west of Detroit and NW of Ann Arbor. Normally these are not the most challenging lands, but this will still be Michigan winter. Wife says I need my head examined, but ...

I'm planning a lot of trainer training.

pastorbobnlnh 

For some reason I thought it was in the early Fall. Not early April. So this rules out the Northern Rail Trail unless it is done on a C&V Fat Bike. Very good chance the trail will still be covered in snow. And since I'll be in Florida, I might have to do the 122 miles on my new folder. Picked up at all places, TJ Maxx for $200.


DISCLAIMER: The Brooks saddle was leveled after the picture was taken.

I'm guessing 122 miles on a folder is heroic but not in the spirit of the ride.

Neal, the scenery on the Northern Rail Trail is very nice. If the Cape Cod Rail Trail is ranked a 5 for scenery on a scale of 1-10, the NRT is probably an 8-9.

It goes through small town and villages. Next to old country stores, working businesses, and some abandoned water powered factories. Along lakes, ponds and rivers. Through woods, bogs and fields. Past great views of mountains.

I see wildlife every ride which has included close and distant encounters with; bear, moose, deer, coyotes, fox, beaver, porcupines, owls, hawks, bald eagles, wood grouse, turkey, blue heron.

There are a nice number of historical descriptions along the way. There are cuts through rock one of which is almost a mile long. Another upon which the Irish immigrants chiseled their names. There are a couple of museums run by town historical societies and if the timing is right you can go in for a donation of your choosing. The best one is the access point not far from my church. Includes the station, a caboose, a warehouse, a box car, and a general store.

I have dozens of pictures but this one with one of the summer of 2014 "Super Moons" captures the idea.

photogravity

That's what I'm doing. I have the computrainer set up and can put a single bike or a tandem on it. Using the computrainer with a tandem is an especially fun time.

pastorbobnlnh 

Then you will definitely need this baby ASAP for those hills in PA with the ocean views!