trailangel

Link please!

rccardr 

L'EROICA*Bianchi Eroica

repechage

That guarantee you a ride entry too? I think so.

Pars 

Agreed

trailangel

Thanks for the link.
I guess I will wait until it comes to my local Bianchi dealer at $2995.00.
By then they will have gone thru enough bikes to know how to make the frame.

Oh, I see the bikes will be delivered the day before the event. Good luck breaking in that Brooks saddle in a day.

trailangel

I have the same thought. I would never do the event on a road bike. I would ride a mountain bike.
Nothing worse that watching old men and their broken down crap trying to be young again. I can look in the mirror for that and it's free.

rccardr 

(shrugs shoulders)
An event like this appeals to some, not to others. Not doing it myself (although Mrs. Doc and I will be in the area the weekend of the event), but I can see why people might get excited about it. Honestly, had I known about the rental option six months ago, before we made so many plans, I'd have been tempted to pay the $550 and do the rides.

But I would also have followed the Cardinal Rule Of Renting A Bicycle: Always bring your own saddle and pedals.

iab

So let me get this straight. Your friends think how these cyclists dress is ridiculous? Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't all cyclists ridiculous? Most modern kits look like a drunken unicorn got crazy with a rainbow. At any organized event, you need sunglasses, even on cloudy days.

gomango

Honest, it's a head shaker to most of them.

Nor do they "get" old steel bikes.

It's novelty, pure and simple.

.....and yes, I have attempted to reason with them.

embankmentlb

"My dear guests, I am Mr. Rourke, your host. Welcome to Fantasy Island!"

RobbieTunes

Perhaps too much of that started the whole process.

RobbieTunes

Much cheaper than a hooker, and it lasts all day.

RobbieTunes

If one assumes that's what they're doing.

I can honestly say from the Dare to Bartali to L'Ombra and back to the Dare, this is not the case with the folks I rode with. We were just having fun, and part of the fun was riding the old stuff.

There was no "look at me" going on, just grinning and riding, watching other people, talking to them, and simply having fun on the bikes.
Someone says "that looks like fun," and you answer with a grin, "It is."

If there is a L'Eroica category at the Dare, it will be fun, not old men and their broken down crap; not trying to be young again, just trying to ride, and laughing about it most of the time.

There was a girl with red hair, freckles, and a black and purple outfit. We passed her, she passed us. Trash was spoken both ways. When a tubular-clad rider passed her, she asked about that. We told her he had folding issues. At the end, she said "I think you guys had more fun. Do you think it was experience, the bikes, or what?" I said "we have nothing to prove, and all day not to prove it. We just like the older bikes, that's all...and beer." She said "I'm going to start looking for an old bike, it looks like fun."

crank_addict

Whatever the story, Eroica cred and pretty.
'57 Bianchi B.I.N. $2200

1957 Bianchi 57cm Campagnolo Universal Nisi Brooks Magistroni Ambrosio | eBay

embankmentlb

Now that's a worthy bike!!

trailangel

We have an update for those interested.
Bike is now on Bianchi USA website with a MSRP of $3499.
Eroica | Bianchi USA

JohnDThompson 

Actually looks decent. The crank appears to be similar to the old "Rene Herse" crank and comes with a sensible 48/36 chainring combination.

randyjawa 

Nothing worse? I am old. I rid old crap, but not plastic crap and, at least, I can fix my own bicycle, just about anytime, anywhere and with what ever I have on hand. Those old men, that you are critical of, are just trying to have fun and it brings joy to my heart that they are doing so.

smontanaro 

I've never seen exactly what that Campagnolo rear derailleur is. The specs say "silver vintage 10-speed". I can't believe they actually created a new derailleur for this application. I don't know modern derailleurs by sight. It's gotta be a rebadged Veloce or similar, right?

Number_6

Not bad at all, in fact it gets easy with time. Becomes an instinctive reaction instead of a thought process. A new skill to acquire.

smontanaro 

Or slightly newer, slightly larger (same seller):

1964 Bianchi Specialissima 61cm Campagnolo Universal Nisi Brooks Regina | eBay

Oldairhead 

So much misunderstanding of this event is displayed here, it seems that many people just don't "get it". L'Eroica is a real ride, not a costume party! The long route at any of the locations will kick your ass! Those broken down old guys are often retired racers who, when they get on a bike, ride like they were young again. They have skills, stamina and experience and they will kick your ass on the ride, and do it with style.

The broken down crap they are riding were some of the finest bicycles ever built! Most are quite well cared for and in near new condition. Take an old wheel for example, with a nice Campy High Flange hub and spin it. Some of mine will roll for 5 minutes before they stop, then slowly rocking back and forth thru the heavy spot on the wheel. They are like jewelry! Try that with a modern rim, you wont get bored waiting for it to stop rolling.

Oh and mountain bikes, well not so much. First they wont let you ride because its not a mountain bike ride, but then you would be laughed off the course by the real riders on their "broken down crap!" The "road bikes" everyone else is riding are actually "all road-all condition bikes." You may not know that once upon a time not all roads were paved in the world. People simply rode and raced on the roads they had, good or bad! And watching those "old men and their broken down crap" dancing their bikes up a 25% grade with old school gearing and tubulars, well that is a humbling sight!

Bianchi, as major sponsors to this event are simply taking the opportunity to offer a suitable product to this niche market. They have done a lot for the event along with other sponsors like Brooks. That they are also offering a new product to this group seems like a great idea to me. It may even spur new interest in classic bikes to those who are not already smitten. If you are not going to buy one then fine, that's more for me. If you are not going to ride the event either, then I see no reason hate on it. You will not be missed if you are not there.

I don't know how the shorter distances are at a L'Eroica event, perhaps there is more of a party atmosphere. But I can tell you that riding the long route in Italy, England or California will get your attention. Go do one of those rides and then get back to me on the costume party thing!

Bikegeek1968

No kidding. The shorter 2 of the 4 routes are party routes. We have rented an apartment that is at the top of the climb out of Pianella, and my wife can attest to the fact that it is the Party Hill.

As for the old men, not all of them are so old, and not all are men. Last year I saw 3 ProTour riders, and Dominique Roulin put in the fast time of the day while riding for InGamba. Plus the whole ladies Robobank team did the ride, some of them even wearing their fathers' old pro stuff.

I'll be out there again. (Middle aged guy on stuff of questionable quality)

trailangel

Dream on Airhead....

crank_addict

If someone was seriously in the market for the new Bianchi, could just as easily order a 'near NEW' old classic from Mister Barron. As always, perfection! Oh my....

Cinelli Mod B 1964 Campagnolo Perfect 58 25cm CTC | eBay