Bikegeek1968

On a bench outside the gellato store, I sat down and wept.

I have done some pretty serious shart on a bike in my nearly 50 years, but this past Eroica is the one that took the most out of me. If anyone were to do a search of my user name, you would see this is the fourth time I have written about the event. The first two times I completed it in a bit over, then a bit under 12 hours. Last year my friend and I set a goal of 10 hours, and we came in at 9:55. But this year, we were going for a sub 9 and first finisher.

The prep was the same as the last 3 years. Ride the vintage bike exclusively for at least two months, and leave no bolt on the bike unchecked. Like last year, I rode a Vitus 979 with a Mavic Group, Matrix rims, new DT Revolution spokes with aluminum nipple, Cinelli cockpit and 28mm Conti GP All Season tires.

Rolling out with the first starters at 5AM, we found ourselves at the head of the pack going up the candle lit Brolio climb. I tried to keep a sane pace on the downhill, but some guys were going pretty gonzo in the dark. A few flatted out early in the ride due to surprise potholes and rocks. Passing through the outskirts of Sienna and into the Radi checkpoint, there were only 4 in the lead group. But we were held up for at least 15 minutes, as the checkpoint was not open yet. A few more riders joined us by the time we were stamped and set on our way. The climb to Montelcino is what started the trouble for me. I found myself alone in positions 1 and 2 with a very strong rider from Germany. We cleared to top with what turned out to be 10 minutes over my friend who was riding in 3rd. After the winery checkpoint, my legs started to cramp, by the Pieve al Sante point I had a few really good tringes, and approaching Asciano, my right one siezed up. I had to let the big German go. I was now worried about just being able to finish.

Fortunately thing loosened up after I drank a lot of water and some sort of salt based drink. Two riders caught up to me during the Asciano/Monte Sante Marie climb. As usual, you had to watch out for the walkers taking the good line. To be honest, I don't remember much of the ride after that. I know at some point, one of the guys rolled up the road a bit, I came in together with a big Italian for the 3 and 4 spot. The crowd went nuts as he was the first Italian (Paolo) and I was the first Americano. They officials had to hold me up and pull my feet from the pedals, as I could not get them out on my own. Paolo's wife took a picture of us standing together on the finish ramp. He look's all happy and ready to go again. I am completely shattered. Take a guess which one is me.

Yeah. So after the pic I got some ice cream and sat outside and cried. A few minutes later my friend rolled in for the 5 spot. So there you have it. My total ride time was 9:20. A bit off my goal of a sub 9, but with the checkpoint delay, the muddy downhills in the middle of the route, and the additional miles added to the route this year, I think I can be satisfied with it. Another Eroica in the bag. Next time, I'm bringing an old bike and going back to doing it for fun. 13 hours, and I'm drinking a glass of wine at each stop.
M

poprad

I salute your accomplishment, that is a fantastic time for L'Eroica. Truly heroic.

non-fixie 

+1. Thanks for the report, @Bikegeek1968!

Sir_Name 

Amazing. Congrats.

papik

Great report Non-fixie ! congratulations for your eroica's participation

It was also my project , with my GITANE TDF or my LA PERLE , but this year, we have gone to the Alps and Switzerland with my elder son to climb some cols like the Galibier ...

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non-fixie 

Thanks, @papik. I'm not familiar with La Perle, but a Gitane TdF would be a good choice, IMO. I rode mine in the hills of the Provence and the white roads of the Camargue last year and liked that very much. There's not much clearance in front for wide tires, though. I used 28mm Paselas, and that worked well.

papik

For the Eroica, I think also that 28 mm tires is the good choice .

The LA PERLE is this one...

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Marc F

Great report. Great event. 2015 was my first l'eroica and I decided to ride the 45km. I was riding a 1953 Bianchi TDF with less than suitable gearing 46/49 on the front and 28 the largest on the rear five speed) and had to ride back to Siena afterwards. Talking to a Frenchman we bumped into earlier in the week he had indicated this set up would represent a challenge and he was correct. One ride we did earlier in the week was Siena to Montalcino via Buonconvento and that proved hard going on the old Bianchi. Coming from Western Australia (flat by comparison) I had under-estimated the elevation having only really considered the point to point distances. Others I had met the previous day at the market and who had ridden the other legs in earlier years had cautioned that all of the other three options contained some serious climbs on strade bianche. As it transpired the 46km was about right for my bike and level of fitness.

One minor correction. The vintage Bianchis in the post are, I believe, from Enzo Pancari's personal collection. He is a dealer and the bikes were part of his tent. The official Bianchi tent was behind.

davester

This is a great thread. I think non-fixie's photojournalism is in a class by itself, and the additions by @Numbskull and @Bikegeek1968 add to the flavor. I split the difference and rode the 135 km, which I think is just about right. It was really tough without being an absolute killer like the 209 km. I know now that I would not have finished the longer ride. If you want to look at some pics of the 135, I made a separate thread, here: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-pictures.html

I particularly identified with @Numbskull's poetic description of the ride. This fits the experience to a "tee" (except that riding the shorter distance allowed me to appreciate the scenery much more than he did).