What are you riding and wearing this year? What did you ride last year and what were you happy with and what you are thinking of changing? How much support was there last year -- or -- what do I need to carry with me like food, fluids, spares? And pictures of course.
I would hope that anyone responding accepts "ALL" the rules and the Course.

Okay, I don't have a complaint, but I do have a question. How welcoming/inclusive is the ride? I ask because most of the pictures I have seen make it look like a flat-out race, with people dressed in period gear and riding nice old bikes pelting madly along in a tight peloton shrouded a mighty cloud of dust.

I know there are more than a few old racerly types who take part, so I would expect that.

But what about the schlubby person who can ride the distance, but is going to do it at a more relaxed touring pace? Does he or she get any respect and/or affection?

I'm basically just curious, since I don't expect to be able to ride it this year, though I do hope to attend as a vendor.

I did the long route last year on my Bruce Gordon with 47x32 and 14-28. Rode 34mm tubies. A perfect set up for all the climbing. I will return this year for the long route again this time on my Alex Singer set up with 47x36 and 14-28. Tubies as well @ 32mm.
[img]2015-07-04 17.29.20_zps7vfng3oi by NBend, on Flickr[/img]

It will be a bit more difficult due to the gearing but I do plan to get more training in this year to make up for it.

It is not a competitive event unless your own personality makes it so. I felt no pressure to "keep up" and I was frequently alone for long stretches of time. I would suggest the medium route if you don't have alot of miles in the saddle for the year. The long course is challenging. If you're into the history of cycling and vintage bikes you'll feel right at home :-)

How many spare tubulars do you carry? Do the mechanical/food/aid/stations have tubulars as well as tubes for clinchers?

One spare tubie, the gravel at least last year, was milder than what I am used to: mostly hard packed, some loose stuff but no big rocks. Just ride carefully and at a moderate speed and your chances of flatting are minimal if the tires are good quality with good tread on them. Mine were Dugast Pipastrellos. I'll do the same this year plus carry a can of Vittioria Pit Stop latex.

I know there was mech support but I never needed it so sorry, don't know about what they had.
The food at the rest stops was varied and good.

The ride isn't like that at all. If there were any tight pelotons there they were way ahead of me. On the contrary, I spent much of the ride having long conversations with those around me about bikes, travel, gear, what have you. It was a very friendly affair. Pretty much everybody on the ride spent their time ogling everybody else's bikes and gear. There were plenty of fit racer types but also plenty of folks just out for a pleasant day on the bike.

As to what I'll be wearing, I'll be wearing an italian tricolor jersey that I bought at the Chianti Gino Bartali stand (along with a bottle of Chianti) the day before L'Eroica in Gaiole. I'm not sure whether I'll be riding my Ron Cooper (currently at the paint shop still) or my new to me Cinelli (currently being stripped down and overhauled). I will be running wide clinchers (32mm for the Cooper, 28mm for the Cinelli) and the lowest gears I can get away with. The Cooper is set up with a 52-42-30 triple and 13-28 freewheel, which is ideal for this ride. The Cinelli will probably have somewhat higher gearing but I haven't figured out exactly what yet. Last year the food stations were a bit sketchy (especially the second one) so I might carry a couple of bars as emergency supplies. Water was no problem and I only had one (large) water bottle. Hopefully they will be better organized this year and the food situation will have been rectified.

Is registration for 2016 event closed? I'm still considering attending.

Also, I have everything to bring my Serotta up to spec for the event - but wondering if they would take issue with a modern crankset with an external bottom bracket. I really don't want to give up my 39 tooth small ring that I'm currently running.

Last year I rode my Pogliaghi on 28 Paselas and it was perfect....the only thing I would have changed was my fitness level. This year I'm going to ride something different that I'm in the process of building. It will likely have a triple as I could use some lower gears.

Exactly. The atmosphere was great and everyone I talked to was very friendly.

Registration is still open and the price increases after the end of this month. I can't say for certain but I imagine your crank would be fine....but for your piece of mind I would email the organizers and get the official word.

I plan to bring my trusted Cilo Pacer. It's shown below with clinchers, but I'll ride on 32mm Dugast Pipistrello tubulars on the day of the event. I plan to bring a couple spare tubulars and a bottle of sealant. Gearing will be 36x52 in front with a 14-26 5-speed freewheel. For shoes, I'll wear my Avocet touring shoes which allow some walking around if necessary. I rode the medium route last year, though not on Eroica day, using the same bike with the same setup (albeit a 38 small chainring). The gearing was maybe a little high, but still adequate for me. The tires were perfect.

The biggest question I have is whether or not to clean it and put on new bar tape before the event, or just show up with patina and all.

What fun is it if you can't complain about the rules? Just saying'.

This is what I'll be riding on the long course.
48/34 x 13/28 should do it for the hills.

That's very pretty. What is it, pray tell?

^It's a Cassave original. He's a very talented man. I've seen close-ups of his seat clusters; the seat stay junctions are sublime.

gaucho, you're makin' me blush.

But to answer Davester, it's homemade, 531C, Henry James lugs, drops and fork tips.
Built late '96 but I think it'll slip past the Eroica scrutineers.

Where do I go to complain about not being able to go?

Where do I go to complain about not being able to complain?

I'm excited to give it a go. I signed up for the 100 mile and I'll be riding something that's been re-painted and re-equipped with all sorts of stuff. None of it matches, but it all should work when I'm done. She'll look as nice as she can for a re-painted, nail polish laden, mid 70's French contraption. I just got some used Duegi shoes in and I'm hoping this whole toe clip, quill pedal setup is a lateral move more or less from my SPD's. There's a mix match of Mavic/Wolber clinchers rims that have Veloflex Master 25's on them. I'm hoping that's wide enough. I just got a Sakae triple, just in case, that will work even better with my long cage Suntour Vx setup. Gears will be my friend.

I'd love to go but I don't know if I'll have the money for a flight or the time for a drive out to Cali. Maybe I should plan to do it 2017 though...

For those from out of town who did it last year, what's the best way to travel? Fly to San Jose and drive down (flights more expensive but shorter drive)? Fly to LA and drive up (cheaper flights but longer drive)? Stay in San Luis Obispo, or somewhere else?

Clearly not an inexpensive weekend for those of us coming in from the right coast, but still want to minimize unnecessary expenditures or add problems.

Kinda suprised that none of the bike tour companies have set up a package deal like they do for the L'Eroica over in Italy.

I'm really looking forward to this ride. I've only done a recent New Year's Vintage ride, but had a blast. I'll be on my trusty Stella on clinchers: 1 1/8 Paselas. I'll bring a couple spare tubes and Clif blocks for sustenance. I'm riding the 67 mile option as I don't have too much recent experience on this bike for longer distances, just out to meet folks and have fun. I won't be racing.

I'll wear a wool jersey but Lycra for shorts. Modern helmet and wind breaker. My shoes are old, old SIDI mtb shoes which I converted from velcro closure to lacing for easy clips, and carved a cleat ledge into the tread. Kind of goofy but they look the part if you don't look too close. They sure are comfy, though.

I found out about lasts year's running just a little too late to enter, so I've been looking forward to this for a year now. Also looking forward to meeting and riding with some of you all. I don't know about the winery stop though, the temptation to partake may be high!

Alex

That's a heck of a good looking bike. I'm impressed that the campy SR RD can handle that much chain.

All Eroica complaints should be sent via PM to -holiday76.

From Chicago, I was looking at flying into Santa Barbara, driving up from there. I hate driving out of LAX. There is an American flight connecting in Phoenix. Obviously different for you.

But for the record, I am out. I'm looking at doing CR weekend, Vintage Class and Cino this year. 3 is enough. And likely the same cost as going to Cali.

My first "10 speed" ever. I think I was 14? In fact the only one I've ever had. I LOVE your bike.

Actually it won't handle the entire range. The chains as long as it can go and still work on the small ring and large cog. I might
Make a slightly longer cage.