Eroica California 2019
 

Website sez April 6-7

Anybody got more info? Registration ain't up yet.

I rode part of the route a few weeks ago on a weekday. Was not all that impressed with the roads themselves (dusty, relatively heavy traffic, lotsa washboard surface, even some goatheads, plus I flatted on something) but I'm sure the camaraderie more than makes up for it. And there are a few very good ocean views and vistas.

There's the "Paso Robles doesn't do much to support Eroica" that anyone who asked Wes would tell you, and that he's looking at Cayucas as the new starting point.

I recall hearing Cambria somewhere

On the other hand if we voted, I'd say Cayucos because my brother in law lives there and I go there all the time - Cambria is a bit too artsy fartsy for my taste.

In my conversation with Wes and the end of the event last year it sounds like he had already secured a location in Cambria, including camping. Cayucos is cool but I bet there's more accommodations in Cambria.

I've been most curious about routes out of Cambria.

Up Cypress from Cambria by the looks of the profile would hurt more than coming up from Paso from the east - if that is possible.

If they don't have RV parking, I'm thinking of renting a big 'ol house - and call it BF Central.

Just want to throw that out there for those thinking ahead...

I'd come just for the party :)

DD

I see a natural 42 mile ride with 3400' of climbing.
The Coastal and Heroica course could be unchanged, just start and stop somewhere different.
Somebody want to figure out a "medium" route?

I'd have to check with the owners to see if you can spin out in the driveway first.

When I was there, I hung a right on Old Creek Road (at the bottom of the hill up to the reservoir) on a road called Santa Rita Road. This takes you over the ridge, over to Templeton, and you can get back on 46 to Hwy 1, or go through Cambria.

Above Cambria is a massive wall of a climb, probably 18-20% grade just before you get to Hwy 46.

Don't let anyone get me wrong, the paved roads in that area are epic, but I found the gravel sections I did, to be only so so.

http://www.pindelski.org/Blog/Morro_Rock.jpg

@goldcoastjon asked a few questions about Eroica. The best one was "What routes or qualities of EC do you like the most?"

The answer for me is I got into C&V for the bikes, but I stayed for the people.

I typically don't like large group events of any kind. I've thought about doing STP (Seattle to Portland), but the thought of riding with thousands of other people doesn't appeal to me. Eroica California, however, felt different. First, out of 1100 riders, I probably knew over 100 either personally or online. To a person, I felt like I could be good friends with any of them. Our Magic Bus tour last year consisted of 5 people, none of whom knew each other, living cramped in an RV for 3 days, and it felt like we were college buddies getting together in an annual adventure. Maybe it's the fact that almost all of the Eroica riders were a bit longer in the tooth. Maybe it was because it felt like a cooperative ride, not a competitive one. Maybe we just all liked classic, vintage bikes, and that somehow filtered out a lot of people that we wouldn't necessarily get along with.

The route was hard. I want it to be hard. I want to finish and have the satisfaction of pushing through some suffering and finish. The route was beautiful. There has to be a payback for the suffering. Flying down the curvy road to Cambria next to a flowing river was pure joy. The best I could express it was turning to @nlerner and saying "This does not suck!" Sharing that feeling with friends was a great bonding experience.

I've always wanted to ride that route and I always chicken out (settling to ride Santa Rita Road, which isn't settling much). The Old Creek Road segment (north of where we turn off on Santa Rita Rd to 46) is insanely narrow and twisty. That segment is a short cut from Morro Bay/Cayucos to Paso and 101 and it is heavily traveled - I've heard that tractor trailers sometimes try it and get stuck in the hairpins. People do ride that segment, but it seems supremely risky - every time I see someone riding it, it hardens my resolve to avoid the temptation.

I did recall hearing someone mention routes to San Simeon and Hearst Castle. There are likely appropriate routes up the hill that will allow us to cut back over Cypress Mt.

I'll have a few days up there Thanksgiving. Maybe I'll try going up Cypress Mt. from west to east. My other option was to try riding Santa Rita Road east to west. Maybe I'll do both.

I've been wanting to ride down the Cuesta Grade on 101. It's plenty fast in a car, seems like it would be a blast on a bike, and I would think there would be very good drafting opportunities riding alongside cars and trucks, for those so inclined.

It could look funner than it actually is, sorta like the Hwy 46 descent toward the ocean. I get so much wind coming down that road, it can be work getting down to the bottom of that hill. I did that descent one time in heavy rain, it was hellish, and the drivers on the road gave me zero quarter. Damn near froze to death too.

I went down Cuesta Grade once, about 35 lbs ago. In years, it was long enough ago that the people in cars were honking at me thinking I was nuts.

Damn, Spaghetti Legs is in, my publicist is in, already I've got some momentum. Palazzo degli Eroi, yeah, that's the ticket. So I thought, what the heck and reserved this place for arrival Friday April 5, leaving Monday April 8 (three nights). The total cost for the place is $1500 for three nights, split amongst attendees. SoCal and Bay Area people are within driving range, as well as my homies from the Central Valley. There are 9 beds in the place, and it can sleep up to 13 people. I plan on flying into San Jose and renting a vehicle large enough to take everyone who needs a ride, including those who want to fly in to the Bay Area. Lots of options on getting your bike there.

This could be one of the greatest C&V cross-country meetings ever (lookitme pimp this thing). I know I'm way early announcing this, but Cambria is small, AirBnB is limited in the area, so those that might want to lock up a place to stay.

For those that might want a more private experience but want to be part of "the gang", there's a "Guest Cottage" on the property that has two bedrooms and looks to be available for the same time period.

I can't believe we are already talking about Eroica and it isn't even Thanksgiving yet!! I am glad I am not alone in preparing early. I am anxious to see what Wes and the crew has in store for us this coming year. I have been riding a lot since my recovery and look forward to a new venue for the event. My experience tells me it will be great as each year has gotten progressively better(IMHO). I look forward to seeing my once a year buds that have made this event special.Hell, I don't even know which bike I will ride! Joe

Found a YouTube video of it. I figured it was fast, but not THAT fast, especially considering the grade. I thought you needed at 9-10% grade to hit those speeds, but evidently not:


Tons of good roads over there. I'm 2 1/2 hours away, and love going during the week during the off season when people aren't crowding the beaches. The Paso Robles / Sam Luis Obispo area offers truly year-round riding. Winter days are some of the nicest, especially right after a rain. Just heading north up Highway 1, near Ragged Point, are some awesome roads and views. TOC went through there a while back.

And the town of Cambria itself is to die for, the main street is situated about 50 yards from the beach!

http://www.agloballifestyle.com/wp-c...1DRAerial1.jpg

The trouble with that is that climb number 2 would become climb number 3. As I recall, the old climb number 3 should have been kind of easy but it crushed me because I was already worn out by then. Whereas I went into the old climb number 2 feeling fairly fresh and it crushed me because it's just that difficult. I'm imagining hitting that climb with 60 hard miles in my legs, struggling to the top and then trying to navigate that descent (which might actually have been harder than the climb) with every muscle in my body fully fatigued. Yeah, that'll be heroic. I'll try not to think about it again between now and whenever I send them my money.

Gugie's Palazzo degli Eroi sounds very intriguing. I might have to throw my hat into this ring. I hope that you can cancel easily in the event that the start ends up not being in Cambria. Perhaps it's time to drop Wes a line.

If you're taking reservations I'm in for one of the rooms.

Back when I was @ Poly I used to ride down the grade... my avocet 10 was in the 60's.. no idea how accurate those things were ? now upper 40's feels insane.