CV-6 

Came across this on the local biking forum. The Rocheport Roubaix. Not thinking of doing the actual event, but they do have three routes of varying distances already figured out. Certainly no reason they could not be reused at a later date. I am thinking about scouting out at least one of them. If I determine a time to go, I will post here and see if anyone is interested in going exploring. Two hour drive for me and I don't do cold. If nothing else, it might be a fun ride.

dddd

Let's hope that any alternative events are not planned for the same time period as existing similar events such as the one in California.

With the investment that goes into having a popular, successful (profitable) event, I would hope that the see a good return on their investment of time and money.

Alternative events will likely see best attendance when there is some amount of time between similar events, even in different regions since there would of course be overlap in the form of more-enthusiastic participants willing to travel.

I'm all for vintage rides of every type, and our club here so far is on schedule for the successful "steel" inaugural event becoming a regular, twice-yearly event.

gomango 

Doesn't resemble L'Eroica to me.

Modern bikes are encouraged.

Looks like another of the hundreds of gravel events that are popping up around the United States.

This one just happens to be sponsored and supported by a nutrition company.

Here's a great gravel resource for those that may have interest.

I know I do.

Upcoming Events |

rhm

All true, but what OP's saying is: he's going to check out one of these routes some time when it's not being used for the event linked, and wonders if any other C&V people might like to join him.

gomango 

Yes, I read that as well.

Ex Pres 

There must be quite a few of these type "Roubaix" events. One a lot of the local racers head down to each year is the Rouge Roubaix in LA.

LA gonna' be a lot flatter than Italy or Paso Robles, though. Maybe we should look for more of these already scheduled events to scout routes. I just can't find a cost- & time-effective way to make it to Italy or CA.

icepick_trotsky 

This could be fun, C&V or not. If someone organized an actual C&V event in the midwest ala Cino Heroica, I would definitely be interested as well. There are many miles of unpaved roads in Missouri with some nice climbing.

photogravity

But there is already at least one being planned and I'm hoping there are more in the works. I think you were invited to the one @rhm has planned. I know for sure @EroicaCA was invited since I personally extended the invitation to him.

CV-6 

Indeed. Not everyone can get to CA or PA. And who says it has to be the day of either. It is not meant for these to compete with l'Eroica. They are alternatives. AFA MO, it is a real iffy alternative. I have not even seen the routes and April weather is capricious in MO as it is everywhere else.

photogravity

You are absolutely correct about the fact not everyone can get to CA or PA. Personally, I think it is great there are some rides being planned that are "competing" with EroicaCA. There are some, like myself, who don't want to participate in a large commercial event or may not want to want to travel to CA for a bike ride. I'm one of those people. Anyway, the intent behind the proposal as mentioned in the thread @rhm started.

As to your specific idea, I understood it at that outset that you didn't necessarily plan to ride one of those routes on the same weekend as EroicaCA, but that they may serve as decent routes for future C&V rides in that area. I hear what you're saying about weather in MO that time of year. I have weather concerns too for the ride rhm is planning.

dddd

It's not like the "commercial" aspect of these events should be seen as a bad thing, since such events need to "clear" a certain margin of profitability in order for annual events even to be a financial "wash" for the organizers when multiple years of such events are held and then averaged.

In other words, since certain years will inevitably suffer unforeseeable potential losses from conditions beyond the organizer's control, some profitability is necessary to cover from the occasional "bad" years when the weather or whatever rains on the parade.

So we should hope that there is profitability with each annual event.

Costs can go pretty high when larger crowds must assemble in a convenient park location, and when any sort of traffic control measures are needed to facilitate the event, etc.

David Newton

The Calif. Eroica, like the Italian & British events, are designed for those who can afford to travel and bear the considerable expense.

The gravel events around the country will be designed and attended by modern riders on modern bikes.

Gathering good route maps and organizing get-togethers of vintage cyclists at regional locations would be a nice development.

Barrettscv 

I'll join you to explore the routes, looks like a excellent cycling. Another Bikeforum member reports excellent gravel riding near Washington and Rolla.