Leroica

[Riggers]

My son alerted me to this, which I had absolutely no idea about. If you have a pre-1987 steel racer, with down-tube shifters and normal pedals, then you've got a chance of entering! Sounds brilliant to me.

Italy's retro bike race is a cycling classic | Travel | guardian.co.uk

[arvid]

Part of L'Eroica was advertised as a detour in Mille Miglia. In the GPS track there was a bit of white roads included. I was insane enough to follow it, not knowing how bad it would become and how long it would be unpaved.

If you think cobbles(Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix) are too comfortable, L'Eroica might be something for you.

[Riggers]

It doesn't look as bad as that when you watch the video. It does make you think "Hmmm, gravelly road + precious old steed + me, = certain disaster".

I like the comment from the two Belgium brothers on a tandem "We're okay, it's the bike that's tired".

[Salvatore]

maverick has just ridden it.

Got a nice retro jersey at the bike jumble and avoided the temptation of vintage Colnagos. Rode back to Siena in the rain

L'Eroica, what a fantastic event. Hard but not too hard in the 135km version. Fab controls great atmosphere brill post ride meal.

I didn't find the stretches of strade bianche too bad when I rode them. Certainly nowhere near as bad as the cobbles of Mecklenburg.

[Maverick]

maverick has just ridden it.

Got a nice retro jersey at the bike jumble and avoided the temptation of vintage Colnagos. Rode back to Siena in the rain

L'Eroica, what a fantastic event. Hard but not too hard in the 135km version. Fab controls great atmosphere brill post ride meal.

I didn't find the stretches of strade bianche too bad when I rode them. Certainly nowhere near as bad as the cobbles of Mecklenburg.

You obviously didn't find the sections that had the 25% downhills that were loose, rutted and potholed then. Seriously gnarly on 23mm tyres and 30yr old brakes. Or the 25% uphills in the same condition. I'll do a full ride report when I get back to the UK.

[rogerzilla]

Do they allow Sturmey-Archer gears?

[Maverick]

Do they allow Sturmey-Archer gears?

They would be allowed in the short 35km route - there were old butchers bikes, post mans bikes and the like on that route. The 70, 135 and 205km versions are for vintage 'racing' bikes only.

[Hummers]

Come on then Riggers you old queen, have you opted for an entry yet?

H

[LittleWheelsandBig]

SA gears were used for racing. One rider got third in a very early Tour de France on an SA 3sp hub.

[Riggers]

Come on then Riggers you old queen, have you opted for an entry yet?

H

I'll deal with you later my lad. I've got work to do.

[Maverick]

Ride report posted http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=39243.0 here