crank_addict

Whether vintage auto's, motorcycles or bicycles, participating in accordance is the soul of these events. Sharing, experiencing and feeling these machines with your peers is 1000x better than seeing them in a museum or hiding away in some private collection.

As an example, I've been fortunate to experience motorcar events, 'strictly' limited to auto's pre- 1910. The pitfalls of traveling distances in open, flimsy, smelly, oily, horrible brakes, steering, quirky control, wooden spoke, fragile vehicles over hilly, winding roads, in the cold and rain is joy! The effort, struggle and challenge to complete is the highlight. You couldn't even compare to someone in the luxury of a closed body late 20's Ford A. BTW: I've known a few old timers in their 90's, crank starting and battling the elements in these events. To observe and be with them is a hoot.

The same goes for the restrictions of L'Eroica. For someone to complain or feeling slighted for not having a bike meeting requirements is silly. The price of a vintage bike meeting requirements is a 'fraction' the cost of most newer bikes. Personally I could care less if one rides breaking some rules but too bad for them missing out the purpose of the event.

Hopefully all would follow the spirit of it. I'm mostly impressed by those behind the scene and organizing these fantastic venues. Following what goals they created would be the return compliment to them and rewarding to ones self as well.

EroicaCA

Thank you crank_addict.

EroicaCA

And here is one from Japan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gea8QcNCkOc

RiseAlways

Fantastic!!

RiseAlways

Definitely NEVER break the tradition of it,.. that would just ruin what it is and is meant to be!
Maybe I'll ride in one in the near future,....

armstrong101

Quick Q for those who have attended L'Eroicas in the past.

How is the pricing for vintage stuff at the L'Eroica fair? Pricey, cheap or reasonable?

Saguaro

You know, this is coming up fast! Pretty short fuse for such a big event. You have your work cut out for you #EroicaCA ! Looking forward to being a part of this and meeting some of our fellow enthusiasts. Best Wishes & Merry Christmas to all!

EroicaCA

I really can't tell you how it would be since this will be the first one in the USA. In Italy many people thought the prices are same as on eBay, but I did not think so. I do a lot of ebay looking and comparisons to the pricing t the vintage shows and the prices were cheaper in Italy and most of all there were many hard to find parts there. If any indication I went to the swap meet (Bike Expo) at Cow palace in South San Francisco. I went there to invite the vintage bike parts dealers to come sell at L'Eroica California. The prices there were very good. I was late getting there and I thought all the great buys were long gone, but I was still able to pick up some bargains. For example, Titan Stem and Maes handlebar for $20, Super clean Sheffield 673 Pedals for $20, Ambrosio Champion Bar and stem for $30. Campagnolo (raised lip around the pedal holes) crankset (2nd gen) for $250. The trip was well worth it.
So lets hope we get some good dealers and hope to see some hidden treasures at the first annual event in April.
Hope to see you there.

EroicaCA

Yes, it is short and coming up fast. That is why we are limiting the entry (1000) and we will have a smaller festival. But the rides (especially the long route) will be spectacular and it will be intimate since we won't have 3000 or 5000 riders yet. From what I hear there will be over 3000 attending the UK version in 2015. They had 1500 riders this year and it was their first year.
The Paso Robles downtown city park has all the restaurants, pubs, wine tasting rooms, cafes and a multi screen movie theater. We will be offering some off site activities as well. It should be a lot of fun.
Happy Holidays to you all and hope to see you in April.

Oldairhead 

So, is the event in the downtown park or at the fairgrounds? The park is pretty big but would not be big enough for a L'Eroica Britannia first year sized event.

WNG

This is exciting news indeed! I will make every effort to participate...a chance to return to this region with vintage steel.

EroicaCA

Believe me, it's big enough. We have many large events there.
The wine festival had over 25000 guests in the park. Paso Robles is much bigger than Gaiole in Chianti, Italy.

Joe_Steel

A quick question for someone who would know (rather than guess). Reading the rules, explicitly including -- "road racing bikes, built before 1987"

I have a 1983 steel bike that meets all of the requirements with one minor (in my opinion) technicality -- it was built and sold as a "touring" bike.
Most differences are hardly noticeable with the exception of a few added braze-ons, 40-spoke wheels (vs 32) and slightly longer chainstays / wheel base.
Would this bike be accepted?

I would hate to get excited about riding this bike on the long route, and then discover that it wasn't allowed or not welcomed (scorned / "disqualified").

Thanks in advance.

Barrettscv 

It would not keep you from participating in prior L'Eroica events. But I would contact the organiser by email or PM to verify.

bconneraz

I can't wait!

leaping_gnome

I'm excited about riding the event. I don't want to over think to rules but

• wheels must have at least 32 spokes with a low profile (less than 20 mm).

is kind of a challenge. All of my clincher rims are 20-22mm. Is the theme generally to ride sew-ups?

Also, will the rides be conducted as brevets? I understand that at least some other l'Eroica events have been ACP brevets.

Regardless, If I get an entry I will rustle up an appropriate bike and be there to see you all!

Jim Harris
Quartz Hill, CA

repechage

I think the theme is a historic road racing bicycle, not a cyclocross bike. Some of the old road racing bikes have pretty slack angles and long chain stays. I think it might be the possible cantilevers that might raise a comment.

mattk42

I think that's referring to rim depth. So, no aero rims.

EroicaCA

Hello all,

Please register your email at:

https://www.eroicacalifornia.com

By registering your email address here you will receive the latest info as we get ready to launch the official registration website.
Thank you.

leaping_gnome

Ah!, Of course, Thanks!

Jim

Joe_Steel

Good point. It does have Mafac cantilever brakes.

mattk42

Had me confused too, though I'm pretty sure even my 80s aero rims are that wide at least. Hopefully there'll be a good comprehensive list of requirements closer to the event date.

Barrettscv 

I'm not sure if this has been posted yet, if not;

Eroica California 11-12 APRIL 2015

jyl

Hmm. Interesting. I could drive down from Portland with my son for this ride.

Problem is, he doesn't have a compliant bike. His 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport has a 10 speed Campagnolo drivetrain with brifters. His 1986 Peugeot PX has aero levers and indexed downtube shifters.

I will measure to see if he can fit the 1977 PX-10 frame. If so, then I can probably get that built up with the original components in time. I could ride my 1978 Raleigh Team Pro.

Question, however: what will the roads be like?

Neither of the bikes we'd bring are exactly gravel grinders. Both have tubular rims and would wear 23-25 mm tires, with racy frame geometry. I have ridden the Team Pro on a gravel road and really did not enjoy the experience.

leaping_gnome

I know the Paso Robles area quite well but cannot comment until the course is published. All I can say as it will be beautiful and could be challenging.

Jim