Eroica California 2023 - Sept. 17, 2023 in Cambria, CA
 

Ok, unofficial thread for Eroica California 2023.

https://eroica.cc/en/california

Apparently Amadeo met with some folks in Cambria and have decided to set the date almost a year from now. My sense, completely my own, is there may have not been enough time to set up all the many commitments for April 2023 for various reasons and giving a year to address these issues may be prudent.

Permitting for Piedras Blancas Lighthouse access, same for Cambria central location, CHP and local police assistance, getting sponsorship and local resident involvement, ride and event logistics, considering local CA and US based delegated decision and logistical options, etc. are all issues. Plus this allows time for interest and potential rider registration commitments to build, giving a gauge as to interest and finances.

For now, the website shows only the Short Piedras Blancas 35 mile, medium Santa Lucia 72mike, and Heroic 97 mile routes. I’ll bet these are subject to revision. I don’t know if Kiler Canyon climb will still be in.

I will be checking with my sources for updates.

My only reservations about mid-September date is it could be pretty hot, especially for the inland portions of the medium and long ride. The coast stay fairly cool but IIRC during the heat wave in California this year, even the coast got over 80 degrees.

My one request for this thread is to be respectful and civil. We have the 2022 thread to hash out our issues and problems with how the 2022 event went off. Let’s try to be supportive and provide tempered expectations of how 2023 event could be done and what you’d like to see. Plus comment on your interest or disinterest. Thanks!

Bart

I rode every day during the heat wave. Even here along the coast, it was well over 90 degrees (closer to 100, IIRC) during the rides. The sun was pretty brutal, too. I have only one thing to say. WATER!

That was a pretty epic heat wave, though, hotter than normal for September. I wouldn't expect it to be quite that hot next September.

I have always wanted to do one of these events (gravel on a bigger, grander scale), because while Cino has its delights, there isn't an ocean view (though, yeah, the waterfall is pretty cool). Anyways, I digress. My reason for posting is that I must admit to delaying my participation in EC because too many have claimed, with specificity, of problems - some easily, some not-so-easily, fixed. News that the 2023 event will have the benefit of an entire year's planning is good to hear. If they get it right next September, well, all they have to do is meet or exceed the following year by sticking to the formula. If it fails...well...

So, for the sake of my tentative plans to ride in 2024, I hope 2023 is a resounding success :)

DD

You guys got this? “…improvements to one or more aspects of the event…”

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ecbd748bf.jpeg

I took the $90 bait , so I’m in.

DD, I hope you would try to make the 2023 event. Even with low expectations, the Concours viewing, swap meet, town of Cambria, the ride itself (assume self supported and you’ll be prepared, everything else is gravy), plus the general Central Cali Coast vibes, great restaurants and the great meeting of like minded vintage steel bike folks including faces to names here at BF C&V is, IMO, well worth the early registration fee, few days away, and maybe $600 for food and lodging for 3-4 days. Plus the Coastal rides are just heavenly.

Heck, you could even share a room or place (AirBnB, inn, motel/hotel, Palazzo, campground) with other riders and have a blast. BYOB (bottles, bourbon, beer, bikes, BBQ, babes, etc.)

C’mon, jump in! We ain’t getting any younger!

I agree with Bartly. Although lacking in some areas, I had a great time. The Saturday ride with Gugie and friends was as good as the rest of the event. I am still wearing the nice Vitoria cycling cap , and I drank the espresso that came in the goodie bag. I got to meet Ted Ernst ,merziac Van , and Manny , as well as others that I can’t recall right now. As always , the high point was spending time with Rich (bikingshearer) and his wife and dinner at Lynn’s. I regret not doing the ride to Lynn’s ranch .
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...43f732192.jpeg
At the somewhat chaotic start , the wind is already starting up . The late start for the PB riders made for a wind beating by the time I got to the light house.

Well i did some comments with Pictures on the 2022 event post, it was my first Eroica event, and i was not disappointed, we only did the Piedras Blancas ride and from what i can tell the longer rides were more self supported than some expected, but overall the swap meet, the Friday night ride to Linns Farm for free food and wine, the 17 miles along the coast to the lighthouse, the restaurants, the espresso coffee place on main street, and the people i met were great, well except for that one know it all guy, oh wait that was me... and weather was Glorious, This coming year if there is a heatwave, well i cycle in Louisiana so if the coast hits 80 plus degrees ill be ok,

if i can make it i'm going, the logistics of flying two bikes in plus ourselves and renting a van hotel etc was all a bit of work, but now that iv'e done it one time before it wont seem so daunting.

Highly recommend... and even if nothing gets improved from last year i'd still go again and my wife is also very keen to go again.

Gary

yep, got my email yesterday and hope all 2022 participants did too, not much time to respond so let’s tag all BF folks if possible.
tmnguuyen bikingshearer gugie Manny66 Sestese Brad L Paintking mhespenheide obrentharris keithdunlop
Erzulis Boat cinelliguy Andy Antipas

otherwise, here’s the regular registration info per EV website:

Per website, 2023 event registration for first early rates opens on November 7, 2022.

Registration Eroica California 2023EROICA CALIFORNIA CLASSIC

Registration Period:
7th November 2022 - 31th December 2022 $130.

1st January 2023 - 30th August 2023 $150

31th August 2023 - 13th September 2023 $200

Please note: Students and active Military personal or Veterans : Register for $100, no period.

REGISTER NOW

NOVA + CLASSIC

Registration for Nova Eroica California (Sep.16th) and Eroica California Classic (Sep.17th), 220$ The NOVA ride is being held Saturday, the day before the Eroica Classic California event, so everyone has a chance to ride both events! This is all a part of the new Eroica California Weekend, a chance to bring together more fun and ideas and the best US edition yet.

https://eroica.cc/en/california/regi...ica-california

Thanks mech986! Just paid. Got my brother in on it too. We do it every year. Prolly ride the Serotta again.

Veterans can register at any time for only $100? Well, I might just be coming in 2023 after all :)

I'll sit on the fence awhile thinking about it, since I have that luxury now!

DD

I'm contemplating my plan. Nova on Saturday and party ride to the light house on the tandem with my wife or doing the 97 on Sunday on my under construction Shogun touring bike or if things work out with @merziac i may be sporting a flashy Fuso. My wife was working both days this summer. The problem with this is , I'll probably miss out on seeing the 'crew' i met up with during the ride in May.

I guarantee you may be on the Fuso. ;)

#1 THANK YOU for your service and you deserve the discount! #2 I hope you go , I would like to meet you. #3 I'm pretty sure you would have a blast and contribute greatly to the fun of it all. Joe

Odd that I didn't get an email.... Maybe I should email THEM!

logging on is still a mess.

Schema Ponzi it seems to me.
You guys know Ponzi was Italian by heritage.

Well, this pretty much gives them almost a year to wait until the last minute to get organized. I miss WES!

#1 You're welcome - but just doing my job :)
#1 Okay, since there is definite potential in a new friendship, I will go. And ditto :)
#3 I will certainly contribute something, because I plan on riding the Medici, with plans to school those unfamiliar with the storied marque :D

In fact, I think I just snagged a compatible freewheel for EC in the six-speeder Kurt just sold me. It's got a massive 26t bailout, after all.

DD

Do you know what went down with Wes, and why he's no longer involved? Even with Wes, there were some issues, but things seemed to be right on the edge of getting to where they needed to be.

The few conversations I have had over the years that I have attended the Eroica California events , I find that Wes holds his cards close to him and has not really said much one way or another. I also think that he was struggling with communicating his concerns with the Italians .

L'Eroica 2023,,Yup Im IN.

Had a Blast last year and met quite a few of the fantastic BF brothers there. It can only get better.

I didn't get the email either, but I logged into "MyEroica" and it looks like the $90 early discount is available there.

I met Wes at Gaioli. He was working the event. He is still involved but to what extend I don’t know. I think he moved out of CA. If I remember correctly he moved to Japan. I was asking him about Eroica Japan because one of the Italian riders I met in Cambria told me, of all events he enjoyed Japan the most. Wes told me Eroica Japan will be relocated to Osaka which took the enthusiasm out of my wife who lived in Japan many moons ago. Per my wife the old location was more majestic.

Somebody had to say it. Ever since they cancelled the 2020 event and refused to refund my money I have little faith in their good faith.
Do I pay the $90 now and risk losing it when they decide there aren't enough riders returning, or do I wait unit August and pay an additional $60 if it looks like they are going to actually hold the event?
Brent

11 months of readying our heart and soul Eroica to ride the gears our bikes were born with.