Robvolz 

I keep comparing this with Cino.

Cino has a list of 7 requirements (I may be off on my number, correct me if you're "that guy") and you must adhere to 5. So if one bike fits everything, but has aero cabling, no biggie.

I myself swapped out sew-ups for clinchers.

And, Cinelli invented the clip-ins in 1971.

NorcalGuzzi

Saturday night I dined solo at Lombardi's (old school Italian American) in Cambria for a carb load. Not sure if it helped, but I wanted it. I was met with very friendly service, decent, if predictable, food, not too "elevated" (Thank god, that usually means small portions... I enjoy finer dining, but sometimes a simple filling meal is just so right.

I liked Cambria. It seems a bit less over the top touristy (not zero of course!).

Classtime 

I think the Eroica organization has some pretty good rules to keep the old bikes classic and challenging to ride on a challenging course. If anyone wants to ride an old frame with modern components at Eroica CA weekend, there is Nova. Sunday rides should be reserved for Eroica compliant bikes. Part of the challenge is getting your bike and your body ready for the course you choose.

Adding to my SWOT: It would be nice if some rest stops were equipped with tools and some bits and pieces like tires. tubes, spokes, lube, cables, etc. A rider in our group flatted with only one spare tubular. He caught back up with us which was impressive. I was feeling bad because his skinny racing tires were likely to fail him again. Then he broke a spoke in Templeton and that was it for him (only 32 maybe 28 spokes.) If a Eroica Wagon (or Uber) could scoop him up and get him to a rest stop with stuff, that would have been nice. One of the early editions had an Eroica van cruising the course and he checked on me when I was out on the steep rollers all alone in the east when the long course was 130 miles and that was an impressive level of service worthy of an Elite Event. The rest stop at Halter? had a well stocked repair station with spares for sale. They need to bring that back.

RCMoeur 

But you have to use the Cinellis. C'mon, a commitment is a commitment, in more ways than one...

iab

Exactly.

And by all accounts, Cino is superior. Accepting less or expecting change that hasn't occurred in 5 years seems a bit, insane?

tmnguuyen 

I'm not a drinker but i'm surprised no one brought up the lack of winery stop (Halter Range) and the wine tasting that was offered in the past. I thought that is one of the main appeals of this ride. No Lighthouse, no wine..... can only go up from here or last nail in the coffin.
One of the riders texted me and he said this felt like a Saturday group ride instead of an Elite organized event.

bikingshearer 

Slight correction: Riding Cinelli M71 pedals on one of the longer Eroica routes is more than a commitment, it means you should be committed. Toots suite.

RCMoeur 

Brings a new meaning to "being one with the bicycle".

Classtime 

The double espresso I had at the first lunch stop in Templeton was delicious. Does Cino have that? One of our group had a whiskey to go with his espresso. Brandy would have been more appropriate but he was riding clipless too.

Classtime 

People who badmouth EroicaCA but don't ride it bug me.

bikingshearer 

Cino has freshly cooked bacon (and the Bacon Lady) at the top of the climb on Day 1, fresh martinis (and mixologist Choke) at the top of the climb on Day 2, numerous water stops, serious lunch both days, and ice chests with brewskis, fizzy water and, best of all, cold wet towels (pure bliss on a hot day) at strategic locations. Better than espresso? The answer to that is a matter of your personal taste.

Cino and Eroica really are two distinct events with distinct vibes offering distinct experiences. The one thing that unites them is the emphasis on old bikes. Cino is a much smaller operation than is Eroica. Cino is a fundraiser for a private Montessori school, Eroica is (I believe) a for-profit operation. Cino is run purely by volunteers, Eroica uses volunteers but is headed up by paid staff. Eroica has an expo center, vendors, a swap meet (usually), and a concours (sometimes). Cino has none of that. Cino has several dozen riders. Eroica CA has several hundred; Eroica Gaole apparently has thousands. Cino is small-scale and more intimate. Eroica is significantly larger scale and far more "corporate" (for lack of a better word). Eroica feels like a ride in the countryside, Cino feels like an adventure in the wilderness.

None of this is meant as a slam on either event or to suggest which is "better" - that is very much a YMMV thing. It's just meant to illustrate some of the differences, since we have devolved into a compare/contrast of the two.

tmnguuyen 

Was that complementary from the organization or out of pocket? We didn't even get a Coke at the Templeton stop. I bought a couple from the bar for my riding buddy and me.

Only one universal solution to alleviate all the complaints or short comings = $$$$$$ - No amount of SNOT SWOT SWAT SQUAD or whatever you call it can fix it other than $$$$

Brad L 

They all use friction shifting.

Classtime 

we got delicious complimentary sandwiches and salad. I happily bought the espresso.


Perfecto!


Comparing Cino MT and Eroica CA is silly.

Kabuki12

Never done Cino and did not attend Eroica this year (not by choice!) . I have always had a great time , in years passed , at Eroica and felt I got my $$ worth. Most of the enjoyment comes from being with great friends , seeing the beautiful bikes , and picking through the swap meets. I gotta say , Classtime , that espresso looks very good . Might be time to fire up the Breville!

repechage

those you encountered may indeed have been using friction shifting.
‘there is a wide swath of riders, who came of derailleur cycling awareness that index was all that was on offer, and another group who have always had integrated shift and brake levers.
they are not at Eroica. They might be coaxed, but the C&V forum is not the venue to grab them.

when I am out riding, many that I Encounter and categorize as under 40, are just gobsmacked that one has to reach down and manually shift and select a gear without an index aid.
but kind of goes along with cars with manual transmissions, the take rate volume is less that 3% last I checked, and that was before brands like Ferrari ditched the manual gearbox, and electric cars, I am sure it is quite dismal now.

gugie 

So you’re sayin’ you’re up for a tour with us in the future?

Kabuki12

I remember when I first bought my Colnago , which was my dream bike . I sent a picture of it to a friend who races modern bikes , as does his wife. His coment was “ I hope you are taking yoga so you can shift that thing “. I laughed when I read it , but then realized that down tube shifters were an antique to him and the other modern bike riders out there. I have had similar interactions with the guys I see out on the road at turn around spots up in the canyon.

Classtime 

I am looking forward to it.

repechage

‘then they watch you shift the rear mech and trim the front with one deft reach and are just perplexed. ‘How do you do that?’

Trakhak

I remember being pleased with myself for discovering that move. I also remember that my first ride on an integrated brake/shifter bike made that trick seem to be pretty small potatoes.

And I definitely don't miss the inevitable wearing through the bike's paint with my thumbnail at the right down tube shifter.

Oldairhead 

You may or may not be aware that Paso Robles pretty much kicked the event out! They didn't want it there anymore. When Wes was er, um "excused" from the event as director by the Italians there was no-one left with the local knowledge or commitment to get things done. Those who were involved in steering the event towards the coast saved it. Today there would be no EC without Cambria!
Finding another suitable place in California is very much a long shot. Overall the state is very unfriendly towards large on-road cycling events as demonstrated by the Tour of California's demise. Finding a venue to host an Eroica event with 7 or 8000 riders (like Italy) just won't happen. If EC ever gets too well attended then Cambria will no longer work as a venue either.

Robvolz 

I think I have enough info here

thank you for those who were there and commented

those who weren’t there and commented anyway….. well. Maybe next year.

mhespenheide 

My only issue with Cambria versus Paso Robles as a starting point is the wind. If you start in Paso, ride to the coast in the morning, and then ride back inland in the afternoon, you can often get a tailwind both directions! The winds change from offshore to onshore as the inland valleys heat up during the day.

merziac

Cambria would easily be at its comfortable limit with more than 1K and all their entourage IMO.