cyclic_eric

I suppose I'll switch to toe clips at a month prior. I found these Giro Rumble shoes that are comfortable.
I'll change the laces to some innocuous color and run a black sharpie elsewhere.

merziac

I was going to do that and may still, ended up doing this instead for now.

Protective soles added instead of cleats for traction and they work fantastic.





I only ride old school clips and straps, have a bad ankle that won't tolerate clipless and can't stand the look of them on C+V.

cyclic_eric

Those look great! Such smooth soles!
Had I seen them that’s what I’d use too.

rccardr 

= be prepared to walk.
Uphill.
On a loose surface.
A steep one.

Spaghetti Legs 

That’s nicely done! I’ve also used Giro Republics, but just removed the knobby bits (they’re secured with screws) and used throwaway hardware store flathead screws to keep the bolt holes from getting gummed up.

Kabuki12

I am doing the PB route so no need for anything special . I have done most of my riding in good flat soled skate style shoes. This year most likely my Clark’s. As long as the soles are flat enough for easy slip in / slip out but soft enough for grip on my Campy SL pedals. I have done some off road climbing with my old school road bikes and it works for me. When I was at REI they had those Giro shoes that looked interesting but I decided to just keep doing what I’ve been doing for the last several years, not much for change.

merziac

They actually have good traction with the compound they are, pretty amazing.

I had the soles put on and had to shop around to find a cobbler that would do it, $40 very well spent.

Have another different pair that will get that treatment soon as well as some old school Vittoria's that I had done too.





These work great to just corral my feet on the bike for stability, no cleats, just clips and straps loose enough to get in and out of

Drillium Dude 

Fantastic conversion! You might share where you got the materials/how you got did the job - and for sure I'd like to know where to pick up a pair of those old-school-looking laces.

DD

merziac

Tx!

The laces came with the shoes, put them in stock several (maybe 5 years) ago and finally got around to finding a shoe shop that would do the job.

The shoes, Giro Republics aren't made anymore and are pretty hard to find unless you want the knit fabric ones.

The protective soles used have been around for a long time, I have them put on my cowboy boots for traction and stability.

They are made by Vibram now I think, I found a guy to do them and had a couple of shops decline to do it.

They're just called protective soles, any shoe shop should know what you're talking about.

I'll PM you a couple more thoughts.

DiabloScott

2019 I put on the platform pedals from my commuter bike, and rode the full route in my Sambas. Not a great sole for quill pedals, but with platforms they were fine; and I did my fair share of walking through the deep sand and tougher grades.

Practice ride, not actually Eroica.

cyclic_eric

A couple gear questions. If they are too far off topic, I'll open different thread.

So far, I'm planning to ride La Via Dello Scalatore route, 81 miles, 6400 ft. But I only have one water bottle holder. I can't see much info on the Eroica California site, but it looks like refill options will be around. Can I assume I'll be able to refill every 20 miles or so?
I may add a handlebar bag for a second sew-up and snacks, with another water bottle only if necessary.

I don't like the 80's Campagnolo Super Record rear derailleur I currently have. Too hard to find a cog on-demand. I'm thinking to change to this mid-cage drop-slant model, or similar from the 90's.
Will that be denied from riding? If required I suppose I'll look for a suitable Suntour.

gugie 

I'd bring a second bottle. If it's a warm/hot day, you'll need it. If it's cool, you might get by with one. YMMV. I can't remember how far apart refills are, but every 20 miles or so sounds about right.

As far as your rear derailleur goes, as long as it's not indexing, you're fine. If you want to keep in the spirit of Eroica, a vintage Suntour might be better.

cyclic_eric

Thanks for the answers gugie!
My derailleur won't be indexing.
I find that once friction shifting is done properly, no one really needs index shifting...
... jk

mhespenheide 

I'm out. And disappointed about it. I'm not a big presence on this board, but I would have liked to have said "hi" to the few people I know / have met. I need to head down that way to take care of some overdue business, but my schedule really only works earlier in April and I can't justify the time and risk to head down twice in a short time frame. I have a two-year old who is, of course, unvaccinated. And I'm paranoid about protecting him if I can.

I hope to sneak in a ride of the Scalatores route while I'm down there. If I can, I'll report back with conditions. I don't know that I'll do Kiler Canyon since it's a private road. I might well take Peachy Canyon, just to the north.

Having moved to the Seattle area, I'll look for some rides/meetups in the area this summer.

rccardr 

Well, that's a disappointment.
Was looking forward to seeing you pass me on Cypress.
Again,

gugie 

Bad news/good news

Sorry we won't see you at Eroica, completely understandable reasons.

Good news is since you're now in the PNW, and assuming you still have summers off, I'm sure there'll be opportunities to hook up and get some riding in!

mhespenheide 

Thanks, Doc. I know I would have enjoyed seeing whichever eye candy you chose to bring this year.

merziac

Parinoid = prudent, very wise with the uncertainty of this whole s**tshow, better safe than sorry.

I just retired from the hospital partly for the uncertainty of it all, I have enough nagging problems without worrying about or having to deal directly with all that.

majmt 

We were thinking it might be fun to try to make it this year. Registration looks easy enough but I couldn't figure out how to register a bike for the Concours. Are entries limited or am I just not clued in?

gugie 

Bad news/good news

Sorry that the way things are have driven you from the hospital, but glad that now you'll have fewer excuses to join up and ride in the near future!

merziac

Tx Mark, I of course could have stuck it out but with so much misdirection, compromising, false direction and information being spun as they saw fit, I was not ok with being on the front line with too little support and too much "do or don't do it anyway", my days were numbered as it was.

I sure do want to ride with you guys more but now with all this "free" time, I'm busier than ever and can't just leave this work at the hospital anymore.

Or get out in front of a mountain of "stuff" that has been neglected for way too long.

cinelliguy 

I am in. Riding my 1976 Masi GC. Arriving Thursday pm, camping at Hearst San Simeon State Park, riding the Nova Eroica short route on Saturday and Eroica California Santa Lucia Route on Sunday. Paid for the Saturday dinner but probably will not show up due to the stupid-you-know-what...

gaucho777 

I just purchased an Italian-threaded Campagnolo Record triple BB, appears NOS. It should arrive from France in a couple weeks. I’m thinking about adding a Red Clover triplizer ring and a long cage to my Super Record-equipped Colnago to give myself a chance at not having to walk up Cypress.

mgopack42 

I am in. I am using my carry-over registration from 2020 same as many. I took the "special" deal they offered as an "apology" for having a sub par event in 2019, so I registered for both days.
I totally missed this thread when it was started, but I got it in my head to do a search, since this is only 12 weeks away. And it was top of mind, since I just pulled the trigger on a bucket list bike...I will start a build thread when the frame arrives.
I will have to start figuring out the details, such as lodging soon.
Looking forward to seeing those I know and meeting new friends!

gugie 

12 weeks is more training than we put in for Touroica!