Erzulis Boat 

I just paid the full $220.00 for the combined rides. I am only going to ride the Classic, so Eroica gets an extra $70.00 from me.

Does anyone have a theory as to why the only option is to purchase both the Nova and the Classic combined?

repechage

Profit optimization

repechage

I can see the advert now, The American Hell of the North, well depending on the time of year.

that’s it- two events same route different seasons, one overall list of accomplishment

Erzulis Boat 

It's non-refundable so I am not going to even bother pursuing a partial refund. If that is truly the case, then that is extremely shady.

I simply cannot trust the organizers, so I will just eat the money to ensure my slot.

repechage

Purple outcroppings, the Grapes of Wrath?

keithdunlop

Anytime!

merziac

!!!

SLO is a wonderful place to live. My wife and I plan on retiring in the area in a couple of years, so there's a good chance I'll be hitting you up for some rides![/QUOTE]

mech986 

might consider putting that in C&V sales and see if you get a taker. Sorry to hear the dates don’t work out for you and hope to see you elsewhere in SoCal or at the Velo-Retro ride.

mech986 

Hey it was Sept. 12, then Sept. 19. Try to keep up and don’t get dropped like the rest of us!!

🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️............🚴‍♀️🚴🏻..............🚴🏻

mech986 

Its artistic license, showing the California Central Coast landmarks that could spark interest to participants. Besides, looking at Cambria and its surroundings from an Apple or Google Maps perspective, everything seems “close by”, be it Big Sur, Hearst Castle, Paso Robles, Morro Bay, SLO, etc. To EC's Italian organizers, maybe it does.

Morro Bay (really only 22 miles from Cambria and 6.9 miles from Cayucos) can be clearly seen from Cayucos and Cayucos pier. And consider if it was the Southern “short ride” of say 45 miles, or a 12-14 mile extension of the longer rides before turning back north and heading east - Cambria-Cayucos-Morro Rock-back north to Old Creek Road and then to Santa Rita summit? That would make the 72 mile ride 84-86 miles, the 81 mile into 93-95, and the 108 mile to 120-122, truly heroic.



Here's the view from the turn into Cayucos from Highway 1 to N. Ocean Ave. looking southward. Morro Rock is clearly visible. This view would be on 3 routes (Santa Lucia, Via Dello Scalatore, and Heroic Routes) which comprises almost 2/3rd of the riders.
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.4494...8i8192!5m1!1e4

Google Street View from Ocean Ave and PCH looking south as we turn into Cayucos, snapped from monitor

Here's the view from Ocean Ave just before reaching the Cayucos Pier:
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.4499...8i8192!5m1!1e4

View from Ocean Ave, Cayucos just before reaching Cayucos Pier, snapped from monitor

I think we could say the EC 2021 poster does represent a reality view from most of the EC routes except the short route.

Brad L 

How strict are they on shorts in particular? Will all-black modern bibs suffice, or do I need to track down a pair of vintage style wool shorts? If so, which brand would you recommend?
Thanks in advance.

merziac

You can wear any shorts you want, black is the standard but I saw everything from vintage to Levi's in 2017.

If you are going to step up, these would be the logical choice, not wool, no matter.

https://www.wingedstore.com/cino-col...orts-1190.html

bikingshearer 

Yes, all-black modern bibs will suffice.

gugie 

Think of Eroica as a costume party (the kids call it cosplay). If you went to a costume party, would you not dress up? There are some minimum requirements that can be read on the Eroica site that anyone can read. If you're asking what's the minimum you can get away with, perhaps Eroica isn't your cup of tea. If you've got a bike that passes qualification but just don't want to invest in period correct clothing, no problem, come and join the fun!

Brad L 

Not at all. I'm all in. I have everything I need except the shorts, which I've been waffling on brands for quite a while. It seems most of the repop wool shorts are era correct with a simple chamois without padding. It's been over 30 years since I've worn this style and I'm not sure my aged "contact area" will tolerate it over 80 miles. My other issue is that I'm apparently a puny little guy and it's hard to find a size that won't fit me like a garbage bag. I'm 5'-7" and 130 lbs.

gugie 

Oof, Boulder Bicycles had a pair or two of wool shorts for cheap a few months ago, but they're currently out - these were vintage shorts, not made anymore. Sometimes they find some, get on their newsletter "just in case". Otherwise, Kucharik has them, at a price. eBay may be your best bet if you're looking for something not too expensive.

IMO, padding is way overrated. Padding squishes down to nothing, but a saddle that matches your bottom, and a liner in your shorts that minimizes/eliminates chafing will go a long way to comfort.

If it worked for you 30 years ago, it'll work for you now.

davester

My own theory on this ridiculous padded diaper trend in current bike shorts is that modern bikes come with uncomfortable foam-over-plastic-base saddles so you need some padding to reduce the pain somewhat. I've never needed padded shorts while riding Brooks, Ideale, and other suspended leather saddles.

As to vintage shorts, I wouldn't sweat it too much. As long as your shorts are black and not to shiny, nobody is going to notice or worry about what kind of fabric they're made of.

Classtime 

If I was getting wool shorts, I'd get Kucharik with leather chamois. They make them right there in Gardena and can replace the chamois when the time comes. He used to make our club kits (not wool) but I never thought to replace the chamois. I sent my wife to Kucharik this year to fulfill my B-day shorts order and I'll find out what she came home with today. Maybe wool?

edit: no wool. Kucharic is a kick. My wife wanted bibs for me but in my size and the color she wanted, there were only shorts. So, he took them in the back and turned them into bibs. 👍

Kabuki12

I got a pair of left over Eroica shorts with padding that are super comfy. They came from a bike shop in Portland Oregon that bought a few sets of jerseys and shorts. I got an Eroica Ca. jersey and shorts for half price with new packaging. They are Santini I think. I also bought a pair of the shorts from Boulder with the chamois that work well too.

bikingshearer 

As a major-league Clydesdale (6'3", 255 lbs) with the climbing skills of a banana slug, I refer to people like you by an epithet taught me many years ago by a former NorCal sprint champ: Spindly-legged climbing fart. As in "I hate spindly-legged climbing farts" (usually uttered in gasps on long climbs whilst the object of the epithet is busy doing his or her best Marco Pantani impression).

I'm usually in a more forgiving mood at the top of the hill, though.

Brad L 

You got the "spindly-legged" part right, but I'll be right there with you on the climbs. If you've ever been to Houston you'll know it's as flat as can be. There's really nowhere within 200 miles of here to train for long climbs. And I'm certainly not a natural climber as I fight every gene in my body to be the least bit athletic. See you there.

tungsten

Is there a participant limit?

Brad L 

Possibly, but if you'd like to go and can no longer register, there are a few members with registrations that can't go and are willing to transfer their registrations. This is allowed by Eroica.

Click here if interested: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage-sales/1231200-2021-eroicaca-registration.html

.

velopackrat

Brad,

I'm up in FWTX and rode Eroica CA in 2016 and 2017, and had a blast. Before going, I was intimidated over the equipment. But having done it and like the other guys have said, I would say, don't fret over your bibs. I found a vendor on the swap meet day who was selling beautiful new wool bibs, so I bought a pair and loved them. The other revelation was, old saddles can be comfortable. My favorite saddle from the 1980's provided a comfy ride with zero issues over 85 miles. It also had to do with the guys I fell in with. Ex bike racers who know the drill, and it was a great reminder of what a club ride could be like. No one was trying to prove anything. They had all been there, done that. For this group, one famous-but-now-old dude had a triple, but most rode 42x28 for a climbing gear. We just plodded along up the climbs with little drama.

In 2016 and 2017, under Wesley's watch, the rest stops were not to be missed. The food and drink was the best I've ever encountered at a bike event. I hear from my buddies that it slipped the following year but hopefully the promoters have rectified that. you'll have a great time.

Motorhead69

I signed up a few weeks ago, and told my brother I was coming to visit him to do this ride. He ended up signing up and buying a bike to ride as well.

I'll be riding the bike I hand built over lockdown.


I'm a little nervous about the hills as it's considerably flatter here in Dallas. Seriously thinking about getting a triple crank.