Kabuki12

I did the early registration and it shows up on my Eroica page so I guess I’m good. I did the short route last year on my 1975 Colnago Super and it worked well. I too have a 28 tooth low on the FW and a 41 small chain ring. The Campagnolo NR handles it easily . I have also used that gearing on a bike with second generation SR , so either way works. Just remember to move the rear axel back as far as possible. I sometimes remove the spring and install it on the outside of the drop out.

Classtime 

Communication with the "organizers" has always required patience.

I'm taking some time off the bike in an attempt to heal an old running injury and it is killing me not riding and preparing how not to die on my Peugeot PA-10E .

tmnguuyen 

That's pretty much sums it up. It has been my experience that the response is always slow no matter which sub branch. I was expecting Japan would be better but nope. Italy took has not sent me the kit for this year's membership yet and i've contacted them twice via email still crickets.

cinelliguy 

From a posting on the Classic Rendezvous Google Group, this from a friend who ran the Concours for years, Bob Freitas.

Finally got confirmation today the both the Swap and the Concours have been cancelled .
At this point the Rides are still on but other than that I have no further information

Thank You for the Support for all these years
BOB FREITAS

repechage

Opening for a bike version of the Concorso Italiano

rccardr 

Oh, my. That’s not good. Not good at all.

bibliobob

Indeed. Not good at all. They're throwing away the last festival elements of the event...

gugie 

Hard Pass

Cino >>> Eroica California

Kabuki12

Wow! If this is the direction that the organizers are going , this event will be severely compromised, IMHO. I can do the ride , if I decide to still go, but I have really nice areas much closer to home . I signed up super early so not that huge of loss if I don’t go. Hmmm….

nlerner

On the other hand, maybe they’re trying to make it more Cino-like? Next thing they’ll cancel the 17-mile lighthouse ride!

repechage

there is an element of providing less than what a person was paying for, months upfront.

rccardr 

Especially considering that there was a substantial entry fee for the concours, IIRC.

repechage

Not having signed up for this year, when one signed up was there a line item for the concours entry fee?
Possible convergence of lack of entries, various expenses to stage the show and swap?

Brad L 

I signed up early and don’t remember a concours entry line item, which I would have selected.

davester

So what the heck are they offering for the entry fee? Last year for the coastal route there was virtually no organized on course support except at Cayucos (including no water at the tops of the climbs) other than last minute dashes to nearby stores by conscientious volunteers. I’d rather do the ride completely self-supported…at least I’d be assured of food and water that way.

bikingshearer 

At least as much as the rides themselves, the "gathering of the tribe" aspect is what makes Eroica CA a worthwhile event. Doing things that reduce the "gathering" aspect does real damage to the overall attractiveness of the event.

I have a ticket and a hotel room, and my wife enjoys the area, so we will almost certainly go regardless, even if Eroica itself is cancelled. But the Eroica organizers are making it harder and harder to maintain any brand loyalty. I hope the event continues, but I suspect that the handwriting in on the proverbial wall.

repechage

2022 at Goodwood in the UK was cancelled with notice but not long notice. in that case, as the entry fee was processed by the Goodwood Park, refunds were available or the money could be applied to other Goodwood events.

Classtime 

Bummer.

merziac

Us amateurs still need a ride we can at least try to pretend at.

Kabuki12

Well, being as how I already paid , AND, Rich will be there, I think it may turn the tide for me. Heck, it may be the last one….

Manny66 

Last year, I was out riding the Nova on Saturday and didnt see one bit of the Concours Bike Show,, No one posted any pictures on Bike Forums or Video of the event on Youtube. I did catch a glimpse of the Bike Show in the background of someones video or else I wouldnt have known it even happened. ehh.

Now the bike Swap is a different story,,I picked up quite a few items on Sunday after the Lighthouse Ride and it was a good way to hangout and meet other riders.. Bummer if it doesnt happen ,Hopefullly they change their tune and decide to hold it .

gugie 

Yeah, that's kinda what Touroica was about, If you want a concours and swap meet event, Bob's Big Shoe in July up in North Bend, WA checks the boxes, and there's no registration fee.

FML123

WHAT?! No Concourse or Swap?!

mech986 

yes, Bob posted this on a couple of his and Steel is Real! FB pages. It is a shame and I am getting more pessimistic about the organization and management of the event. I do not know if use of the Pinedorado grounds where the event was held last is in jeopardy, or putting these two parts of the program are just too hard for the Italian organizers. The concours and swap meet, IMO, are a big part of the event for many people and, IMO, are not particularly hard to organize IF people on this side (US) were allowed to assist and help. The Money parts of registration and management of space and time are the parts that need help, plus of course, the judges and any “prizes” better than simple certificates.

here’s my info that I wrote in a message to a vintage friend:

Yeah, this info from Bob Freitas, who managed the concours the last few events as a volunteer, done as well as could be managed, last one on short notice too, posted in a couple of FB pages. AFAIK, as of May 1, all gleaned from 1 call I made to the Piedras Blancas lighthouse management and their event coordinator, Eroica had not submitted any permit applications to use Piedras Blancas Lighthouse grounds either. There are specific requirements that PBL said had to be met before they would allow Eroica to use it:

200 person limit at any time, requested detailed plans on how to meet that - ex. staggered starts and arrivals, need extra Porta-Potties on site paid for and used, sufficient bike racks (estimated at 20-25 racks holding 8-10 bikes each, this is costly to rent, transport and store, plus setup and breakdown) to ensure most all bikes do not get laid onto sensitive foliage, trash, food and crowd management including staff / volunteers to do so, paid rental of site, a percentage of registration that will use the site and short ride to cover for staff and PBL’s mission, insurance to indemnify PBL, a conservation message in any promotional materials using the PBL name, and explicit instructions and agreement that all riders on this route acknowledge the rules governing use of the site, etc.

And that’s all I can remember but I know there is more. I have the permitting application in hand but of course I have no representative power for Eroica, no budget, no estimate of previous # of riders, no estimate of current # of riders, no email list to contact and have riders sign agreements, etc. plus no assurance of manpower, vehicles, etc. I’m pretty sure I could figure out who in Central California could supply bike racks, but pickup or delivery, storage, transport, setup, management, breakdown and return are issues. Same goes for PortaPotties, Any food, water, to be provided plus personnel.

PBL were burned the last two times before 2022 and 2022 didn't help either.”

I do not have high hopes for the success or even happening of the event in September. I just don't understand why Amadeo and the Italian organizer can't allow others to help on this side, plus the issue of costs, budget, and organizing..

mech986 

yes, if the registration for the concours, swap meet, vendors, etc. had been opened, there would have been check boxes/links to pay fees for each. concours and display classes had fees, IIRC, $25-35/bike. A potentially decent revenue stream even with the limited numbers and space, I think 3 concours classes something like before 1960, 60’s-70’s, and 80’s. Display was just that, any bike you wish to display but not be judged. Everyone must bring their own bike stand.

Given 25-30 bikes (could be lots more like 50/class) that would be say with Avg $30 - 30 bikes = 120 x $30 = $3600, 50/class or 200 bikes total as space permits, $6000. Certainly more than enough to pay an honorarium to judges and nice class winner’s prizes (even sourced from local Cambria vendors who donate prizes.

But judging 120-150 bikes could be way too tough and time consuming.

I absolutely agree that the concours was a fabulous event and a great way to meet and talk to the owners and other riders.

ironically, careful what you wish for. The spread at Cayucos for all of the medium and long riders (I’d estimate 200-250 riders?) was fabulous and the folks at the Sea Shanty have always done a great great job, even though some wondered (not me!) why serve shrimp cocktail, salmon, antipasto meats around mozzarella cheese, seared Ahi, chocolate covered strawberries, cold cuts and cheese trays, mini-quiches, Turkey croissants (bagged so I took two to go), plus packaged Kind bars, trail mix, crackers and fruit chews, plus plenty of water - but some riders complained there was NO COFFEE! And yes, public restrooms and the Cayucos pier to check out before heading off to Santa Rita climb.


Strawberries, chocolate covered strawberries, sliced oranges, seafood protein platter plus pickles, olives and beets.


Cold cuts / antipasto and cheeses, view of the seafood protein platter

Packaged snacks

Quiche and Turkey croissant sandwiches

I tell you, part of my solution for Piedras Blancas route is to have people sign up to short route Cayucos, leaving at 8:30-9:30 staggered and either head north first, exit past Shell station/Windsor, turn back south climb PCH hill, then head south to Cayucos and back 32 miles RT, 1600 ft climb, or climb out on Main Street south, 30 Mile RT, 1400 ft climb, saving and using what is left or another round of Sea Shanty food for another 250+ riders.

Do the same for Piedras Blancas but have those riders (easy ride) just head north out of town, or (harder) climb out on main St. southward past Cambria Grammar School, and onto Main/PCH, then head north down the PCH hill and northward. Also staggered, would delay them for at least 30 minutes more and add 3-4 miles. Food provided more by Cambria vendor like Linn’s and others.