non-fixie 

Yes. That mature, yet hip and handsome man, that's me.

Thalia949

I really enjoyed this years event - far more than the previous one I attended. I rode both days, while Saturday was a little wet in the morning, once the sun came out, it was great. Sunday was a lot of fun - rode the short route and spent time meeting people and enjoying the countryside.

On Saturday as I was ham fisting one of the Strade Bianchi sections outside of Arezzo, a rider blew by me at the speed of light. Saw that same rider leaving Arezzo - it was Damiano Cunego. Impressive to see how fast a pro rider did it, likely at a relaxed pace.

My Merckx did great - four Eroicas without a flat or mechanical.

Thalia949

A few more pics

Top of Monte Sante Marie

Curved stay Hetchins

On my way out Sunday

Rental bikes

Better shot of the Hutchins. Owned by a member of London Cicli Artignale

Vintage bus

Berruti Memorial

Joked about this being the sag truck

non-fixie 

I was half expecting to see myself in your pictures, as we've apparently been looking at the same things.

Thalia949

Very well said merziac . The level of passione is different in Italy about cycling. It shows at this event. Major highways are closed in support. A number of small villages support the participants. People are on the course cheering the riders.

On the roads, no drama with sharing the roads. Participants span a broader demographic.

it makes L’Eroica a very enjoyable event. An event that is more than the ride or the bikes.

Thalia949

You may have been in some pics! Next year we will have to meet!

Dan Chase

Hi Guys, I`m booking in for next years Gaiole L`eroica - I`m going with a couple of buddies - any recommendations on where to stay? Hotel or maybe villa but want to be near the action, Dan.

Thalia949

Gaiole doesn't have a lot of options. The closest Hotel is Castello di Spaltenna. It usually sells out, it is 500 metres from the start. Castello di Meleto is close enough to ride in, maybe 3K, and has rooms and apts. Radda in Chianti has a number of hotels and inns, that is about 6K out.

Hope this helps

non-fixie 

Another option in town is the Cavarchino B&B. Lovely, but even harder to get into than the Castello di Spaltenna during that weekend. This year mrs non-fixie and I stayed at the Agriturismo San Sano, and drove and rode to Gaiole.

strathconaman

This event is a bucket list one for me. But let me ask a question.

If I have a mid-80s bike that otherwise meets the technical requirements, but also has s&s couplers, are they going to allow it? Or will the carbonari going to haul me away?

P!N20

That's a tough one. As the regulations are silent on S&S couplers, they should be OK. However there is the catch all clause; "steel framed bikes of new or recent construction with vintage look and characteristics" - S&S couplers aren't really the look or characteristic of vintage bikes.

But I've never participated, interested to hear what the experts think.

Here's a blog post where someone rode a bike with S&S couplers in L'Eroica: https://web.archive.org/web/20131023...n-for-leroica/

non-fixie 

If the bike looks the part, you're dressed up in your vintage wool jersey and shorts, a nice casquette, and wearing a big smile, they'll be just a happy as you that you're there.

strathconaman

Thanks for the sleuthing.
If they let that saddle bag in, S&S couplers shouldn't be a problem.