#61
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Anyone who thinks this event is a bunch of nerd re-enactment BS should check this video out (not mine).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLO1EwKxP68# Go try 208km/13,000ft of that on any bike you want. It is a real test........made significantly more difficult by using an old bike. Damn near killed me. |
#62
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It reminds me of what mom used to say--"Anything I can remember using on a daily basis is not an antique!" Although I was grumbling about the artificiality of the equipment guidelines, I would love to ride the event. |
#63
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I don't see the equipment guidelines as artificial at all - I see it as integral of, and sustaining to, the vibe of the whole event and experience. It is emblematic to who and what they are. And I agree with what that might stand for and that they should hang onto that vibe even if it makes no sense and seen as antediluvian or as silly nostalgia to anyone else. The thought the crossed my mind about opposing camps and criticism of Eroica was the identity and identification with objects that captured not just a point in time but also of a mindset that went with it. And with that came a loyalty, familiarity and comfort. And the historic event that came to mind reflecting that clash was Dylan going electric at the Newport Folk Festival - for some a betrayal in that step from a Martin to a Stratocaster. |
#64
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The last time I checked the rules for L'Eroica, the cutoff date for the bikes was 1984. Now I look and it is 1987?
That made real sense with respect to the requirements of no aero-style brake levers and no clipless pedals (with an "more power to ya" allowance for the original clipless Cinelli M71). But by 1987 Campagnolo C-Record was a thing and had been for a couple of years. Aero was in. 1987 represents a time when the horse was not only escaped from the barn but up to speed and out the gate into the open fields. What possessed them to change from 1984 to 1987? Boo. I am also not a fan of allowing vintage-style modern frames. I am normally in the minority when it comes to this but to me, that's missing the point. I thought the idea was a collector's ride where originality matters. Just as in the vintage car racing world, I believe recreations, continuations, and "tribute" cars are missing the point and should be disallowed.
__________________
-STEFAN BUY FROM YOUR LBS or from Paceline members |
#65
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Ha! That's great. Agreed 100%.
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#66
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#67
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unfortunately, the bikes in my stable that I consider 'vintage' aren't really old enough.
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#68
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Eroica is what it is (or was what it was, at least). Like most hip things -- think Burning Man, SxSW, riding fixies, etc -- it was done in somewhat by its own popularity and the rush of companies looking to capitalize on its cool factor. I still think Eroica is cool and is likely to remain that way, mostly I think because it will always be populated (for the most part) by old bike geeks riding old bikes (most folks riding new iron -- err... carbon -- aren't going to spring for a $5k bike just to use it once or twice a year), but it's not as cool as it used to be when there was just one Eroica in Gaiole. OTOH, SxSW and Burning Man require little more than a plane ticket to attend. Riding fixies? Hey, I ride one. It can't possibly be cool anymore. |
#69
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It's funny...I used a Ercoia style bike...my old super record equipped Bianchi until 2003.
It really didn't feel.like an antique. |
#70
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not every blog post makes it over the bar.
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#71
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Right.
Real enough to deserve respect. Look, the event offers plenty for everybody. If you are old, fat, out of shape, and just want to dress up and enjoy the day, your pretty old bike, and relive your past as best you can, they offer that. If you are full of yourself and looking to prove something to yourself or others, well they offer a course that would challenge any pro. Ride it as fast as you are able and see how you do.....plenty of people do. The stated goals of the ride, as I understand them, are to challenge yourself and gain some appreciation for what riders before you experienced. If you don't care about the latter, fine, but why turn it into a reason to ridicule the whole event. No reason to hate. Move on. |
#72
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#73
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#74
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#75
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So is dressing up in your favorite current team's jersey.
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It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that certain je ne sais quoi. --Peter Schickele |
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