Anyone ride in L'Eroica yesterday?

[cycle_chic]

We drove to Siena yesterday to catch the ride. Beautiful weather. Beautiful bikes. Everyone smiling (mostly). White roads. Wine bottles. Wool jerseys.

I think I might enter the lottery for next year's...

[54ny77]

Wow! That must've been a fun sight to behold.

"We drove to Siena yesterday...." ahh, must be nice to say such a thing! :cool:

[Tim Porter]

I rode it last year. It's soooo worth the trip . . . .

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a583/porterphoto1/file_zps82547606.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/porterphoto1/media/file_zps82547606.jpg.html)

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a583/porterphoto1/file_zps29a679c4.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/porterphoto1/media/file_zps29a679c4.jpg.html)

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a583/porterphoto1/file_zpsf8db272c.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/porterphoto1/media/file_zpsf8db272c.jpg.html)

[jpw]

I rode it last year. It's soooo worth the trip . . . .

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a583/porterphoto1/file_zpsf8db272c.jpg[/URL][/IMG]

is this a pre 1987 Sachs?

[John Price]

Like Tim I rode it last year too. SO want to ride it again. Hopefully can afford to go next year and will get in on the lottery.

John

[Tim Porter]

jpw: Yes, I ordered it from Richard in Chester, CT, in the fall of 1983 and picked it up in March 1984. It was my only bike for almost 20 years. Lotsa miles. Repainted by JB in about 2000. The brazed on cable guides on the top tube had totally rusted off at that point. Great bike and it was fun to restore it a little and make it functional for L'Eroica, gearing and brake-wise. Tim

Sorry for the thread hijack.

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a583/porterphoto1/file_zps1e6b8733.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/porterphoto1/media/file_zps1e6b8733.jpg.html)

[jpw]

jpw: Yes, I ordered it from Richard in Chester, CT, in the fall of 1983 and picked it up in March 1984. It was my only bike for almost 20 years. Lotsa miles. Repainted by JB in about 2000. The brazed on cable guides on the top tube had totally rusted off at that point. Great bike and it was fun to restore it a little and make it functional for L'Eroica, gearing and brake-wise. Tim

Sorry for the thread hijack.

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a583/porterphoto1/file_zps1e6b8733.jpg (http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/porterphoto1/media/file_zps1e6b8733.jpg.html)

Tim, a nice history, and in this age of 'throw away' nice to see something of use being used and restored and reused....

my equivalent 'history' bike was stolen some time ago sadly. never got it back.

having ridden the event what tire size would you recommend for those roads?

Cheers, Jason.

[Tim Porter]

Thanks, Jason. Sorry to hear your long-time bike got stolen. For L'Eroica, I discovered the Schwalbe Ultremo ZX in 28mm. They fit in my frame/fork (just barely in the front) and they were a perfect combo of control (on the gravel), comfort (on the occasional washboard-y sections) and performance (on the really smooth and fast paved sections). I never measured them, but I suspect they wouldn't quite measure out to 28mm on the old open pro rims I used on my old Campy Record hubs. I think you could run 25mm tires for the ride, but you'd lose a little control on the gravel--some of the descents are a little hairy, i.e., you'd need to creep down them at walking speed really hard on the front brake (and I'm talking about everyone, not just old guys like me). HTH, Tim

[Buzz]

Four of us did. Scenic, challenging and fun event. Weather was looking very iffy. We all got soaked the day before at the flea market. Fortunately we awoke to a beautiful and memorable day. The strade bianche were perfect. Only managed one flat among the four of us.

Doing a ride like this makes you appreciate modern brakes and gearing.

My ipad is making it difficult for me to download more than one photo so here's one that seems to capture the 1960's racer and spirit of the event. He was quite a character. There were more than a few folks dressed in period outfits and riding period bikes. Seems to be a big event with the Brits.

[Buzz]

Wifey with the main L'Eroica guy.

[redir]

I would love to do that some day, looks like a lot of fun.

[rwsaunders]

Four of us did. Scenic, challenging and fun event. Weather was looking very iffy. We all got soaked the day before at the flea market. Fortunately we awoke to a beautiful and memorable day. The strade bianche were perfect. Only managed one flat among the four of us.

Doing a ride like this makes you appreciate modern brakes and gearing.

My ipad is making it difficult for me to download more than one photo so here's one that seems to capture the 1960's racer and spirit of the event. He was quite a character. There were more than a few folks dressed in period outfits and riding period bikes. Seems to be a big event with the Brits.

That photo with the gent and the Bianchi should be someone's avatar...awesome. Thanks for the post.

[Broid]

That looks like a lot of fun!