Eroica California 2019

[mtechnica]

It is almost upon us. Are you going? Is your bike ready to go? Are you in shape??

I will be attending and riding a 1985 Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra of the 56cm variety, sporting most of a Dura Ace 7400 series group - running as 8 speed with 39/53 11-28 gears and shifters that only work in indexed mode (). Some non 7400 Dura Ace parts in there such as the seatpost, shifters, and hubs. 25c continental GP classic tires.
I've been trying to ride it as much as possible to get it dialed in and it's there, but I still haven't attempted to ride it with the toe clips - which I'm slightly concerned about since I'm probably going to wear SPD shoes with the cleat removed

[dancinkozmo]

lovely bike !

[Jeckel30]

Looks great!

[mhespenheide]

I'm definitely going, but I'm not sure which bike I'm bringing yet. My mechanic swears the Bianchi will be ready in time, but I haven't seen any progress on it... So I might be building up my backup Trek in the evenings next week!

I'm camping Saturday night at San Simeon state park if anyone wants to join me. Although they announced free camping recently, a couple months after I reserved the San Simeon site.

[David Benson]

Im riding Nova Eroica on Saturday, and the short course Sunday

[rccardr]

I'm in for my fourth time, riding a Davidson. Hoping to do the long route this year but if I can't shake this head cold, will do the Coastal instead.



Curious about which non-DA indexed shifters you're using on your Merckx that work well with a 740X RD.

[Spaghetti Legs]

Very nice. I dig the brown Flite saddle. Make sure you cough every time you change gears so nobody hears the clicks.

I’ll be there on my ‘84-‘85 Moser. I put a cheater compact crank on this year as the hard climbs are later in the ride and my fitness is suspect.

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by Spaghetti Legs

Very nice. I dig the brown Flite saddle. Make sure you cough every time you change gears so nobody hears the clicks.

I’ll be there on my ‘84-‘85 Moser. I put a cheater compact crank on this year as the hard climbs are later in the ride and my fitness is suspect.

Are those cranks the IRD defiant?

[ultraman6970]

always been cururious about these rides.

There is a year in specific about how modern the components can be?

Whats about clothing?? To find old shorts and jerseys is not like a problem but vintage shoes are really hard to find now a days.

[David Benson]

Originally Posted by ultraman6970

always been cururious about these rides.

There is a year in specific about how modern the components can be?

Whats about clothing?? To find old shorts and jerseys is not like a problem but vintage shoes are really hard to find now a days.

Your bike should be pre 1987, with toeclip pedals, downtube or barend shifters and exposed brake cables. I think that Eroica California makes an exception for the brake cables.

While decent vintage shoes are thin in the ground, its not hard to find slotted cleats that attach to 3-bolt Look-compatible soles.
I have a pair of Dromarti race shoes with Shimano SH-SM31 cleats for vintage cosplay

[velomateo]

I’ll be there with my Serotta Colorado, doing the long route. I’m running a Dura Ace 7400 group with 53/39 and an 8 speed cassette. I’ve been trying to ride this bike as much as possible over the last few weeks, making sure it’s all sorted. I put the pedals on last week and there’s nothing like stepping back to the past to make you appreciate the present. I find the Dura Ace pedals a bit more fussy to get in to, compared to my Campy pedals. I’m sure I’ll get it down as the day goes on. Fitness seems pretty good, I do have some concerns about how the course is this year, with some very challenging climbs near the back end of the day.

[Steve in SLO]

I am local to these roads. Your most challenging portion is likely to be the final climb on Santa Rosa Creek Road. It is between a quarter and half-mile but very steep – our local cardiac hill. Being that you have already ridden almost 100 miles by then, it’s going to be a doozy.
The good news is that after that it is all downhill into Cambria. There are two switchbacks that you need to watch for and brake long before you get to them. They are very steep and tight and off camber. Not the easiest for descending after you are already gassed.
Have fun!

[cgolvin]

I'll be there on my '78 Gios, doing the Scalatore with my brother on his '72 Masi GC. Like Spaghetti Legs, I've reluctantly replaced my pantographed 52/42 Nuovo Record cranks with a compact; will also be sporting newly OP-built tubular rims on my NR hubs. If things work out and I'm able to connect with Professor Hespenheide in advance, I'll be kitted out in a Brooklyn jersey. And regarding shoes? Mid 70's Detto Pietros, much the worse for 40 years of wear but still functional.

As documented in a separate thread, I'm awaiting delivery on a pair of short-reach caliper arms that will replace the mid-reach ones currently mounted. I had hoped to get them over the weekend and do a shakedown ride, now have fingers crossed that I can at least do one before driving up Saturday morning.

For those who have attended previously: do they sell the Eroica kit at the Saturday swap meet? I was going to buy a pair of Santini wool shorts but by the time I got to it the shipping window was too tight. Also will be on the lookout for a 6 or 7 speed freewheel with a 26 big cog, or possibly an early 80s SR RD.

Hope to see you all on the road.

[Spaghetti Legs]

Oh yeah there will be Eroica kit for sale. Last year I came *this* close to buying the full faux denim Carrera team kit and if it’s there this year, I might not be able to resist.

[Waldo]

Pssst, at Eroica-CA, no one cares if you use clips/straps or clipless. I rode my 1975 Masi Gran Criterium with SPDs last year. A well-known frame builder was on SPDs also. So were countless others. When your lowest gear is 42x28 and you hit a rocky 15% dirt road and you have to get off the bike and push uphill, you'll be grateful that you're wearing walkable shoes and don't have to undo your straps.