2014-06-20 to 22 L'Eroica Britannia

What's an osgear?

There's a dangly down bit with a teeny tiny sprocket that sits backwards of the chainring. Dunno why.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/29051501@N08/14321882240/in/set-72157645370333785

I've also posted some pics on the internet.

I had such an amazing time!! I'm really chuffed that I got to participate in the first of a really great event. So thanks to Nic for coming up with the crazy idea of building two bikes for this "thing" that sounded cool.
I was nervous that the bike I had spent months collecting parts and building was going for it's first proper run, over proper hills.
I'm no where near a bike mechanic so I had a bike doctor take a look over the build on the wednesday before, and he seemed to think everything was fine. He was crushing a lot on my bar-wrapping skillz which was a nice compliment. Years of playing tennis helps!

So the 1971 Magenta Mercian steed, it stood up well and I didn't walk ANY hills! For that, I have to thank my mega-range modern hack 34T gear. Not really period-correct? Whatever, I made the hills!
Ride highlights were:
the tunnels and the old rail lines, just lovely!
That bridge coming out of the tunnel, amazing.
Riding with Nic, it's always nice!
Those descents were incredible, some a bit dicey, getting into the drops, testing my brakes out, fun.

I really enjoyed the festival atmosphere and general friendliness from everyone...and there was so much on, not just for bike pervs like me.
It was well organised and registration was easy! Organisers, signage, food people, thank you!
All the stall holders were really friendly and I spent way too much money on stuff which I NEED! Like that shiny Lion Bellworks - so nice. And some Caratti gloves which I've owned before, for £5 bargain!
I managed to pick up some cool old Adidas Eddy Merckx shoes, in my tiny UK4 size! Much relief, as my Vans Lo-pro were not really appropriate.

We met a nice man in Derby, Francis, who got the train with us and we rode to Bakewell from Matlock, and then ran into him on the way home at Matlock Station again. It was really great to meet the forumers that we ran into! Hi!
And was lovely to sit and chat with Tony, always full of good stories.

On Sat night, I was sitting on a bench just watching the festival go by and a guy came up and said "is that your bike?" Turns out it was Stefan, the guy who sold my frame to me and so was really happy to see it built up and there at the festival. Cool story bro eh?
(i fixed the seat angle that night!)

I also liked the man who saw my mercian propped up against the film projector hut, stood there for a good 5 mins looking at it, walked away and came back and stared at my bike a bit more. Pervert! But I liked it! I'm proud of my build and hope to get it 100% amazing sometime in the future.

Agreed - the food at the stops were a bit misplaced, for the 55 milers like me. Some salt at the lunchtime stop would have probably helped with the headache had. Unfort I left the nuuns back in the B&B we stayed in and so, I downed the emergency gel and that seemed to sort me out.

The food & drink at the festival was amazing and when I first saw it on Saturday, I had that roast chicken lined up for the post-ride meal!

Oh I got a pic with Luciano!

On the way home on Monday, we decided to stop in Derby so I could bring my Mercian "back home". We went into the shop and chatted to the gents in there and other Eroica Britannia attendees who had the same idea as us.
I had heard about it, but confirmed that unfortunately the fire destroyed all records of my bike so that was sad. I think he said it was an old Strada Speciale with its fast-back seat stay attachment.
I also bought a really nice mercian jumper there which I had saw on a festival-goer on Sunday.

Finally, snaps to the great British weather. You really pulled it out. See you all next year.

Top write up Mands, captured the spirit of the event perfectly

Hi all,

I just posted my write-up for the JerseyPocket blog:
.https://thejerseypocket.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/eroica-britannia-festival-ride-report/

What a fantastic event - hope to see you all next year.

Brilliant event. Great atmosphere. Thousands of like-minded people having a magical time. Challenging route, great weather, fantastic organisation.

What's not to like about all that?

Top writeup hms! Well worth a read peeps.

Tickets now on sale. Buying mine today. If we were organised we would have secured an LFGSS discount, I wouldn't know how to do that. It is £££ (£60 cycling + £60 camping + £15 parking) but looks excellent. Mands - I have only just seen this thread, are you going again? I now need to build something....

that pricing is a joke but it will still be great am sure, i'll be there with work so just need to decide whether to camp or seek alternative accommodation - any tips?

Ahem. There's a 2015 thread...

AHA! apologies all, thanks Nick.

No worried, see you there!

Mands - I have only just seen this thread, are you going again? I now need to build something....

yeah see you there mate!!!