L'eroica 2012

Hello all, firstly great to hear you're on the mend Tika - just met you briefly the night before the ride and was horrible to hear of your accident. Sounds like you were smashing along though and hope to see you out in Gaiole again in the years to come. It was another amazing few days in Tuscany, not much I can say that hasn't been said above but great to meet you all and share the amazing experience that is L'eroica. Spotting someone with a crumpled LFGSS cap in their back pocket and having a nice chat as a result despite the 180k in their legs (only 60k in mine!) is pretty unique and what its all about for me - great to meet you Peter V and a truly heroic time you managed! The Forum takeover of Spaltenna was impressive - As was the effect of Stedlocks magnificent Hetchins on the multi cultural massive of Gaiole, truly something to behold - made one proud to be british! Glad we evaded that nutjob on the plane too. So, see you all next year I hope?

will someone finally tell the story of the in flight entertainment? getting very curious now ;-)

I just started typing it out, but I couldn't make it sound believable!

Tika, so shocked to hear that you crashed, but very relieved to hear that you are ok, and still smiling !! Pat, Tom, Tika, and all the other fab people I met in Bologna Airport, and during the weekend, respect and hugs to all of you...

Hope to see you in London sometime soon..

I will try to post a couple of pics, but only took a few, as I was way too busy enjoying myself..

Rob

Stedlocks- was your's the green beauty with matching bar tape?
And "chapeau" to the mechanic at the bike shop in Gaiole, worked flat out for 2 days before the event, was on the course on Sunday, never seemed to have less than 3 jobs on the go and replaced my derailleur, front mech, straightened my forks and trued my rear wheel (thanks Easyjet) for 10 Euros! Legend.
Passed the ambulance with the guy who died at around 30k, didn't know he'd died 'til later, I was wondering why there were guys sat by the road looking distraught.
RIP dude.
Definitely doing it again- epic.

Just arrived back today,five of us blokes did the 135km and 3 of our spouses did the 75km.
Poor girls were on the spot when Bruno the Italian chap that passed away fell off his bike in front of them.One of the wives ,Claire gave CPR until the ambulance arrived, but it took a while , about 40 mins and they were unable to save him.
He was only 56 years old, he was the guy wearing the hat with fruit and flowers, from the gentemans club of Trieste.

http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2012/10/leroica/

No , mine is the red one with honey brooks......I was told it was better ;0)!

RIP Bruno.......very sad news.

As to the photos.....I've been trying to find my finishing one with no success on the fotoeventi site......anyone help out with a hint as to what page it's on?

I finished about 19.15 ish....... The 205km.....I've found my start one, and another near castelnuovo, but not the one at the end........has anyone else got any decent shots of my bike too?

Still keep boring people Witt the details of the weekend.........!

^ superb photos, wow.

Yikes !

That is a very sad story about the poor chap who died. Big respect to the ladies who tried to save him (as if the ride wasn't hard enough !)

Reading all your experiences is making me very envious but brings back lots of great memories as I did the ride last year.

Tempted to do next year !

Neil
PS my film from last year, if anyone wants to gorge themselves on more Tuscany L'Eroica - YouTube

^ superb photos, wow.

I reckon a Nikon D3s or possible D4 to achieve that quality in such low light.

Neil
PS sorry about re posting my dodgy video, I can't help myself, great memories.

Pat you're on this page, 5th row down-

http://www.fotoeventi.com/Foto.abl?id_puntoFoto=871&pettorale=&descrizioneAtleta=&id_atleta=0&id_gara=108&id_foto=&cmd=search&act=&flgReport=&pageNumber=3&actionPage=Foto.abl&totPageNumber=5&pageRow=50&pageNumberGo=&pageRowB=50&pageNumberGo2=

I imagine the only Usain Bolt-alike of the day... Classic stuff sir!

Ross, you sir, are a fucking star!

I've been looking for hours for that!

That's my wife's Christmas pressie sorted! (Only joking, I wouldn't dare!)

Hi Pat, Alastair here. Got back to Seville last night at midnight, hope you made it back OK.
Glad to see Tika is alright.
I think I left my finishing photo at the bar so will have to buy another one online. I've managed to find several on the website, here's one with both of us at the start. 7th row down http://www.fotoeventi.com/Foto.abl?id_puntoFoto=798&pettorale=&descrizioneAtleta=&id_atleta=0&id_gara=108&id_foto=&cmd=search&act=&flgReport=&pageNumber=4&actionPage=Foto.abl&totPageNumber=8&pageRow=50&pageNumberGo=&pageRowB=50&pageNumberGo2=

We had a trouble free 135k (84 miles approx.) ride. No crashes, no mechanical trouble. We both finished tired, and a bit doubtful about whether we would have managed the longer ride.

I've come home to find there are a lot of jobs that I'm behind with, but when I get time I'll post a proper report and some more pictures

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Nice one Alastair, glad you made it back from your epic journey ok!

Did you leave your diploma there too? You spanner ;0)

I've got 3 of me on there now.....I'll probably buy the jpegs so I can do what I want with them.... Well done, and let me know if you are ever planning a ride over here...we'll have to meet up :0)