L'Eroica 2011

also... the same man with the broken frames rear hub caught on fire!

IMG_3482 by monomaniac(tom), on Flickr

it was a coaster hub and the decents are so big and fast that his hub exploded with heat and oil pressure during a decent. they had to poor wine over it to cool it down. thankfully it was close to the end though so no harm done (until the car door)

We need to think about sending a snatch squad over for that old duffer - we could have him churning out spiffy footwear for forumengers in his twilight years while we reap the lovely dosh!

Erm...

Just how big and how fast are these descents?

And if they are so big, what are the climbs like?

1. tilover (tom)
   
2. sam (my brother)
   
3. mark (non-forumger)
   
4. 105champ (john)
   
5. general lucifer
   
6. juno face
   
7. teddy
   
8. peter v
   
9. aeneas (Charlie)
   
10. JD
    
11. shredder (135km)
    
12. Skully (135km)
    
    

It sounds fun. I'd better start training hard; I'll start choosing Chianti from now on!

Erm...

Just how big and how fast are these descents?

And if they are so big, what are the climbs like?

I'm doing the 205 kms, as is a friend of mine. On that route we will have to conquer 4000 meters height difference in total, partly on about 110 kms of gravel roads, with gradients up to 15%... on old bikes. yay! :)

We need to think about sending a snatch squad over for that old duffer - we could have him churning out spiffy footwear for forumengers in his twilight years while we reap the lovely dosh!

If Tilover or someone can find out who the chap is, I'm happy to look into this as I am based in Begium and very interested in a pair.

Count me in for the 135
Plus my sons
Merlin
Algy
The 205 is horrid did it 2009
135 still gets you going though

Taking
1947 Hetchins
late 50's Woodrup
1957 Newton (of shepherds bush)

am afraid the shoe guy is in Italy and it requires a visit for a full measurement- we could plan a trip together on that weekend?

Just how big and how fast are these descents?

And if they are so big, what are the climbs like?

Lets just say its not the flattest 200k Ive ever done:) Every time theres a chance of taking the flat route, the ever-thoughtful organisers have made sure that you'll be climbing a long steep gravel road instead. Prepare for pain.

The descents are awesome though. And theres plenty of cake and wine to numb the pain. And then theres the grappa..

I immediately had second thoughts about doing the 205Km as soon as I selected it. I think you can specify which on the day though. Hopefully the 205 will serve as a good 'training goal' for me anyway...

Was also wondering how strict the judging is?

I will be taking my refurbished 1976 Bianchi, with Camapg Nuovo Record, the only concession to modernity is that I laced the wheels with Open Pros. Kit wise I have a retro Bianchi top, but I don't have wool shorts or old shoes, but I do have a retro style Campag bib and Vittoria 1976. I figured that should be good, though I am on the look out for old shoes anyway.

Hi, first post from me, I joined the forum to follow this thread

I've entered, and was considering riding my 77 Team Raleigh on fixed but after reading this will probably convert it to gears

This piece of news suggests foreign entries are going fastr with half of the available places taken in the first 24hrs.

yeah, you can run 9 speed and a triple and i would reccomend it - i rode with a guy yesterday on a 78 with that exact setup
i have a 46/52 front end which is just bearable but i am particularly skinny - i will however be buying a much bigger range cassette than last year

and get big tyres, my 36h wheels and 25c snapped 2 spokes form the white roads so will be running a lower pressure 28 or 32 this year

I'm just doing the 135km route but will be doing it on a single-speed. It probably means that I should have my head examined, but I see that all these much older riders have done the full monty on very old ss bikes... Anyone else on here with a damaged brain?

One thing that I learned whilst BMX racing (ages ago) is that when rolling on unpaved surface, it is better to have a wider front tyre in order to minimise the risk of getting the front wheel jammed in the dirt or gravel. (I once installed in front the thinner one meant for the rear and learned a painful lesson. Luckily, I did not crack my collar bone but my arm was immobile for about 20 minutes; I had to walk the rest of the heat just to cross the finish line so I won't be disqualified.) I think that I'll be wearing a knobbier 32 in the front and 28 in the rear. I might even go 35 in the front but not sure.

am afraid the shoe guy is in Italy and it requires a visit for a full measurement- we could plan a trip together on that weekend?

Sounds like a plan, albeit I don't know yet when I'll be arriving on Saturday.

Hi, first post from me, I joined the forum to follow this thread

I've entered, and was considering riding my 77 Team Raleigh on fixed but after reading this will probably convert it to gears

This piece of news suggests foreign entries are going fastr with half of the available places taken in the first 24hrs.

Welcome, windy!

Hopefull we should all be in good time to be accepted, although 500 places does not seem that many.

As for gearing, I would really like to do it with just six gears in total, admittedly with a good range between them. I find my big triple breaks my rhythm too much, and I do get the frame flexing on climbs, sometimes causing a lot of chain rub.

The main thing for me is to lose a stone in weight. It will make a world of difference, I reckon.

Now then. What tyres can be recommended? I'm fancying 32's front and rear, something with a bit of tread.
Suggestions?

I have a 1970's Bob Jackson

and a 1977 (rebadged) Team Raleigh - currently away for another re-spray

I'm constantly fettling, re-speccing and swapping bits around between bikes, but have a few old campag nouvo record and shimano dura-ace bits so could easily knock together a geared 'retro' bike.

I even have some 32C Passellas somwhere in the shed

Pics don't appear to be there - try again

The Bob Jackson

IMG_2683 by windy_, on Flickr

The 'Team Raleigh'

the fixed flyer by windy_, on Flickr

people do it fixed, and old dudes do it on old bikes but the ones who do the full amount on old bikes are ex pro team riders from the 60's and 70's so seriously fit.... if you don't mind walking up some of the climbs you could do it on anything if you are committed so i shouldn't worry too much

and yes, at registration you can change your route - i was down for the 135 last year and did the 38km ( the woman did mock me though)

as for tyres i'm going with 32 paselas if they'll fit. matt - go with the triple - you'll appreciate the granny even if you only use it once on the montelcino climb... i can't wait!!

Right, I'll get a set of Panracer rubber too. They look exactly what I'm after.

The next problem though is wheels. Panracer Paselas are 32's, but my Open Pro rims only go up to 28's!

Fffffuuuuu... Ffffffffuu

They do narrower versions, Luci.

jesus, don't do it fixed. that's madness. it's pleasant-but-challenging enough with gears.

They do narrower versions, Luci.

I really want to do for 32's, but I suppose 28's will have to suffice.

Roll on October!

Was also wondering how strict the judging is?

i rode by someone on a 90s mountainbike with full suspension.

jesus that website is horrid and annoying. uhm. whats... the... date... of the event?

Sunday the 2nd, Teddy.

Shredder added a linky for a pdf download of all sorts of essential info here.

I really want to do for 32's, but I suppose 28's will have to suffice.

Roll on October!

I did it on old 25's with a very old 19mm spare that looked like a tub strapped under the saddle.
Buy the kevlar strips to put inside and make sure you have adequate pressure. And you should be fine.

Oh and for anyone riding tubs the Italians dont know what tub tape is so take plenty.