L'eroica 2012

I checked - no veronica on the starting sheet - which can only be a relief.
3898 for me

Hey Northern Graeme I would love to see you again. After the Calshot disaster!

On another note, The forecast doesn't look good :(

Where did you get the forecast from Tika?

I've been looking at this one:
http://www.foreca.co.uk/Italy/Gaiole_in_Chianti?tenday

Rain forecast for the next few days but then it will clear up by the middle of next week. Fingers crossed they've got it right!

i was looking at accuweather

i like yours more!

someone from italy gave me this

http://www.ilmeteo.it/meteo/Gaiole+in+[Chianti](https://www.facebook.com/poggi.delchianti)

it's a week and a half from now! so bollocks forecasts

Is there an idiots guide to this for a first timer wanting to do it next year?

i was looking at accuweather

i like yours more!

someone from italy gave me this

http://www.ilmeteo.it/meteo/Gaiole+in+[Chianti](https://www.facebook.com/poggi.delchianti)

Eeeek I see what you mean!

Peter v is right, the forecasters will hopefully change their minds between now and then.

Period rainwear - or the eternal stench of damp wool.....

On the subject of clothes... I'm struggling for an outfit. I bought some lovely vintage cycling shoes on eBay, but they're a tad small and will hurt like hell if worn for any length of time. I think that shoe sizes must have been smaller back in the day. I also don't have a vintage jersey.

Should I stop worrying as there will hopefully be lots of lovely shoes and jerseys that I can buy at the market the day before. Or, being a petite female, am I going to struggle to find anything that fits? Any advice would be appreciated!

On the subject of clothes... I'm struggling for an outfit. I bought some lovely vintage cycling shoes on eBay, but they're a tad small and will hurt like hell if worn for any length of time. I think that shoe sizes must have been smaller back in the day. I also don't have a vintage jersey.

Should I stop worrying as there will hopefully be lots of lovely shoes and jerseys that I can buy at the market the day before. Or, being a petite female, am I going to struggle to find anything that fits? Any advice would be appreciated!

If you are a small/medium size in clothing your laughing. If your large it starts to get pricey for jerseys especially if your xl then the sky's the limit. There are a few stalls with jerseys and shorts
Regarding shoes there was one stall with lots of shoes but again price depends on size and they are usually race shoes and not touring shoes.
Let me know what your looking for clothes wise as I have quite a few jerseys and shorts etc that I was going to take to sell there.

Thanks JD, it's good to know that small clothing is the most abundant. Ideally I am looking for something that has some white, orange, or kingfisher blue (to match my bike) in it. Definitely short sleeves. I'm a size 8 so really quite small. If you have anything that you think could be suitable then let me know!

If the vintage shoes search doesn't bear fruit do you think I'll be in trouble if I wear pumps?

most likely the Italians will let a lady get away with a lot more than they would any man. as long as you don't screw spd cleats to them you'll be fine I guess

^ That's good to know, in a wrong sort of way. :)

^Shoes I have a few pairs of Vintage leather adidas touring shoes that may work for you.

I'll have a look at the clothing and let you know.

Awesome! I'll PM you....

Just remembered I still have these

http://www.lfgss.com/thread69742.html

Peter V they are wicked!

I just drew around my foot and measured it and it is 23.2 cm. I don't know how much extra space there should be in a shoe but I suspect they're slightly too small. :(

hmm.. well they're not meant for walking so the sole will not be bending much (thus no 'shortening' of the footspace). I can bring them anyway for you to try on, I'll be about 12kms from Gaiole along the SP408. If you want, I'll pm you my mobile number so you can contact me

hey tapsnbath
I went last year and found a nice pair of vintage shoes that were 25 euro. I didn't wear them as I was scared of them hurting my feet as they werent borken into. I wore all stars and by the end of the 205k the pedals were going through my feet. I really love Peter v's one they are pretty special.
There are loads of vintage stuff at the fair.

lets meet up!

Hey Tika, 25 euro is an absolute steal!

Sounds like it will be relatively easy to pick a pair up on arrival, if I don't find anything that fits between now and then. I just ordered a replica vintage jersey online which will hopefully arrive mid week next week, so another box ticked.

We're arriving in Gaiole on Friday so definitely let's meet up! :)

there were new, but I didn't see many small ones though!
I wore a vintage red and yellow that I found on ebay and a pair of rapha shorts that are the ones I like, didn't look very smart! all combined with all star trainers

do you live in cambridge?

Hi Tika, I'm in London! Where are you?

Me too. I thought that you were a lady that I met once in Cambridge

So, less than a week to go.....,!

I will be wearing my Lfgss cap, for identification.....is there a definitive meeting place that we can all find? L'eroica veterans, where do you suggest?
Would it be worth swapping phone numbers via pm?
My plan is to be landing at bologna early afternoon, then driving down in the hire panda the 175kms. I then need to find a base to park and pitch my little bivvi. Any ideas or tips welcomed :0)

I'm off on a final longish training ride today.....look out for me around Epping forest, as I try to conquer a few of the hills there!

Used to live in Florence and, by accidentally seeing this topic, just remembered how much I miss the place and those beautiful roads. You guys are very lucky.