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So the Carlton was finished in time for l'Eroica and performed beautifully. There's still a bit of work to do on the polishing of the wheel rims etc, but overall it came out great.

The only problem in pre-Eroica testing was the brake levers. I'd fitted some Weinmanns with black hoods that I'd picked up from a bike jumble, but my wife just couldn't get enough pressure on them to make braking comfortable or particularly effective (!).

In the end I refitted the original Weinmanns with suicide levers that came with the bike in the hope that she would find these easier, particularly on the steep descents on the strade. This turned out to be the best solution we could hope for because she said at the end of l'Eroica she wouldn't have made it without that option. It meant refitting the Brooks bar tape though, which is a monumental pain in the ass as anyone who's used leather bar tape will know.

The finishing touches were a Brooks saddle and bag combo, which like a chump, I left at home when I packed her bike bag for Italy - doh! I also added a nice chrome pump.

I'll try and take some better pictures at some point. All in all though she loves it, which makes it the perfect project for me.

Just got back home after yet another hugely enjoyable l'Eroica.

Having done the 135km the last two years I did the 75km with the Mrs and really enjoyed it. The only downside was being penned in the high street at Gaoile for the start, which took until post 9am to get through. The result was a godawful bunfight on the Brolio. I endured it because Wifey wanted to get her card stamped, but if we return next year, I'll register us for the 135km, set off earlier and head off on the 75km at Pianella to enjoy the Strade in blissful isolation. Bollocks to the card stamping.

Still, a great day, particularly the 'look' Jayne gave me half way up the hill from Panzano which said: "why the fuck are we doing this?" All forgotten at the end though as we celebrated in the queue at the end with beers.

Our bikes performed with aplomb, particularly her 70s/80s Carlton Courette See update in Current Projects. The only problem was that yours truly was so intent on protecting her brand new Brooks saddle and bag I wrapped it in bubblewrap and left it on the garage workbench at home. I was so fucking annoyed with myself when I realised the cockup Jayne actually took pity on me instead of giving me an earful.

So a trip to the bike mart in Gaoile yielded a new seat post and black rolls saddle for €50. I was glad to get off that lightly as she had her eye on a NOS leather Rolls, which would have been considerably more.

My 1980 Peugeot PXN10 Super Competition also proved up the challenge and I saw a couple of others kicking about amidst the Colnagos, Mosers etc.

For parking there's a field, which is pretty handy. Head right up into Gaoile and then hang a right when you start to see barriers. Take another right and then the field is up on the RHS.