[Closed] L'Eroica did anyone go?

I'd have gone to that had I known it was on.

Three of my mate are there at the moment. One bike packed up 19 mikes from the end. They don't make them like they used to. 🙄

Was riding past today so went in to see what was going on. Tried really , really hard not to be cynical particularly about the carefully arranged retro clutter in the organiser's marquee. Some nice old bikes, some incredibly expensive new old bikes and loads of 'vintage clothing' as well as tat stalls. Still loads of people were enjoying it and I am sure the riders had a good time.

I was all up for going until I realised there wasn't a "T" in the word.

I too, stumbled upon the route - and saw about a dozen or so riders around Earl Sterndale then a few more near Whaley Bridge. Don't know how many did the ride(s) as they seemed very strung out and I was out fairly early on. It was quite pricey to ride though, but I think the festival part might have been free, which sounds good and inclusive.

Hope they had a great day. The weather was glorious and you can't really go wrong with the roads we've got round here.

Festival was free so lots of non cyclist walking around enjoying it too.

A mate went over on Friday and said the festival was great. I very nearly volunteered to marshall, kicking myself I didn't now.

A mate offered me his dad's old pre '87 bike to ride it on. I know it's definitely pre'87 cos it was the first proper road bike I ever tried, when we were at school, around about 1985.....

Ride entry was limited to 2,000.

I was going to go until I realised it was the same weekend as Mountain Mayhem.

They should have opened it out to modern bikes to like they do in that Italy, Ida been there then.
Hope they enjoyed it, cracking weekend for it innit 😀

I really fancied this when it popped up some time back. Then I read the website, it was so market orientated it put me off entering, so I didn't. I'll hang on until I can get over to the real one.

My dad rode the short route today. Had a jolly good time by all accounts.

Shame, oldgit. We went as spectators and loved it. SO much that I'm looking for a suitable bike for next year.

I did chat to someone who'd busked it on a Pashley Guv'nor, can't see the Italians letting that happen...

we popped along to Bakewell yesterday to have a look around, entry was free. We sat in the deckchairs, and listened to the Chesterfield Coliery brass band, who were great, and free. Then, for free, we had a poke around some bike stands and stuff, looking at lovely old bikes and things, then had some great reasonably priced food.

It was ace.

Today, we went out on our road bikes, and happened to overlap (going the other way) with the 'eroica route, we saw hundreds of happy people pootling along quiet lanes in the sunshine, through the most beautiful landscape in the world, on bikes older than they were.

in Eyam, there were lots of people out to watch, and cake stands and food for the cyclists. a few bands playing - just locals i guess who'd thought they'd join in the mood.

overall, there was a hint of hipster, a suggestion of steam-punk, a bit of village fete with added oompah-music, a cream tea, and a whiff of gin.

it was all simply marvellous.

(even saw a raleigh chopper!)

Shame, oldgit. We went as spectators and loved it. SO much that I'm looking for a suitable bike for next year.

I did chat to someone who'd busked it on a Pashley Guv'nor, can't see the Italians letting that happen...

Yes sounds better than the dreadful site suggested it might be. The site talked about target customers, perhaps it was for the trade? As for the Guv'nors some guys did ride them, possibly Rapha? on fake bikes and fake retro look gear. For the new doing it along with the old, but guys in goggles flats caps and riding looky likey bikes is a bit naff.
If it's on next year I'll be right up there, got a nice pristine 1982 E W Hannington that meets the requirements

Hi,

I called in today on my way out for a ride, I could be cynical about the commercial side of things, however, it looking to be a fun filled cycling oriented event, free to enter, loads to see and do, all in all great for cycling, great for the area...here's looking forward to next year....;)

Red

Ps....got chatting to Tim who runs Sword Cycles, he seemed to break the rich Londoner mould, dead nice fella, no hard sell and a seemingly good pedigree behind his work, ex of Mercian in Derby, local too...only based in Ashbourne....

http://swordcycles.co.uk/about/

It's the first time I met him today, but happy to plug, make your own mind up, I've no connection with him..;)

Red

Yes it was blinding ... Great route(100 miler) loved the long off road limestone sections(Italian) esque .. Tough loop but that was kinda the point.. Yes lots of folks kicking around dressed to the nines in tweed etc but it all added to the fun vibe for me 🙂

Really glad I went it was unique and break from the norm .. Met some colourful people and lots of folks from around the world added to the feel 8)

I went on Saturday, very impressed with everything about the festival, cost me £4 to park my car and £2 for a sausage butty, spent the afternoon swooning over the bikes from my youth and wondering why I threw all my old knackered stuff away

serious lack of Huret derailleurs though, everyone seemed to be on Campag, with the odd Simplex thrown in 🙂

...wondering why I threw all my old knackered stuff away

stevemakin....this is just a guess, but could it have been because it was all old and knackered..;)

Red

I think the new Pashleys should be allowed to ride, maybe in a different class - they're a damned sight harder to ride than the tricked up Record Aces and Colnagos, and much more like the heroic era bikes.

Someone told me 3 guys from Brazil flew over did a tour of the Pashley factory, bought 3 guvnors and 3 Bromptons then rode the event. Urban myth?

I rode through Bakewell on saturday. Felt quite out of place riding a modern bike and not wearing my sister's rolled up jeans and a natty retro cycle cap.

Also did the 100 mile loop. All the food stops were well stocked up and everyone was happy to chat on the way round. Not sure how I would have felt about riding down the Cromford inclines if I had a super rare Italian road bike but kudos to those that did. Agree with the comment about the around the world feel. It was slightly surreal riding along Peak roads with people talking different languages around you.

[quote=Onzadog dijo]I was all up for going until I realised there wasn't a "T" in the word.

t'eroica's in yaaarksher, mate 😉

Took my kids and had a lovely afternoon in the sunshine. I'm tempted to ride it next year.

Some guys I know went, really enjoyed it. Most of them have done the "real" Eroica so reasonably well placed to comment 🙂

Might have a crack myself next year if it's on again

[img] https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/j89_GiyXAGgb8A4SDEfEeOdiJ4Bt0Rgns2Lrh_ocIWk=w808-h606-no [/img]

Fantastic event. I can't imagine how much effort went into setting it all up. It felt like a long established fixture rather than a first go.

My Harry Hall did me proud and my green city of Sheffield cycling top seemed to be well admired.

I'm definitely not as manly as the old boys, I missed my compact chainset!

As it was local I had a trip , I thought it was really interesting hopefully they will be back in 2015

OK, my bad. There's an allowance for the Pashleys.

Steel-frame bicycles, of new construction but with vintage characteristics, may be used (but joints must be brazed
in construction) and they must be assembled using vintage components (gear levers, handlebars, pedals, etc).

Quite right too, IMO.

Giving how well it was received, the weather making it extra nice....I was told the organisors had taken a 5 yr option to run the event, so fingers crossed it will be continued to be supported..;)

Ps...it's in Derbyshire not Yorkshire, though It does dip it's toe into Gods own country..:)

A wonderful event, a group of us did the 55 and the 30 on our Guvnors, we did actually contact the organisers prior to the event and received the thumbs up. We even got our own paragraph in the rules.

Three blokes (importers/resellers)did come over from Brazil with the intention of riding then selling the bikes "as rode at"

I've never seen so many curly stayed Hetchins, I think a few London types were a little surprised at the difference between a southern hill and northern hill.

I've been told over 30,000 people attended the event over the weekend, that's got to be good for cycling?

Walking around Bakewell with lots of pretty skinny bikes was a positive joy.

Oh and finally, times were not even mentioned.

Was there not a bloke with a HUGE moustache timing you all on a fob watch?

If it's not chalked on the blackboard, it didn't happen(/naff Strava reference)