Are Retro Tours too short?

[Johnsqual]

Hello,

I'd like to try some of the other retro tours around Europe besides L'Eroica and the Retro Ronde, but most of them seem very short.

Only L'Eroica at 205 km is really comparable to a normal cyclo, most of the others are maximum 100km or less.

Does anyone else find this a bit too short? It seems a shame to go all the way to Italy/Spain/France just to ride 100km or even 85km.

The only options seem to be to either ride modern sportives, in which case you lose the distinctive atmosphere of the retro tours, or maybe to ride around the retro courses twice (which seems a bit absurd, but if you're not familiar with the area already it might be ok).

Any thoughts?

Johnny

 

[328isport]

I tend to just go for 'modern' sportives, you still get all sorts at these events not just modern bikes and personally I prefer the variety. The reason for the shorter distances for retro bikes could well be down to what people want and the feedback the organisers get.

I'd assume the average age might be a little higher than on the regular sportives not to mention I expect many retro bikes don't come out for anything other than the odd organised ride, and some may not find 100 mile plus rides on a retro all that comfortable.

If big rides are your thing then you probably need to open up your search to regular sportives and the like also.

 

[Deleted member 24574]

I wouldn't bother travelling to en event of less than 100 miles ...

 

[Johnsqual]

I tend to just go for 'modern' sportives, you still get all sorts at these events not just modern bikes and personally I prefer the variety. The reason for the shorter distances for retro bikes could well be down to what people want and the feedback the organisers get.

I'd assume the average age might be a little higher than on the regular sportives not to mention I expect many retro bikes don't come out for anything other than the odd organised ride, and some may not find 100 mile plus rides on a retro all that comfortable.

If big rides are your thing then you probably need to open up your search to regular sportives and the like also.

All very good points. It's funny how different cyclos can have completely different atmospheres. For example the RVV cyclo is much more of a party, almost carnival atmosphere, with all different ages and abilities, whereas Liege-Bastogne-Liege is arguably a more serious affair, and with lots and lots of Dutch people for whatever reason.

The other reason I like retro rides is that they generally include more off road/semi-paved/cobblestone sectors. I really enjoy this, it adds a somewhat more technical aspect to riding and the different sectors all have their own distinctive character. It breaks the monotony of riding on the road.

Apart from the retro rides and the Flemish cobbled classics, I don't know what other non-retro sportives offer this kind of riding - maybe the Tour of Lombardy (doesn't that go over some strade bianche?) or things like 3 Peaks cyclocross?

Johnny