l'eroica pedals

[Deleted member 24574]

l'eroica should give up. It's an event about what old bikes the organizers prefer in the present day, rather than what people actually had in real life at the time. It's the Disneyland version.

I guess if you feel that way then the solution is simple; don't go ...

 

[Johnsqual]

Re:

It seems like anything relating to l'Eroica is a bit of a hornet's nest on here lately... :evil:

I get the impression that the real Eroica was mainly inspired by the true classic period of Italian cycling, from just before WW2 to the end of the 1960s, maybe into the 1970s. The heroes are people like Coppi and Bartali.

It seems like bike technology didn't evolve that much from the 1950's up to the 70's. See for example Campagnolo's derailleurs, which were pretty much based on the Gran Sport design up to the end of the 1970s.

So if you're riding a mid-1970s bike, it's really not that much different from what the guys from the classical period were riding:
toe clips, down tube or bar end shifters, friction shifting, non-aero brake cable routing etc.

By the 1980's, technology suddenly took various leaps forward. But as we've seen from the discussions, it's impossible to pin down precisely when any given change took over.

But I get the feeling that they wanted to try to recreate the real classical period feel of cycling without imposing the unrealistic rule that only pre-1970s bikes ware allowed.

 

[Ian Raleigh]

The rules exist to preserve the spirit and appearance of the event, clip pedals are an obvious visual cue that a bike is old.

Of course early clipless pedals are period correct but it's not about that it is about the look, feel and spirit of the era ... The whole point of going to the event is to indulge in that ...

The look, feel and spirit of what era? l'eroica has everything from the invention of bikes until 1987. Except some of the things that were there before 1987 are banned in an arbitrary fashion. Clever that. :roll:

Saying that things can be "period correct" but not fit the "look, feel and spirit" is the biggest oxymoron, serving the defence of an imaginary version of cycling instead of the real thing.

It's a bit like banning anyone wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt from an 80s club because you blinkered yourself into only hanging out with people who preferred the likes of Depeche Mode.

l'eroica should give up. It's an event about what old bikes the organizers prefer in the present day, rather than what people actually had in real life at the time. It's the Disneyland version.

For once Bats I fully agree with you :shock:

Some chaps who went on the l'erocia ride they quote.. ''its a retro version of a modern day sportive and this reflected on the price of the event too''

What was the price anyway for this event ? just like to compare it to a VCC ride or an Audax!

 

[Apple Tree]

Gee Whiz ! I remember all the arguments on this Forum in the months leading up to L'Eroica Brittania (and contributed to a few of them) and now here we are a month after the Event and we are are already setting off the arguments again ready for next year !
I agree completely with Montello's posts (as I did before) that people need to buy into the spirit and ethos of the Event and trying to shoe horn in a bike or component that just happened to be first available just before the cut off is totally missing the point. Old bikes of the 50s, 60's, 70's are not as convenient to ride as a modern machine; why expect them to be ? So you are going to suffer a bit riding pedals, gears, saddles that are old style. Do you want to be called a Hero for nothing ? You want convenience and all the modern bike attributes then go ride your Sportive, L'Eroica is not for you.
A good post from Johnsqual above which sets out the position of the Organiser's as I would understand it. I would just comment that I am not sure why it is unrealistic to set an earlier cut off period. I thought 1987 too generous and was slightly disappointed that most bikes on the rides seemed a bit too modern to my eyes.

 

[Ian Raleigh]

I'd never ride a sportive! Full of newbies who have watched too much modern racing and an empty cheque book, yet have no idea how to ride in a group.

 

[Apple Tree]

What was the price anyway for this event ? just like to compare it to a VCC ride or an Audax!
Oh here we go again about the price ! Just to remind every one who did not go, but is still an expert on L'Eroica Brittania, the price was not just for the ride but a three day festival, free camping, live music, trade stalls, films, generous goody bag and a wonderful retro bicycle atmosphere. Oh, you just wanted the ride ? Tough; get over it !

 

[Deleted member 24574]

Some chaps who went on the l'erocia ride they quote.. ''its a retro version of a modern day sportive and this reflected on the price of the event too''

It was nothing like that but if that is what you want to believe then stay away ...

I don't understand why people get so upperty about this event on here; it is clear what the organisers are seeking to achieve ... if that is not your cup of tea why so bitter about trying to change the brew? Just stay away and leave it to those who wish to enjoy the party.

 

[Ian Raleigh]

Oh here we go again about the price ! Just to remind every one who did not go, but is still an expert on L'Eroica Brittania, the price was not just for the ride but a three day festival, free camping, live music, trade stalls, films, generous goody bag and a wonderful retro bicycle atmosphere. Oh, you just wanted the ride ? Tough; get over it !

Aup pal!!

For your info' I thought this was just a one day event, so unaware of the other stuff which went off.

So you are trying to imply ''I'm an expect on l'roica'' Which I'm not! Tough; get over it !

 

[Deleted member 24574]

Oh here we go again about the price ! Just to remind every one who did not go, but is still an expert on L'Eroica Brittania, the price was not just for the ride but a three day festival, free camping, live music, trade stalls, films, generous goody bag and a wonderful retro bicycle atmosphere. Oh, you just wanted the ride ? Tough; get over it !

Aup pal!!

For your info' I thought this was just a one day event, so unaware of the other stuff which went off.

So you are trying to imply ''I'm an expect on l'roica'' Which I'm not! Tough; get over it !

The Britannia version is a 3 day festival; the Italian original, which I have yet to do, is a one day ride but with plenty of activity in the town that weekend.

There was plenty of discussion about the scope of the UK event when everyone was bitching about the price so I am surprised you didn't realise it was a 3 day festival ...

 

[Ian Raleigh]

.There was plenty of discussion about the scope of the UK event when everyone was bitching about the price so I am surprised you didn't realise it was a 3 day festival ...

Can't be everywhere mate and can honestly say I was unaware of it being three days, until a friend told me I should have gone to it over the weekend! The weekend I said? He just went with a tent and never rode but just oggled the old stuff and spent near on a thousand pounds on stuff.