Eroica Britannia

[Fifthgrace]

Funnily enough, I've just had a reminder from Google photos of the previous times we did EB.
Bakewell was a great location as the trails were lovely limestoney and varied, plus it was centrally located in the UK (and luckily close-by for family to pop along). Shame it's now going to be at the far end of the country.
It was starting to lose its "friendly" nature I felt so maybe it's gone to the best place!

Yes I enjoyed the Bakewell EB event and location too with some good trails as well as roads, riding my Grandis. Goodwood isn't the easiest place to get to agreed. Interesting to see if they apply the rules or "laissez-faire" prevails. The addition of the race circuit might appeal to some.

 

[pigman]

I can't help feeling that it's about time that L'Eroica moves with the times and adds another 10 years to the 1987 cut-off: 1997 would still be retro, so maintaining the look and feel of the event, bring in new riders potentially and it would help preserve the next decade of bikes...what do you think?

Im not sure.
By 97 STI's/Ergos were in, which detract from the simple (and primitive) view

 

[pigman]

Im not sure.
By 97 STI's/Ergos were in, which detract from the simple (and primitive) view

as were cheaper aluminium frames from Taiwan and deeper section wheels. I agree, the 87 cutoff seems about right (although toe clips and straps are a no-no for me, i'd rather ride flat pedal and save all those corns and blisters)

 

[pigman]

Yes I enjoyed the Bakewell EB event and location too with some good trails as well as roads, riding my Grandis. Goodwood isn't the easiest place to get to agreed. Interesting to see if they apply the rules or "laissez-faire" prevails. The addition of the race circuit might appeal to some.

the problem with Bakewell is, when the weather's good, the showground is good. At another (non cycling) event there, heavy rains meant the showground which flooded when the river burst it banks made that show and the town a physical and PR nightmare.
Plus, with it being right in a market town meant the organisers dont have a captive audience in terms of food, drink and entertainment

 

[Fifthgrace]

Im not sure.
By 97 STI's/Ergos were in, which detract from the simple (and primitive) view

Got to disagree with you there. Whilst I have friction DT levers on many of my bikes, STI/Ergos take nothing way from the ride for me and in fact they provide a safer gear change, keeping both hands on the handlebars. Aesthetically the aero routing of campagnolo STI/brake cables is just as pleasing to my eyes. As for deeper rims, I think seeing Atlantas or Shamals on the right steel frame would add variety and interest.

 

[pigman]

Got to disagree with you there. Whilst I have friction DT levers on many of my bikes, STI/Ergos take nothing way from the ride for me and in fact they provide a safer gear change, keeping both hands on the handlebars. Aesthetically the aero routing of campagnolo STI/brake cables is just as pleasing to my eyes. As for deeper rims, I think seeing Atlantas or Shamals on the right steel frame would add variety and interest.

that strictly wasnt my quote, although i do agree with it.
Safety has nothing to do with it, otherwise we would ergo shaped bars, dual pivot brakes etc etc. its about bikes as they were in the good ol days

 

[Apple Tree]

I like the 1967 cut off idea. The prices of NR may plumet but Gran Sport derailleurs and GB brakes would rocket !

No interest in going beyond 1987. That date was chosen as being what was considered the summit of steel framed bikes and old style gearing. After that we are into aluminium frames, STI/Ergolevers, cleat pedal systems and, apart from carbon fibre, the bikes would not look alot different to 2020 bikes.

 

[Old and Creaky]

I took my 15 year old daughter on the short route for the first Friden grange Eroica. She really couldn’t get the hang of old gear levers so she used an STI 3x7 setup. Nobody commented on her bike, but some guy, not one of the organisers, did make a remark to me about the 105 rear derailleur on my rebuilt 84 Galaxy. That said there were adults riding modern carbon road and cross bikes…. Go figure as the Americans say. For the last ride in 2019 they said they were going to strictly enforce the rules but I saw no evidence of it. I think the 100 mile rides and, so I’ve heard, in Italy, they are quite strict.

 

[Apple Tree]

My nephew rode Eroica in italy one year and was ticked off by an organiser for having aero brake cables. He was allowed to ride but it was made clear this was not acceptable.
Eroica Britannia seem more interested in getting money through the door than worrying about the bike rules. It is left to the riders to self regulate or not. In Italy, where Eroica rides originated, they seem more concerned about maintaing the true spirit of the event.

 

[Old Ned]

Eroica Britannia seem more interested in getting money through the door than worrying about the bike rules.

Got it in one!