Hi Odeley, I did well. Both myself and bike! It was an absolutely great experience. I opted for the 135km. Good thing is leaves a challenge open for next time: the 205
Even though it is 'only' 135, it is still a quite tough ride. Imo the riding is more or less like mountainbiking, but than on a vintage roadbike: short steep climbs and than down again. Combined with the roadsurfaces with dust, loose gravel, holes, mild bumbs etc it requires a decent level of skills - especially if you maintain a certain pace.
During the ride there were several food stops with products from the region. Old bikes, authenticity, good food - it is all centered around the good life.
A photo footage >>>
Classic bike parts fleamarket on the Saturday:
Czechoslovakian Favorit:
l'eroica dog:
I purchased two pair Nuovo Record repro hoods on the fleamarket. 15 euro pp - very sympathic price!
View on Gaiole:
Our bikes:
Koga-Miyata GentsRacer, Mercian 753, Vittorio Strada
'3900':
....and this is how I look as very committed rider:
Wearing the Retrobike jersey cost me a bottle wine and fine cheese at the finish, but I am confident John is willing to make up for that considering my promotion efforts for Retrobike
Wine and cheese was for people wearing wool jersey and that even included the modernish Brooks ones. Some Dutch participants were very upset. They thought they were wearing proper vintage jerseys, what they were, but it was no wool. Missing out on the oppertunity of something 'gratis' is a big thing if you're Dutch.