Stan Engelbrecht

Hello dear Eroica riders! What a wonderful weekend it was. I would like to thank each and every one of you - you have made our fourth Eroica South Africa an even bigger and better experience than imagined. The atmosphere was great, the food fantastic, and while the riding was very tough in temperatures soaring over 40 degrees Celsius, I’m sure you’ll agree that it made the adventure all the more memorable. After four years I think it is safe to say that Eroica South Africa has found its own identity as an Italian-South African event, and I’m confident that together we can grow it into a true celebration of vintage Italian cycling culture as seen through our own storied local cycling past. Together we need to work to get South Africa’s greats to come out of retirement again, dust of those historic bicycles, and come ride with us! But at the same time we need to foster and instil an appreciation of vintage bicycles in the younger generations. We need to get riders of all ages out to Montagu to celebrate our great history and the love of our sport. I can proudly say that my vision for Eroica is taking shape - each year we’ve had a more multicultural field, more women riders, and a range of ages participating. Here are a few images, more to follow soon - https://eroicasouthafrica.com/gallery A special thanks to the town of Montagu, Mimosa Lodge for our great dinner, our sponsors, all the marshals and volunteers, and all the friends Eroica South Africa has made. Our great weekend would not have been possible without you. I hope that we can continue to work together in future. And thank you riders! Without you there would be no event. Your enthusiasm for Eroica South Africa and taking on the challenging dirt roads around Montagu is well appreciated. Congratulations again to Imraan Ho-Yee, who won the NOVA under some trying circumstances. In the heat only about 6 of the almost 30 racers completed the course. And even though the gruelling Eroica Classic 135km was not a race, Sipho Mejini from the fantastic Tsiba Business School (https://www.tsiba.ac.za) made it his goal to finish first again this year, and he did! Another Tsiba rider, Simiso Manatha, refused to let the mean 135km route and the extreme heat stand in the way of him finishing, and after many hours in the saddle and refusing to get picked up by the sweepers he rolled over the finish line as the very last rider. Simz, that is the true Eroica spirit! Well done. It was a very tough day out there. In light of extreme conditions like this, we are looking at adding a couple of water stops out on the long 135km and NOVA routes. However, we would like to hear from all of you what you think will improve the event. Whether it’s about the routes, venue, dinner, or any other aspect, we would like you to share your opinion on how we can make Eroica 2020 event better. Get in touch at info@eroicasouthafrica.com See you then friends. Stan.

Well done for finishing on such a sweltering day! The coolest bike at NOVA must've fought the heat : )

Eroica spirit!

Good to see you there! Even if you were in straps and bandages...

Hi vintage steel riders! Eroica South Africa is a week away, and I hope you are all prepared for a great weekend. Entries will be closing this Wednesday 6 March 2019, so if there are still family and friends who you know want to join us, please get them to register as soon as possible. Here is some important information you need to know for the weekend of the event. PROGRAM Friday 15 March 2019 Registration : You can pick up your riders numbers from the MMACC from 16:00 until 20:00. Concourse : We will host a vintage bicycle concourse at 18:00. The best and rarest and most beautiful will be judged and awarded. Please get in touch with me at info@eroicasouthafrica.com if you are wanting to enter some bicycles for display and judging. You can enter as many as you like, and entry is free. Dinner (not our official dinner) : There are not many options for dinner in Montagu, so in addition to old favourites like Ye Olde Tavern (+2723 614 2398) and 22 Church Street Restaurant (+27236141200), we've arranged for Rambling Rose to be open for dinner too. You can book by chatting to Cay or Sergio on +27834014503 or at ramblingrosemontagu@gmail.com Saturday 16 March 2019 Late registration : For those of you who cannot collect your numbers etc. on Friday, you can do so between 06:30 and 07:30 on Saturday morning. Start times : At 07:30 the 135km group will start, followed by the NOVA riders at 08:00. The 90km riders will set off at 08:30 and the 45km group at 09:00. Routes : Each rider will receive a map, and the routes will be clearly marked. But remember, people do get lost. Don’t simply follow the riders in front of you - pay attention to the route markers. Please report to a marshal and get your map stamped at each of the rest stops so we can keep track of you all. Important - carry enough water with you, and some extra food if you eat a lot. Especially on the 135km and NOVA routes. Massages : For those of you who would like to pre-book a massage from Susan Retief of Montagu, get in touch with her at completehealthandbody@gmail.com. Susan will be set up at the Festival venue, so you’ll be able to find her without straying too far. She’s really good! Official dinner : Please book your tickets for the official dinner on Saturday at 19:00 as soon as possible. Remember that you cannot attend this dinner if you do not pre-book. Tickets for the 3-course Italian-style dinner are R200 each, and you can book here - https://eroicasouthafrica.com/about Sunday 17 March 2019 Unofficial breakfast ride : On Sunday morning we will meet at the old church at the top of Kerk street and have our official/unofficial jaunt around Montagu to take in a few sights, have the chance to check out each other’s bikes one last time, and divide ourselves amongst the 3 or 4 breakfasts spots to eat something and say out goodbyes. See you in Montagu! Stan.

Hi vintage steel riders! Eroica South Africa is a week away, and I hope you are all prepared for a great weekend. Entries will be closing this Wednesday 6 March 2019, so if there are still family and friends who you know want to join us, please get them to register as soon as possible. Here is some important information you need to know for the weekend of the event. PROGRAM Friday 15 March 2019 Registration : You can pick up your riders numbers from the MMACC from 16:00 until 20:00. Concourse : We will host a vintage bicycle concourse at 18:00. The best and rarest and most beautiful will be judged and awarded. Please get in touch with me at info@eroicasouthafrica.com if you are wanting to enter some bicycles for display and judging. You can enter as many as you like, and entry is free. Dinner (not our official dinner) : There are not many options for dinner in Montagu, so in addition to old favourites like Ye Olde Tavern (+2723 614 2398) and 22 Church Street Restaurant (+27236141200), we've arranged for Rambling Rose to be open for dinner too. You can book by chatting to Cay or Sergio on +27834014503 or at ramblingrosemontagu@gmail.com Saturday 16 March 2019 Late registration : For those of you who cannot collect your numbers etc. on Friday, you can do so between 06:30 and 07:30 on Saturday morning. Start times : At 07:30 the 135km group will start, followed by the NOVA riders at 08:00. The 90km riders will set off at 08:30 and the 45km group at 09:00. Routes : Each rider will receive a map, and the routes will be clearly marked. But remember, people do get lost. Don’t simply follow the riders in front of you - pay attention to the route markers. Please report to a marshal and get your map stamped at each of the rest stops so we can keep track of you all. Important - carry enough water with you, and some extra food if you eat a lot. Especially on the 135km and NOVA routes. Massages : For those of you who would like to pre-book a massage from Susan Retief of Montagu, get in touch with her at completehealthandbody@gmail.com. Susan will be set up at the Festival venue, so you’ll be able to find her without straying too far. She’s really good! Official dinner : Please book your tickets for the official dinner on Saturday at 19:00 as soon as possible. Remember that you cannot attend this dinner if you do not pre-book. Tickets for the 3-course Italian-style dinner are R200 each, and you can book here - https://eroicasouthafrica.com/about Sunday 17 March 2019 Unofficial breakfast ride : On Sunday morning we will meet at the old church at the top of Kerk street and have our official/unofficial jaunt around Montagu to take in a few sights, have the chance to check out each other’s bikes one last time, and divide ourselves amongst the 3 or 4 breakfasts spots to eat something and say out goodbyes. See you in Montagu! Stan.

Oh no! Glad you enjoyed last year so much though.

Hi Steve. Thanks for the question. MTBs with drop bars are not allowed, and neither is suspension (including Lauff forks). There is no limit on tyre width, but tyres can not be narrower that 28c. Let me know if you have any more questions. See you in Montagu! Stan.

Hi Karate Monkey. We 'll be sending out a newsletter with dinner booking information in the next few days.

Yes, anybody (even non-riders) can enter as many bikes as they like (within reason) into the concourse.

The second time will be a breeze!

Nice!

Happy to hear it! See you guys there.

Event Name: Eroica South Africa & NOVA Eroica When: 16 March 2019 Where: KWV Gallery, Kohler Street, Montagu, Western Cape, Western Cape Category: Road On the weekend of 16 March 2019, one week after the famed Cape Town Cycle Tour, we are celebrating our fourth Eroica South Africa in the beautiful village and surrounds of Montagu. Come celebrate vintage Italian road cycling culture with us - bring your classic racing bicycles and ride with us through the beautiful Karoo around the dirt roads north of Montagu in the Western Cape. For those of you who are into a more modern approach, come and race our enduro-style NOVA Eroica race on your gravel bikes! Of course there will be great food and wine, and lots of old bicycles to lust over. With South Africa's rich cycling history, we’re proud to have this celebrated Italian event honoured on African soil. For 2019 we are adding a vintage bicycle concourse, so prepare your most beautiful and rarest old bicycles for display and judging - it’s time to see what South Africans have hidden in their bike collections! Enter soon, and secure your accommodation and dinner bookings - it’s going to be a fantastic weekend. See you there! Go to Event Page

Event Name: KAROOBAIX When: 5 October 2018 - 7 October 2018 Where: Hantam Huis, Calvinia, Western Cape Category: Cyclocross KAROOBAIX is a one-day 245km race (with an individual time trial prologue) for modern gravel / cyclocross bicycles through the South African Karoo over 5 / 6 / 7 October 2018. The route is almost exclusively gravel, and range from super smooth hard-packed dirt to soft sand, sharp rocks and corrugations. The race will be semi-supported, and there will be two rest stops with good food, coffee and fresh water along the the 245km stage. The name KAROOBAIX (pronounced ka-roo-bay) pays homage the Paris-Roubaix race, the murderous European Classic that earned itself the nickname Hell of the North, and our unique, spectacular and sometimes inhospitable semi-desert region of the Karoo. Race outline... Friday / 5 October 2018 - 11:00 arrival in Calvinia and check-in / 13:00 Lunch / 15:00 Time trail prologue / 19:00 Dinner / 20:00 race briefing Saturday / 6 October 2018 - 04:00 Breakfast / 04:30 Start / 17:00 (onwards) Dinner served informally Sunday / 7 October 2018 - 09:00 Breakfast and prize giving / 12:00 Checkout and departure Go to Event Page

Hi Pall. I'd have to totally disagree with you. None of us are doing this because we think it's 'cool' or because we're seeking approval from anyone. Most of the people I've met through my interest in old bicycles are truly and genuinely dedicated to their interest and love for the history of the sport and the equipment. Trust me, we have a very well-rounded and diverse group who attend Eroica, many of them predating hipsterdom by decades. Don't be so quick to shoot it down, rather come join us and see for yourself - I promise you'll have a good time.

See you in Montagu!

Event Name: Eroica South Africa & NOVA Eroica When: 17 March 2018 Where: KWV Gallery, Kohler Street, Montagu, Western Cape Category: Road It’s time to start getting ready for Eroica South Africa 2018! And we have some exciting news too - we’re introducing a Nova Eroica enduro-style race category! We’ll have our usual three great vintage bike routes on Saturday, along with our Eroica Festival, or you can bring and race your modern gravel bike in the new 155 kilometre Nova Eroica category. As before, we still have Eroica South Africa on the weekend after that other well-loved and very famous event, the Cape Town Cycle Tour. This way we can give our international visitors a little more incentive to travel all the way to Africa to come and ride with us. So, clear the weekend of 17 March 2018, one week after the Cape Town Cycle Tour, and come celebrate vintage Italian road cycling culture with us - bring your classic racing bicycles, and ride with us through the beautiful Karoo around the dirt roads north of Montagu in the Western Cape. Of course there will be great food and wine, and lots of old bicycles to lust over, and now a bit of modern gravel bike racing too with Nova Eroica. With South Africa's rich cycling history, we’re proud to have this celebrated Italian event honoured on African soil. So, remember - 17 March 2018 in Montagu! We hope to see you there! Registration is open! Go to Event Page

Event Name: KAROOBAIX When: 9 October 2017 - 10 October 2017 Where: Hantam Huis, Calvinia, Northern Cape Category: Cyclocross KAROOBAIX is a new two-day 404km stage race for modern gravel / cyclocross style bicycles through the South African Karoo on 9 / 10 October 2017. The route is almost exclusively gravel, and range from super smooth hard-packed dirt to soft sand, sharp rocks and corrugations. The race will be semi-supported, and there will be two rest stops with good food, coffee and fresh water along each of the two stages. The name KAROOBAIX (pronounced ka-roo-bay) pays homage the Paris-Roubaix race, the murderous European Classic that earned itself the nickname Hell of the North, and our unique, spectacular and sometimes inhospitable semi-desert region of the Karoo. The rules are very simple. You can ride any bike you'd like, but no suspension of any form is allowed, you have to ride minimum 35c / 1.4" volume tyres, and drop handlebars are mandatory. Any conventional frame style or material is allowed, and all wheel sizes are welcome. No tandems or recumbents. Visit the KAROOBAIX website for more information, or follow @karoobaix on Instagram. Go to Event Page

Hello all! Apologies for my silence on this thread - I was lucky enough to go on a trip immediately after Eroica. Thanks so much to all of you who came and made our second Eroica a huge success! I hope our event will grow much bigger from next year on. And thanks for all the compliments! I'm very happy you all had a great time. I know I did. For those of you new to the idea and concept of Eroica - start hunting for an old steel road bike and come join us next year in Montagu on the weekend of 17 March 2018. Stan. Ps. This image is from our unofficial coffee ride the next morning : )

The lucky winner of the competition is 'Go Big' We love the paint job on this frame and it's amazing that it's in such good condition from the factory. Just remember those parts aren't fitting with Eroica rules! Send an email to info@eroicasouthafrica.com to claim your place. Thanks!

Wow I would love to see this in person, especially that handle bar...

Lovely bike Joe.

I hope we'll see this spectacular DHC at Eroica again?

A classic Barry! And a hard-working one at that.