[Event] Eroica South Africa

[DJR]

At the Kingna Distillery, it was time for more chatting and checking bikes: Some were perfectly restored, some just preserved as they were. Some were exotic rare and expensive, others cheap as chips. It was lovely to see so many treasured locally made bikes.

[DJR]

.....and then some! (B.t.w. thanks to Mr "Du Toit" for pulling me along on the last bit of the 90 kms)

[DJR]

Soon enough we were back in Montagu after the first 50 km, drank a double espresso (or 2) at the Boere Bistro (great coffee, big smiles) argued about which way is "up" on the map (it helped if you knew the area), decided that getting lost would be part of the adventure, and off we went on the rest of the 90 km, still feeling strong.

Edited April 24, 2016 by DJR

[DJR]

Soon enough it became clear that the hills were not designed for 21 tooth cogs at the back, but at least I wasn't the only one to walk a bit. At the Kogmans dam, some portaging (stairmaster bunnies anyone?) was called for, and a bit of swimming, some serious talking about bikes, and tours and stuff. In fact, it allowed the tortoises to overtake the hares.

[DJR]

From there it was mostly rolling and downhill back to Montagu for a very festive reception with cold beer, a band playing music, food (loved the stuff the two Chinese ladies dished up) and some more talking about bikes. Next year I'll do the 140km but if the 90 is anything to go by, I'll get a larger cassette and put in some training! Can't wait! I predict that the 160 odd riders who came for this years inaugural Eroica South Africa, will all be back and that the numbers will double as they bring their friends and family! Montagu is a great town for an event like this and the surrounding roads make for great routes. Well done to all involved in the organization. (Except the guy who hid all the route markers, but then, if you don't care where you are, you are not lost. Perhaps I just talked too much "bike" and missed the markers?)

[DJR]

Oh, stuff that, here's one more amazing bike I know absolutely nothing about. Perhaps the experts can tell us more about the mechanicals. It's an "Umberto Dei Milano" from the down tube. It seems to have two rear cogs with a gear lever just above the front single chainring and a chain tensioner running from the front with two metal "fingers" that shift the chain between the cogs. There can't be many of those. Unfortunately I never managed to corner the owner!

[Stefalbertyn]

Great Event - ill be back next year!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Stefalbertyn]

Luciano Berruti with his 1907 Bicycle. 

Edited April 24, 2016 by Stefalbertyn

[zagato]

Superb article DJR !! and FANTASTIC pics !! A "must do " event for me next year.

Well done and thanks for sharing.

[Stefalbertyn]

on route

Edited April 24, 2016 by Stefalbertyn

[Barry_W]

Great Post DJR,

 

It was a fantastic day. I did the 140km and wished I had done the more social 90km with coffee stop

 

 

Here are "olffie1" Sven and "Loose Cog" Steven looking strong on the 28 km first climb!

 

 

This is "Eppie" Eric and Bill Morgan riding in his team jersey from the 1973 Rapport Tour.

Edited April 25, 2016 by Barry_W

[Stefalbertyn]

Oh, stuff that, here's one more amazing bike I know absolutely nothing about. Perhaps the experts can tell us more about the mechanicals. It's an "Umberto Dei Milano" from the down tube. It seems to have two rear cogs with a gear lever just above the front single chainring and a chain tensioner running from the front with two metal "fingers" that shift the chain between the cogs. There can't be many of those. Unfortunately I never managed to corner the owner!

The owner is Wesley Hatakeyama (hope I spelled it right!) He is the guy that organizes Eroica Californa. 

[DJR]

 

The owner is Wesley Hatakeyama (hope I spelled it right!) He is the guy that organizes Eroica Californa. 

 

Aaah, the guy with the coolest sunglasses!  And a pretty cool helmet too.

 

Confession time: I rode with just a vintage cycling cap! I recon it was in the same league as the 2 cigars I smoke per year. Bad for me, I know, but I didn't ever-do it on the downhills!   

[Stefalbertyn]

Aaah, the guy with the coolest sunglasses!  And a pretty cool helmet too.

 

Confession time: I rode with just a vintage cycling cap! I recon it was in the same league as the 2 cigars I smoke per year. Bad for me, I know, but I didn't ever-do it on the downhills!   

HEY !

Even I had a helmet on - even though I had to cut it up and gaffer tape it so fit

[DJR]

Here's another picture of that drive-train:

[DJR]

 

A closer look at that Bianchi: Bottles

Edited April 25, 2016 by DJR