Eroica is back!

[DJR]

Since we are talking about the diversity of the crowd, this is by no means a comprehensive picture of the cycling jerseys at the start. There were some real classic gems! (I would have taken more pictures if the other Ds didn't think I was getting a bit creepy taking pictures of everyones' backsides.)

 

Edit: Yes, I also wondered what you have to do to belong to the Caesarian Cycling Club (founded in 1935)

Edited March 19, 2018 by DJR

[DJR]

Of course everyone check out the bikes! So, nobody thought I was crazy taking pictures! This year definitely brought out more names than before. Several were totally new to me. Once again, I'm sure I missed many! 

Edited April 27, 2018 by DJR

[Velouria]

Cool photos DJR. 

 

And what a cool event. I'll do a blog post a little later, but this has to be one of the hidden gems on our cycling calendar. Cycling the way it was supposed to be.

 

Unlike other races where you worry about your legs lasting the distance, at Eroica, you worry about your bike making the distance!

 

[DJR]

The most beautifully restored bike on the day, the one I drooled over most (but keep in mind that it is a very personal thing) was this Cinelli! 

Edited April 7, 2018 by DJR

[Velouria]

Bianchis and Le Jeunes we the two dominant brands there, kind of like modern day Specializeds, except the owners weren't like modern day Specialized owners.

 

Stopping to chat, helping to fix punctures, and admiring old bikes are all part of it, along with a brandy stop at 20kms.

 

I'll definitely be back.

 

[Prince Albert Cycles]

Cool report and photos DJR

And congratulations on finishing the CTCT ( Argus) with your sons and your 80 year old DAD !

[porqui]

I guess I know what I will be doing about this time next year.

[Warthog]

I guess I know what I will be doing about this time next year.

+1

[Cippo]

So, how was team DJRs' Eroica SA 2018 outing? FANTASTIC! That's how!

 

But first, the "team" bikes:

 

Daniel decided to restore his old Alpina specially for this years Eroica, added a little modern twist, and with the help of Bogus and Woodstock Cycle Works, he now has what is without a doubt the brightest bipolar bike on the planet. I think it will be visible from space and was christened The Orange Explosion! Guess what is Ds favourite colour!

 

(I'll post more on the project in the Retro Bike thread later.) 

This brings back memories. My first bike in the 80's was similar to this including the paint scheme. If I remember correctly it cost about R800 at the time. 

[Fat Boab]

Please remind me, Eroica - very few restrictions on which bike you ride. But the Tour of Ara is the pre a certain date, SA make, etc etc.

[Shebeen]

F

 

 

 

O

 

 

 

M

 

 

 

O

[DJR]

This brings back memories. My first bike in the 80's was similar to this including the paint scheme. If I remember correctly it cost about R800 at the time. 

This may be what you are thinking of. These are 2 in original condition that joined us. One piloted by a Dutch rider in his national orange colours! 

[Velouria]

Please remind me, Eroica - very few restrictions on which bike you ride. But the Tour of Ara is the pre a certain date, SA make, etc etc.

Oh no - Eroica has loads of regulations, but, as I figured out about most things Eroica South Africa, they are mostly guidelines...

 

1 - If you ride a pre-1987 racing bicycle…

a) more recent bikes with gears and derailleurs - such as Simplex, Huret, Campagnolo, Zeus, Shimano, Suntour, etc. - must have shift levers on the down tube of the frame; exceptions include pre-1980 non-indexed bar-end gear shifters and rod/hand manual operated front derailleurs;

b) pedals should be with toe clips and straps or, for older bikes, original vintage pedals - quick release clip-less pedals are not allowed;

c) the brake cables must pass outside and over the handlebars (referred to as non-aero brake levers), and not under the bar tape (cables can pass inside the frame);

d) older geared bicycles should have original shifters such as Cambio Corsa, Cambio Paris Roubaix, Cambio Vittoria Margherita, etc.;

e) wheels must have at least 32 spokes laced to a low profile rim (20mm depth or less, except for the wooden rims), and the rims must be of either steel, aluminium or wood;

f) both tubular tyres and clinchers with inner tubes are allowed;

g) we invite participants to fit saddles from the same period of their bicycles, or a vintage model of modern production such as Brooks leather saddles, Cinelli replicas, San Marco, etc.;

h) the changing of gear ratios are allowed due to the difficulty of the ride;

i) there are no particular rules on the type of brakes used as long as they are from a similar period to the bicycle, and that they work efficiently for safety reasons.

 

2 - If you ride a pre-1999 racing bicycle (a special South African category)…

a) bicycles must have shift levers on the down tube of the frame; or bar-end gear shifters;

b) pedals should be with toe clips and straps - quick release clip-less pedals are not allowed;

c) the brake cables can pass under the handlebar tape (referred to as ‘aero brake levers’), along the handlebars;

d) older geared bicycles should have original shifters such as Cambio Corsa, Cambio Paris Roubaix, Cambio Vittoria Margherita, etc.;

e) wheels must have at least 32 spokes laced to a low profile rim;

f) both tubular tyres and clinchers with inner tubes are allowed;

g) we invite participants to fit saddles from the same period of their bicycles, or a vintage model of modern production such as Brooks leather saddles, Cinelli replicas, San Marco, etc.;

h) the changing of gear ratios are allowed due to the difficulty of the ride;

i) there are no particular rules on the type of brakes used as long as they are from a similar period to the bicycle, and that they work efficiently for safety reasons.

[lechatnoir]

Unlike other races where you worry about your legs lasting the distance, at Eroica, you worry about your bike making the distance!

 

Passed one poor chap... 

 

me: you ok mate?

 

him: yeah, I'm fun, but I cracked my stem!

 

me: sorry, but a tube patch kit won't help. 

[Cippo]

This may be what you are thinking of. These are 2 in original condition that joined us. One piloted by a Dutch rider in his national orange colours!

Found these old pics from late 80's.

[DJR]

Found these old pics from late 80's.

Ice cold cool!