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L'Eroica Britannia 2014

edited June 2014 in Club runs
L'Eroica came to the UK and CCA were represented by James Mac, the Foulkes and the Ducketts. Any event which starts with a sign-on musett of Bakewell Pudding and a bottle of ale is always going to be good and this one didn't disappoint. The weather and location (Bakewell) were amazing and the organisers laid on the best of vintage Britain - penny farthings, a Tiger Moth fly over and a brass band - all we needed was a war and some rations and we'd have been laughing! After camping out and overindulging in some fine ales it was left to Rob Hayles to start the bikes rolling. Tim D (on his lovely Jack Taylor) with James Mac (on a Mercier i think?) set off at 6am on the big 100 miler (they may still be riding - it was hilly!), followed by the two handsome ladies - Lindesy (on my De Rosa - gutted - a trapped nerve put an end to my day), and Sarah D on the Whitcomb. I last saw them heading out of Bakewell wheel sucking a penny farthing. I was left with 4 kids and soaring temperatures - the weather was nice too.

Lindsey and Sarah had a fantastic ride. Lindsey managed to climb a steep 20 per center but was caught out at the top by the crowds and a pair of fine Itallian toeclips (no good twisting your foot in them love). She was however 'heroic' in ensuring she fell roadside first thereby protecting the lovely paint work on the De Rosa. Sarah's first ever sportive was a roaring success and she got round no problem with the crowds ringing in her ears and the bolt holding on her front mudguard rolling down the hill (blame the lousy mechanic, Sarah).

I have no idea whether James and Tim made it back or what state they were in - but in the spirit of this very fine sportive, they will be welcomed across the finish line with a pie and a pint! Awesome. It's coming back next year and we would thoroughly recommend it.

Iain
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Comments

  • Sounds a brilliant event. Well done CCA and hope you mend quickly Iain.
    Top write up!
  • I did the 55 mile route on my 531 Roy Thame-absolutely brilliant day, whole weekend in fact. No chip timing, just start and get on with it, and stop in the local villages to have your card stamped and eat and drink local produce. After slogging up hills all day, our plan was to make a cursory stop at Chatsworth House, to pick up the last stamp. But the excellent sparkling English wine on offer hit the spot massively and after chatting to local gentry we felt disinclined to set about the final climb towards Bakewell, but did eventually to pick up pork pie and festival bitter at the finish. Loads of bike bits on offer, plus clothes, food stalls and a shave at the Movember area (next door to the Pimms bus). Fantastic - even our non- cycling wives enjoyed it.
    If I have had to find and faults, the signage could have been clearer, especially at turns off fast descents, and some of the descents were scary, such as the one down to High Peak Junction, which was mud and loose gravel with raised railway sleepers across the trail. But all of that was far outweighed by the festival atmosphere, hospitality and brilliant scenery in Bakewell and throughout the ride.
  • Sounds like the way forward to me :) Great reporting again today
  • Sounds brilliant, well done all (assuming Tim and James have made it back OK)
  • We made it! It was quite a tough ride, 100 miles in nearly 9 hours (James could have gone substantially quicker). Obviously rather hilly but a lot of off road too some of it proper off road. On the first major descent my rims overheated and my front tub started to fall apart and developed a worrying bulge which made some of the descents a little nervy! The off road one mentioned above was rather scary with failing 1970's technology. amazingly though no punctures.

    The whole festival was utterly brilliant from the rides, the bikes, the food, the beer to the weather and the lovely enthusiastic people. One example of this was the reception for the last rider to come into the grandstand at about 8pm, a little old boy called Terrance on a Colnago who looked a little bemused by everyone shouting his name and wanting photos.

    I understand the organisers have a 5 year franchise but it was so well received i suspect tickets will be scarce next year.

    Photos to follow
  • edited June 2014
    Tim & James safe and well! We set off on the 100 at half 6 and arrived back at half 3. A new experience for me to be in an untimed event but it was a fantastic day in the Derbyshire sunshine - http://app.strava.com/activities/156778026

    With all the rough terrain both bikes took a bit of a battering (my Mercian), and Tim's tubs had to be rather nursed home after over-heating on a steep descent and becoming slightly unstable. I was nearly put out of the event when I lost the retaining bolt and bushing for my front cantilever on Saturday on a ride down the Monsal Trail- saved by bike jumble at about 7.30 in the evening, very lucky.

    At the final stop at Chatsworth House we were told it was 6k to go - correct 4.5k back up to 300m and 1.5k down to Bakewell!

    The whole festival was buzzing from start to finish with live music and numerous stalls and curiosities. On the ride there was more than enough food and drink to go round and I thought the signage was excellent. We even had time to take some photos, enjoy.

    Hartington fair


    View from Mam Tor




    Hartington


    Pimm's (already downed!) and potted meat sandwiches at Chatsworth House.


  • Is that wristband authentic '70s attire?

    The whole occasion just looks like a 'cracking good event'.
  • No sign of any reports in the UK press yet, but here's a link from a German publication reporting on European news der link
  • From talking to Tim last night, this was clearly a massive success for the organisers so get your entry in early for next year!

    Lovely write up guys.
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