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| L'Eroica - a ride for heroic bikes and riders |
For some years a wonderful cycle ride has taken place annually in Tuscany. L'Eroica allows cyclists to ditch the Lycra and carbon fibre and relive those glorious days when steel bikes and woollen cycling jerseys ruled. It's a ride I've long planned to do and I was delighted when it was announced that it would be coming to the UK. L'Eroica Britannia takes place on 22nd June as part of a weekend of events in England's beautiful Peak District. It takes place just a few weeks before the Tour de France starts in nearby Yorkshire - a great summer of cycling in England.
The image below was taken on the Tuscan ride and shows the real spirit of the event.
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| Image L'Eroica |
L'Eroica literally translates from Italian as 'the Heroes' and harks back to the glory days of Coppi, Merckx and Simpson, reviving the essence and romance of cycling. The ride uses trails and tracks of the Peak District similar to the historic dusty white (or sticky gluey when wet) roads of Tuscany, the 'Strade Bianchi’. Riders can choose either a 30 mile, 55 mile or the 'wo/man of steel' 100 mile route. Bikes must be pre-1987 (with a few exceptions on the short ride) and vintage cycling clothing should be worn. I've registered, but I understand that the ride is nearly full, so act fast if you want to participate.
For more information and to register, visit the L'Eroica Britannia website.
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| The Peak District - scene of the first L'Eroica Britannia |
Cottage accomodation near the start of the race....contact jilldurrant4@ googlemail.com
ReplyDeleteHi Grey Fox,
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely place the Peak District isn't it. I only live an hours drive away but it's about 3 years since I did some walking and mountain biking there.
I really hope that L'Eroica goes well for you.
I'm actually off to Tuscany for my first visit there in early May.
Regards
David
Sounds fantastic! You'll opt for the 100-mile route, I trust. I'm more of a 30 to 50-mile route man myself, but only because I'm out of shape.
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Heinz-Ulrich von B.
Thanks everyone and I confess to doing the 55 mile route. My recent cycling mileage hasn't been as high as I would like so I thought I'd have a relaxed L'Eroica. I've done a 100 before and it's hard but enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteGF
You might find this site useful if you are coming for some of the great stuff in the surrounding area
ReplyDeletehttp://www.simplystaffordshire.co.uk/
This sounds fantastic and will pass right in front of my house here in Baslow. I only wish I could be there to cheer you all on but will be away. hope you all have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteColin
Bakewell chap here, it's going to be splendid and those of us who appear to live in the middle of the route want it to succeed.
ReplyDeleteNice feature, sir. You might like our piece, "The Magic of L'Eroica", written last year when L'Eroica Britannia was just a twinkle in the organisers' eye.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theoutdoortimes.com/magic_of_leroica.html