Eroica Britannia: vintage cycling - what to ride, what to wear?

Eroica is a bicycle ride that can only have originated in Italy, where age, beauty, elegance and history are venerated. Ridden over the dusty, white, gravel roads of Tuscany on bikes made before 1987 by cyclists wearing knitted wool jerseys, it offers romance, companionship and cycling heaven.

Image L'Eroica

Last year Eroica came to Britain and was ridden over the rough limestone trails of Derbyshire, offering a similar experience to the original - even down to the weather. The next edition of Eroica Britannia is in just under two weeks and many riders will be checking their bikes and wondering what they will be wearing for the great event. 

The limestone trails of Derbyshire, L'Eroica Britannia (image Grey Fox)

Last year the majority wore vintage jerseys and equipped their bikes to relive the golden days of cycling (see image below). A few didn't, and they stuck out like sore thumbs, so entering into the spirit of the event is important and, indeed, expected by the organisers.

Image L'Eroica

So, what to wear and where to find it? The images above and below give the feel of cycle racing before the seventies and it is this era that many try to recreate. There's no need to go overboard slavishly searching out contemporary equipment and clothing. Your bike must be pre-1987 and there are other specific requirements, including that 'vintage or era-specific clothing' is worn. 

Inspiration - cycling in the sixties and seventies

Here are some ideas:

Headwear - vintage cyclists didn't have helmets. They aren't compulsory and many wear them. The alternative is the traditional cycling cap or casquette.

Jacket - modern lightweight race capes weren't available in the day, so heavier cotton jackets were worn. I've seen a superb recreation of the classic fifties Bertram Dudley Greenspot. Based on an original which I own, this lovely cycling jacket is made in England from Ventile and can be bought from Lancashire Pike. It makes a stylish jacket off the bike too. I'll be writing more about this in a future post.

Fifties Bertram Dudley cycling jacket, now recreated by Lancashire Pike

Jersey - a knitted wool or acrylic jersey is essential. I love the colours and designs of these and those with embroidered woollen lettering are best. I have collected them for twenty years and bought most of mine online (some illustrated below). Prices have rocketed since L'Eroica came to the UK and good, well-known team designs can cost over £100 but you will find something good for under £30 if you persevere. Modern reproductions are available, but try to buy knitted wool or acrylic.

Part of my cycling jersey collection

Shorts - some wear vintage woollen shorts. These are hard to find in anything other than a disgusting state. Use a modern Lycra short as they are similar in style to older ones.

Shoes - pedals with toeclips and straps are obligatory (although a foot injury means I can't use them). Finding vintage cycling shoes is not easy, The come up online frequently, but are usually available in smaller sizes only. Luckily modern equivalents are available. Some excellent traditional leather cycling shoes are still made in the UK. Try Mamnick, VeloHeaven, REW Reynolds and the Arturo from William Lennon & Co. For shoes made elsewhere try Dromarti or Quoc Pham. Some of the larger cycling shoe makers now sell classic style shoes, try Giro Republic (Sigma Sport), Vittoria or the Exustar Stelvio (I think these are coming back into production, see SJS Cycles). This isn't an exhaustive list, so you will have to dig around yourself. Note that not all modern shoes will be suitable for clips and straps, so ask.

Mamnick Hibell shoes

If you are riding one of the editions of Eroica (it now takes place all over the world), have a wonderful day. I hope to see some of you at Bakewell later this month. If you're not riding, think about trying an old steel-framed bike and some vintage cycling kit; it's fun reliving the glory days of cycle racing. See Eroica Britannia.

At last year's event with my 1956 Claud Butler