l'Eroica USA

You may or may not remember, but a while ago I wrote this post about l'Eroica, a race for vintage bikes (and vintage riders!) in the Chianti area of Tuscany, Italy. The ride looks amazing, and is definitely on my "list of things to do before I drop cycling and move onto the next big hipster sport, possibly biathlon." But, while I save up money for a trip to Tuscany and/or wait for cycling to die, the good news is that there will soon be a US version of the ride! The first ever l'Eroica USA will happen in Boulder, CO, on October 4th of this year. "The 30-mile route taking participants over a combination of asphalt and unpaved surfaces is the perfect balance to challenge not only the experienced rider, but to afford the non-cyclist an opportunity to display his or her heroism." Also, like in the original ride, the sustenance available at the feed stations will be unlike any cycling snack you've ever had. Gu? F that S! Instead, how about the "vintage refreshments of our ancestral heroes of the road: aged cheeses, antipasto, craft breads, fruits, traditional hams and Italian wines." Craft breads! Ancestral heroes! Aged cheeses! It sounds like they are really getting into the vintage spirit of the ride, and I'm sure it'll be a blast. Get all the details here.

L'Eroica

L'Eroica is a race for vintage bikes (and riders, from the looks of it) that takes place on the chalky white gravel roads of the Chianti area of Tuscany, Italy. Riders come from all over the world to tackle the hills on their vintage bikes, most in full period costume. Check out these great photos of the 2008 edition.

Period correct, down to the shoes. Photo by Kay.

Tackling the hills in matching vintage gear. Photo by Kay.

Even the feed stations are vintage! Photo by Kay.

This guy looks like he's working hard. Sweet Colnago and Salvarani jersey, though. Photo by Kay.

Dude, you're blowing it with the whole cell-phone thing! Photo by Kay.

This guy is great: straight out of the early decades of competitive cycling, complete with single-speed bike (possibly fixed) spare tyres wrapped around his shoulders (which also helped protect against broken collarbones), les bidons and aviator-style goggles. Plus, a moustache. Killer. Photo by Kay.

I'm sorry, are you from the past? Photo by Kay.

Look at these guys. They have absolutely no idea how hip they are. Effortless. There are people in SF, Chicago and NY who would kill to look this good. I choose to believe they dress like this on a daily basis. Photo by Kay.

So, there you have it, L'Eroica, a race I am now absolutely committed to doing at least once in my life. Of course, I'll have to put together a decent vintage road bike first, which, given my general lack of funds will probably take years, so I'll probably be as old as these dudes when I manage it, but still, it's going to happen. It looks like so much fun. Thanks to Kay for the awesome photos. Check out more of his great cycling photos here, and to get more details about L'Eroica go here.