Eroica California takes place on April 12 on the paved and dirt roads around Paso Robles, California. A new event in the States, Eroica California offers three routes (40, 65 and 123 miles). This isn’t just any gran fondo: Eroica California is based on the 18-year-old L’Eroica event that takes place outside of Siena, Italy. Though the stated goal is to “safeguard the heritage of the white roads of Tuscany,” L’Eroica is also a vintage event, and riders are restricted in what they can ride and wear.
Eroica California has the same equipment regulations, and I’m going to try to help you understand what you can and cannot use, and provide some tips for working with (around) the restrictions. The rules are open to interpretation and there is every indication that the organizers reserve the right to toss people who don’t comply with both the letter and spirit of the rules. You can find the regulations at the event website.
Part of the fun is that this is a vintage event, so I’m not encouraging anyone to “cheat”. It’s clear that the organizers have built in some leeway into the rules so people can participate without having to try and dig up a 100 percent original 1960s-era race bike and clothing. But it also creates some contradictions, as you’ll see below.
If you don’t have a bike or clothing that conforms to the rules, check your friends’ and neighbors’ closets and garages. If that fails, trolling eBay and Craigslist is probably the best way to get something cheap that complies, or nearly complies. If that fails, I’ve compiled a lot of product suggestions below.
Related: Cycling Into the Classic Past: Eroica California
What You Can Wear
I’m starting here because it’s probably the least complicated rule to follow. The regulations state that riders “should” wear wool jerseys and shorts, but that reissued and vintage-looking clothes made of modern materials are okay as long as they “look proper.” Modern base layers and undershorts are allowed as long as they are not visible.
A good place to start is De Marchi. Most of its line has a vintage feel, but its extensive collection of wool jerseys is perfect for the event. Woolistic’s line, available at Vintage Velos, is another excellent option.
If you want something executed in more modern materials and cuts that should still satisfy the spirit of the rules, Rapha is the place. Check out its recently launched Trade Team collection.
There appear to be no other requirements on clothing, but riders are “invited to carefully select all accessories of their bicycles and clothing.” The organizers would like riders to use leather shoes and aluminum water bottles, but it does not appear to be required.
Also not required is a helmet of any kind, so feel free to wear just a properly lofted cap. Riders are allowed to wear a modern cycling helmet—can you imagine the lawsuits if they couldn’t?—and I can’t wait to see pictures of guys in Moltini replica kit with a tubular crossed over the shoulders… and a Specialized Evade.
Because of equipment restrictions, the shoes are likely the most challenging part of the regulations: Clipless pedals are not allowed. And while riders could use flat pedals and Chucks, toeclips and straps are the superior option. The only issue: good shoes. Again, Chucks will work in a pinch, but riders will want stiff-soled cycling shoes that don’t fold over the pedal, especially on the 123 mile route.
One option is to put a set of compatible cleats on modern shoes (yes, riders used to use cleats with toeclips and straps) like this one found on the yellowjersey.org site. I’d be careful about slapping these on a set of neon-orange Giro shoes, though, as you might run afoul of the “spirit of the rules.”
Another solution, one more in keeping with the spirit of the event, is to buy a set of toeclip-ready shoes like the Quoc Pham Fixed.
Or take the adventurous path and scour the internet for some vintage or NOS shoes.
Related: Cycle Through Wine Country
What You Can Ride
Here’s where it gets fun. The regulations say the event is for “Historical Bikes or Vintage-Looking Bikes.” The organizers define a historical bike as any road racing bike (mountain, cross, and time trial/triathlon bikes are not allowed) built in or before 1987. That date does cover some early carbon, titanium and aluminum bikes, so if you have a Speedwell Titanium or Graftek in your garage, put it to use.
However, they also state that, “the brake cables must pass outside and over the handlebars.” “Aero” brake levers, which use under-the-tape brake housing, were already in existence by 1987 (Google images of Greg LeMond in the 1986 Tour de France), so be aware of where your cables go. If you have aero brake levers on your 1987 or earlier bike, a set of Dia-Compe Grand Compe levers should be all you need to satisfy the rules.
Aside: Clipless pedals have been around since at least the 1970s (check out Speedplay’s pedal museum for examples) and aren’t allowed either.
If riders can’t dig up a historical bike, they are allowed to ride a “Vintage-Looking” bike, made of steel of course. The popularity of craft building has greatly increased the available options here: Any new lugged frame, with matching steel fork, should be fine if built with the right parts.
There are cheaper options as well, like the lugged Soma San Marcos ($900 frame and matching steel fork) that should pass muster, or a Bob Jackson Olympus Road frameset which sells for about $900.
Other frames to consider are legacy models like the Colnago Master, Rauler Lugged, and Cinelli Super Corsa.
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