Tuesday, February 26, 2019

(Eroica) California Dreamin'

In yesterday's post, I described life (cycling and otherwise) in New York City, and how overall it's pretty good.  However, there are certainly other locales I find beguiling, and one of them is California.  In fact, that's where I was last week on my family vacation, and the sun must have done a number on me because I didn't go anywhere near a bike the whole time and I didn't even really mind.

Sadly, it's highly unlikely I'd ever relocate to California, unless of course I finally sell my screenplay for a Dimitry Fofonov biopic and attach Steve Carell to star:



But fortunately it looks like I'll be headed back out there soon, and I'll also get to ride this time, because look what's coming up in April:


Yes, that's right, I'm riding Eroica California again, which makes me very happy indeed, because last year's ride was positively sublime:


Even though I did the vintage ride on a bike so old I needed to get a tetanus shot first:


And even though I'm so sickly white that I got a nasty sunburn due to misapplied sunscreen, which you can make out on my legs in this photo if you can stand to look at them:


(Photo courtesy of @ultraromance)

Speaking of "eeew":


(What SPF you running?)

Anyway, this year's ride is in Cambria, in the shadow of Hearst Castle, which is all right by me, and not just because the only physical difference between me and the seals that live there is a pair of sweaty bib shorts:


On Saturday I'll do the NOVA ride, which is for modern-day road and gravel-type bicycles:


Then on Sunday I'll do the Eroica Classic on an appropriate vintage machine.

Then, when I'm done, I'll give away both my bikes before I head home (details to follow in a future post), which means you now have one more reason (or I guess technically two more reasons) to do Eroica California this year: a free bike from a semi-professional bike blogger who can't be bothered to take his toys back home with him!

Best of all, I'm gonna rent another minivan!!!


(No, I won't give you a lift to the airport.)

I can't wait.
at

29 comments:

  1. hellbellyFebruary 26, 2019 at 8:21 AM

    Win a tetanus-laden old bike from BSNYC? Real winning and podium!

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  2. UniDanFebruary 26, 2019 at 8:26 AM

    !

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  3. UniDanFebruary 26, 2019 at 8:26 AM

    early bird

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  4. leroyFebruary 26, 2019 at 8:53 AM

    I dunno.

    I was in LA the weekend before last and it was cold and rainy and all I brought home was a stomach bug.

    On a positive note, I discovered a great weight loss program and my dog assures me that next trip, he’ll let me pick the dining establishments.

    He also says I’m a natural for an Eroica because I can make any bike look old.

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  5. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2019 at 10:27 AM

    Tan Tenovo, I heartily recommend the Hearst Castle visit. I know it takes half a day, it's touristy, and they don't talk about the lurid stuff that went on there; but it's still fun and interesting in a Frankenstein kind of way.

    Also, West side Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandels are some of the best wines in the world, and still reasonably priced. Take the old lady back out to Cali with you and do a couple days wine tasting with her. She drives the mini-van and you ride your bike between wineries!

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  6. HDEBFebruary 26, 2019 at 10:46 AM

    BSNYC is a brave man for repeatedly posting that photo of him in that bib outside the restroom. I prefer ski bibs to bicycle bibs this time of year, either way peeing is a task.

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  7. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2019 at 1:42 PM

    While my travels through northern california have taken me through san simeon, the "highlight" of what I missed may be the forestiere underground gardens in Fresno.

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  8. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2019 at 1:44 PM

    The thing about California Dreamin' is, anytime anyone says any sentence of the format, "All the ____ are ____" (example: "All the dishes are done") I can't help but Tourettishly start singing "AND THE SKYYY IS GRAAAAY..."

    I am sort of an asshole.

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  9. streepoFebruary 26, 2019 at 2:32 PM

    Can I get a lift to the airport?

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  10. GrumpFebruary 26, 2019 at 3:01 PM

    When you are at the Hearst Castle, say Hi to Rosebud for me.

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  11. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2019 at 3:18 PM

    Fofonov...hehe

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  12. Steve BarnerFebruary 26, 2019 at 4:07 PM

    The California Eroica will put you on track to be in shape for the much lower key, but more difficult 200-on-100 in June. http://100-200.org. It's lots closer to NYC, to boot!

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  13. BikeSnobNYCFebruary 26, 2019 at 5:30 PM

    Anonymous 10:27am,

    I've done the Hearst Castle tour three times in my life if you can believe it.

    My brother was managing a restaurant in St. Helena for a few years so we've gotten some good California wine country food and drink action in the past but yes, one day a more leisurely and indulgent trip is in order.

    --Tan Tenovo

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  14. Hee Haw Flee's baristaFebruary 26, 2019 at 5:58 PM

    Californivacation

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  15. wishiwasmerckxFebruary 26, 2019 at 6:46 PM

    Tan, check their website.

    I think that if you tour three times, the fourth tour is free.

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  16. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2019 at 9:20 PM

    -"THE BEAUTY OF FATIGUE" -
    The slogan at the bottom of that "Nova Eroica" poster reads:
    "The beauty of fatigue and the thrill of conquest",
    the first half of which is apt for this blog.

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  17. pbateman worked for hearst for years and didn't get no stinking gold covered poolFebruary 26, 2019 at 10:04 PM

    the most important thing to do out that way is go have lunch at the post ranch inn.

    hearst < biltmore

    very much super duper excited to hear which lovely (or possibly shitty since you're just gonna up and give it away) vintage bikey you'll be on.

    hope its a raleigh.

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  18. bad boy of the southFebruary 26, 2019 at 10:53 PM

    Nice VANS ya got there.just in case you do a little skateboarding I see.

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  19. BikeSnobNYCFebruary 27, 2019 at 7:29 AM

    pbateman...,

    Have had lunch there too more than once I HAVE DONE ALL THE CALIFORNIA THINGS.

    --Tan Tenovo

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  20. NHcyclerFebruary 27, 2019 at 7:34 AM

    I'm surprised purple paint was available on bikes 100 years ago.

    Wait...Ohhhh...

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  21. usrFebruary 27, 2019 at 8:10 AM

    Wow, Nova Eroica, not to be outdone by its vecchia counterpart in terms of bike rarity, seems to have attracted an example of the elusive left drive Super Record!

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  22. wishiwasmerckxFebruary 27, 2019 at 10:21 AM

    I don't know whether I am dyslexic or just juvenile, but every time I see "Eroica" I read "Erotica."

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  23. ChazuFebruary 27, 2019 at 10:42 AM

    Speaking of Vanderbilt (the Biltmore); I saw an advertisement for an Associate Professor of Publishing (at the university, not the hotel).

    Wait, it may be Belmont University that is looking for someone to teach Publishing. Either way, there is an opening for a Publishing professor at one of the two universities.

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  24. commieFebruary 27, 2019 at 12:07 PM

    I too made the mistake of registering for the L'Erotica ..it was more fun than riding up steep hills.

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  25. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2019 at 12:33 PM

    Eros is always better than Aero.

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  26. janine'sFebruary 27, 2019 at 1:05 PM

    Can I make an unsponsored product plug? Riemann P20 sunscreen lasts for 8-10 hours (the packaging says 10; independent testing says 8-ish) and is water-proof for multiple swims, so it's my go-to for a long ride on a sunny day. I think the one-application-per-day label is a stretch for a cyclist having an "epic" summer day, but it beats the hell out of once every two hours. However, this stuff is serious. You have to let it sit for 15-20 minutes before going outside and, I don't know what improperly applied P@) will do to the Rapha-ish gear one would wear to a L'Eroica. I have two jerseys: a Chinese knock-off Hello Kitty jersey and a Cookie Monster Jersey that says "Ride Bike! Eat Cookie!" Neither made from he finest wool. (The latter jersey is pretty neat https://www.ecyclingstore.com/women-s-clothing/product/495-cookie-monster-ride-bike-eat-cookie-womens-cycling-jersey; the former jersey seems to be woven out of semi-transparent asbestos.)

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  27. pbateman sells she seal oil by the sea shoreFebruary 27, 2019 at 4:32 PM

    Seal oil is ideal for vintage chains and for quieting squeaky bottom brackets. A vintage frame pump works well as a club.

    Also, didn't Renovo source the wood for their frames from around the Big Sur area? I hear those red woods are laterally stiff and vertically compliant as they come.




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  28. UnknownFebruary 28, 2019 at 6:22 AM

    https://wlos.com/news/local/cyclists-required-to-register-bikes-under-newly-filed-bill

    ReplyDelete
  29. JLRBMarch 1, 2019 at 10:16 PM

    Californica is a big state - I've noly biked visiting a handful of places - the best of which

    17 Mile

    101 from Carlsbad to San Diego

    Fort Ord



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