Rest assured I've wasted no time getting back to business. In fact, first thing this morning I dropped THE CAR THE BANK OWNS UNTIL I FINISH PAYING THEM BACK with the dealer so they could replace the Exploding Takata Airbag Of Death that apparently came as standard equipment:
This errand of course afforded me an opportunity to use the Brompton for my return trip:
The technician took an interest in the bicycle and correctly surmised that I would not be needing the use of a loaner car.
I mean I did think about taking one anyway just to stick it to Fuji Heavy Industries, but it didn't seem worth the trouble, and the fact is I was looking forward to the ride. After all, there's nothing like early spring in the Bronx:
Yes, Van Cortlandt Lake was a sight for sore eyes after having to look at this kind of shit for like three days straight:
I mean it was really awful:
Yes, these are the lies I tell myself--it's the only way I can stop the tears.
Of course, I will be providing a full account of my Eroica California adventure in the not-too-distant future, both in Outside and on this blog. In the meantime, I will say that on Saturday I tackled the Nova Eroica, and on Sunday I rode the Classic Eroica, though I opted for the short course because: 1) I was tired from Saturday; and B) I had a long drive to LA ahead of me for my return flight.
And speaking of driving, check out my sweet-ass minivan!
There's nothing like cruising the California coast with a couple of cheap-ass bikes flopping around behind you.
I wasn't just subject to beautiful scenery, either. There were also beautiful bikes, such as this one:
Which featured not only a drillium chain:
But also a drillium water bottle:
If you're wondering how that holds water, the answer is you fill it with ice.
Duh.
Best of all, a longtime reader presented me with the gift of 100 Cipollini stickers:
I may have to use them to mark the course for the next Fondon't.
41 comments:
URABUS
at least they are not from the rock racing cipollini era.
first - your choice of a univega - well done.
second - your choice of a minivan - well done.
third - you managed a couple photos where you can actually see the things in the photo - well done.
four - you managed all that riding and travel and still provided DOPE FRESH content two days in a row - well done.
you sir, are killing it.
On that green bikes, you would think the rear axial could be set a little deeper in the dropouts.
"...I do think I've had my fill of retro jerseys for awhile..."
The guy on the left in the photo, is sporting not only a tee shirt (boy scout?) but also baggy gym shorts. Double Do-I-Look-Like-I-Care points for him.
"...just to stick it to Fuji Heavy Industries..."
No relation to Nichibei Fuji Cycle Company Ltd, BTW.
Snob involved in talk-about-green-bike-and-not-mention-the-hot-yellow-bike-right-next-to-it fail.
Bias disclaimer: I have two yellow bikes; they go faster than each other, 26% and 32% faster than my orange bikes, and 461% faster than my green bike.
Thanks fr all the posts and pictures etc.
While you were in Cali my various travels included a weekend in your fair city.
1. my son and I snuck away for a lap around Central park on CitiBikes - sublime in a NYway
2. eBikes are everywhere in NY
3. enjoyed some interesting varieties of locked up bicycles, including some being picked apart, and one that sadly had its wheel taco'd by a passing car
4. a TV news person interviewed a NYr on the street about the congestion pricing proposal and the angry man quickly turned his complaint to - wait for it - BIKE LANES
Next Fondon't ?!?
Drillium, and the fact that I used to consider it, is proof that cycling humans are ridiculous. Still, it looks cool.
That's one heck of a front chainring on the green bike, too. Drilled out, and 60 tooth or so if I'm counting properly.
I pack all my bearings with Cippolissimo
Thanks for sharing. I might want to ride this one day. Did you see an Colnago BiTitans? Further, any yellow ones? Did you have to wear a brain cap?
Average age of Eroica participant?
Good for you!
Just figured out the gorgeous yellow bike is a Fiorelli. Sheldon Brown says they weren't much sought after, though Coppi rode one.
I am going to have to consider going to Eroica just to gawk. Or maybe eBay, which might be cheaper.
@Huskerdont- think that’s a Torelli, though of course I could be wrong judging from one picture. I had a mid-80s Fiorelli in White/Blue fade that had much different yellow cursive script logos. My first road bike, cheap cos it was languishing in the back of an East Coast shop that I forget. Found it in one of those shop ads in back of Bicycling magazine. Lugged Columbus Infinity in SL gauge. From that bike only I think Sheldon judged Fiorelli kinda wrong- the lug work, chrome, and paint were all pretty nice. My local shop thought it was better made than most of the mid grade Italian frames they saw. Really smooth, especially with tubulars. Wish I still had it.
Good timing on heading back to NYC Snobby....the CA Central Coast spring WINDS have arrived. I live about an hour or so (give or take an hour or so) south of your weekend Erotic rides (you likely drove thru my sleepy town of Santa Maria on your way to/from LAX). Yesterday was the beginning, and today it's windy with a vengeance (3o to 40mph sustained...yesterday was around 20something). It will be windy like this for some time (typically a few weeks). Road riding in wind isn't much fun at all (unless you are doing a 1-way southern route...say to San Diego, then it would be awesome!)...mt biking is do-able but you need to stay off ridges and wide open spaces. Anyway, glad you had a nice time riding out here...we do have it made I must admit. Also you were here during our "green" period...we had good rains this season and it's as good as it's going to look right now. By the time the winds die down it will be mostly brown again until next winter.
SEAL FART
PIEP LATE
LOVE EVOL
Green bike drillium water (errr ice) bottte - troll bait unabated
Welcome back WCRM. By a strange coincidence I took the clapped out old Honda that I own to the dealership to have its Takata shrapnel bombs replaced. They recommend that I get $3,600 of other work done to it! Ha ha, dream on!
Looking forward to the Eroica report.
Dare we hope for a Fondon't in 2019? That would be wonderful.
DIBS!
I did the lighthouse ride on Sunday too. Started off near the head of the pack, ended up the last one back. To be fair, I was one of a very few who was riding a 3-speed hub, but there was an older gentleman on a green fixed-gear who took my lunch money.
I'm still trying to figure out why it was that the three guys ahead of me at the finish line were each handed bottles of wine, whereas I was given a jar of jam...
Is it time to build that dream bike? Does anyone know a frame builder who can work with Valerian steel?
Pisto, having looked at the fonts on the logos of both, you are probably right. Still, it was a fun rabbit hole to go down. I found a gorgeous frame on ebay that fortunately was a 56 instead of a 58 (and from my experience, most older frames feel cramped to me so I'd rather err on the side of larger).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-FIORELLI-GIRO-DITALIA-BICYCLE-FRAMESET-W-EXTRAS/254000354113?hash=item3b2399d341:g:QekAAOSw7rlb~GsY
Please to not be telling me it will fit me please. Addiction is a terrible thing.
WTF Snobby? You went all the way across the US of A to ride vintage bikes, but instead burned up most of your energy on Saturday riding what was just another dirt gran fondo? Shame on you!
Anonymous 8:57am,
The route was amazing. I regret nothing.
--Tan Tenovo
Tra la la
I, too, regret nothing.
@ Huskerdont- my favorite username btw. Saw bob mould a few weeks ago. That Giro frame is beautiful... your eBay rabbit hole pointed me to a sad, rusty example of the very Fiorelli frame I had-
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F182866372877
Think I had a 55 or 56 and I had mostly Shimano so at least it can’t be my old frame.
What is dibs protocol on stickers?
Pisto, did you see Bob Mould at the 9:30 in DC, perhaps? I was there.
They want $600 for that sad looking old girl. I hope someone shows her some love.
MORE BABE
Tra, la, la
Je n'en regret rien, moi, surtout mon velo de Pinarello classique.
Je m'en fiche des autres.
Shut up, Piaf.
Looking forward to reading more about the Eroicas! Meanwhile, nice day in Chicago Monday, so I went for a longish (30 miles or so) ride to a Latin/South American grocery on the North Side, stopped at Metropolis Coffee on the way back, then did regular/ordinary grocery shopping after getting home. And today it’s 30-something, ice bits blowing around, tomorrow we’re supposed to have 30mph winds. Our crocuses seem to be taking it in stride even if I’m moaning about it ...
Crosspalms They should pay the Cubs more to play in such conditions. How do you catch a fly ball when the air is full of ice bits moving at 30mph?
AG William Barr has annouced he is lauching an investiagtion of Eroica to determine if it has any socially redeeming values.
Regrets, I've had a few, but then again too few to mention, I did what I had to do
Dibs on the Brompton!
Or are we not still doing that?
Real nice country on up over through on over up there. Went through there once as a retreat/escape type deal to clear my head, ended up making the decision to GTFO of Silicon Valley.
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