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If anyone is thinking about going on an organised group UK Cycle Tour post lockdown, probably post vaccine, in the late Spring or Summer, remember to look at the CTC Tours website for inspiration:-
All trips are run by volunteer tour managers (including myself), on an expenses only 'not-for-profit' basis.
https://www.cyclingholidays.org/
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No mention of the Olympics in the second thread, that I can see?

I Have been asked to publicise this:
LONDON 2012 SEEKS TANDEM BIKES AND THEIR CYCLISTS FOR THE BIGGEST SHOW ON EARTH

''The search is on for Volunteer Cyclists to cycle their tandems into the stadium as part of the Olympic Ceremonies.We are ideally looking for the combination of a sighted and a visually impaired cyclist but are keen to hear from any combination of riders at this stage....Need to be over 18 on March 1st 2012, and be able to attend a casting session on March 3rd, plus some rehearsal sessions in East London from June to August 2012.

If you are interested in being part of this once in a lifetime opportunity please email the following citing TANDEM BIKES in the subject title to

groupncasting@london2012ceremonies.com

1. A photo of you both and your bike.She said in conversation that was not strictly necessary, if a problem.
   2.Short description of both cyclists
   
2. Contact details (name, address, email, phone number).
   
3. We will then contact you directly if we would like you to be involved.
   Closing date for applications is Friday 17th February. ''
   
   

This email came to me via Laura Windows at London 2012 and the Tandem Club.

Laura.Windows@london2012ceremonies.com

This sounds awesome - just regarding the train, is it ok to take bikes on most trains out of London; how does that work? (sorry for my ignorance, but I'm from New Zealand & haven't been in London that long).

Yes no problem with bikes on sliding door trains - especially on sundays. Just look out for the sign showing which carriage to put the bikes.

I had 4 riders today, and we all got round, despite an impromptu jockey wheel repair, and a bit of drizzle/rain this afternoon. I will repeat it in the Spring.

Nice video Mr Snapper. All the dust was cleaned off my bike before my Surrey Hills recce ride last saturday, but I still have L'Eroica number on my bike-what a poser. My brown leather retro shoes were still white be with dust before that ride, however the pedalling round Surrey removed most of it! See separate thread for the Effingham ride. I will run it again in the Spring, with plenty of notice, and hope to keep fit riding similar routes over the winter, frost permitting.

You've missed the best bits!

Just had a look, and that route is not quite the one I took...I like to head all the way up Holmbury Hill on Radnor rd then fast descent through Hurtwood Forest to the junction with Hurtwood Inn, then Walking bottom climb back up, before descent towards Shere. Possible to go into Shere and back to Effingham via Coombe Lane steep climb then via Hungry Hill. Earlier we will take a slight detour into Holmbury St Mary for lunch.

Now here's a link to the route. you just need to add the ride from Effingham junction to where the route meets Ranmore Common.

http://freespace.virgin.net/graham.hill3/hilly50g.htm

Its farly consistently up and down - there's a sign for 18% at one point...I used lowest gears down to 42 x 34 in a couple of places, on my steel retro bike....

Sugggest you do a search on Google maps for Effingham Junction train station - its just past Cobham. I tried to copy the link to here but its far too long!
Spread the word, I hope all the guys who have dne L'Eroica see this in time!

Diary Date for retro ride Sun Oct 30th. Meet Effingham Junction Station Car Park 10.00am. All welcome especially those on pre 1990s bikes.Low gears suggested - probably too hilly for fixed.

In order to keep the momentum going following L'Eroica, I suggest a Sunday ride on October 30th (clocks back weekend so an extra hour to get to the start!) I have ridden the route today. Like l'Eroica its very hilly, with lots of ups and downs, and some narrow roads. However its all on tarmac, but will be hilly and pretty, eg Ranmore Common, Leith Hill, Holmbury Hill, Whitedown, etc, on minor roads, some potholes/gravel to beware in places. Route is similar to the CTC Hilly 50km route. Pub lunch stop, maybe in Holmbury St Mary. Around 60km (Effingham to Effingham) but pace will be pace of slowest rider i.e. re-group at tops of climbs.

Meeting point will be car park at Effingham Junction train station, at 10.00am (Train from Waterloo at 9.02 gets there 9.50am).

If anyone wants to ride out to Effingham from Kingston, i will be riding out with Kingston Wheelers to Effingham (9.00am start, Laithwaites Car Park, Portsmouth rd/Brighton rd Junction).

Diary Date for retro ride Sun Oct 30th. Meet Effingham Junction Station Car Park 10.00am

In order to keep the momentum going following L'Eroica, I suggest a Sunday ride on October 30th (clocks back weekend so an extra hour to get to the start!) I have ridden the route today. Like l'Eroica its very hilly, with lots of ups and downs, and some narrow roads. However its all on tarmac, but will be hilly and pretty, eg Ranmore Common, Leith Hill, Holmbury Hill, Whitedown, etc, on minor roads, some potholes/gravel to beware in places. Route is similar to the CTC Hilly 50km route. Pub lunch stop, maybe in Holmbury St Mary. Around 60km (Effingham to Effingham) but pace will be pace of slowest rider i.e. re-group at tops of climbs.

Meeting point will be car park at Effingham Junction train station, at 10.00am (Train from Waterloo at 9.02 gets there 9.50am).

If anyone wants to ride out to Effingham from Kingston, i will be riding out with Kingston Wheelers to Effingham (9.00am start, Laithwaites Car Park, Portsmouth rd/Brighton rd Junction).

aww, i'd love to go to that but it's too far for me to travel for a ride it think - put me down for the next one...
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Love the sound of the Yorkshire ride, but I've done too much travelling already this year to bike rides, so I may not make it along. Anyhow, at least we are offering retro rides at both ends of the country!

By the way, to keep those retro pedals, toe-clips and wheels turning, I plan to organise a Sunday retro Surrey Hills ride soon. Watch this space for details

Diary Date for retro ride Sun Oct 30th

In order to keep the momentum going, I suggest Sunday October 30th (clocks back weekend so an extra hour to get to the start!) Will recce the route on sat but its not gonna be too tough, compared to l'Eroica (probably all on tarmac, but will be hilly and pretty, eg Ranmore Common, Whitedown, Holmbury Hill, Leith Hill, etc, on minor roads, some potholes/gravel to beware in places. Pub lunch stop.

Meeting point will be car park at Effingham Junction train station, time TBA, probably 10.00am (Train from Waterloo at 9.02 gets there 9.50am). I will also give a meeting point at 9.00am in Kingston, for any who want to ride out to Effingham first.

By the way, to keep those retro pedals, toe-clips and wheels turning, I plan to organise a Sunday retro Surrey Hills ride soon. Watch this space for details

Great pics, windy. So, how did you find your cyclocross tyres? I had a blast going downhill with my 35 front. I hardly used my brakes whilst my friends were going down with their 23/25 like little grandmothers.

+1 for great photos
I was one of the guys descending on 23s very gingerly like a ' little grandmother'...great description. Would certainly fit the widest tyres my frame will allow, if I get the chance to ride another year.A superb event.

Does anybody know how much were the bikes at the jumble. Nothing special just one for doing the ride

Nice green Bianchi,excellent condition, around 1985? was about 500 Euros. Other bikes, a bit special were 1,100 Euros plus. But prices were open to negotiation, I believe, as I heard a trader say ''We are not in the shop...'. better bargains to be had on this forum, probably!

@ mr spintoofast. We were at resort Olmo too!

http://peteblog1.blog.co.uk/2011/10/05/l-eroica-retro-bike-ride-11971287/

As per my blog above, I was only there on Thursday, before moving closer to the start. I hear La Fuga were based there as well.

My photos of L'Eroica 2011 are here

https://picasaweb.google.com/103516038499036836792/LEroicaRetroBikeWeekend2011#5660515626896121090

Where did u stay? Great ride as ever, I'll be doing it again next year, hoping it won't be so hot though, took me 1.5hours longer this year, though i felt fitter overall. Certainly marathon not a sprint.

Up the hill from the start, at the 10th century converted monastery Castello di Spaltenna - very well located for the start, but need to book very early...I booked in Feb.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/castello-di-spaltenna.html?aid=327218;label=postbooking_confemail

Readers Digest version:-205k in 14.5hours with 3500m of climb and over 50% on the white gravel roads .Thanks to Snapper 65, Peter C, Keith, john, Matt and Alex, Jimmy and Martin, and all the others who I met.

Fuller account here in my blog http://peteblog1.blog.co.uk/

Murakami, that bike would be absolutely fine - it has exposed brake cables and shifters on the downtube, which is what they like. To be honest, there was no bike check at all when I left at 5.00 am in the first wave! You might need (as I did) lower gears to be comfortable, eg smaller chainrings or larger cogs at the back.I had 42/34 as lowest gear, and used it too!

A few 'mille gratzie's and 'per favore's go a long way (thanks a lot and please).
Will take my tiny 'audax' lock...

Quick Q for those who have been before - how safe is it, what type of bike lock do i need to bring for when eating, drinking, etc (before the ride)?

Thanks for all the good tips, guys. Really looking forward to this now. Will have to ride faster to enjoy all those food and drink stops!
On monday morning after the ride I have a promise of a lift to Sienna rail station, but if anyone is going from Gaiole all the way to Pisa airport on monday morning, and has space for another bike box/small case, please pm me, happy to share your costs.

There are some photos of my newly renovated 531C Revelle Rapide in the following link. I have a nice low gear (42/34) thanks to the Shimano hyperglide 6 speed, so needed a replacement long-arm derailleur. Apart from that, its still Shimano 6oo speed non-index gearing and original Campag hubs and Ascenti rims, re-built with new spokes. Pedals are non-original, but comfortable.

https://picasaweb.google.com/103516038499036836792/PeterSParisBrestParis2011

followed by my photos of last month's PBP.

Staying in Gaolle with Snapper65