"I’ve had the bike for about 5 years, and was purchased with the specific intention of riding the Gaiole in Chianti Eroica event, Italy, in 2023. The bike came with its original and very detailed sales spec and pricing (see attached photo) as purchased new from a dealer in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Unfortunately, just before the trip to Italy, I came off a bike on a wet cattle grid, and broke my collarbone. I still managed to travel down to Italy by classic Peugeot car with two pals, AA map of Europe on my lap and arm in a sling!
I transferred my entry to the following year (2024) and did the ride with the Mercian then! It was hard but enjoyable- as most Eroica events are, with a mixture of tarmac roads and around 30% on gravel - that concentrated the mind on 700 x 25 road tyres! Amazingly good food stops along the way - first stop was the beautiful cobbled square in Sienna. Early morning sunlight and filled with classic bikes made it the most memorable stop that day. Lots of banter with riders from all over Europe. Just the one puncture in a rear tyre.
After that long drive down to Italy, I looked for an Eroica event somewhere closer - hence Eroica Valkenburg in Holland (which is about 4 hrs drive from the tunnel at Calais). There was a more informal ride on the Friday night (around 20km) with a short drinks stop.
Saturday my pal and I did the 75km route with two lovely food stops. Probably 20km on gravel roads and the rest on tarmac / concrete. Despite being in Holland, there are still some challenging hills - well, for me anyway!
I ran the same set of 700 x25 Vittoria Rubina Pro tyres I rode in Italy two years previously, with no issues or punctures. I’m thinking of another Eroica next year - either Germany or Italy Dolomites!"
