Brooks L'eroica Saddles

Saddle makers Brooks of England have created some fantastic special edition saddles in the past. My favourite is definitely the Brooks Professional "Alpe d'Huez" saddle that they introduced in limited numbers during 2010.

Alpe d'Huez is one of the main climbs and has been a stage finish in the Tour de France almost every year since 1976. The first was in 1952, and won by Fausto Coppi, at a time when most cyclists were riding Brooks Saddles.

A stylised topographic pattern of the Alpe d’Huez is impressed on the surface of the leather saddle. The design was created by Dan Funderburgh, a wallpaper designer and artist from Brooklyn, New York. His patterns, prints and installations are varied in content but all demonstrate a love for decorative arts.

The Alpe d'Huez edition saddle was available in honey, brown and black, and after it's release it sold out fairly quickly. It is almost impossible to buy new now, although second hand ones appear on eBay occasionally for ridiculous prices.

I was lucky enough to get hold of a brown Alpe d'Huez saddle some time ago. It is such a beautiful work of art that sits pride of place in my bike room. I'm sure I'll fit it to one of my bikes sooner or later!!

The most recent line of special edition Brooks saddles focuses on vintage cycling and the L'eroica series of rides. There are now 6 recognised L'eroica rides internationally and each year they are becoming more popular.

1.     Eroica California, USA,  12 April 2015.

2.     Eroica Primavera,  Italy,   3 May 2015.

3.     Eroica Japan,  17 May 2015.

4.     Eroica Hispania, Spain,  7 June 2015.

5.     Eroica Britannia, UK,  21 June 2015.

6.     Eroica Tuscany, Italy (the original event),  4 October 2015. 

As a tribute to the rides Brooks has released a series of limited edition saddles to commemorate the events. These are beautiful saddles that will compliment any vintage (or modern) ride.

California edition in honey brown

Japanese edition in green

Hispania edition in maroon

Britannia edition in black

Today (21 June 2015) is coincidently the Britannia edition of the ride - I am so envious of those lucky enough to be participating!. 

At this stage there have been 4 saddle designs released and there is expected to be one more released later in the year to commemorate the original L'Eroica ride in Tuscany. The saddles are available for purchase on the Brooks website however you best be quick as they are limited to 1000 pieces for each edition.

Good luck and safe riding,

James @ PVC.

From Pashley Speed 5 to Pashley Tweed 5.

The London Tweed Run was held this year on Saturday 18 April, 2015. Organisers of the event have again orchestrated a magnificent day for all tweed vintage cycling enthusiasts.  

There are some great images for all to see on their website www.tweedrun.com The site is well worth a look!

To raise money for charity this year the Tweed Run organisers collaborated with Pashley to produce the 'Tweed 5' bicycle. This 'one off' special edition was auctioned on Ebay to raise money for the Tweed Run charity. Congratulations to the lucky bidder Paul from Central Bedfordshire for his winning bid!

The 'Tweed 5' is based on Pashley's Speed 5, the Speed 5 being a fitting bicycle for such a unique makeover. Here is the result of the build...

From this....

...to this!

Here are some more images to enjoy.

The saddle bag and matching top tube protector are outstanding accessories, sure to be a big seller should Pashley decide to increase production for general sales. For me the red coloured Brooks Swift saddle with matching handlebar tape is also a standout! 

The collaborators were obviously going through a purple patch when creating this design! Hats off to all involved...

Safe riding...

James @ PVC

L'Eroica cycling classics

About 18 years ago in the province of Tuscany, Italy, a group of vintage cycling enthusiasts held a cycling event. They called it 'L'Eroica'. 

The event centred on a small village called Chianti which is surrounded by stunning Tuscan hills. The rolling Tuscan hills are magnificent, spotted with vineyards, rolling countryside, and white limestone roads.

The cycling event has never been competitive, just an event that attracts vintage cycling enthusiasts who want to ride on sealed and dirt roads that wind through some of the most beautiful Italian hills and countryside you could ever imagine.

During the ride participants are able to stop regularly to feast on traditional Italian food and wine. This activity is certainly a great drawcard for many riders as the magnificent food and beverage options present a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to sample delicious Italian delicacies. 

The event pays homage to the nostalgic era of cycling when Fausto Coppi dominated world cycling events. As such bicycles involved in the event must be steel framed bicycles built before 1987. All bicycles must have down-tube shifters, pedals with cages and clips, wheels with at least 32 spokes, and external brake cables. 

There are few exceptions to this rule, although pre-1987 aluminium frames built by Alan or Vitus are allowed. On application, and after much consideration and deliberation by the event organisers, the Pashley Guv'nor was allowed to participate in the event in 2008 due to the design heritage of the bike. 

Riders are required to dress in clothing matching the era, so out come the vintage cycling shoes and the woollen cycling jerseys to match.

The event really has captured the imagination of vintage cycling fans throughout the world. Of course not everyone can afford the pilgrimage to Chianti so over recent times similar events have popped up throughout the world. 

In 2015 there are 6 major Eroica cycling events;

1. Eroica California, USA, 12 April 2015.

2. Eroica Primavera,  Italy, 3 May 2015.

3. Eroica Japan, 17 May 2015.

4. Eroica Hispania, Spain, 7 June 2015.

5. Eroica Britannia, UK, 21 June 2015.

6. Eroica Tuscany, Italy (the original event), 4 October 2015. 

See more details at http://www.eroica.cc/

Each event offers rides of differing lengths.......for example the 2015 Tuscany event offers 4 paths to choose from - 38 kms, 75 kms, 135 kms, or 209 kms, so there is usually a course to suit everyone.

This year saddle manufacturers Brooks (of England) are paying their respects to the L'Eroica phenomenon by producing some limited edition saddles to celebrate the event. Their first edition is called the Team Pro Eroica California pictured below....well done Brooks!

This saddle is available to purchase on the Brooks website. I understand that Brooks will be issuing a series of limited edition Eroica saddles this year to celebrate the various events, I can't wait to see the range.

Attending an Eroica event (wherever it may be) should be on any cyclists bucket list, it is certainly on mine!! 

Safe riding.

James @ PVC

Pashley Speed 5

Since its release in September 2013, the Pashley Speed 5 has been very popular amongst vintage cycling fans and enthusiasts. Many ponder over the anticipation of one day owning such a beautiful cycle for themselves. 

Although most sales have been in the United Kingdom the Speed 5 has slowly won the hearts and minds of cyclists across the USA, Europe, Canada, and Australia.

As time passes more and more Speed 5 owners accessorise their beloved bicycles and post photos of their efforts on all types of social media. I've gathered some images to post on a single page for the delight of those interested in the Pashley Speed 5. 

I hope you enjoy them... 

I've found that very few Speed 5 owners like to have their photographs taken holding their beloved cycles but it is with great pleasure that I present to you today a couple of such photos! I commend the bravery of the two men pictured above with their beloved Speed 5's....I find myself with feelings of both envy and jealousy.

Safe riding...

James @ PVC

Bianchi Specialissima 1977

Here is another late 1970's classic - the Bianchi Specialissima.

The Italian made Specialissima was the top of the line model for Bianchi during the 1970's and early 1980's. The steel frame was, at the time, one of the the most advanced racing frames on the market and was the preferred bicycle for many European champions. 

The brand is historically associated with Giro D'Italia and Tour De France Winners Fausto Coppi, Marco Pantani, and Felice Gimondi. The story of Marco Pantani is intriguing and well worth exploring if you are interested in Italian cycling history.

The Bianchi brand of course is held close to the heart of many cycling traditionalists and is usually fitted out with Italian components and Campagnolo gearing systems. 

This bike is painted with the traditional Bianchi 'celeste' colour which has interesting origins. Some say it is the colour of a blue Milan sky, others claim it to be the eye colour of a beautiful Italian queen, and others claim the colour to be a mixture of old military paint left over from the war.

Whatever the origins of the colour, here is a beautifully kept example of a Specialissima that is fitted with a Campagnolo Nuovo Record groupset from 1975.

  

....just a small glimpse of some fantastic Italian cycling history.

Ride safe,

James @ PVC