What happens when you combine a vintage Italian bike ride with the rolling hills of the Peak District? You get a lot of tweed, flapjacks, and plenty vintage bike geekery.
L’Eroica, a name that means ‘heroic’ began life in Italy in 1997 when 92 riders came together to highlight a campaign to prevent the asphalting over of the famous Tuscan white gravel roads – the strade bianchi – and to celebrate the fortitude of the cycling heroes of yesteryear.
Since then, the annual event has been governed by strict rules: the bikes must be from 1987 or earlier – so no indexed gears, gear changers must be on the downtube, and no routed cables. Clothing must be of an appropriate era to the bike. Despite the rules, thousands of fans flock to Tuscany each year to ride the event.
There are now global L'Eroica events, and the British arm of the event lands in the Peak District for its third year.
Situated in Bakewell within the Peak District National Park, Eroica Britannia will take place on the 17-19 June 2015, it is accompanied with a three day adventure with music, food, drink and acres of vintage displays, traders and fun.
On Sunday 19th June riders will gather, bikes polished and magnificent for ride through the Peak District. Bells will ring and the thrill of 4,000 riders on pre-1987 bikes will resonate around hill and through vale for Eroica Britannia.
Condor will be in attendance as a trader with a trio of vintage machines and our favourite items. We'll also be retailing a complete range of PEdALEd clothing.
Weekend tickets, day tickets, camping spots and luxury tents can all be booked on the Eroica website. Quick, it is selling out fast.