Page 31 - PBCOctober2018

Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine Volume 15 No.2 October 2018 @31

To make matters tougher, we then left the road onto another gravel track and continued
to climb. But the trusty Holdsworth and rider made it to the top, and then it was just
10km of more gentle tracks back to the finish arena.

Heralded up the finish straight by many spectators, and it was off to the signing-off
tent for the final passport stamp and the exchange my voucher for a pint of the local
brew. Well I had finished the ride now. The tandem duo duly finished without trouble,
although admitted that more training would be required before participating next year.
And the borrowed bike – piece of cake (well Bakewell tart I suppose).

Restored Tandem Duo

(Pictures courtesy of Eroica)
A Pickwickian Finish The borrowed bike

Eroica 2018 was very well organised, and very entertaining, but …………how come it hasn’t
had the publicity it deserves to really make it “world” famous and one of the most talked
about cycling events? There are many other Eroica or L’Eroica events around the world,
which are better known. It did unfortunately clash with the inaugural 3-day historical bike
gathering at London’s Herne Hill track, and the Heart Foundation London to Brighton ride
on the Sunday.

One thought I do have with all of these events though, is that there is no demand for a
health check before participating – L’Eroica Italy requires a medical health certificate for
all but the shortest distance option. As far as is known, in Eroica Britannia 2018 there
were no such issues but……….Will I ride it again next year? Probably.

Winkle Snr.