Founded in 1997 with just 92 riders, L’Eroica (which literally translates as ‘The Heroic’) is a vintage themed sportive, born from the love of cycling, history and literature of Italy. Its original intention was to raise awareness of the traditional ’strade bianchi’ (white gravel roads) of Tuscany and & safeguard its heritage… fast forward to 2014, it now sees 5000 cyclists subscribing to take part in what’s known as “the most handsome bike race in the world”. L’Eroica Britannia recreated the event on British soil in Bakewell with a weekend long family friendly festival, dedicated to all things vintage, lifestyle and of course cycling, culminating one of the most intense bike rides I’ve ever been on…
I headed up to Derbyshire on the Friday for the start of my “Great British Adventure” – filled with excitement for L’Eroica Britannia, I was also pondering how completely different the actual bike ride would be for me. There is no denying it – cycling 30 miles over terrain I’d never experienced before on a bike that wasn’t mine had my brain ticking over like mad. I knew this wasn’t going to be a gentle Sunday morning jaunt, but even through some nerves I was still eager to get on the trails and do it!
There was word on twitter that fellow cycling friends of mine would be riding Eroica Britannia, so it was brilliant to start bumping into familiar faces on the train before I’d even arrived in Bakewell! Team CTC formed by LDN Bike Kitchen’s Caren, Kelly and Jenni were taking part. Of course they were looking suitably vintage and posed for a cyclestle shot before riding off to the campsite…
While they cycled off into the rolling hills, I headed to the hotel which would be my base for the next two nights (I’m not going to deny I stayed in a hotel thanks to Lush and was without bike at this point) and had a relaxing Friday evening, sorting out plans for the bike filled weekend ahead…
Getting to know the area and why L’Eroica had chosen it was on my agenda on Saturday, so the Brooks England breakfast hosted by organiser Gian Bohan was a brilliant way to do it. Held at The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop, there was a chance to sample some of the local delights that would feature on the route stops, which of course included the famous Bakewell Pudding – and yes, VCG has been fully schooled on the difference between the Pudding and the Tart…
As riders in Italy get to sample food and drink on the mountainous routes featuring local cheese, meats and wines, the hilly Peak District was the perfect location to recreate the ride. With its terrain, and a classic British twist on the food, the area was a perfect match to Tuscany.
Sausage cob and a cuppa downed, I headed off with the Brooks team for a beautiful tour of Derbyshire, and then onto the Bakewell Showground for the festival. It was great to soak in the atmosphere of L’Eroica Britannia… with a chance to catch up with the Lush Ladies, drool over the pre-1987 bicycles on show, visit the stalls and film with The Cycle Show crew… there was A LOT to squeeze in!
- Lush Handmade Cosmetics for inviting and looking after me
- L’Eroica Britannia for their hospitality and for an amazing event
- Brooks England and Gian Bohan for an amazing Saturday
- The Cycle Show for the laughs and gin while filming
- The Loughton Bros, Emma & Ali and Joolze Dymond for additional photography of me there
