I know this list is not a travel site so I will try to keep my posts
on topic. Even so....I think it will take me two or three long winded
postings to cover all that was of CR interest.
I just returned from 16 days in Tuscany and the Piedmont (Coppi land)
area of Italy with the Eroica Grand Fondo being the centerpiece of a
vintage biker dream. As many of you know I was trying to arrange a bike
tour made up of all vintage bike fans culminating in the Eroica. The
tour happened but, as it turns out, I was the only one on a vintage
bike. So, for 6+ days I rode my 1965 Bianchi Speciallisima while the
rest of the group rode bikes weighing 15lbs give or take. with carbon
wheels, carbon compact cranks, and ergo shifters. It was, to say the
least, a challenge.
In order to acquaint the rest of the riders with what it is like to ride
the strada bianca that makes up many of the Eroica kilometers we rode
perhaps 30 or so kms of it during the week. Man that Speciallisima
handled like a dream. I could descend on my 21mm Clement tubulars at top
speed and, with the exception of this ex cat 2+ racer and cyclocrosser
from Connecticut who used to race for Richie Sachs named Doug Day
(husband of the tour companies co-owner), no one could stay with me. The
bike tracked like a dream......even I, who swears by the new
technologies, was just ecstatic. And, when we descended the long paved
switchbacks of Tuscany well, the bike was as good or better than my
prized C-40 carbon Colnago. Climbing was another story but, as they say,
what doesnt kill you makes you stronger.
A real highlight of the week was a visit to the store and factory of
Irio Tommasini. What a wonderful man. His daughter, who speaks perfect
Texas English having lived there for a year or so, gave us a tour of the
factory. But, for me, the highlight, was sitting down and talking
vintage bikes with Irio. My Italian is poor at best, but somehow we
communicated. I showed him pics of my collection and he helped in dating
where I was unsure. I was over the top when he told me he thought the
collection was impressive.
Then, off to the back room to see his own collection. Several old bikes
of his own manufacture under the name of Thomas (because he thought they
might sell better in the US market were just exquisite. A Pela, a
Legnano, a Maina, and on and on. One bike he was given by a friend he
said had on it a saddle given to his friend by, none other than, il
Campionissimo Fausto Coppi. I just rested my hand on it for awhile. He
then pulled out a set of rims with the non tire side grooved like the
inside of a clincher. Never saw such a thing. He had no idea who had
produced them. In his office he carefully pulled out a box which
contained an NOS Campy Cambio Corsa derailleur. From what I could
understand, he planned to build a bike for it when he found the time.
Soon, my friend Mark (tour guide and owner) came in saying the rest of
the crew were mad as hell at me for staying so long and that I should
get my A** out to the van. Reluctantly I left, agreeing that we would
see each other again at the Eroica were he serves a judge. Anyway,
enough for now......stage two the Eroica perhaps tomorrow.
Edward Albert
Chappaqua, NY