Jay, Do you really think that Eddie was looking to squash enthusiasm? I don't think that was the "perfessor's" intent. A wine country celebration would be kind of cool and the sprit of the event can certainly replicate a celebration of vintage bicycles. Ask anyone that has ridden their bikes on the Silverado trail or up the Oakville grade (speed bump). Winery tours and interesting B&B's abound from Napa to Saint Helena. But riding in Italy with Captain Freitas and fellow CR luddites is going to be "tres kewl" and a very different experience.
With 9 days to go, Mike Schmidt Stirling, NJ
On 9/14/06 5:29 PM, "Jay Van De Velde" <jaysportif@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Geez, there's always someone who's more than willing to quash any enthusiasm
> for an interesting idea. Apparently, the only proper place for hosting an
> historic bicycle racing event is in the spiritual home of the sport. Anywhere
> else, it's just a crass and shallow imitation of the original that's not worth
> the effort. I'm sure glad the vintage automobile racing community sees fit to
> hold world class events at venues in addition to Monaco, LeMans or Goodwood.
> Like Monterey, CA, for instance. Nice to know the minuscule world of vintage
> bike collectors holds the high moral ground above the vintage sports and
> racing car world.
> Jay Van De Velde
> Seal Beach, CA
> (BTW, I'm aware of the racing at Del Monte Forest in the '50s)
>
> Edward Albert <Edward.H.Albert@hofstra.edu> wrote: Hey, you can go to Las
> Vegas to see a clone of venice so why not
> Northern California for a clone of L'Eroica. Simple, cause it would be
> just that.....a clone. As part of the round of Gran Fondos L'Eroica is
> unique to place and people and tradition. You want that experience go
> there and do that. You want a different experience (maybe just as good
> but very different!) do a tour in California wine country or in
> Australia. But, don't equate it with L'Eroica. Or maybe we should
> start a chain of them.....like Micky D's.
> Edward Albert (not in Italy but in)
> Chappaqua, NY, U.S.A.
>
> Edward Albert, Ph.D.
> Professor Emeritus of Sociology