Gravel Grinder News: PCL Adds “L’Eroica” Category To Gravel Worlds

Gravel Grinder News: PCL Adds “Eroica” Category To Gravel Worlds- by Guitar Ted

Have you ever heard of L’Eroica? It is an event- and now has inspired a category of events- that originated in Italy by a rider by the name of Giancarlo Brocci, who in 1997 decided he wanted to do a ride, and provide an event, that hearkened back to the romantic visions of bespectacled riders struggling up the graveled passes of the Alps and Pyrenees. The idea caught the imagination of European riders and was imported to the U.S. several years ago. Rules apply that all riders must adhere to to be considered as being “era correct”, right down to the kit worn by each participant.

Well, according to one of the Gravel Worlds promoters, Corey Godfrey, there were some suggestions made that Gravel Worlds should include such a category in their event. Gravel Worlds has already embraced fat bikes, single speeds, and they even have a category for cargo bikes. Now an “L’Eroica” category will be added for this coming August’s edition of Gravel Worlds. The rules that will apply include the following:

  • Steel frame produced prior to 1988.
  • Down tube or bar-con shifters.
  • Non-aero brake levers, with exposed brake housing.
  • Traditional pedals with toe clips and straps.
  • Minimum 32-spoke wheels with box-section, non-aero rims.
  • Leather saddles and wool jerseys preferred.
Gravel Worlds emblem

But what if you have already registered for Gravel Worlds and you’d like to enter the L’Eroica category? Have no fear! Godfrey said competitors already registered for another category at Gravel Worlds 2019 can switch to the L’Eroica category without additional fees, and registration remains open for all categories of the August 17 event. Learn more at Gravel-Worlds.com, or register at BikeReg.com.

Note: Information and images for this post were provided by Gravel Worlds/PCL

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Author: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted hails from Iowa. Home of over 70,000 miles of gravel and back roads. An inaugural member of the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame and Co-creator of Trans Iowa in late 2004- Guitar Ted has been at the forefront of the growth of gravel events and riding since then. Creator of Gravel Grinder News in 2008, he produced the premier calendar of gravel and back road events. GT joined forces with Riding Gravel in late 2014.

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2 thoughts on “Gravel Grinder News: PCL Adds “L’Eroica” Category To Gravel Worlds

  1. Eroica California allowed aero brake levers in 2017 as they were pretty common before 1987-1988. No one said a word about my Dia-Compe A-gc levers when I rode in 2018. Aero levers cannot be shift levers. Also, they don’t limit to steel frames as there were some fantastic frames made from aluminum ( Alan, Vitus ), titanium ( Teledyne ), and even carbon fiber ( Graftek) in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. Those are all allowed in Eroica California.

    I’m on call that weekend, otherwise I’d think hard about going to Lincoln with my Raleigh.

  2. Have you ever heard of L’Eroica? Originating from Italy, this event, and now a category of events, was conceived by a cyclist named Giancarlo Brocci in 1997. What inspired him to create an event that harks back to the romanticized images of cyclists navigating gravel paths in the Alps and Pyrenees?
    Telkom University

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