While Eroica and its subsidiaries may be enjoying the limelight of the contemporary vintage scene, these fine events were by no means first to that party.  

Of course the romance of Tuscany with its famed strade bianche and checkpoints where Chianti Classico is served, all this has a wonderful allure, and what it’s grown into is without question a valued addition to the contemporary cycling world. But one thing should be made clear though, if we are talking about recent history: by the time L’Eroica was founded in 1997, the vintage scene in Southern California had been established for several years, with rides run by the Vintage Bicycle Association, founded by CyclArt.

A couple of big distinctions should be made between Eroica and the SoCal vintage ride scene. Eroica is known for large-scale festival-type events that attract hundreds and even thousands of participants. Period attire is encouraged on and off-bike and the whole thing is a big deal that makes a big impression. The SoCal vintage rides aren’t that. These rides are more about a community of people with a shared interest and who have kept something going over a span of decades by organizing small, low key-rides that are more of a lifestyle than special events.

No pain, plenty to gain. Mostly it's a leisurely cruise on flat and gently undulating terrain. Photo: Richard Wills

In fact, the mainstay of these rides, Velo-Retro’s monthly Rose Bowl ride in Pasadena is said to take place regardless, even if no riders show up. “It’s an inside joke, but it’s because we have the ride on a loop that’s commonly used by cyclists, so even if nobody else is there at the start, you’ll see other cyclists during the ride,” says Chuck Schmidt, who founded this particular ride at around the same time L’Eroica was beginning in Italy.

Another big difference is philosophy. The Eroica movement includes an element of suffering, it's a tribute to cyclists of bygone ages. The Rose Bowl Ride is almost the polar opposite. More on that later.

Before founding his Rose Bowl ride, Schmidt tells us there had been some rides for vintage bike enthusiasts, usually with a swap meet attached. “We’d have some folks come down from Portland, and I remember driving up to San Francisco with Brian Baylis for a vintage swap meet and ride put on by American Cyclery. There was one in Cupertino (California) too,” he recalls.

Schmidt was thinking about something more regular, though, and local, so he started telling people to show up at the Rose Bowl at 10:30 for an 11 a.m. roll-out from the Rose Bowl on the first Sunday of each month. It kept going, attracted a small but dedicated following, and at present is the only regular monthly vintage ride in the country, as far as Chuck knows.

“We don’t get a lot of people showing up, even though we’ve been written up in Bicycling and the LA Times. I think the biggest ride had 35 people,” says Chuck.

A big part of this ride’s atmosphere comes from the Rose Bowl itself. Having this as the venue for track cycling events in the 1932 Olympics ride acted as a catalyst for a local racing scene. “There’s been an informal road race ever since, it’s 32 miles, 10 laps, of a circuit on roads around the Rose Bowl on Tuesdays and Thursdays. People think it started in the ‘60s or ‘70s. It didn’t, it started way back in the ‘30s,” he tells us.

The Velo-Retro Rose Bowl ride is one big loop, and it’s always 25 miles. The rolling speed is decidedly social, and with the half-way stop at a coffee shop with nice pastries, it is literally a cake ride.

One of the really good things about cycling. Photo: Rodney Wills

Mostly-flat, the route is fixed-gear friendly and includes Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Temple City, Arcadia, and the abovementioned stop is at Bean Town in Sierra Madre. Here riders partake of coffee, ice cream, cake, or even lunch, before returning to the Rose Bowl via Altadena.  

Early on in the route riders pass La Casita del Arroyo, built largely with recycled boards from the temporary velodrome, made for the 1932 Olympics.  

True to the ride's online information, vintage bike enthusiasts begin gathering at half past ten for some show-and-tell before rolling out at 11 a.m.  Bike talk prevails during the ride, usually continuing right through to the end, where riders linger for a few minutes before heading home. Those who wait a little longer during the warm weather months frequently will encounter a push cart vendor selling ice cream at the finish in the park.  

Chuck Schmidt (center) chats with fellow vintage enthusiasts at the cake stop. Photo: Richard Risemberg

Vintage and handbuilt bikes are not required on the Rose Bowl rides, but they are encouraged and are always admired and appreciated. Despite all the bike talk, the ride really is more about the people than the bikes. 16 riders joined the July 3rd edition. Some notable bikes made appearances, and we will present profiles of these in the coming weeks.  

The next edition of the ride will be held on Sunday August 7th.