A heroic bike ride celebrating cycling’s yesteryears, in NW Montana
September 8 – 9, 2012
(It’s getting late, you need to call Glacier Cyclery about registering.)
This ride is a celebration of the cycling days of old when road racing in Europe meant racing on unpaved dirt roads over mountain passes, in sometimes horrific conditions. The racers rode steel framed bikes that were built as much for toughness as for speed. They drank wine and smoked Gitanes to quell their suffering. “Nutrition” was real food, like cheese, salami, and a baguette. Suffering was an artform taken to a new level by these riders, as they collapsed into the arms of their handlers at race’s end, their faces reflecting something that non-riders will never understand. But at the end of the day, it was all about style, the horrors of the struggle erased by the pasta with truffles, crystal gobblets of Chianti and polite conversation.
This year is the 6th running of Cino Heroica (pr. cheee-No He-ro-i-ka). The event started out with 7 riders, last year we had almost 90. Nowadays they come from all over the US. The ride is a showcase of beautiful machines from the 30’s to the 80’s with names like Cinelli, Masi, Bottechia. But this ride is only partly about the bikes. The ride is a reminder of what cycling is all about.
We ride from Kalispell to Hot Springs over a mostly unpaved, back route. It’s about 60 miles. The roads are rural and unpaved Forest Service roads with little to no traffic. While the roads are dirt and at times rough, they are rideable on a road bike. An old steel framed racing bike from the 80’s or earlier, with a European pedigree works great (along with mountain bikes, cross bikes).
This is not an easy ride, but people of varying abilities manage it, and suffer accordingly. The climbs are moderate, the road can be rough at times but is mostly OK. The real challenge is riding a “Heroic” bike over dirt. Nobody is going to complain if you take a breather in the sagwagon.
We stay in Hot Springs for the night at Alameda’s Hot Springs Resort (https://www.alamedashotsprings.com/). They can also accommodate tent camping and most camp. Dinner will be held at Alamedas on Saturday night, with appropriate bicycle oriented entertainment afterward. Of course, there are the hot springs at Symes to soak in.
The return is a slightly different route that involves a fairly substantial, sustained climb up a rough road. There are iron men that do it with a fixed gear and a prayer. The rest of us look at our 42×23 and contemplate long breaks and beautiful views. And you can always hitch a ride in the sag.
LOGISTICS
We will have a sag vehicle to carry overnight gear, as well as food, tools, spare parts, riders, extra water, etc. Support will be light or non-existent, meaning don’t expect the sag to be there when you get a flat. We will provide maps and directions as the course is only lightly marked.
Lunch is a tabletop affair halfway along the course, and consists of whatever people have donated. Real food with Italian names, cholesterol laden deli meats and cheeses are all desired. Organizers will coordinate the food donations. Corkscrews and ashtrays provided.
A few water stations will be strategically located along the route.
Breakfast on Sunday at a local restaurant.
Things are flexible. For example, most but not everyone rides on Sunday. Some folks have a spouse or friend drive over to meet them, and just drive back.
Be Heroic!
We encourage participants to ride “Heroic” bikes. Riders that complete the course on a Heroic bike will get a 2012 Cino Heroica patch that designates “Heroic” status. Others will get a patch without.
What is a Heroic bike? Your bike must have at least three of the following characteristics to be considered Heroic:
- Steel frame
- A frame made in 1987 or earlier
- Non-indexed shifting
- Old style clip pedals and straps
- Single speed
- Downtube shift levers
- Tubular tires
Older steel framed racing bikes with European pedigrees encouraged. Cloth handlebar tape, Campy Record, non-anodized polished aluminum parts, leather saddles, tubular tires, frame pumps, handlebar mounted waterbottles are all coveted.
The last few years there have been a fair number of riders taking their suffering to a new level with single speeds, including fixed-gear machines. And for the truly tortured, there are those individuals showing up with Schwinn Varsity’s or Suburbans, reliving the days of pretending they were Eddy Merckx as they raced to their next college class.
For garb, we like to see wool clothing, leather shoes, hairnet helmets and white socks of course.
Some comfort- oriented individuals may tend toward mountain bikes, spandex, and clipless pedals, and that’s perfectly OK. We ask that the Heros refrain from making comments.
THE NUTS ‘N BOLTS
What: Ride from Kila, Montana (6 miles West of Kalispell) to Hot Springs…and back
Dates: September 8th & 9th 2012 (overnight in Hot Springs)
Start: 10am, Sat., September 8. Somewhere in Kila, MT (TBD. Our traditional venue The Cottage Inn may not be available)
Cost: $45 for ride and dinner
ROUTES:
Day 1: https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/unitedstates/ak/kalispell/971982374875
SIGNUP
Click here to register for the ride online. The registration accepts Paypal, but if you want to make other payment arrangements (check, cash, etc) include a note in your registration or send an email to cinorider@gmail.com.
Contact info
Glacier Cyclery in Whitefish, (406) 862-6446, rb@glaciercyclery.com
Reed Gregerson, 406-270-0590, reed@cinorider.com
OTHER BUSINESS
Jerseys: Per usual, we will have wool jerseys available, $100
Payment: We prefer payment through PayPal (use the online registration, or we will invoice you) ahead of time, but just ask if prefer some other arrangement. What you owe will depend on if you opt for a jersey, dinner, etc.
Accomodations: Rooms usually go fast at Alamedas and they may be all gone by the time you read this. To reserve a room, just call and say you’re part of the Cino Heroica cycling group. They do have plenty of room to camp there and you can use their facilities for a small fee. Most camp. If Alamedas is full and you want a room, you can also contact Symes Resort.
Alamedas phone: (406) 741-2283
Symes Phone: (888) 305-3106
AWARDS
Yes, we will have awards, votes cast by the participants.
The White Handlebar Tape Award
Goes to that individual who most exemplifies the spirit of Cino Heroica. Heroic bike, traditional clothing, and ability to say things in Italian all are worth major points here.
The Hero
Goes to that individual who displays the greatest fortitude in dealing with adversity. Show up with a single speed bike and get lost on the course and/or have several flats and you’ve got this sewn up.
First Rider
First rider in on Saturday gets their dinner paid for
SPONSORS INCLUDE:
The ZaneRay Group, visit https://www.zaneray.com
and Glacier Cyclery , visit https://www.glaciercyclery.com
