Eroica California 2022 - Bicycle Concours d'Elegance and Swap

 

The 2022 California Eroica Festival was held for the first time since 2019, and, again Cambria, California was chosen as the host city. My wife and I rented a beach cottage near Fiscalini Ranch and had a splendid weekend. I didn't do the ride on Sunday, but enjoyed much of what the festival had to offer. This time around, though, I didn't purchase anything at the swap as I had three years ago during my visit. I have too many parts sitting in drawers already.

As you can see, the bikes on display represented many of the finest around - brought here by collectors from far and wide. Ted Ernst, who just turned 90 a few days ago, was one of the judges. Few men his age have got the zeal and pep he does. Great to see Ted out there accompanied by another judge, looking over the minute details of these vintage beauties as he made his rounds - what a true classic and class act he is, himself, in so many ways. 

I did bring a bike up here to Cambria to ride around. It's my newly-built Klein ebike conversion, and it was very helpful climbing the hills in this neighborhood - see photos, below. I look forward to coming back here again next year for another Eroica and more of the same beautiful bikes, wonderful scenery, and terrific people. 

Long Beach Motorcycle Swap Meet (Bicycles Too)

Beautiful cruiser

Schwinn Paramount with full Campagnolo. This curved seat tube (short-coupled) model was available in 1975 - 1978. Built for criterium races or for riders who wanted the quicker handling that a shorter wheelbase provides, these are more rare than the standard models form this era. 

The vendor selling this Paramount asked $1,200, but was willing to accept offers. I have a rule that I don't collect bikes that don't fit me, plus this one isn't on my list of "must-haves" so I passed on it. 

Nice Frejus for $500. 

This swap meet is held monthly at Veteran's Stadium in Long Beach, California. This is primarily a motorcycle swap, but there are about two dozen bicycle vendors, as well. The majority of the bicycle spaces are filled with balloon tire or BMX bikes. I was hoping for vintage steel racing bicycles, but there were very few - not worth the $10 admission price for the swap, but no regrets... had to check it out and it was nice to stroll around hoping to find some deals. 

If you love motorcycles, this swap is for YOU. Here's the website for it. Enjoy! 

Encino Velodrome Bicycle Swap Meet - March 5, 2016

A good mix of vintage and modern road bikes with very
little BMX/cruiser/single speed.

Two of these Team Raleigh bikes there. Neither in terrific shape,
but pretty nonetheless.

Late 60s LeJeune in beautiful shape with matching fenders.

Beautiful Legnano-branded Campagnolo hubs.
More on "branded" components HERE.

Many cool, interesting, rare components. 

NOS vintage cyclocross shoes - unused!

New vs not-so-new. Love those Shimano EX/AX brakes.

Although not a large swap, the Encino velodrome bicycle swap drew a moderately-sized crowd this morning under overcast SoCal skies. The threat of rain later in the day didn't dissuade the sellers who spread their wares on tarps and tables. Great prices and plenty of vintage bikes and gear draws a strong C&V crowd to this quarterly meet. 

I walked away with a nice and very shiny 1950s chrome-plated crankset (still need to determine brand), a pair of Serfas cycling eye glasses, pair of toe clips, a pair of Look-branded carbon bottle cages for my (non C&V) Look 585 Team, and some brake pads. 

I'll plan on hitting this again in six months. For the vintage enthusiast, it's better than the monthly Whittier swap that I've attended a dozen times over the past few years. 

Chime in if you've attended this swap or any other you'd like to share a story about.