L'Eroica Britannia 2015 - An In-Depth Report

[gramps]

Following on from the inspiration I took from @badlywornroy last year in his photos from the L'Eroica Britannia Cycle Event, I made arrangements to get there to see the event for myself.
The L'Eroica Britannia is a cycle festival and race, well actually three races, covering approximately100k, 50k and 30k that takes place currently around Bakewell in the beautiful county of Derbyshire ... the race attracted a full complement of 3,000 riders, including participants from Italy, South Africa, France, The Netherlands and Japan!

(Full catalogue of images can be found HERE on Flickr)

So what else can I tell you about the event?
Well, as with all cycle races, it was a very serious occasion ...

Every second was made to count as the riders strived to beat all pit-stop records ...

There was an intensity about the desire to win that could be felt everywhere ...

With a strong sense of competition between the sexes ...

For many it was simply a case of 'head down and make for the Finish line' ...

Whilst for others, it was a far more relaxed affair ...

 

[gramps]

Of course all sections of society were involved ... from the Gentry ...

To the Common Man ...

and a few Ladies too ...

All of the family were welcome, couples, the elderly and the young ...

 

[gramps]

The field was quite stretched out at times ...

Whilst at other times single individuals could be seen checking the map for directions ...

There was a very light police presence ...

and as they made for home, all seemed to agree that it was a very happy event!

More reports as we receive them

 

[Mikesphotaes]

Really enjoyed that and you definitely captured the atmosphere.

 

[Light Tower One]

Thank you for showing such a happy group of cyclists. I had not realized the numbers involved were so high.

 

[badlywornroy]

Great shots Roger and the comments add to the sense of fun. I think your photos are better than mine (which doesn't really surprise me) and I assume you found it well worth attending.

Where did you take your pictures ?

Looking forward to seeing more, is there more ?


Roy

 

[gramps]

Great shots Roger and the comments add to the sense of fun. I think your photos are better than mine (which doesn't really surprise me) and I assume you found it well worth attending.

Where did you take your pictures ?

Looking forward to seeing more, is there more ?


Roy

Thanks Roy, your inspiring photos from last year's event gave me something to aim for.
It was well worth attending and I enjoyed it immensely ... we were based in the village of Eyam (the 'Plague Village') and I took my photos around Tideswell and at various points in the countryside between Tideswell and Eyam.

Yes there are more ... I took around 1,500!
All so far processed can be seen on Flickr

 

[Paul Holtom]

Great set of images, you have managed to capture my mate at the Eyam feed station with me behind. It was a superb day riding with a great mix of very friendly cyclists, it would also be a superb event to photograph and your images are better than the event photographers.

 

[gramps]

Thank you Paul, I appreciate your comments, it was a great event to photograph and a lovely friendly bunch of people as you say ... I was amazed at how little spectator support there was on the route, considering it was such a colourful event, maybe they all stayed in Bakewell. The feed station here, incidentally, was in Tideswell, behind the church ... we stayed at a B&B in Eyam but didn't know of its colourful history with the plague until we arrived there

 

[gramps]

@Paul Holtom

The man himself?

View attachment 40699

 

[keithgilks]

The field was quite stretched out at times ...

Whilst at other times single individuals could be seen checking the map for directions ...

There was a very light police presence ...

and as they made for home, all seemed to agree that it was a very happy event!

More reports as we receive them

Hi, I would like to use one of your great shots for an article I'm writing for a cycling mag. Could you please let me know if you are happy with the idea and the terms and conditions? Thanks

 

[gramps]

He

Hi, I would like to use one of your great shots for an article I'm writing for a cycling mag. Could you please let me know if you are happy with the idea and the terms and conditions? Thanks

Hello Keith, just back from holiday with no Internet ... will contact you in due course

 

[jakeblu]

It looks like a fun event and you have captured it well. Like the commentaries too, really adds to the images.

 

[Swissglover]

Some top quality images there and the feeling of the event was conveyed fantastically in your images.

 

[gramps]

It looks like a fun event and you have captured it well. Like the commentaries too, really adds to the images.

Some top quality images there and the feeling of the event was conveyed fantastically in your images.

Thanks both, it was a great fun event to photograph