My 1930's Airolg for l'Eroica is done!

Enzo just sent photos of my Airolg. I'll be picking it up later today and testing it out on some long rides next week before heading to Gaiole. My main goal should be learning how to shift the Vittoria-Margherita, as I have yet to do so!

Possibly the nicest Galmozzi project I've seen

I'm an idiot. I know. I don't check my FaceBook messages that often. Sorry - I get over 200 emails a day at work and don't make time for all those other socials that people use to reach out to me. Case in point: Fabi sent me a message looking for info on this bike. It's a Lazzaretti, made by Galmozzi. It is in good shape other than a bit of light rust and some over sprayed paint. It also it the only rooster bike with the curved cambio corsa dropouts that I've seen.

I went months before opening and looking at the photos. Who knows - I would've probably tried to convince him to sell it to me! I wouldn't even repaint it... honest!

Yes, please.

I've not seen a Galmozzi with this dropout before!

Have NEVER seen this before, either!

Why do we see classic bikes with evidence of spray paint in Italy?

l'Eroica is coming... my bike is coming along nicely

Enzo is busy building up the Airolg. I can't wait to test it out. It will be a crash course in shifting the Vittoria Margherita. Anyone have any tips?!?

Cicli Masini Wool Jersey, Maybe?

So now that I have the template done, maybe it's time I get a matching jersey for the Cicli Masini made.

My Airolg Jersey for L'Eroica?

Thoughts?

My 1930's Airolg for l'Eroica

This is NOT ideal preparation for l'Eroica's long course. I would normally be doing lots of long rides on the actual bike to shake everything out. BUT, as it's taken almost a year to get the parts chromed (really), decals applied, wood rims stained and decals applied, the various pieces are finally starting to arrive to one singular location (Enzo's). In a somewhat perplexing series of events, I've sent a wheelbag stuffed with parts to Eurobike, had the chromed parts sent to Enzo, and months ago drove the frame to Enzo's as well. By Monday, everything should be all there and ready to build, piece by piece!

With the exception of the seat tube Modello Extra decal (seventy-year old decals don't like to apply straight or in one piece), the frame looks great. Enzo has a friend who will outline the lugs in gold and clear coat everything. This really should be spectacular. I hope I can get the seatpost up high enough and that it rides nicely and stays together well.

I plan to arrive to Enzo's the weekend before the festivities begin in Gaiole. I'll help him put the finishing touches on, glue the chosen tires, and begin a week's worth of what I refer to as 'cramming.' I plan to head out on extremely long days, having built up my endurance in September. I'd like to follow in Bartali's steps, retracing some of his training rides during the war in which he smuggled Jewish passports. At some point, I'll arrive in Gaiole, where Joao of InGamba Tours has offered me refuge with his classy tour group! At least, that's the plan for now... and if this bike proves anything, it's that plans rarely play out that smoothly!