UK Leroica Rules

[Ajax Bay]

Erocia.
Steel frame. As old bits as possable. No index gears.

For the avoidance of doubt, each of these bits of info offered by Mr Dickson is erroneous.
Eroica. Doesn't have to be steel (I have an aluminium framed ALAN bike built in 1981). The "bits" don't need to be as "old as possable (sic)". It's actually best if the "bits" ie components are right for the year the bike was built: see the rules (NB already linked above by @biggs682 , 6 minutes after the OP enquired). Indexed gears (operated by downtube shifters) are fine.

 

[Specialeyes]

It's interesting how many references there are online to non-indexed downtube shifters being a requirement, when the only mention of indexing in the rules is the allowance for non-indexed bar-end shifters. Plenty of articles out there imply that downtube shifters mustn't be indexed (I checked the regulations back to 2015 and they're the same) and some even refer to the style of shifters with switchable indexing as ideal for L'Eroica, as you can simply turn the indexing off!

As stated above, it's not exactly policed as such and relies on the massive bank of goodwill - so long as you make the effort. Eroica Britannia don't mention Cambio Corsa bikes for example, but I don't think I'll get chucked out for riding a bike with neither downtube nor Sturmey Archer shifting!

 

[GuyBoden]

My biggest issue is that the 50 and 100 mile routes have too many hills for an old bloke like myself and the 30 mile ride is too short. Surely, a nice flat 100+ mile route would be more suitable for old blokes on old bikes, preferably in Cheshire, Norfolk or Lincolnshire.

The 100 mile route has an elevation of 8,128 ft, that's a bit of a slog for any bloke with an old bike's gearing.
https://eroicabritannia.co.uk/the-ride

 

[Gravity Aided]

Odd that they are so fixated on downtube shifters. I vividly recall a Schwinn "10-speed" I had c1969-70 that had shifters by the stem, and a touring bike I had in the late 70s - a Gemini World Randonneur - with bar-end shifters - both apparently would be deemed "unauthentic" for the purposes of a pre-1987 vintage ride.

Over here, the rules change this year, and aero brakes will be allowed, but L'Eroica rides have always allowed bar end shifters in the States, IIRC. Stem shifters allowed if original to the bicycle.

 

[Ajax Bay]

The 100 mile route has an elevation of 8,128 ft

This was this years 100, I think.