Celebrate the Soul of Cycling at il Classico, a New Event for Vintage Enthusiasts
There’s a new event on the block! il Classico is a celebration of vintage bikes and gravel riding, and it’s happening on 15 March in Riebeek Kasteel. Event organiser Archie Theron tells us more.
There’s something beautiful about riding a vintage steel road bike on a gravel road. It goes to the essence of what bike racing is all about – those early days of the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, before carbohydrate gels and electronic gears when it was just man, machine and the elements.
For a decade, we were lucky to have Eroica on the cycling calendar – the South African version of the iconic Italian gathering in Tuscany. Montagu was home base and riders would come from far and wide for a weekend of craft beer, banter and bikes. It was special.
But sadly, Eroica South Africa is no more. For a brief moment, fans of vintage bikes held their breath. Was this the end?

Enter Archie is the organiser of the Ronde series of events, including the Ronde van Riebeek and the new Ronde van Swarberg, which replaces the old Swartberg 100. Nils needs little introduction – many readers will have been to Woodstock Cycleworks, his eclectic shrine to all things cycling-related. Together, they came up with il Classico and the first one is happening soon, on 15 March.
Archie tells us more about the inspiration behind the event.
Why bike racing? In 1981, I was a six-year-old laaitie living in Barrydale. That year, the Rapport Tour finished a stage in our town. I remember standing against the school fence, watching the peloton sprint past toward the finish. Alan Van Heerden won the stage. I’ll never forget seeing that silver chrome blur speeding by and the sound of rubber on the road. From that day, I was completely obsessed with cycling and racing bicycles. All I ever wanted was to be a cyclist and own a racing bike.
And classic bikes, what’s the story there? As a teenager in the late ’80s and early ’90s, I fell in love with the classic bikes of that era – Colnagos, De Rosas and Bianchis. That’s where my passion for classic bikes was born. For the longest time, I’ve wanted to organise a classic bike race, but it was hard to explain exactly why. When Eroica disappeared from the calendar, I thought it was the right time to create something similar – a great substitute.
Eroica had quite a few rules about what kind of bikes could be used. Are there any restrictions for il Classico? We’re not overly strict about which bikes qualify for the event. In our view, any bike made before 1999 counts as a classic. That includes late-’90s vintage carbon fibre and aluminium bikes. However, the main requirement is that the bike has drop bars – no mountain bikes are allowed. We also have a ‘Moderna’ category, where riders can participate with modern bikes, whether road or gravel. But ultimately, the focus is on celebrating classic racing bikes.

What kind of vibe are you going for at il Classico? It’s more of an experience than a traditional race – we like to call it a ‘celebration’. Of course, cyclists are competitive, so there will definitely be some racing among friends to see who crosses the finish line first. But the emphasis is on the joy and nostalgia of classic bikes, with a touch of friendly competition.
Why did you choose Riebeek Kasteel as a venue? We’ve organized several gravel races in the Riebeek Valley, so we know the roads well. For this event, we carefully selected the best quality gravel roads. The sections are smooth enough that you could almost ride them on a modern race bike. That’s the main reason we chose the Riebeek Valley as the venue – it offers beautiful, rider-friendly gravel roads. The second reason is Kloovenburg, specifically their Kringe Inni Bos open air restaurant. Pieter du Toit has been incredibly welcoming and supportive of the event. The setting is perfect for this kind of thing – it’s an ideal choice.
For riders who have never ridden vintage bikes on gravel, do you have any tips and tricks? First, you absolutely need sealant in your tubes – that really helps to plug any pinprick punctures that could derail your ride. Second, use the widest tyres your bike can accommodate. Thankfully, older steel bikes tend to have plenty of clearance. I’d also recommend carrying two spare tubes. Think of it like the old Tour de France days when riders handled their own maintenance, sometimes even carrying tubular tires around their necks. If you get a puncture, don’t stress. Take it in your stride – it’s all part of the experience.

Where does Nils fit in? I’ve known Nils since the early days of Woodstock Cycleworks, back when the shop was still on Main Road. Walking into that place, I feel like a kid entering a candy store. I love browsing around, even though half the stuff I want isn’t for sale! For me, the shop is more like a museum than a bike store. I love all the old parts – it’s just magical. Nils is just as passionate about classic bikes as I am. They’re so cool – inexpensive compared to modern bikes, and the components are often far superior to what you can get now. They’re versatile, built to last, and so beautiful. If you don’t own one, or if yours needs a tune-up, visit Woodstock Cycleworks and Nils will gladly assist you.
Tell us about the routes. There are two route options in both categories: vintage bikes (Classico) and modern bikes (Moderna). The Corta is 55km and costs R840; the Lungo is 89km and costs R940. Corta includes one water point; Lungo has two. These will be well-stocked with proper food. The entry fee also includes a souvenir at the finish.
The Il Classico cycle race will be held on Saturday 15 March in Riebeek Kasteel. For more details, and to enter, visit the event page on Entry Ninja.
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