GIOS

A representative of the Gios family was present at the Retro Ronde 2014. He said the family wanted to continue to produce a limited number of high-end frames. Mass production is not on their roadmap. The family retained the right to the GIOS Torino brand, but only for Italy.
The web site is: www.giostorino.it
He also mentioned a new brand "Prodigiosa" they want to start: www.prodigiosa.it. The family will use this name to sell high-end bikes on the international market.
It seems a Taiwanese company has bought the name GIOS for the international market. They are manufacturing frames in Taiwan. This is the 'other' gios web site: www.gios.it

Custom Frames

I just read an article about why it makes more sense to buy a custom steel frame than a 'standard' carbon frame.

It is true that having your own custom frame has tremendous appeal, and the argument of supporting your local traditional frame makers appeals to me.

Here are a few 'local' framemakers.

Jaegher

Located in Ruiselede, Bruggestraat 120, in Flanders, Belgium.
Family tradition since 1934.
They sponsored the 2014 Retro Ronde. I had a good look at the frames on display, absolutely beautiful.

www.jaegher.com

Noble Cycles

Jeune artisan, super sympathique. Commence très petit, ne fait que du 'sur mesure'. Il est partenaire de la randonnée La Savoureuse en Condroz.

www.noblecycles.be

Classic Cycling Tours

Retro tours

These tours are only for classic bikes

• L'Etrusca Ciclostorica, Livorno - Cecina, Italy
  www.letruscaciclostorica.it
• Retro Ronde in Oudenaarde, Belgium
  100km, some sections on cobblestones and some challenging little hills.
• Eroica Britannia in Bakewell, UK
  160km, 2300m elevation. Beautifull scenery. Some sections on white roads, but mostly flat sections. The challenge are the numerous climbs, some very steep.
• Anjou Velo Vintage in Saumur, France
  Nice region, initial max distance was 100km, but they added a 150km in the 2014 edition. Very nice vintage customes. Most participants are there for the fun and do the short distances.
• La Moserissima, Trento, Italy
  www.discovertrento.it
• La Savoureuse in Ciney, Belgium.
  Very nice region, local organisation, very friendly and layed back atmosphere.
• La Carrareccia around the lake of Bolsena, Italy
  Beautiful scenery, 130km including 3 serious climbs, a lot of it on dirt roads. Mostly locals with some odd tourist and an adopted Briton.
• L'Eroica in Gaiole in Chianti, Italy.
  The original, best ever, classic tour. Tends to be overcrowded with tourists, few are doing the actual heroic distance of 205km. Scenery is superb, quite a challenge because of the elevation and the 'strade bianche'. I strongly advice to equip your classic bike with wider tires (at least 25mm) and mountain gears.

Scenic tours

These tours are not limited to classic bikes

• Jotunheimen Rundt in Norway. 430km, elevation 4609m
• Paris - Brest - Paris